Heavy duty folder less than 3" blade

[Scott321]

I have a few Spyderco, BM's, CS, and a free others. My favorite is the old Presidio, but I recently was very impressed with the limited edition Buck 112' s over at C&C. I didn't think I would like Buck until I tried it. Right now I EDC a C&C limited edition 112 drop point in S30V With Micarta scales. Its right at 3".

 

[whitty]

Well, after much consideration i am still not sure what direction to go. I called Hinderer directly today, and even though they have previously serrated blades for other customers the answer was a resounding no for the half track - additionally it was clearly mentioned that any alterations to the cutting edge as it relates to adding serrations will completely void any and all warranties. So back to square one.. i cant believe the bs involved with simply adding some dang serrations..

Did you get a name of the person at Hinderer that you talked to? This is not consistent with their new warranty policy. There have been some changes with employees there so the person you spoke to might not be aware of the changes to the warranty. Shoot me an email to scott@usamadeblade.com so we can discuss off line.

 

[GMUGNIER]

Did you get a name of the person at Hinderer that you talked to? This is not consistent with their new warranty policy. There have been some changes with employees there so the person you spoke to might not be aware of the changes to the warranty. Shoot me an email to scott@usamadeblade.com so we can discuss off line.

Whitty - thank you for your assistance, everyone that I spoke to at Hinderer was very helpful.

 

[danthaman1980]

If you go to the Benchmade Custom Shop you can order a mini Grip with a Tanto, part-serrated blade in a variety of steels. You can also select G10 handles in a variety of textures.

I know the Grip isn't considered a "hard use" knife, but I've never had one fail on me and it meets all your requirements.

Good luck!

^^ This.

Mini-grip partially serrated tanto in M4 with G-10 scales sounds pretty tough to beat.

 

[PNWhovian]

Well, after much consideration i am still not sure what direction to go. I called Hinderer directly today, and even though they have previously serrated blades for other customers the answer was a resounding no for the half track - additionally it was clearly mentioned that any alterations to the cutting edge as it relates to adding serrations will completely void any and all warranties. So back to square one.. i cant believe the bs involved with simply adding some dang serrations..

Half Track is a great little knife with a robust blade but I'm not sure if I'd call it heavy duty. My girlfriend has one and for some reason it just doesn't hit me as a hard or heavy user.
I'd consider what these wise folks have recommended and check out the custom section. There are some incredibly talented makers around here.

 

[GMUGNIER]

Half Track is a great little knife with a robust blade but I'm not sure if I'd call it heavy duty. My girlfriend has one and for some reason it just doesn't hit me as a hard or heavy user.
I'd consider what these wise folks have recommended and check out the custom section. There are some incredibly talented makers around here.

Yes - I have taken heed of the advice and contacted a few custom makers. I will keep everyone apprised as the situation develops, but quite frankly most custom builders have shied away from the challenge as small doesn't necessarily correlate well with tough. But my requirement is less than 2.75" and built like a tank, can skin a dinosaur, and then whittle a telephone pole to a toothpick if necessary. partially serrated tanto, or reverse tanto is a requirement, and now that I have opened the door for a custom build - I added wire strippers on the spine for different gauges of wire. If anyone quotes a reasonable price, i will probably commission the build.

 

[GMUGNIER]

Did you get a name of the person at Hinderer that you talked to? This is not consistent with their new warranty policy. There have been some changes with employees there so the person you spoke to might not be aware of the changes to the warranty. Shoot me an email to scott@usamadeblade.com so we can discuss off line.

I requested a copy of the most recent warranty for the half track. I will let you know what I find out.

 

[GMUGNIER]

Half Track is a great little knife with a robust blade but I'm not sure if I'd call it heavy duty. My girlfriend has one and for some reason it just doesn't hit me as a hard or heavy user.
I'd consider what these wise folks have recommended and check out the custom section. There are some incredibly talented makers around here.

Every review I have read has highlighted the heavy duty nature of the locking mechanism and the robust nature of the blade so that is a bit unusual to hear. what about the knife seems to be making it a less than a heavy duty - every day user?

 

[Hackenslash]

I requested a copy of the most recent warranty for the half track. I will let you know what I find out.

http://www.rickhindererknives.com/rick-hinderer-terms-conditions
Here's the warranty right here. It doesn't look like serrations would void the warranty.

 

[GMUGNIER]

http://www.rickhindererknives.com/rick-hinderer-terms-conditions
Here's the warranty right here. It doesn't look like serrations would void the warranty.

Hmm - Hackenslash thanks for the info. That's interesting, I am still waiting for the "official warranty changes" from Hinderer, but at first blush i tend to agree with your assessment. Although, notably, it does not specifically address serrations.. For some reason the serrations were a problem for them...

 

[PNWhovian]

Every review I have read has highlighted the heavy duty nature of the locking mechanism and the robust nature of the blade so that is a bit unusual to hear. what about the knife seems to be making it a less than a heavy duty - every day user?

