My view on "beater" knives

[Chippa]

Always felt those were people who really don’t appreciate good tools. It’s the same people who argue over one brand vs it’s less expensive counterprt and only think of it as a means to get the job done.

Knives are a tool for me, and the risk of a lock failing from fighting what I’m cutting just isn’t for me these days

 

[Salival]

I only own few knives, Busse and Miller Bros. and I beat them all. High quality covers almost every duty, warranty covers the madness.

 

[Cobalt]

I only own few knives, Busse and Miller Bros. and I beat them all. High quality covers almost every duty, warranty covers the madness.

Busse are for beating for sure

 

[bladeboss]

A lot of interesting opinions here.
Appreciate the replies folks.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

There's multiple factors involved in these sorts of situations. One is the scratch-and-dent matter mentioned in the OP, in that often people are afraid of using their nicest knives for fear of mucking up the pristine look of them. I can understand that on a dress knife, perhaps, but one of the most beautiful knife-related things I've ever seen was a William Henry knife covered in scratches and tape residue. The fact that its owner was willing to treat it with the "casual disregard" earned by a well-loved tool made it more attractive to my eye. However, we also run into those who buy truly garbage knives to do their hard work tasks. That's a problem mostly because there are quality knives available at just about every imaginable price point, so for the money spent on a trash knife they could have gotten a better quality one that would have outperformed it. All but a small handful of antique and/or sentimental pieces of mine are users, and they get put through the wringer, but I use them within their range of appropriate applications and don't push them beyond what they can handle--just right up to it. Even the most durable of tools is consumable if used long enough.

 

[DocJD]

My main reason for carrying a beater is for fear of loss . Stolen , confiscated , sunk into the murky deep . Does your warranty cover that ?

 

[strategy9]

Why in the world would somebody take a cheap knife to use as a beater?
Its cheap, cheaply made out of garbage, and just can't handle it.

Define cheap.

I for one turn to my $50 kizlyar supreme Ute as my go to "beater"... While I also have more expensive knives that I'm sure could handle the tasks, I don't intentially turn to them first if I know in advance that a task is going to require a knife to take an extra "beating"; I also don't consider $50 cheap, nor do I think for one second it is made of "garbage", and this far has held up to every task ive thrown at it.

I also have some $20 "cheap" knives: I keep a S&W in my car as a spare, because I don't care near as much if someone were to break into my car and steal it. I have a crkt I like to carry with me into the woods behind my house whenever I'm clearing brush or what not, coupled with a fixed blade for "beating", it serves it's purpose for cutting and carving, and Lord knows if God forbid I dropped a knife unbeknownst in the woods behind my house, if it were a $200-500 knife, I'd be hurting and lose hours of my life searching for it, whereas if I lose a $20 CRKT free range, then so be it, I'll just buy a new one. And again, it has yet to fail me, and I'd hardly say it's "garbage" just because it's not engarved Ti and m390, or cpm whatever. My kershaws and bucks, not garbage either.

The list goes on, but, it's my prerogative. I do still carry my more expensive knives, and I use them as situations arise. I typically don't "abuse" my knives, I cut with them, even my beaters, I just opt to save my investments *(and edges) on higher end purchases whenever the risk for abuse and high grime is high. Not to say I wouldn't in an instant use my higher end knives in an instant in a "hard use" situation if one were to arise while I was carrying one of them, but I don't go out of my way to do so. Sure the higher end knives are still tools, and capable, but, I'm far from rich, and while I do like nice things, why take unnecessary risks?

I don't knock anyone who chooses (or can afford to) use a Thornburn for the dirtiest and toughest of jobs, so why is it an issue if someone else opts to use a $20-50 knife that's capable of the same task, (Just needs sharpened sooner and more frequently) while keeping their Thornburn shiny for nights out with the Mrs.?

 

[anteck7]

IMHO a beater knife has a natural place when you have a collection of a lot of expensive knives that you don't want to abuse for no reason. For me it is a knife that will generally handle most tasks, and if I had to push it and risk damaging it, I wouldn't be overly upset about it. I'm not talking intentional misuse just because I want to break it, but abuse without worry. It's also a knife I can hand to somebody without worry or a long explanation of "Please don't use my now irreplaceable Slysz Bowie as a prybar". Finally its also a knife that doesn't have a blade steel, handle or locking mechanism that requires a significant amount of upkeep.

I'm driving out to my mom's for a week for thanksgivings. I'm bringing a ZT 0562 and a Ontario RAT-1. Why both? Well its simple, the stuff I'll need to do there may end up damaging either Knife, so I'm bringing a knife I enjoy and a knife that is merely a tool. My Mom doesn't have any decent knives, and she also doesn't have any cutting boards. She also needs a lot of work done around her house. Trimming up drywall, scraping up old paint/sealant, and who the hell knows else what, tasks are likely going to result in a bit of damage to any knife. Frankly the RAT-1 without the ball bearing will probably hold up better. At the end of the day, when the RAT-1's blade is dorked up I can sharpen it easier and if necessary replace the entire knife without any tears.

