Most Long-Lasting Folder

[AsianBeerCan]

Hello all,
Was wondering what current production knives you think could last a potential lifetime without replacement parts. I was thinking a CRK Umnumzaan, as there is very little worry of lock interface movement over time.

 

[blade man]

CRKs are going to be up there. There's Sebenzas that have been around for two decades.

Also traditional slipjoints, Buck 110, possibly some Spydies...those are all knives with proven 20+ year track records.

 

[cashville]

Edit. Didn’t read

I think backlocks/midlocks have a really long life expectancy.

 

[Sonnydaze]

CRK's of course. Spydercos such as the Techno, TUFF, Slysz Bowie (a fave), Manix 2.
Probably some ZT's such as the 0550, 0770...

 

[sharp_edge]

Depending on how the knife is used. Normal use? I think any of the folding knife in my collection including Buck 110 will last a life time or perhaps even longer.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I'm guessing my Spyderco Urban could do it pretty handily. Slipjoints can last a long, long time and it's a well made knife.

 

[kemikos]

My dad's Buck 112 has been going strong for over 40 years of (often heavy) EDC use. Had the blade replaced once (no charge even though I told Buck we'd voided the warranty and would pay for the repair). If we hadn't used it for prying (emergency auto repair in a remote area) it wouldn't have broken in the first place.

Hard to beat that, in my mind...

 

[austonh]

Anything with the Demko Tri-Ad lock, that was well put together in the first place. Which, as I hate to say it, might mean that some of the Cold Steel options have the potential to outlast other knives.

 

[Hickory n steel]

A Buck 110 should as long as you use it as a knife.

Honestly I think most knives can last a lifetime if you just use them as a knife and sharpen them properly.

If you keep the edge touched up with a strop to reduce stone time, and have basic sharpening skills your blade will last a lot longer.
There are so many vintage folders out there that were carried for a lifetime with lots of use left in the blade, but others that were sharpened down to nothing.

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

Anything with the Demko Tri-Ad lock, that was well put together in the first place. Which, as I hate to say it, might mean that some of the Cold Steel options have the potential to outlast other knives.

This is what I was going to say. I would suggest a Cold Steel folder equipped with the Tri-as as well. Love other brands and cold steel is the minority amongst my knives but if I had to pick only one it would be a cold steel for that very reason.

 

[Wowbagger]

Was wondering what current production knives you think could last a potential lifetime without replacement parts

The knife owned by the smart careful user.

Buck 110

I will say I have owned a 110 for 35 years . . . . but . . . it hasn't had much use, there is some blade play and I AM POSITIVE it will be a great, useful, hard core knife long after I'm gone.
I would probably go for a lock back, not a liner lock or frame lock but I have never had a Sebenza.

 

[afishhunter]

Buck 110
Some made in 1963/1964 are still in use, others from that period have been "retired" or are on display, but are still quite capable of getting the job done. (and we're likely replaced with another 110) Others of course, have been misplaced and/or lost, same as with any other tool.
I've never heard of the back lock on a 110 (or 112) failing, unless severe abuse was involved.
There is a reason the 110 has been made for 54 years, with no end in sight.

Also, Buck's Warranty Service, as mentioned above by others, is unequaled.

 

[M. Johnwell]

I think one of the main things to look for if you want a knife to last a long time is a lock that “settles in”. By that I mean that it can wear a bit without developing any up or down play. So any liner or frame lock which is well done, the compression lock, ball bearing, triad lock and probably a bunch of others I can’t think of. Slipjoints too, as others have mentioned, it’s hard to wear out a lock which doesn’t lock to begin with.

The standard lock back doesn’t get the nod from me since it can’t go down any further without modifications. The knife is still safe, but it will eventually have up and down play.

I’d think a pm2 would last a lifetime without too much trouble.

 

[Comeuppance]

Any super-expensive custom knives ($10k+) are basically guaranteed to last forever as long as they continue to sit in a climate-controlled environment.

That aside, fixed blades.

Aside from fixed blades, and getting more into the spirit of the thread... Probably something like a Cold Steel Tuff Lite. They have so few parts, the lock is super solid, and it has a nice tall blade for lots of sharpening.

 

[Wowbagger]

Any super-expensive custom knives ($10k+) are basically guaranteed to last forever as long as they continue to sit in a climate-controlled environment.

Nice one.

Cold Steel Tuff Lite.

Looks like I'm set for about three life times and I don't hardly carry these.
. . . still . . . you see the "problem" there . . . these are vastly different knives. You (or who ever you are buying a knife for) needs to choose the knife that works the best for THEM and worry about how long it lasts after that. I mean it'll last for ever if you hate using it but . . . so what.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I love my CRKs but haven't had them near long enough to know about longest lasting ... I think they outlast many because of the quality ...

but being a framelock alone if used equally I believe the framelock would wear over time ... while a lockback would still be going ... I have a Buck 110 I got 40 years ago that is still solid ...

I would guess my Spyderco Native 5 lockback bought and used about equal to my Sebenza 21 if both were used equally the Native 5 would outlast the framelock ...

just the type of knife not necessarly the highest quailty I think would be the deciding factor.

 

[GatorMedic]

Met a Navy Seal with a Benchmade AFCK clipped in his pocket. Got to talking to him about it and he said he's carried that exact knife for 17 years every single day. Said he had two more as backups in case something every happens to his original one. 17 years of every day carry is a pretty good track record

 

[MSchott]

I’d think that any folder with washers or bearings will need parts replaced over time. Slip joints don’t have that issue.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

I’d think that any folder with washers or bearings will need parts replaced over time. Slip joints don’t have that issue.

So the pivot of a slipjoint just magically doesn't experience wear from friction?

 

[stabman]

I’d think that any folder with washers or bearings will need parts replaced over time. Slip joints don’t have that issue.

So the pivot of a slipjoint just magically doesn't experience wear from friction?

I bought a used slip-joint hawkbill folder.
It was old.
It no longer stayed open; you could flip it open and closed with no resistance.
It had worn out over the years.

Slip-joints are not magical items that last forever.
Sorry to be the bearer of reality for those living in slip-joint fantasy-land.