Looking for a specific kind of folder

C

clovehitch

Joined
Jan 8, 2018
Messages
64
New member, first post. Been lurking these forums for a few months. Very informative and mature website.

I recently started a new job where I'm on a dredge for 12 hours every day. I want to know if there is a relatively large folder out there that would be suitable for my job and meets my desires.

At times I may have to cut rope that is 4 inches thick. This is heavy stuff. This will hopefully be the most demanding task though.

I am a fan of toughness in blade steel, but obviously I need good edge retention for the 12 hour shift unless I want to bring a stone or steel along with me. I also don't want the hardest thing to sharpen in the world. I am willing to sacrifice corrosion resistance. I realize my options are expensive.

From my research, i feel that cpm m4, 4v, or even 3v would best fit my needs. Any other recommendations for steel types are welcome, but the main question is what options do I have? I want a badass large brute of a knife (over 4" blade) that's tough as nails but holds an edge and isn't too tedious to sharpen.

Thanks for any advice!
 
Welcome look into the Grayman Satu it’s a beast of a knife and holds a edge well. It’s has a CPM 20CV blade which sharpens pretty easy. Hope this help and good luck in your search.
 
You want some kind of an xl cold steel, like a voyager with cts xhp steel and possibly half serrated.
 
Sounds like you need a fixed blade but want a Big Ass folder.
I'm partial to Spyderco and love my K2, I'd also suggest looking at their Tatanka (which was added to my gotta get list recently).
 
Sergeua said:
You want some kind of an xl cold steel, like a voyager with cts xhp steel and possibly half serrated.
Click to expand...
I second this.
Cold steel has several folders with cts-xhp with 4"+ blades. If you have to cut 4 inch rope you should consider a partially serrated blade.
Have you considered any 4 inch fixed blades? The strongest folding knife lock in the world isn't half as strong as a fixed blade.
 
ZT0301 might fit the bill. The blade is a little under 4". But with the recurve and belly, the edge is probably over. A tough beast by most definitions.
 
Benchmade Contego. Big knife and you can open it and release the lock with gloves on. Very stout knife with an approx. 4" blade. But actually carries very well in the pocket. M4 steel, and has a coated blade. All those steels you mention will tarnish/patina/corrode if left alone. The blade coating will help with that on the Contego. The coating will show wear pretty quickly with moderate use, but maybe that doesn't matter to you.
 
One of the ultimate working knives of all time in m4 steel. The Spyderco Gayle Bradley 1 is just an outstanding blade for the worksite. They have the Gayle Bradley 2 which is abit thinner and nicer to carry. The Gayle Bradley 1 is the true thoroughbred.

The Gayle Bradley 1
CgG2MBz.jpg


However if you want to go all out; another amazing knife for the jobsite is the Buck CSAR folded. It is a heavy thick beast of a knife. This thing makes a Strider SnG look positively dainty. Also it has a 154cm blade heat treated by Bos. That means an excellent steel that is easy to touch up back to razor sharp, and it is heat treated by one of the most renowned heat treaters out there. Also the knife is not very expensive.

Buck CSAR - There are a few versions, this one is my favourite.
JfZ7jLU.jpg

Look how thick this is.
AC1NzlW.jpg
 
Thank you so much for all the replies. The safety guys on the job won't allow a fixed blade. Unfortunately it has to be a folder.
 
oldtymer said:
Check out spyderco salt folding dive knife. 3.7 inch full serrated ,blade h1 steel. If you work on a dredge you Wil get wet.
This knife suits your type of work .
Click to expand...

I appreciate yours as well as every response but I am not looking for a dive knife. Corrosion resistance isn't a necessity for me.

DocJD said:
I would ask those geniuses how you should cut a 4" rope with a folder . Some of those nautical ropes are synthetics like kevlar / spectra and are very tough .
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP...ack-serrated-blade-frn-handles-polymer-sheath .I was gonna suggest , but it's a fixed .:(
Click to expand...

Yeah they aren't the brightest. The one guy that's assigned to our job constantly smokes next to an acetylene tank.

DocJD said:
This would cut rope great ,but the handle is kinda slim for a working knife . Maybe with gloves ?
Click to expand...

You're exactly right, but I've already eliminated steels such as s90v, s110v, or anything that is tedious to sharpen. A serrated blade like that would certainly be tedious, and cutting rope won't be the only thing it'll be doing. I do like that knife though.


I think my dream knife in theory would be an Italian Cold Steel 4-max in m4 instead of 20cv. If that illustrates my tastes or goals more effectively.
 
clovehitch said:
I appreciate yours as well as every response but I am not looking for a dive knife. Corrosion resistance isn't a necessity for me.



Yeah they aren't the brightest. The one guy that's assigned to our job constantly smokes next to an acetylene tank.



You're exactly right, but I've already eliminated steels such as s90v, s110v, or anything that is tedious to sharpen. A serrated blade like that would certainly be tedious, and cutting rope won't be the only thing it'll be doing. I do like that knife though.


I think my dream knife in theory would be an Italian Cold Steel 4-max in m4 instead of 20cv. If that illustrates my tastes or goals more effectively.
Click to expand...
I'm curious. Why m4 instead of 20cv?

Also, why the 4max rather than something slimmer and cheaper like a Recon 1?

That would be my recommendation; a Recon 1 or Recon 1 XL from Cold Steel. CTS-XHP holds an edge well, is easy to sharpen and corrosion resistant. The knife also has great ergos and can be operated with one gloved hand. To top it off it's relatively cheap.

Cold-Steel-Recon-1-Clip-Pt-Flat-Dark-Earth-G-10-Black-27TLCVF-BHQ-52014-jr.jpg
 
I've been thinking about this, and the heavy rope usually means a serrated or half-serrated blade. But blade-steel is tough to guess, and your needs seem to imply CPM-M4. This is the best I can find, and it's a darned fine folding knife.
MY CHOICE...it rates about a 4.7 out of 5.0 possible....very heavy-duty capable...wonderful steel for your uses. The price is very decent.
Edge retention is excellent. Sharpening ease is okay with proper stones...probably cbn or diamond.
Benchmade 810SBK Osborne Contego Folding Knife 3.98" CPM-M4 Black Combo Blade, G10 Handles
  • Blade Material: CPM-M4 Super Steel
  • Blade Hardness: 62-64HRC
  • Blade Style: Reverse Tanto
  • Weight: 5.92 oz. (167.7 g)
  • Lock Mechanism: Axis Lock



 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top