Most expensive hard use folder

thefamcnaj

thefamcnaj

Joined
Jul 16, 2012
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i was just curious what price range of knives people are willing to go up to for hard use when it comes to a folder.
Is there certain sprint run or limited edition knives you won't use? I do a lot of wood working on the side and while in my shop I may use a folder for a little more than it's intended use i.e. Scraping or lite prying.
All of my: bench made or spydercos will be used hard with no problem.
I beat on my strider sng and some of my emersons. Sebenza is also used.
My Emerson gentleman gym never gets used, that my only current knife I won't use hard.
Does anyone carry and hard use a mid-tech or is that the cut off to most? Will anyone use a custom? I was just curious what folders people were willing to put through the ringer?
 
Define "hard use" first. I bet most peoples definition of "hard use" would fall outside of what a knife was designed to do. Which would make it abuse.
 
My folding knives rarely get used hard. I just don't live that kind of life. When I am doing something genuinely hard with a knife I usually see that as one of my rare excuses to whack around with one of the fixed blades I own (large or small). Otherwise, those babies would just collect dust! The thing is, my fixed blades are not all that expensive. The most expensive is maybe around $100?

Having said all that, there's not one knife I own that I would consider off limits if circumstances required. My most expensive knives are folders in the $500-$600 range.
 
I use my Sebenza and Inkosi for most of my tasks, not sure if they are hard use, but I certainly don't baby them.
 
I don't have any especially expensive knives. I have no idea what "hard use" means. When I need something sturdy I use a ZT 0566 or Benchmade Griptilian 551.
 
I use my full ti Half Track and full ti MP-1 with no hesitation at all. They are the most expensive knives I own and I personally find more value from them when I put them to work!
 
The exxy folders I don't bat an eye in using are typically productions that are easily replaceable with good warranties.

Not surprisingly then Striders, Hinderers and CRKs are my mainstays in the $$$$ beater knife. In the past i've also beat up on a couple of Medfords and my ATCF.

The ATCF was my favourite to beat on, but I retired it after Mr Terzuola stopped being so active in providing repairs for them and I chipped a big chunk out of the g10 handle.
 
Once I get higher up in the price altitudes than my Cold Steel Voyagers, Rat-1s and Kershaw Emersons, I start taking some care. When I climb higher in price altitudes than a BM Adamas or one 0f my many Emersons - I actually take pause. Up in the thin air (for me), when I cut a string with a ZT620/640 or Sebenza - the string had better be clean.

I know ... I know.
 
I've carried and used a Sebenza and Umnumzan both for ranch work i didn't worry about hurting them. I carry a cold steel 4max now and have used it just as hard or harder. I pried some fence apart with it the other day.
 
Last night, I was assembling the trident I made (pics to follow of the trident in a couple of days or so), and my center drill is WAY too dull.
So, I used the tip of my Medford Praetorian to get a hole started through 1/8" thick mild steel (the steel collar at the handle's front end).
The tip was just fine after; D2 tool steel and being pretty damn stoutly ground meant I knew it was up to the task. :thumbsup:

I thought of asking the other guy there to take a pic, but he was busy welding the hinge for a door on the back of the forge; we both had things to get done.

But what's the point of having an expensive "hard use" knife if you'll never use it hard, right?

I also used it to cut up some delightfully dirty cardboard to use with the vice as padding, but that barely warrants mentioning. ;)
 
$10K or $10, makes no difference to me, but I go by diminishing returns.
Customs to gas station, most I've paid is $200.
Been known to baton a benchmade 812hs through steel armoured multi conductor cable up to 4-5 inches in diameter with a 2-4 lb hammer, off and on for 15+ years. I only paid $100 for it in the late '90's. It looks a little worn, but still works like new. What does one of these go for today?

Edit: Don't answer that, not selling, I know what they go for.
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I use every one I own but within respect for what it was intended for. I did baton my sebenza once just to prove to a friend it was worth it without any issues.
 
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