How hard do you use a hard-use folder?

WalterDavis

WalterDavis

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
1,840
Just curious, what do you (or would you) use a 'hard-use' folder for that you wouldn't use another knife for? What's the cut-off point? Is it just a matter of peace of mind, or do you get pretty rowdy with your pocket knives?

For me, it's just peace of mind. I've been wearing sweat pants lately due to a broken leg and a walking cast so a lightweight Spyderco Centofante III has been in use, but as soon as I can get back in jeans daddy's sporting the new Sebenza:D
 
For me, my hard use folder is the Buck 110 I carried when I worked for Chevron. It wasn't just beaten on daily, but had to contend with chemicals and salt air. It was cutting strapping, boxes, rope, etc. I wanted a knife that could take the beating and still look good doing it. Knowing what I know now, however, I would have preferred a SALT.
 
Same here. My hard use folder rarely gets pulled from my pocket, but I love to carry it!!:thumbup::D
 
Hmm... I don't really differentiate between hard and normal use.

For me, my EDC pocketknives get used for...whatever.

FWIW, I do however own a few nicer slip-joint knives that I only use/carry for occasions like weddings. Those are generally limited to light tasks that won't ruin their finish.
 
I think most of the people that EDC what would be classified as a hard use folder rarely pull it from their pocket but take some comfort knowing that it is there and if Armageddon broke out in the waning moments of time they/we could use our glorified pry bars to stab through a car door, or pry open a bank fault or something. From my view point I think its a mental thing plain and simple, it is just to nice to have it in case you need it. Kinda like the old saying goes "Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it" My belief is that most knife people are probably former boy scouts and/or firm practitioners of "Be Prepared".
 
I've told the story before, but I once did a feeding job on a cheap pocket pistol, a Sterling if I remember right, with my EDC. Fellow wanted it done and I was not in my shop with my tools so I used what I had. Blade peeled the cheap steel off in little ribbons and scraped the rough spots smooth with no harm done to the knife. It wasn't much of a knife, either.

Aside from digging around in dirt, that's probably the roughest thing I have ever done to a knife. Feed job worked, too.
 
I don't really believe in a hard use folder because non of them will ever compare to a fixed blade. I carry a spyderco military because it is a good performing knife that handles any job you would expect a folder to handle without being a over built overly heavy and overly thick folder that's trying to do something it can't and that's be a FB. A folder can be built like a tank and handle fairly rough use but when it gets to the point that you trade performance for heavy duty looks I just don't see the point.
 
For me my hard use folders are the ones that get used without worrying about the knife. If I can reach into my pocket pull out a folder and cut whatever i'm looking at, then its a hard use folder. If I think at all about the knife surviving it then its not a hard use folder. consequently for me, my tenacious and buck 11o are hard use folders, because the cost is so low and they're fairly tough that I don't worry, my case is not because I worry. Mostly my rc-3 gets the hell beat out of it, but its not a folder...
 
all folders have limits...i believe the zt200 is one of the folders whose limits come as close as possible to a fixed blade...it surely is an overbuilt, overly heavy and overly thick folder; for those who want fixed blade strength but can't openly carry a fixed blade around...

i'm sure there are others; i only know the zt...
 
I don't routinely use a folding knife hard but prefer one that can take it hard so that in the event I do have to use one that way I am prepared with a good solid reliable, as well as, strong performer capable of super duty or gentleman duty with equal ease.

STR
 
I carry one of a variety of folders depending on my mood on the day, but none would ever be used for things like cutting wire, prying up tin lids, scraping paint etc.

All those jobs are done by a no-name cheapo slip joint I keep in the tool box.

I respect my good knives too much to abuse them.
 
The hardest thing I ever did with my hard use EDC was last night when I handed it over to my Nephew.
 
I've got a BM Nitrous Stryker that gets used really hard on daily bases. Also my Opinel #9 is getting some hard use once every so often.
Overall, though, I prefer to use any of my EDC fixed blades. Much safer and more reliable.
 
I think "hard use" is a marketing term that has become part of the average knife guy's vernacular. Unfortunately most guys I know and I am assuming most other guys who own these overbuilt behemoths are not using them nearly as hard as they could be. I have yet to see a pic of a scratched up ZT. I am with the guys who consider their hard use knives the ones they don't care about and will pull out for anything. Mine is the LM Wave that thing catches hell and hasn't failed. It doesn't have a big frame lock, or pivot, or 3D ergos either.

Now if you like the ZTs and Striders and all the other overbuilts that's fine but the whole hard use thing is BS. It should be a BF rule that if you tout a blade as being your dedicated hard user you post a pic of it.
 
I pryed open a can of paint with a ZT350 once....dont think i would have done it with my little SAK.

Other than that i use whatever im carrying to whatever job comes up throughout the day, bearing in my mind that its a cutting tool im packing and not a prybar. And i usually carry a SAK, LM or little slipjoint.
 
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I killed and gutted a feral dog, made kindling, dug a waterhole, cut open boxes and gave myself a shave when it was all done with my hard use knife...but then again I was away from the computer awhile over the summer.

and how did I repay my hard use folder when the blade chipped? Traded it of course.
 
My hard use folder is a Schrade stockman 34ot. I clean spark plugs
on tractors, lawn mowers, and chain saws with it. Cut rope, bailing twien
and card board. Scrape rust off metal coroshion off distributor caps and rotors. Cut power stearing, fuel, air hose. Clean light contacts, battery contacts, battery posts. Cut plastic oil containers to use as funnels.
Clean dried paint brushes. Scrape paint off sturing sticks. Scrape crud off
truck, make plastic parts fit new purpose. Drill holes in plastic or wood.
Make wood plugs, and wood etc. Shave holes for new door latch hardware.
Cut and stripe wire. Clean finger nails, cut down caluses. Cut permatex
out of hair. And etc. :)
 
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