'heavy duty' folders

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
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Just wondering how heavy duty your folders are. Mine are lockbacks and Axis locks, some with liners, partial liners, some without. I always figured my point of failure is going to be the blade. I don't know how to stress a knife in use without applying any lateral force to the blade, nor can I think of a reason to do so. I've kind of stopped thinkg of full liners as something to add strength, and more of just a way to aid feel in the hand and heft for impacts in SD. I'm starting to think that if a folder has more metall in it than a comparably sized fixed blade, and you think you need that much for the task, then the fixed blade is a better idea.
 
Hmm..I've never been really attracted to the super tough folders. I suppose my toughest non-bali folder would be my blue Bump...that Buck 560C looks pretty stout also. Nothing amazing, but more than I imagine I'll ever need...
 
the knife that i consider the heaviest duty folder in my small collection is the gerber parabellum.i have alot of confidence in that knife,almost as much confidence as with a fixed blade,it just feels that secure.the bolt lock is incredibly strong,it operates somewhat like an axis lock,but with a steel rod that wedges behind the tang parallel to the tang as opposed to the axis which is horizontal to the tang.(sorry i'm no good with descriptions) it's very large though and is only comfortable for carry in it's pouch. far to big for the pocket.
 
As for heavy duty, I pretty much trust my axis folders. Don't have much trust in liner locks (even BM and Spyderco) nor lock-backs; too many failures, though still use them.

In regard to lateral forces, metal thickness is the indicator IMO. But I don't carry these as they generally don't serve as a EDC very well, IMO. Blades that thick I limit to fixed blades for special tasks.

The Bolt-Action lock: still have my early Gerber version and I feel this lock has some potential. Trustworthy design let down by application (I've seen split handles - zytel just couldn't take the load, I guess). Put it in a metal handle (Ti would be great, Al would do) and see how strong it could be. It could even be made more wear resistant by having the blade/bolt interface be angled (more of one, based on one broken knife I saw).
 
orthogonal1 said:
The Bolt-Action lock: still have my early Gerber version and I feel this lock has some potential. Trustworthy design let down by application (I've seen split handles - zytel just couldn't take the load, I guess). Put it in a metal handle (Ti would be great, Al would do) and see how strong it could be. It could even be made more wear resistant by having the blade/bolt interface be angled (more of one, based on one broken knife I saw).
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funny you should say that... everytime i look at the parabellum,i can't help but think that if someone were to put the bolt lock into a ti frame it would be fairly indestructable. i've never heard of the handles splitting but i guess i could see it happening.maybe i should put a bolt and nut in the lanyard hole to help prevent splitting. i wonder who holds the patent on the lock itself? it would be nice to see someone revamp the bolt lock as i believe it has "toughest lock" potential.
 
hardheart said:
Just wondering how heavy duty your folders are. Mine are lockbacks and Axis locks, some with liners, partial liners, some without. I always figured my point of failure is going to be the blade. I don't know how to stress a knife in use without applying any lateral force to the blade, nor can I think of a reason to do so. I've kind of stopped thinkg of full liners as something to add strength, and more of just a way to aid feel in the hand and heft for impacts in SD. I'm starting to think that if a folder has more metall in it than a comparably sized fixed blade, and you think you need that much for the task, then the fixed blade is a better idea.
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I have a few billed as "Heavy Duty" but I would not do anything too extreme with them , IMO a knife is for cutting. I think your right on the first point of failure being the blade , next would be where blade meets bolster.
My Buck 110 is pretty darn stout but I would never pry with it , or for that matter any folder. Heck I'd be hard pressed to pry with a stout fixed blade ! :D
I have to laugh at the whole concept of using a folder as a prybar , it's just simple physics and some part of the knife will fail and become weak , breaking possible causing injury to one's self.
 
I guess I have folders that run the gamit, from pretty much light duty to very heavy duty. Most heavy duty I guess would be Strider SnG and a couple of the Dalton autos, I suppose you could through the BM 710 in the reletively heavy duty crowd as well.
 
You know, if you want to pry, why not carry a SAK? Seems the screwdriver or awl would be more effective, safer and cheaper to replace in the case of breakage.
 
sebenza is a goodie. my strongest are probably my 2 dalton tiger 2's. Need to get a Strider RC. That is probably the strongest knife out there.
 
I guess my Hinderer XM-18 is about my strongest folder, it is built like a battle tank. Steven
 
Vivi said:
Any particular scenarios come to mind where they failed you?
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My own stupidity mostly, expecting way more than what a knife that size is capable of. not necesarily a detracter of the knife itself, as long as you know not to try to pry open your home windowscreen (it was stuck and i locked myself out of my parents house), i snapped the main blade at about an inch from the tip.
I had another one rust closed on me (my fault, i didnt take the best care of knives at the time) and years later after an oil bath i still cant get it open.

and yet another one got stolen.

all in all mostly not the knife's fault ;)
 
I have three folders I consider to be HD's. They include a Strider AR, a Benchmade Rukus, and my newest, a Jeff Hall Phalanx. Not that I am in any situation to put these to the maximum use, but it is satisfying to know that they would be capable.
 
My Cold Steel Vaquero is one tough bastard.

Have you watched their video Proof? Pretty impressive stuff if you ask me.
 
I have 2 folders that I consider heavy duty; a Mini-Manix & my Hinderer XM-18.
 
Spyderco Chinook II is a very strong lockback of cpms30v steel, designed for fighting (and heavy use). They are coming out with a Chinook III which will be flat ground instead of hollow ground which should make ithe edge even stronger for camp style use. Spyderco manix is also a heavy use knife with cpms3ov steel. The sog spec-elite I and II are 4 and 5 inch blade with an axis- lock in aus 8 steel. If you need anything heavier than these, I would use a fixed blade.
 
For my birthday I received a RAT1 folder from my wife! Anyhow, I find this to be my most 'hearty' folder. I haven't had the chance to fully use the thing, but it is solid in construction, solid lock, and beefy AUS8 blade. The thing is pretty big and fits nicely in the hand, but I don't think I would use this to pry anything (maybe my SAK's bottle opener). I could see this thing digging and chopping, though.
 
COLD STEEL RECON l plain tanto cuts, slices, batons, pierces, and chops. I dont have to worry bout my fingers either. It is heavy nuff to get the job done.
 
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