Higher standards for hard use folders today?

[singularity35]

Some people really do use their knives only as cutting instruments.

Some people really do need their folders to be more than just cheese cutters.

 

[Steven Andrews]

People not clever enough to carry the correct tool for the job in hand?

 

[Ankerson]

Some people really do need their folders to be more than just cheese cutters.

Yeah I can't count how many times over the years I have seen someone let another person borrow their cheese cutter only to get it back with the point missing, gouges out of the blade or the blade snapped in half. They didn't make for such a great slicer after that happened I can tell you.

 

[singularity35]

People not clever enough to carry the correct tool for the job in hand?

It's either you lug around a toolbox or your job doesn't require a lot of tools.

 

[Folderguy]

Some people really do need their folders to be more than just cheese cutters.

How true.

Those Cold Steel videos where the beefy guy uses a folder to chop through a free standing, one inch thick rope, are what caught my eye.

And the cutting through seat belt webbing with nary a problem were instructive too.

But when I saw them stabbing through the hoods of cars and so on, I really took notice.

Not that I'm ever going to need to do that last task, but it's nice to know that the blade and lock will take that sort of abuse.

And when I saw those Fred Perrin videos on Youtube where he spends his time throwing the Cold Steel Mini Lawman full force into a wooden barrier, over and over, and the lock is still tight after, (after more than 1000 throws like that during the course of a year...) that too provided impetus and desire to own one of those knives.

There's also the "wow" factor that I confess is very attractive.

One fellow upon seeing my Zero Tolerance 0300 said, "Wow, you could cut out a .... [insert internal organ, oh gosh........] with that." Nuff said.

 

[Folderguy]

People not clever enough to carry the correct tool for the job in hand?

Sir, there's a limit to what I choose to carry. I'm not a telephone repairman with all the straps and very useful tools hanging therefrom.

I prefer to have as little on me as possible. If one knife can cover most of my normal requirements, that's the one I'll usually use.

I like the comment someone made about the Striders and Black Rhinos and so on: they're sharpened prybars.

Cool.......

Folderguy

 

[Steven Andrews]

It's either you lug around a toolbox or your job doesn't require a lot of tools.

I don't understand what you mean by that. Please expand.

 

[singularity35]

I like the comment someone made about the Striders and Black Rhinos and so on: they're sharpened prybars.

Cool.......

Folderguy

Yes if I could carry a prybar around all the time and it just happens to be as sharp as that Demko custom I'll be really fulfilled. Unfortunately prybars don't have decent steel.

 

[Ankerson]

Sir, there's a limit to what I choose to carry. I'm not a telephone repairman with all the straps and very useful tools hanging therefrom.

I prefer to have as little on me as possible. If one knife can cover most of my normal requirements, that's the one I'll usually use.

I like the comment someone made about the Striders and Black Rhinos and so on: they're sharpened prybars.

Cool.......

Folderguy

Yeah I don't see many people walking around with a toolbox strapped to their back. ROFL

People would look kinda weird in their Business casual or Suit and Tie with a tool belt around their waist or a toolbox on their back.

Or the person behind the counter at McDonald's etc......

Or a VP or CEO...

Or a Secretary.....

Or a Help Desk Person..

Or a Store Manager..

Or a Business executive...

The list goes on...

 

[singularity35]

People not clever enough to carry the correct tool for the job in hand?

You said this implying that we who need our folders to be robust are not carrying the right tools for the job.

I don't understand what you mean by that. Please expand.

Since you don't need your folder to be an around tool, I assume that you carry around a lot of tools or that you don't need tools a lot. You probably just need a cheese cutter

 

[Steven Andrews]

You said this implying that we who need our folders to be robust are not carrying the right tools for the job.

Yes.

Since you don't need your folder to be an allround tool, I assume that you carry around a lot of tools or that you don't need tools a lot. You probably just need a cheese cutter

Yes, I carry a lot of tools around, in a fire appliance. I carry some basic tools, including a knife, on my person.

Buy and carry whatever you want. I'm just saying that I don't buy into the "Hard Use Folder" concept. It's marketing bollocks.

 

[Ankerson]

Yes.


Buy and carry whatever you want. I'm just saying that I don't buy into the "Hard Use Folder" concept. It's marketing bollocks.

Hard use folders have been around for a very long time.

The Buck 110 was the 1st production hard use folder if I remember correctly, I had my 1st one back in the 70's.

Hardly a marketing gimmick as seen with the real need for them over the past 4+ decades.

If there wasn't a really need for them we would all still be using slip joints etc because hard use knives never would have caught on.

 

[singularity35]

Buy and carry whatever you want. I'm just saying that I don't buy into the "Hard Use Folder" concept. It's marketing bollocks.

You're right I do buy and carry what I want and it seems like a lot of other people do as well(witness the success of companies producing hard use folders). Don't worry if my hard use folder doesn't cut as well, I am covered because I also carry a thin slicer for when I need to cut a cheese . . Just don't s**t a brick when I express my preference.

 

[Steven Andrews]

Hard use folders have been around for a very long time.

