Recommendation? Heavy duty pocket knife for everyday use. Which one of the two options?

[whereismyknife]

Well I'm biased for Midgards Messer as currently own 2 knives from them and have one on preorder. But they are expensive and just because they're robust I would hope you're not using them as pry tools. They also are in cpmd2 which for some people lacks corrosion resistance as other more stainless steel types.

And of course as some mentioned, they are made by Kansept Knives in China if that's an issue with you. Personally a great knife is a great knife be it made in Pakistan, China, Fukushima, or the great state of Georgia.

It might sound funny, but I'm thinking of using it. Of course not as a prybar, but for everyday use. If it's as great as you mention, I might not care where it was produced. Thank you for the answer. It helped a lot.

 

[elde66]

Maybe no one here has a Spartan Harsey? Perhaps the OP might look up the info on these on their website. I mean, made in the USA, good steel, tough & dependable. Will last a lifetime. Worth a look.

 

[whereismyknife]

Courtesy of Bladeforums, about 15 years ago I bought a CS American Lawman. I wanted a heavier duty knife that I could use to cut, scrape, lightly pry and wedge, and rely on not to close when I was using it. I am in construction and was looking for a knife that could do all of those things (realizing one knife can't do it all) on the job site. BF steered me right and started me on CS. I have never felt under-knifed on even the nastiest of tasks.

I was so happy I have bought the Ultimate Hunter which is also a great camp/hiking knife, the Bush Ranger (excellent all around and the molded handles are great), the 4 MAX Scout, a Code 4, and a Recon 1. The only one that was unsatisfactory to me was the Recon 1 as the knife is too skinny in my paws and was uncomfortable for me to use. Didn't like the grip on it when my hands were really sweaty, either.

I also have the king of work knives (TO ME) that they make, the SR1 tanto in S35vn. There is a lot of love from heavy users (using it as a tool) and a lot of hate for those that want to use it as a slicer. It can pry, scrape, cut fiberglass shipping straps, be used as a chisel (tanto), and is great for my house framing and big wood trimming chores. It cuts OK, not really well, but it is my go to knife for really hard work. Locks up like the proverbial bank vault, and after about 4 years on site, it still does. Since it is on washers, cleaning is easy to get the gunk off when working with adhesives and I clean the scales with charcoal lighter fluid if I get them covered with tar, glue and other nasty stuff. You can get the "lite" version for under $50 to try out the size and weight, or buy the S35 model for under $150. What a steal. Buy both!

For your hiking and outdoor use, take a look at the Bush Ranger. Again, a suggestion by a like minded BF member to me, I bought it and I love it. S35 steel, molded grip, and the TriAd lock. All good when I am hunting, hiking or when I am in the water. Smaller than the SR1, but a much better cutter.

I really appreciate that answer. I'm a cold steel fan. I have all the models you mentioned. I am very happy with all of them. If I had to choose just one brand it would be cold steel. I accept everything you write as if I had written it myself.

 

[whereismyknife]

Grayman Knives "Satu" or "Dua". You'll need to keep an eye on the exchange or the big auction site, they've been out of production for a while.

Anything by "Wander Tactical", or Miller Bros. if you really want to spend some money. Their folders will put you into four figures.

Great advice. I absolutely fell in love with these knives.

 

[whereismyknife]

What do you currently own for folders? The 2 you asked about aren’t really knives meant for cutting. To be honest both of them fit into a weird category of knives that are too big to carry, too thick to actually cut, and too expensive to use them for their intended task (which I’m not exactly certain what task that is, maybe splitting tiles during bathroom installs).

The Hermod appears to have a pull-pin lock with a $0.005 ring attached. That ring seriously looks like the cheapest hardware I’ve seen in my life. It is made in China and I would be skeptical that the CPM-D2 is actually what it is. Otherwise not a terrible looking knife, I’d recommend it 100 times over the Fox.

The Meskwaki is much worse. It weighs a pound and is over a foot long! It has 2 locks (probably to support that 0.2” thick blade)!!! The tracker grind is bad enough on a fixed blade (meant to be mostly used as a hatchet) and makes no sense on a folder. If that wasn’t bad enough, they also made it a tanto somehow???

There is no rational reason. I love big knives. I love weird knives. I like to carry them. My collection is full of knives of this type.

 

[whereismyknife]

Maybe no one here has a Spartan Harsey? Perhaps the OP might look up the info on these on their website. I mean, made in the USA, good steel, tough & dependable. Will last a lifetime. Worth a look.

Looks nice but I like the weird knives. Definitely a great everyday knife.

 

[Monofletch]

Those two knives are really beefy. Not very edc or pocket friendly. I do like both of those choices though. Can’t go wrong with either!
If you like big. Take a look at Maxace Knives. The Killer Whale, Sandstorm, and Goliath are all big beefy offerings. ZT as well.

