Lightest, cheapest wood processing folder?

Bob Denman said:
Thanks! You are the first person in here to get on my Ignore List.
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Don't know if you're being serious, but I assumed you were teasing me and went with the flow. Your profile shows a platinum member, so maybe you were trying to be serious? Unless it's a double troll... My question wasn't meant to be insanely specific. Simply a cheap knife you like to use in the wilderness. Something that impressed you enough you'd feel just fine using instead of a more expensive option. For instance, my Mora Garberg. If my Garberg is closest, I don't race to get my BarkRiver Bushcrafter. I'm perfectly satisfied using the Garberg.

LimpCroissant said:
One knife to just take a gander at would be a Svord Peasant Knife. They are pretty inexpensive and impressive, to me at least. I think a SAK, with it's super thin blade stock, will outperform it in sheer cutting (although the ergos aren't good for you looks like). However it's still a very cool folder that does a good job.

Edit: Spelling.
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I like it. Might be the winner. Thank you :thumbsup:
 
Two of my preferred go-to's:
I prefer the liner-lock (and the Enzo in general) over the back-lock (of the FW):
FinnWolf & EnzoCF-720Wide IMG_20210920_145344.jpg

Prefer the contoured scales to the more blocky CF scales:
Two Enzo-1280Wide.jpg

Sharp Spines make for GREAT scraping & debarking and smoothing after circumference reduction on a staff, etc:
IMG_20200218_143104-720Wide.jpg

Sharp Spine makes GREAT fire-fuzz:
IMG_20200127_163736-720Wide.jpg

I find the thumbstud on the FW gets in the way of work & sharpening:
Where-as thumbstud placement on the Enzo is excellent:
FinnWolf Reflecting-720Wide IMG_20191216_132306.jpg

Link 1-minute Enzo-75 up close.
Enzo-75 Chaga Fire

EDIT: ("cheapest" entry addition)
FinnWolf Enzo75 Opinel-720Wide.jpg
 
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I have pretty good luck with Opinel when whittling.

I equate wood work with whittling or carving when in reference to a folder.

If I was going to baton or chop with one, the Cold Steel 4Max Scout is a heavy beast. It's like a Becker BK-2 but in a folding version. Price is low too.
 
Hashishiin said:
I agree with this (as I like your comment... but I "like" a lot of comments that have cool/interesting takes that I don't 100% agree with), but with the modern folders out there, especially, and when just cutting the wood (not torquing, chopping) why not?

Of course this all depends on what "processing" wood means... but many a grandpa whittled many a project with a slipjoint. I know you are not the biggest slipjoint guy, just saying it is done. :)
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hello sir

simple answer is why use an inferior tool to do any job when you do not have to ?

honest answer I have spent a f—k ton of time in very remote places from 100 miles offshore to places your only way out of there if you get hurt bad is a helicopter so you learn not to do stupid things with sharp anything

I carry a fixed blade as an edc because I dont trust folders to deploy as fast as I want or close when I dont want them to …….so to me using a folder to process wood is a very stupid silly thing that a guy that camps in his yard does :)

not trying to be disrespectful in any way
 
JParanee said:
hello sir

simple answer is why use an inferior tool to do any job when you do not have to ?

honest answer I have spent a f—k ton of time in very remote places from 100 miles offshore to places your only way out of there if you get hurt bad is a helicopter so you learn not to do stupid things with sharp anything

I carry a fixed blade as an edc because I dont trust folders to deploy as fast as I want or close when I dont want them to …….so to me using a folder to process wood is a very stupid silly thing that a guy that camps in his yard does :)

not trying to be disrespectful in any way
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Man, having your own preferences and opinions and way of doing things is never disrespectful! I enjoy hearing different takes on things, different people's perspectives. I am thinking of doing a post one day on how my carry preferences changed just in a year of being into knives, haha. The wisdom and the alternate viewpoints of others have helped me improve and smarten my carries immensely, so just know I would never feel like you're disrespectful for doing things the way you like to do them 😄 Heck, I'm very sure to never pull out knives in a flashy manner but I still have a wave on my EDCs, and I love the reverse-S shape for utility, and a lot of people don't like that, but it's just how I roll.