In short, I know I'm going to be in a situation where I may need to abuse the knife, so I'm bringing one that I won't cry about when that abuse breaks it.

 

[stabman]

 

[BOSS1]

Greetings...

I guess it's all subjective/relative, based largely on your opinion of knives in general. I'm sure there's people out there that wouldn't give a second thought (if they didn't pay for it, or if they're rich, maybe if they did) to using a Sebenza to cut/pry open cans of soup and spam or scraping rust off an old piece of siding. Where as most collective 'enthusiasts' who appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a Sebbie probably wouldn't use it for such mundane tasks.

For me, with my means, 'beater' is probably in the $30-$40-ish (or preferably less) 'paint scraper' category. I have higher-end knives that I use for cutting routine materials, rope, cardboard, etc. If it's not cutting of those types of items, I'll probably take the time/effort to go get a better/more appropriate tool (time providing). The beater comes in when its NOT routine cutting chores, and may wind up doing things like dinging/bending.

In addition to damage, there is also the work environment. I have a couple 'work/beater' folders that are decent quality, but relatively inexpensive (sub $40). One of the reasons is I work in environments, often around deep water, where if you drop you knife, it's going to go a looooonggg way down (you ain't getting it back). A $35 'splash' is a frustrating bummer. A $400 'splash' could cause an epic spontaneous onset of Tourette's Syndrome. Heck, even a $125 'splash' would get me to be 'most displeased' for a good bit.

The second is, like last week, a couple individuals I was working with needed a knife to cut a couple zip ties. Now sure, I could have been 'I don't know nuthin' and waited while they went to the work shop, got some snips or something, and came back and did it themselves. But that would have been counter productive. We were again, within a foot or two of water. Had one of them dropped it in the water, it's a heckava lot easier to just frustratingly shrug your shoulders, maybe accept a $20 bill (which I'm sure they probably would have offered), say 'Don't worry about it,' and move on. It's quite a different situation for you to go...'Ok, well, that was a Sebenza, they're about $375, can you get me that cash before I leave??' You might cause a bit of tension, especially if that $$ would represent a significant amount of 'butterfinger's income.' That's the real world where you interactions with clients, representatives, etc. and you need to maintain a positive working atmosphere. Not ideal, but a lot easier to tolerate.

And if you want to know the truth of it, my most used 'beater' knife was an ~$8 special/cheapo I bought at show. That thing has flimsy liner lock, thin, fairly soft steel, etc. But its broken down more boxes in the garage than probably all my other knives combined. I misplace it and find it all the time as it never usually goes in the pocket where my better folder is riding. That and I've picked up a couple Mora's over the past year or two, and do a lot of mundane cutting with them. They're inexpensive, but I wouldn't call them 'cheap.'

Just my $.02 worth.

BOSS

 

[strategy9]

FWIW, I don't wear a good leather jacket with a Mavado to do filthy fall and winter chores either, although it would certainly still keep time and keep me warm all the same, and the craftsmanship and materials can certainly take some abuse.

I don't wear a fancy watch, water proofed up to x-meters to go fishing or work around the pool, although it is certainly up to the task in terms of quality craftmanship.

I won't take the '17 awd Nissan to the store in snowy/icey conditions when I can just as soon take my little '07 4wd jeep. Although the newer Nissan can certainly handle the task.

What can I say, growing up poor, I do like nice things, but I'm also frugal minded and try to save the wear and tear on my nicest things wherever applicable.

 

[GermanyChris]

I bought an expensive to me knife to use not just to take out on occasion it's like having a garage queen, whats the point?

 

[Cryptyc]

I have knives that I use for specific tasks, and they get used period. I buy them because I think they will do best in those arenas, period. My current users/beaters are:

Fallkniven F1 Pro: hunting and camping
Swamprat Ratmandu: military and field orders
Bradford Guardian 3: EDC
Spyderco Manix 2: When I forget my Bradford lol.

I see no point in having a knife and not using it. The knives I use for outdoor tasks are more than capable of doing what I need them to do. I'm convinced my ratmandu is capable of being a crowbar (although I don't see the need to use it that way).

 

[22-rimfire]

One of the issues for "beater anything" tools is that I simply don't like to tinker with stuff. I don't like to take apart knives and I don't like to work on my car, truck, chainsaw, small engines, or even install a new faucet for the kitchen sink. So I certainly don't carry my "Sunday best" to work or use in a dirty abusive environment whether it be clothes or knives (if I have a choice). Hell.... I need to replace some o-rings on a faucet and that job has been sitting undone for a couple years.....

Now, how about sharpening knives? That's tinkering too... I do it because I like a sharp knife, but I don't obsess over it.

 

[genewiseman]

I always carry a nice knife with me and use it almost exclusively but I also carry a leatherman fuse in my back pocket. The Leatherman gets more use than anything I own. I use the pliers and screwdrivers every day and rarely use the knife but every once in a while, when I really don't want to abuse my nice pocket knife ( cutting carpet, stripping wire, etc. ), I use the blade on the leatherman. A leatherman is the best beater in my opinion.