 

[whereismyknife]

Those two knives are really beefy. Not very edc or pocket friendly. I do like both of those choices though. Can’t go wrong with either!
If you like big. Take a look at Maxace Knives. The Killer Whale, Sandstorm, and Goliath are all big beefy offerings. ZT as well.

Maxace makes amazing knives. I definitely want to get a titanis.

 

[Monofletch]

My Sandstorm K…..

• Overall Length:10.00"
• Blade Length:4.375"
• Cutting Edge:4.25"
• Blade Width:1.63"
• Blade Thickness:0.16"

 

[whereismyknife]

My Sandstorm K…..

• Overall Length:10.00"
• Blade Length:4.375"
• Cutting Edge:4.25"
• Blade Width:1.63"
• Blade Thickness:0.16"

View attachment 2192568

Such a beast

 

[Modernflame]

How about a nice chonky Medford? USA made, precision engineered and thicker than a damn ribeye.

 

[AntDog]

For that amount of money, I wouldn’t be looking at either of those choices. At that price point you have a wide open playing field.

I’d probably go with an Adamas and pocket the rest. Or spend it on a nice fixed blade that would probably serve you better. No folder is gonna be more brick sh!thouse than a fixed blade.

 

[353]

None of them.

I actually puked a little in my mouth watching the pictures. That is the kind of overbuilt, US designed(just a wild wild guess..), knife that I absolutely can not stand.

So I'm no help here but had to let a little steam out. Sorry, but that is the type of knives I wouldn't even pick up if I found them on the ground and die of shame if someone caught me with one.

 

[whereismyknife]

For that amount of money, I wouldn’t be looking at either of those choices. At that price point you have a wide open playing field.

I’d probably go with an Adamas and pocket the rest. Or spend it on a nice fixed blade that would probably serve you better. No folder is gonna be more brick sh!thouse than a fixed blade.

My personal opinion is adamas are not in the same category as these knives. The fixed blade definitely makes sense. Still, no one can say no to a large folding knife.

 

[BTTLBRN]

How about a nice chonky Medford? USA made, precision engineered and thicker than a damn ribeye.

If you want something thick that will actually cut - a lot of their grinds are gloriously hollow, Medford is actually a good choice.

The Praetorians have really surprised me, the 187 is a behemoth too that can actually slice. I have one in S90V and have been very pleased with it.

 

[whereismyknife]

None of them.

I actually puked a little in my mouth watching the pictures. That is the kind of overbuilt, US designed(just a wild wild guess..), knife that I absolutely can not stand.

So I'm no help here but had to let a little steam out. Sorry, but that is the type of knives I wouldn't even pick up if I found them on the ground and die of shame if someone caught me with one.

I respect. Neither is us designed or manufactured. One is Italian design and the other is German. If I find it on the ground, I'll jump on it. I hope I find one on the ground.

 

[Another Shepherd]

I would never buy the meskwaki at any price because the recurve is a nuisance to sharpen, and I do not see any redeeming features.

BTW, I used my Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter as a pry bar today, because I could not get a normal pry bar into the very tight space between the two things I was trying to pry apart. Worked fine, no problems.

 

[AntDog]

My personal opinion is adamas are not in the same category as these knives. The fixed blade definitely makes sense. Still, no one can say no to a large folding knife.

How is the Adamas not in the same category?

The blade is nearly 3/16” thick and the handle’s nearly an inch thick. It’s like holding a brick with a blade sticking out. Have you ever handled one?

It’s every bit as heavy duty, and you can carry it in your pocket and actually cut things with it. I did carry mine every day until I found something that worked better for me, and that’s what you’re looking for, correct?

 

[whereismyknife]

If you want something thick that will actually cut - a lot of their grinds are gloriously hollow, Medford is actually a good choice.

The Praetorians have really surprised me, the 187 is a behemoth too that can actually slice. I have one in S90V and have been very pleased with it.

I cut my hand with a Praetorian once. This thing really knows how to cut.

 

[whereismyknife]

How is the Adamas not in the same category?

The blade is nearly 3/16” thick and the handle’s nearly an inch thick. It’s like holding a brick with a blade sticking out. Have you ever handled one?

It’s every bit as heavy duty, and you can carry it in your pocket and actually cut things with it. I did carry mine every day until I found something that worked better for me, and that’s what you’re looking for, correct?

View attachment 2192608

Yes I have used it before. Adamas blade 3.556mm thick. Fox is 5mm, hermod folder is 6mm. Fox size is already too big. Hermod handle A huge piece of titanium. Also, if you think about the locking mechanisms, they are not in the same category. I am looking for overbuilt knives. You're right about everything you said about Adamas. Practical, powerful, can really cut things. But if we turned it into a stress test, it wouldn't be able to compete with these two knives. That's what I was trying to say. I'm sorry if I'm misunderstood. English is not my native language.