I love small fixed blades, lately, after buying my first David Mary knife. I just have been kind of "brainwashed" into folders all the time because of strict fixed-blade laws in my county. I wouldn't argue folders are better than fixed blades, just that they can do the job. I have long admired that small black, wharncliffe fixed blade that you have posted on the forums, the one that kind of looks like a Janich-wharncliffe.

Respect for whatever you did that took you that far out!
 
JParanee said:
hello sir

simple answer is why use an inferior tool to do any job when you do not have to ?

honest answer I have spent a f—k ton of time in very remote places from 100 miles offshore to places your only way out of there if you get hurt bad is a helicopter so you learn not to do stupid things with sharp anything

I carry a fixed blade as an edc because I dont trust folders to deploy as fast as I want or close when I dont want them to …….so to me using a folder to process wood is a very stupid silly thing that a guy that camps in his yard does :)

not trying to be disrespectful in any way
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Welp , I can't disagree overall with fixed over folder for anything really critical , as you describe .

IIRC , you had an "awkward moment ", when a folder lock failed whilst trying to pith some kinda huge croc ? :eek:

Yeah ,for that kind of stuff and other high adventures , a really good fixed makes great sense over any folder .

But , I've never had a Tri-ad lock fail; and I've done some stuff that could have broken even less sturdy fixed . :cool:
 
Spey said:
Two of my preferred go-to's:
I prefer the liner-lock (and the Enzo in general) over the back-lock (of the FW):
View attachment 1900117

Prefer the contoured scales to the more blocky CF scales:
View attachment 1900126

Sharp Spines make for GREAT scraping & debarking and smoothing after circumference reduction on a staff, etc:
View attachment 1900119

Sharp Spine makes GREAT fire-fuzz:
View attachment 1900121

I find the thumbstud on the FW gets in the way of work & sharpening:
Where-as thumbstud placement on the Enzo is excellent:
View attachment 1900123

Link 1-minute Enzo-75 up close.
Enzo-75 Chaga Fire

EDIT: ("cheapest" entry addition)
View attachment 1900239
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Oh no... Every time I just about forget that I need an Enzo you post a couple pics of yours! That version with the white linen micarta is my favorite too. Very nice clean cuts on those walking sticks!
 
DocJD said:
Welp , I can't disagree overall with fixed over folder for anything really critical , as you describe .

IIRC , you had an "awkward moment ", when a folder lock failed whilst trying to pith some kinda huge croc ? :eek:

Yeah ,for that kind of stuff and other high adventures , a really good fixed makes great sense over any folder .

But , I've never had a Tri-ad lock fail; and I've done some stuff that could have broken even less sturdy fixed . :cool:
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DOC

if OP would of asked for the cheapest and lightest folder to whittle with I would not have mentioned a thing :)

he asked for the lightest cheapest folder to process wood. To me that means to produce enough wood to sustain yourself ……..
 
LimpCroissant said:
Oh no... Every time I just about forget that I need an Enzo you post a couple pics of yours! That version with the white linen micarta is my favorite too. Very nice clean cuts on those walking sticks!
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RE: White Linen Micarta Enzo-75
One comment, based on personal use of the CF version for over a year then switch to the WLM (White Linen Micarta) version, is that the WLM version overall thickness is left a bit wanting (the CF version is noticeably thicker). I still need to make a set of liners to increase the girth slightly. I spent over 2 years trying to find the WLM version before settling for the CF version. I would tell anyone, just buy any of the Scandi-75 you can find to experience it, then worry about finding the one you really want ;-)

RE: The "clean cuts"
Appreciate that you notice ... ;-)
In all reality those cuts were done very quickly and haphazardly (could be much cleaner in my mind, I was simply testing making barbs for a spear-ended-staff). However, notice how consistent the cuts are at 90° to that staff and the symmetry of the bevels which is one of the exemplary performance values I attribute with a true Scandi grind aka single-bevel to the apex (the ease at which a user controls the angle of attack of BOTH the presentation-side-bevel and/or the overt-side-bevel). Simply an attribute that is unachievable with most other grinds that have secondary bevels to the apex (saber, FFG, etc.).