The Buck 110 was the 1st production hard use folder if I remember correctly, I had my 1st one back in the 70's.

Hardly a marketing gimmick as seen with the real need for them over the past 4+ decades.

If there wasn't a really need for them we would all still be using slip joints etc because hard use knives never would have caught on.

It's the "I need my folding knife to also be a pry bar/axe/screwdriver" hard use that I was refering to, not robust safe cutting as delivered by the Buck 110, Benchmade 710, Spyderco Endura etc.

You're right I do buy and carry what I want and it seems like a lot of other people do as well(witness the success of companies producing hard use folders). Don't worry if my hard use folder doesn't cut as well, I am covered because I also carry a thin slicer for when I need to cut a cheese . . Just don't s**t a brick when I express my preference.

I haven't "shat a brick", I was just expressing my opinion.
Go find some cheese to pry!

 

[Ankerson]

It's the "I need my folding knife to also be a pry bar/axe/screwdriver" hard use that I was refering to, not robust safe cutting as delivered by the Buck 110, Benchmade 710, Spyderco Endura etc.

The 110 was the 1st one that could be used to do all of those things, as I said hard use.

The old ones hard some what thicker tips on them.

 

[singularity35]

... not robust safe cutting as delivered by the Buck 110, Benchmade 710, Spyderco Endura etc.

If it's merely cutting then slip joints should be enough or are you admitting there is need for hard use folders beyond slip joints?

 

[Buffalohump]

I just think its marketing hype honestly. The more overbuilt a knife is the more people can charge for it.

A knife is a cutting tool pure and simple. And you dont have to carry a toolbox around with you, a multi-tool was invented for just that purpose.

With a knife, a good MT and a mini prybar of the sort sold by Countycomm and many hardware stores, you can take on the world.

I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to use their knife to pry anything. Its complete madness. Buy yourself a multi-tool for $50 and save yourself a fortune in overbuilt end-of-the-world folders.

 

[singularity35]

I just think its marketing hype honestly. The more overbuilt a knife is the more people can charge for it.

A knife is a cutting tool pure and simple. And you dont have to carry a toolbox around with you, a multi-tool was invented for just that purpose.

With a knife, a good MT and a mini prybar of the sort sold by Countycomm and many hardware stores, you can take on the world.

I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to use their knife to pry anything. Its complete madness. Buy yourself a multi-tool for $50 and save yourself a fortune in overbuilt end-of-the-world folders.

Don't you want your fixed blades to be strong and robust? Why wouldn't you want the same for your folders?

 

[marthinus]

How true.

Those Cold Steel videos where the beefy guy uses a folder to chop through a free standing, one inch thick rope, are what caught my eye.

And the cutting through seat belt webbing with nary a problem were instructive too.

But when I saw them stabbing through the hoods of cars and so on, I really took notice.

Not that I'm ever going to need to do that last task, but it's nice to know that the blade and lock will take that sort of abuse.

And when I saw those Fred Perrin videos on Youtube where he spends his time throwing the Cold Steel Mini Lawman full force into a wooden barrier, over and over, and the lock is still tight after, (after more than 1000 throws like that during the course of a year...) that too provided impetus and desire to own one of those knives.

There's also the "wow" factor that I confess is very attractive.

One fellow upon seeing my Zero Tolerance 0300 said, "Wow, you could cut out a .... [insert internal organ, oh gosh........] with that." Nuff said.

And that is the thing. It can be wow to you but others might think its :thumbdn: and dumb.

We have folders that are hard use and folders that are thin and focused on slicing. There is a demand for both. We are debating personal opinions at the moment and people are trying to influence other peoples opinion on the matter.

Some feel that a slip joint is all that they need for 'hard use' others feel that a Strider or ZT or Lawman is for them the folders for 'hard use'. What is 'hard use' has also been debated on this forum and once again....the credibility of certain 'tests' as well........its up to your opinion and your opinion only if these hold water for you or not.

Some have the luxury of having the right tool for every job, they know exactly where their tools are because they are neat and no struggling to find a tool. Others do not and use what they have.

Doing some pruning a folder might be all you need. Doing pruning on wine orchards and only using a knife, well good luck with that, that is why we get special pruning shears that work with gears and cut trough a 2inch branch without trouble.

We have hard use knives (maybe) because not everyone could afford a high quality axe or screwdriver and used their knives to baton. They and others were not happy and wanted something beefier to handle those things, so demand was created for such tools. Others could afford an axe and screwdriver and they dont see the need for a folder to do those things.

Folderguy not picking on you just used your post to illustrate the point that for plenty it is wow but others might just think it dumb. All personal opinion and preference.

 

[Steven Andrews]

so you admit there is need for hard use folders beyond slip joints.

Yes, I appreciate a locking device that keeps the knife open during its use as a cutting tool. I consider locking folders to be safer and therefore more dependable.
But I have absolutely no desire for my folding knife to be over-built to the point that it can be used as a pry bar. It often adds unnecessary weight and cost and is often to the detriment of cutting efficiency.