Heavier Folders

Moxy

Moxy

Joined
Oct 30, 2011
Messages
1,648
Am I the only one who doesn't mind if a knife is heavy, or heavier? I'm seeing so many reviews drooling over lightweight G10 handels all the time as if it's the most important quality a knife can have. Personally I like a little heft in a knife (within reason). I'm not saying I want a Spyderco sage with stainless handles, but when something is heavy it just feels beefier or stronger. I also love the feel of a all metal knife. I'd much rather have anodized aluminum or titanium handles over G10, FRN, Carbon Fiber, Zytel...ect anyday. It doesn't add that much more weight, but the feel is so much better. Imagine a Sabenza in G10.... doesn't seem right somehow. Just doesn't feel like it will last a lifetime. I love my Delica and Endura but I always seem to EDC my metal handled folders more often. Just can't carry feather weights.
 
Like a little heft? Try a Benchmade 275...
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I don't like weight in a knife, at least when using. I agree that the feel is somehow inspiring when just handling the blade, but to think about and look at the material properties or have to slog through a marathon session of cutting, I want as little weight, as little blade thickness, and as much handle comfort as I can get to accomplish the task. I also dislike metal handles because I am really tired of ratchet, pliers, punch, chisel, and knife handles burning or freezing my hands when working outside.

edit-I also carry a SOG Powerlock in my lfp, so that's a reason I want the knives lighter. For carry, I don't notice the weight, even when I carried 12 ounce folders in the rfp. I just found that the weight didn't transfer to performance.
 
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I am a big fan of beefy folders, which are on the heavy side. Guess the trend lately has a lot of people wanting sleek, featherweights. They do have their place, and I have some too but I gravitate towards the bigger and heavier.
 
As long as it's under ~6oz I don't really care about weight. I do like the feel of G10 over metal handles though, as long as it has nice sturdy liners
 
I don't necessarily gravitate towards bigger knives. The biggest knife in my EDC queue is my Kershaw Blur.
If you have to use the knife nonstop or in extreme temps then of course the priorities change.
G10 is also always tearing up my jeans. :/
 
Random Dan said:
As long as it's under ~6oz I don't really care about weight. I do like the feel of G10 over metal handles though, as long as it has nice sturdy liners
Click to expand...

+1. I'd extend my limit to 7.5 or so, but sturdy liners are a must. Nothing wrong with a little bit of heft ;)
 
I love beef. I got my Satu on me today, I often carry my 0200, 0300 or my Ontario hossom 1. In my pocket I rarely notice them and they feel so solid when Useing them.
 
For a really heavy beefy folder for cheap take a look at the bad blood knives fire splitter. I am very impressed with the quality for something less then 30$. It's almost 10oz, 8cr13mov with full steel liners and g10 and a very smooth,large flipper.
 
I won't carry a folder 5oz or over. Large Sebenza is as heavy as I'll go. I carry fixed blades when I need a heavier knife than that.
 
I prefer bigger heavier folders. I carry a DDR HD Maxx.
 
I like the inertial potential of a heavy knife just like a heavy chisel can out-do a lighter chisel.

I think the trend to lightweight carry is possibly related to the wearing of dress pants.
 
5 ounces is about right for me. Sebbie, Zaan, Sng or a nice, light Spydie Southard. Or my JYD II is also a favorite...for heavier stuff.
 
Clipped in my pocket I never notice the weight. Right now I'm carrying a ZT 0561. I also occasionally carry a full size CRKT M21 with aluminum scales.
 
I don't mind heavy folders at all. Weight isn't really a factor for me at all when I'm deciding whether or not to buy a knife.
 
Got to ask, it's it really because it's heavy, or because the grip is wider and doesn't dig into your palm? Light knives can feel solid and reassuring, too. In terms of fixed blades, the light leather grip of a Kabar is comfortable, but my Nimravus isn't - the rebated scales and exposed tang bite and require gloves.

A thin, light knife carries easily in a trim cut pair of jeans, retracts easily, and doesn't fall out as easily when you get sideways or upside down. A heavy knife will pull pants down, fall out of your pocket, and doesn't really mean it's made of quality materials. In the day, it was brass, stag, bone, or wood, and some had cast zinc bolsters. All that added up to a heavy knife being a weak piece of junk. G10 or carbon fiber, not so much.

With full metal handles, you not only get a freezing grip in poor weather, it also conducts electricity - not optimum working under the hood or on a construction job wiring a house.

There's reason why we like light weight, and when you have to carry even more of it on your back in the field, you cherish it. Heavy in a knife makes it duffel bag fodder, and when you toss it in, it goes straight to the bottom. Those are the knives the kids get to play with when Dad gets back - not the one he cherishes and carries until he wears it out.

Just a different perspective on heavy.
 
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