The fact you noticed, you might enjoy a 1-minute video I shot shortly after installing the WLM scales (in the event you have not seen this). Turn up the volume to hear the rain in the background as I was sitting with my little chaga fire :)
Enzo 75 Chaga Fire
 
JParanee said:
DOC

if OP would of asked for the cheapest and lightest folder to whittle with I would not have mentioned a thing :)

he asked for the lightest cheapest folder to process wood. To me that means to produce enough wood to sustain yourself ……..
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I may be off, but the way the OP described “process wood” it sounded mostly like carving to me.
I prefer fixed regardless.
 
JParanee said:
To me that means to produce enough wood to sustain yourself …
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;)Well, heck JP ...in that case I sure don't want any small knife , folder or fixed .

At least a very large and fairly heavy blade knife or heavy machete , made for chopping .

Even , much better for me , a camp axe and saw . Estwing 26" Camp Axe is the one I commonly use to maintain my hiking trails . :cool:

Camper's Axe is very versatile and sturdy with steel handle . Enough length and leverage to bust up deadwood lying around on the ground .

Two handed use for power and efficiency . Long enough to be used mostly upright while working . Can pick up pieces of wood .

Those are very reasonable in cost , but don't meet OP's other needs . :rolleyes:
 
Spey said:
RE: White Linen Micarta Enzo-75
One comment, based on personal use of the CF version for over a year then switch to the WLM (White Linen Micarta) version, is that the WLM version overall thickness is left a bit wanting (the CF version is noticeably thicker). I still need to make a set of liners to increase the girth slightly. I spent over 2 years trying to find the WLM version before settling for the CF version. I would tell anyone, just buy any of the Scandi-75 you can find to experience it, then worry about finding the one you really want ;-)

RE: The "clean cuts"
Appreciate that you notice ... ;-)
In all reality those cuts were done very quickly and haphazardly (could be much cleaner in my mind, I was simply testing making barbs for a spear-ended-staff). However, notice how consistent the cuts are at 90° to that staff and the symmetry of the bevels which is one of the exemplary performance values I attribute with a true Scandi grind aka single-bevel to the apex (the ease at which a user controls the angle of attack of BOTH the presentation-side-bevel and/or the overt-side-bevel). Simply an attribute that is unachievable with most other grinds that have secondary bevels to the apex (saber, FFG, etc.).

The fact you noticed, you might enjoy a 1-minute video I shot shortly after installing the WLM scales (in the event you have not seen this). Turn up the volume to hear the rain in the background as I was sitting with my little chaga fire :)
Enzo 75 Chaga Fire
Click to expand...
Thanks for the video, yea I agree, there's absolutely nothing like a true scandi edge when you're playing around with wood. I really love contoured scales so I'm hoping that the thickness wouldn't bother me. Those things look like a straight up whittling machine! Man, if you ever want to get rid of the WLM on please let me know.
 
The only wood processing I would do with a folder is whittling or a try stick. For that I like my SA or a Case Tribal lock.
 
DocJD said:
"Cheap , light , impressive collectable folder for wood processing " :rolleyes:

No such animal ! 🤪

About any of the Tri-ad lock folders from Cold Steel will do the job ...but nothing will meet all your special "needs" !
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If all I had was a folder, and was stuck in the woods (happened once), the Triad lock CS folders would be my first choice.
 
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