 

[BOSS1]

FWIW, I don't wear a good leather jacket with a Mavado to do filthy fall and winter chores either, although it would certainly still keep time and keep me warm all the same, and the craftsmanship and materials can certainly take some abuse.

I won't take the '17 awd Nissan to the store in snowy/icey conditions when I can just as soon take my little '07 4wd jeep. Although the newer Nissan can certainly handle the task.

What can I say, growing up poor, I do like nice things, but I'm also frugal minded and try to save the wear and tear on my nicest things wherever applicable.

^^^Well said.

I think the other factor is what constitutes 'beating.' Obviously some of us are harder on knives than others. I gotta say in my 30+ years of carrying and using knives, I've never needed to do any major 'overhauls.' In fact, I have two very good mid-quality (say roughly $95-$140 range) folders that were my primary EDC's for about a decade a piece. They show lots of 'character' in the form of worn/smooth handle scales, little dings, and blades that saw the more than a pass or two on the sharpening stone, etc., but they're all original and could probably go another 5-10 years if I hadn't semi-retired them. I didn't baby them...but I did limit their use to actual knife/cutting functions along with routine cleaning (running under warm soap and water, dry and re-lube). And low and behold, they're still good to go.

As I've said before, we're in a era where there's a weird sub-culture that often seems to judge items not on quality, materials, design, function, and craftsmanship, but on how much of our mis-use/abuse they can take. I suppose a lot of that goes to the 'wanna be a tough guy/'operator' stuff/marketing. And there's certainly a place for such purpose built tools. But I'm also old enough to remember where doing something like damaging/breaking your blade (outside of emergency circumstances) was the trait of the amateur/novice/unskilled outdoorsman...use the right tool for the job, and all of that...

Another $.02 worth.

BOSS

 

[stabman]

^^^Well said.

I think the other factor is what constitutes 'beating.' Obviously some of us are harder on knives than others. I gotta say in my 30+ years of carrying and using knives, I've never needed to do any major 'overhauls.' In fact, I have two very good mid-quality (say roughly $95-$140 range) folders that were my primary EDC's for about a decade a piece. They show lots of 'character' in the form of worn/smooth handle scales, little dings, and blades that saw the more than a pass or two on the sharpening stone, etc., but they're all original and could probably go another 5-10 years if I hadn't semi-retired them. I didn't baby them...but I did limit their use to actual knife/cutting functions along with routine cleaning (running under warm soap and water, dry and re-lube). And low and behold, they're still good to go.

As I've said before, we're in a era where there's a weird sub-culture that often seems to judge items not on quality, materials, design, function, and craftsmanship, but on how much of our mis-use/abuse they can take. I suppose a lot of that goes to the 'wanna be a tough guy/'operator' stuff/marketing. And there's certainly a place for such purpose built tools. But I'm also old enough to remember where doing something like damaging/breaking your blade (outside of emergency circumstances) was the trait of the amateur/novice/unskilled outdoorsman...use the right tool for the job, and all of that...

Another $.02 worth.

BOSS

If I break a knife doing something that the manufacturer would consider abusive, I'll just buy another one, or pay the fixing fee.

Or, turn it into something else...

Broke it during the "Winter Camping Contest."
Prize was a BK7.

It was cold, the light was going down and I had no flashlight or headlamp with me. My back was giving out, and my right knee hurt, but I really wanted to get that tree out of the ground (for a walking stick; wanted the root bulb).

So, I did it all wrong, wailed on it unsupported while swinging a huge chunk of tree at it, and broke out a chunk.

But instead of bitching about it to the manufacturer, I manned-up and did this:

Then I went back there, along with the remade knife and a saw:

Made the walking stick:

AND recovered the piece that had broken off:

I also won the BK7.

That's the only knife I have broken in the last 25 years.
And it was while doing something really stupid.

 

[22-rimfire]

Funny. Years ago I beat on a SOG fixed blade with a mini sledge hammer to split a log. Didn't work as the log was too big, but I beat the living hell out of that knife (steel on steel) and it suffered no damage. I know that was not a good idea, but honestly I didn't care if I broke the knife.

 

[stabman]

Funny. Years ago I beat on a SOG fixed blade with a mini sledge hammer to split a log. Didn't work as the log was too big, but I beat the living hell out of that knife (steel on steel) and it suffered no damage. I know that was not a good idea, but honestly I didn't care if I broke the knife.

Yeah, my step-brother uses a hammer for batonning. No broken knife yet (I wouldn't do it though).

With the D'Eskabar, I wasn't holding the knife at all. It was lodged in the root at ground level, and I was kneeling/crouching, swinging a huge chunk of wood at it wildly.
Full force, full idiocy engaged. Huge, two-handed swings. We're talking a level of stupid I have seldom managed in my entire existence.

It was sideways force that simply snapped a piece from the blade.

Like I said, stupid.

But I now have probably the only D'EskaTracker in existence.

 

[22-rimfire]

Stuff happens. It is always the knife you don't want to break that breaks. If you don't care, they never break. I was more concerned about pieces of steel hitting me than breaking the knife.