Heavy duty folders?

C

CID25

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Aug 23, 2009
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I'm looking for a hard use folder for utility purposes. Something that I can thrash on and not really have to worry about. I've had my eye on the ZT350, and one of my coworkers is telling me to get an Emerson, but I'm open to pretty much anything in the sub $200 or so price range. What knives do you guys like to use for your rough work?
 
Of the two you mentioned, I've only had experience with the ZT350 personally. I like it so much that I had custom scales made for it. The knife has a thick liner lock. Not trashing the Military, but it makes the Military liner look super thin. Both are heavy duty knives and often get compared. You'll not be disappointed with either of them.

You can see them here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7365958&postcount=1867
 
More importantly the Military tip is super thin. The lock however is nothing you need to worry about, it's one of the best liner locks in the world. It's an excellent all purpose cutting blade, one that I personally have carried and would feel perfectly comfortable using hard. It is not however, something you can "thrash on and not worry about " Try to pry open a paint can with it and you'll likely end up with a broken tip.
 
Spyderco Manix (if you can find one... psssst there is one for sale now in the For Sale forums)
 
Well I'd think that in an allout beating to failure a theck frame lock would last a little longer but that being said I carry an emerson cqc10 right now. If you've never tried a wave feature give it a shot I think it's one of the best things a folder can have. Also the tip on the cqc10 is bomb proof done plenty of prying, stabbing, abusing doesn't bother it one bit. I think the only drawback of the knife at all is or emerson in general is I find some of the grinds a little weird as far as the edge goes but overall I think there pretty hard to beat
 
My Heavy folders are my ZT 0500, Kershaw Tyrade G10 and my BM 610 Rukus. They are large and cost less than 200. Good luck choosing.

PS I am saving for an Emerson Commander. : )
 
I'm looking for a knife to have with me in the workshop, cutting a variety of materials, like heavy cardboard and plastic, something I won't feel too bad about doing a bit of light prying with. I've been carrying a ParaMilitary for the last few months, but I've found the tip to be a bit on the thin side for my purposes, so I'm looking for something a bit bulkier.
Thanks for the help, I've got a few more models to be looking at now.
 
Buck 110, you can't go wrong with that one. Little heavy though, if you don't like the weight there's the Buck 486 Bucklite; it's similar in design to the 110 but has nylon handles instead of the brass and wood handles of the 110, also it has a thumb stub, it's been a pretty sturdy knife so far. Both of these cost about thirty dollars and are designed to take a lot of hard use.
 
Take a look at the Kershaw Spec Bump 1586. The blade is s30v and quite sturdy. Super smooth assisted opening with G10 scales. I like mine so much a bought a second. You can get these for under $120 and they come with the great lifetime Kershaw warranty.

I have no experience with Zero Tolerance but I no longer carry a Spyderco because the tips on two different knives have broken with everyday light use in my own hands (one VG-10, the other s30v Sage).
 
Cold Steel Voyager or Recon 1 would be in your price range, both will handle anything you would need them too.
 
Take a look at the ZT0200. Probably the best value for a hard use knife in the ZT line. Next would be the Tyrade. The Kersahw Boa is also a very tough knife, and comes with a S30V blade.
 
for a beater knife in MY workshop, i'd buy used and i'd buy cheap.

i'd consider a fixed blade or even a utility knife.
 
One of these; Spyderco Manix or Mini Manix

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The blade is thick and the back lock is ultra strong.
 
the only knife i own that i would consider prying with is a hinderer xm18, clearly out of your price range.

i own a range of spydercos and emersons, and the only one that comes close to the xm in tip strength is probably my cqc 8. both brands tend to have rather pointy tips (a good thing) that are great for piercing, but lousy for prying.

even the strider folders i have owned have tips less desirable for prying. essentially the tip is the weakest point on the actual blade, and is going to be very prone to breaking. within a relatively short period of time you are likely to have a very nice knife with a round or squarish tip.

if you must pry, at your price point the zt is the only way to go.

however, you would be far better served with something like a leatherman charge or similar. locking blade, and plenty of other tools on it to pry open paint cans with.
 
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