First impressions mostly and please bear in mind this is just my opinion and in no way am I posting this as fact or proof.
First, the lock up didn't instill much confidence in me as there was absolutely no grab between the tang of the knife and the lock bar until I put a moderate amount of squeeze while cutting. Reminded me a lot of the MPR from Benchmade. While it does seem solid when I did the dreaded 'spine whack' test I just prefer more grab from my frame/liner locks. Personal preference really.
Second, I don't like the open nature of the lock bar groove inside the titanium handle slabs. In my opinion it's an open invitation for foreign particles/material.
Third, I have big hands and this knife feels small and while not flimsy it just doesn't instill the level of confidence the small Sebenza did/does.
Fourth, the detent while decent seems a bit weak for a flipper. I put a bit of 10w nanotube on it for her but it's still not flipping all the way open without a wrist flick assist.
Lastly, I'm not a fan of teflon or plastic washers. I'm not saying they're bad but in a $400+ knife I expect more.

Again, this is not a dig on Hinderer knives or the Half Track it is just my impression after handling one sampling. As I said before, it does have a robust blade and I do think it has potential.

 

[GMUGNIER]

First impressions mostly and please bear in mind this is just my opinion and in no way am I posting this as fact or proof.
First, the lock up didn't instill much confidence in me as there was absolutely no grab between the tang of the knife and the lock bar until I put a moderate amount of squeeze while cutting. Reminded me a lot of the MPR from Benchmade. While it does seem solid when I did the dreaded 'spine whack' test I just prefer more grab from my frame/liner locks. Personal preference really.
Second, I don't like the open nature of the lock bar groove inside the titanium handle slabs. In my opinion it's an open invitation for foreign particles/material.
Third, I have big hands and this knife feels small and while not flimsy it just doesn't instill the level of confidence the small Sebenza did/does.
Fourth, the detent while decent seems a bit weak for a flipper. I put a bit of 10w nanotube on it for her but it's still not flipping all the way open without a wrist flick assist.
Lastly, I'm not a fan of teflon or plastic washers. I'm not saying they're bad but in a $400+ knife I expect more.

Again, this is not a dig on Hinderer knives or the Half Track it is just my impression after handling one sampling.

Thank you for your impressions. it is appreciated.

 

[PNWhovian]

Thank you for your impressions. it is appreciated.

You're more than welcome. I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[GMUGNIER]

I did end up purchasing a half track with Blue Ti scales and Blue Ti hardware, it feels like it's almost the perfect knife, But I am at a complete loss on what I should do about serrations on a small section of the cutting edge near the base of the blade. Hinderer did confirm, contrary to the previous posting that they will warranty knife as long as the problems aren't related to the serrations. They did mention that if the temper is found to have been effected as a result of the serration addition that would void my warranty. I guess I should investigate a wheel or a stone for one of the sharpening systems to add them myself.

 

[GMUGNIER]

Does anyone know how Benchmade does their serrations? I'm sure its some type of expensive setup, but I am curious as to how the high volume guys actually do it.

 

[LadyEarth]

Why not have a professional modder do the serration for you since they know more about avoiding the overheating of the metal while adding the serration?

And after reading all this, I just had to ask:
Is this knife for a real life job? Or is it just to have?

It really got me curious on what kind of real life use you’re putting this into for such a specific set of criteria. I personally work in the outdoors but I don’t usually have a set of requirements since a ZT knife and other fix blades does the work well for me.

If you cannot disclose the nature of your work, I understand.

 

[Kels73]

They did mention that if the temper is found to have been effected as a result of the serration addition that would void my warranty. I guess I should investigate a wheel or a stone for one of the sharpening systems to add them myself.

Unless you have experience with this sort of work, I don't recommend doing it yourself. Many of the skilled craftsmen on this forum make it look easy, but it isn't. However, it is very easy to make serrations that are uneven, or to remove too much metal, or to ruin the temper.

 

[jwh720]

I did end up purchasing a half track with Blue Ti scales and Blue Ti hardware, it feels like it's almost the perfect knife, But I am at a complete loss on what I should do about serrations on a small section of the cutting edge near the base of the blade. Hinderer did confirm, contrary to the previous posting that they will warranty knife as long as the problems aren't related to the serrations. They did mention that if the temper is found to have been effected as a result of the serration addition that would void my warranty. I guess I should investigate a wheel or a stone for one of the sharpening systems to add them myself.

I would get ahold of Josh at REK, I am pretty sure he grinds with a cooling fluid so that the temper would not be affected.

 

[NJBillK]

I was always under the impression that serrations worked best when slashing, due to this, they would perform best at the belly to tip.

With the rear half of the blade left straight, you have all of the space needed for hard push cuts with the thumb on the spine, directly over the straight edge...

 

[Ryanol]

Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite with serrated blade.