Hard use knife?

People seem to underestimate what a proper grind and a nice blade geometry can do. I find Slipjoints to do what most people consider "hard use" as did their forefathers, and their forefathers before them. There is more to a knife in it's cutting ability then getting to a .025 micron edge, the better blade geo. it has, with that magical edge = less force needed if that makes sense.
 
Try a BK2,if you want a large extremely hard use blade go for a khukuri (i prefer HI),if you have a solid budget go for a Killa Zilla or TGLB,folders arent hard use knives in my opinion because no matter how well made a fixed blade will be stronger.This all depends on you budget,intended use,survival knowledge and physical condition.My personal SHTF blade will be my CAK,20 inches of almost 1/2 thick 5160,it will go to hell and back with me,I even patina'd a WWIII on it because i know it will survive it.
 
Are you going to belittle everyones opinion on this? You asked what peoples definition of a hard use knife, and what the appeal is and what can it do that a smaller job can't.great but everything you say gives off a negative vibe
 
Sig_Op said:
Are you going to belittle everyones opinion on this? You asked what peoples definition of a hard use knife, and what the appeal is and what can it do that a smaller job can't.great but everything you say gives off a negative vibe
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Sorry Bro, not my intention. I've asked for examples in a couple of occasions out of curiosity, not out of a 'prove it' attitude. I don't see how I've belittled someones opinion...That generally involves saying something like "Your opinion doesn't matter" or "You are wrong." etc. The beauty of forums is that it literally gives you a forum to express yourself and your opinion. The internet is a diverse community of people with a wide range of opinions on different subjects. Just because someone doesn't agree doesn't mean they are belittling someone.

Besides, Midgets with knives are cool.
 
Ramil839 said:
Try a BK2,if you want a large extremely hard use blade go for a khukuri (i prefer HI),if you have a solid budget go for a Killa Zilla or TGLB,folders arent hard use knives in my opinion because no matter how well made a fixed blade will be stronger.This all depends on you budget,intended use,survival knowledge and physical condition.My personal SHTF blade will be my CAK,20 inches of almost 1/2 thick 5160,it will go to hell and back with me,I even patina'd a WWIII on it because i know it will survive it.
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Cool. I personally use Blind Horse knives as an EDC. They can stand up well to 'hard use', as they have good geometry and good steel.

20 inches of 1/2" steel? Do you have pictures? That is crazy.
 
Sure
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after patina along with some of my other blades,I love all my knives but after seeing my WW3 perform I love it even more
 
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About 40oz,it chops better than a medium axe,i compared it to a CS pipe/trench hawks and they were hair whittling sharp and the CAK could only rip through paper,still outperformed both,however a large axe wins hands down.
 
For slicing, I prefer thin. For chopping I like thick.

For prying I like thick. I don't tend to carry axes, or even hawks. But a nice thick knife can tear into and pry apart hunks of fatwood.

I normally carry at least one thin knife (slipjoints, Opinel, etc), and outdoors, I cary a bigger more robust knife.

Both have their uses.
 
I like to have several blades on me if im in the woods or anywhere there isnt a lot of people (large knives+crowds dont mix),hawk+medium knife+SAK/multitool or anything similar or large knife+small knife+multi tool,combos are endless but its hard to go wrong with a big blade because it can do everything (if made right of coarse),its not the best but if you want a jack of all trades get a nice thick heavy blade.
 
I only have one sharpened pry bar blade, the OKC Ranger falcon (worst name ever for that knife!) I really find something appealing about it...but at the same time, its never been the best knife to use for anything I have used it for.

Over and over (and I'm talking about years) I have found a simple Mora knife (I have a few different models) has proven to be my most usefull blade for what I do outdoors.

I'm not the type to carry 4-5 different knives into the woods, if I were out to test knives that would be another thing, but when I'm out its for a greater reason than to use or test knives. The knives I carry are for use and the use although important is a small fraction of the time spent outdoors. As a result I try and let use distill what is useful to carry.

I think there is a time and place for the thick blades, and I have no desire to part with my OKC falcon, but "thin" blades do seem more useful, more often.
 
despite dragging my feet a bit, ive recently come to the conclusion that my "bigger and thicker is better" thinking when it comes to knives isnt 100% true and recently started packing a small hatchet/machete in my jeep and ive been leaving the monster blades at home when im getting some outdoors time. using a knife for some jobs = harder work and consumes more time compared to gathering/splitting firewood with a more appropriate tool for the job. i still love my big blades, but i will admit they arent the jack of all trades.
 
Here was my crack at a 'hard use knife' (not an advert, not been commercially available for a very long time).






Otherwise, I agree with the OP and with a lot other posters, I'd rather have a very sharp knife with a relatively thin blade out in the woods than a chisel-ground pry-bar. The only knife I own, which I'd put into the pry-bar bracket is a TOPS Hawk Recon I was bought recently as a present and haven't had a chance to do much with yet.

Like many posters, given a choice I'll carry more than one knife, and use an axe for the heavy stuff.
 
The Schrade Walden 165 that sits in one of my tool boxes has seen a bunch of use over the years. Along with various True Edge Ontario butcher blades, this 165 is a hard use knife that has been on many a hunting trip. It was loaned out five years previous to another pal for a butchering fest following a successful deer hunt and returned to me none the worse for wear. Then there was the time that the 165 was used to scrape old paint off a wall, clean rust off of ancient pipes and slice up odd end boxes. I dug a drainage ditch and used the knife for clearing weeds and roots that were in the way. Two years ago, it cut radiator hose while replacing the cooling system on an older jeep. That 165 has cut cactus, agave plants, trees and just about anything else you can imagine. It has been used to cut roofing tile, duct material and soft metals. The knife was even employed as a make-shift prybar while removing old flooring, not to mention breaking away old grout in the bathroom areas. And yes, it has been hit with a rubber hammer while splitting small chunks of wood although I still cringe at such behavior.

When I got the 165 a mere 15 years ago, it was used then! The former owner had purchased it in Maine and subsequently used it as a deer knife for at least five seasons. Yes, it is a hard use knife, if this thing could talk it would likely have a few tales to recount.
 
I would use my ZT to help chop up sticks and small branches/logs for the fires at my fathers rituals, and the Chokwe I would not, it would get the lighter jobs. The Chokwe in my opinion is a wonderful and great knife that can stand up to a lot of use. However, I would trust the ZT's edge not to chip or roll at all. The Chokwe, being as thin as it is would probably roll, or not so much "chip" but it would get little "dings" or flat parts on the edge.

I may have to do a test here soon and take pics...
 
I picked up A Greyman Warrior..Thats my most bada$$ hard use knife..Followed by the K-Bar,Glock and Buck 119..But when I need to really abuse a blade like for instance..Our first kayak/camping trips in the early spring/summer..I grab my 9 dollar machete to clear out the campsite.
CD
 
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