Is hacking and chopping with a folding knife considered abuse? I mean for the lock?

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baliodude

Joined
Apr 18, 2009
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Hi

1-Is hacking and chopping with a folding knife considered abuse? I mean for the lock?

2-What locking mechanism will hold up the most under this type of use/abuse

I know that batoning a folder is abuse but what about hacking tree branches and chopping? is it just as bad?

Thanks
 
Of course it's abuse. A folder has a mechanical joint which will wear. I have a couple that I carry in the bush and use for chopping. I also don't expect them to last as long as non abused folders.
 
wally@ferguson said:
Of course it's abuse. A folder has a mechanical joint which will wear. I have a couple that I carry in the bush and use for chopping. I also don't expect them to last as long as non abused folders.
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X2

The manufacturer will certainly consider it abuse for warranty purposes.

A good quality folder will hold up to a certain amount of chopping and hacking, but expect a shortened life expectancy.

If you are planning on doing lots of chopping, a stout fixed blade is the way to go.

From personal experience I can recommend the Fallkniven A1 or A2 for such chores (or the S1 or F1, they are smaller and lighter but certainly comparable to most larger folders). Many here like the RAT cutlery offerings, and there are many others well suited to the task.

Kevin
 
I know of only one (!) folder that had chopping and batoning as part of its design specifications. That is the ER RAO. So I would think that chopping and batoning (within reason !) should not be considered abuse for that particular folder.
 
What knife were you considering for such tasks? One of Cold Steels big toys?

There are not that many readily available folders with enough mass and size for such tasks.
 
Yes it is considered abuse, most good quality locks that are abused don't fail from the lock disengaging, they fail from the lock breaking as in the locking mechanism snapping or being destroyed in some way.
 
orthogonal1 said:
What knife were you considering for such tasks? One of Cold Steels big toys?

There are not that many readily available folders with enough mass and size for such tasks.
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That's what I was thinking. Get a Fixed Blade for that kind of work.:thumbup:
 
a friend of mine made me a kukkri and it works great. Not as heavy as an axe, much easier to carry and for survival or out in the woods collecting small branches to build fires it works tops! I wouldn't chop anything more than some twig's with my folders. That's all you need is vertical or horizontal play in the lock mechanism due to having chopped heavy stuff with it.
 
I'm not a fan of chopping even with a fixed blade. Axes and hatchets work much better.
To me, knives are for cutting.
 
You can pick up a serviceable machete at any surplus store for about $10 and save the wear & tear on your folders.

They do a good job on brush, too.
 
Pvicenzi: your post should have been highlighted in bold lettering and glowing lights. It is amazing to me that people continue (and continue) to use the wrong tools for the job at hand. I suppose they have not had the benefit of proper training/instruction, which is a shame in my estimation.

Folders are marginal in many aspects and should never be employed in the hacking or chopping role unless dire circumstances arise. You risk getting cut with such behavior as liner locks can fail.

For chopping, acquire a sharp five pounder by Plumb or Kelly and go to town. For slicing, get a sleek thin bladed fillet knife. If you have to chop and pry with your folder, be sure to get some decent medical insurance. And, if you find yourself in the wilderness, don't chop old rusty chains with a knife unless you've got some eye protection at hand.
 
Thanks guys.

orthogonal1, What I had in mind was Spyderco Schempp Barong, Khukuri and some of the cold steel folders. Also the benchmade rokus.
 
baliodude said:
What I had in mind was Spyderco Schempp Barong, Khukuri and some of the cold steel folders. Also the benchmade rokus.
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Chop with a rukus? I also have a rukus, but have never thought of using it to chop. In my mind the rukus is a very fine cutting (i.e. slicing) tool -- don't ruin it by heavy chopping! :eek:
 
baliodude said:
Thanks guys.

orthogonal1, What I had in mind was Spyderco Schempp Barong, Khukuri and some of the cold steel folders. Also the benchmade rokus.
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The Schempp Barong is simply too small and light. Sal indicated that his folders were simply design exercises of applying big knife design to a smaller folder. I like these designs, BTW, since they are different.

I have a Rukus and it is too small for all but light-duty chopping, delimbing smaller sticks and some small splitting. The blade shape isn't particularly good for such tasks, either, at least not for chopping moves. A bit of recurve would help. The Rukus is actually pretty light in weight, considering its size.

The new Cold Steel big toys, notably the Rajah, seem like they may be able to do medium chopping at best. But, I'd like to see a cross-bolt in the blade/handle in addition to the lock. The above mentioned RAO has a cross-bolt and even Busse mentions one in his folder patent.

I think the RAO us too small for chopping, too, BTW. That, and the pivot looks to be too close to the blade's/handle's metal edge.

If you plan on doing regular chopping and such, I'd recommend just getting an old British Khukri (or however they are spelling it at the moment). They can be had for $20-$35 dollars and they perform the task pretty well. I like the two I have.

I do recall seeing folding machetes and such, but I don't recall ever having read a review of one.

I'm kind of amazed no one has marketed a folding knife for this niche. Probably costs too much and would be pretty heavy in relation to an equivalent fixed blade. I can envision a few ways of doing it, though.
 
I don't know if it is ridiculous or not. The knife is strong, but I wonder how the Rajah will hold up in long-term consistant chopping.
 
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