Need a cheap workhorse

3

3wolves

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
1,061
Hi guys,
I need a tough workhorse (folder) that fills the following requirements,
-good grip (G-10)
-combo edge (I don't need to do and fine carving or slicing, just rip but I still want the front to be PE for gutting fish)
-cheap enough to abuse
-good strong lock
This'll be for yardwork, fishing/crabbing, cutting anything and everything that could hurt a pretty knife and where fixed blades are not convenient. I was looking at the G-10 cara cara and spyderco tenacious (where else will you find a G-10 knife for under $30). Which of the two is better? Any other knives you would reccomend over these? I heard of the tenacious's serrations snagging alot, how do you guys find them? The tenacious is a clear winner in the looks department and I like the flat grind but this is a beater so thats not my primary concern.
 
Hmm. Byrds are good knives, if you like the designs.
The Buck 110 is perhaps the ultimate cheap workhorse, but it doesn't fit your serrated or G10 handle requirements.
Look at the Gerber Gator lockbacks, and the Kabar Mules. Handles aren't G10, but have good grip and PS.
 
Take a look at Benchmade's Pika series. They are well made, cheap to buy, and have the "Benchmade serrations" which are shallow and EXTREMELY smooth cutting!,,,VWB.
 
3wolves said:
Hi guys,
I need a tough workhorse (folder) that fills the following requirements,
-good grip (G-10)
-combo edge (I don't need to do and fine carving or slicing, just rip but I still want the front to be PE for gutting fish)
-cheap enough to abuse
-good strong lock
This'll be for yardwork, fishing/crabbing, cutting anything and everything that could hurt a pretty knife and where fixed blades are not convenient. I was looking at the G-10 cara cara and spyderco tenacious (where else will you find a G-10 knife for under $30). Which of the two is better? Any other knives you would reccomend over these? I heard of the tenacious's serrations snagging alot, how do you guys find them? The tenacious is a clear winner in the looks department and I like the flat grind but this is a beater so thats not my primary concern.
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I think the Tenacious is nicer, although both are good tough knives.
However, Sal said the 8Cr13MoV is less corrosion resistant than AUS8. If you are going to be crabbing, you might do better with a Large KaBar Dozier. It is a lockback with a 3 1/2" AUS8 blade and runs about $25 online. No G10, but better corrosion resistance for the steel. I find mine has good grip, even if it is FRN. When I tested the edge retention against that of the 8Cr13MoV they tested the same.
 
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Cold Steel Voyager Series.
I'm not to fond of their serrations, But those knives will take a hard-core beating and ask for more. That VG-1 Steel is Tough and holds an edge for a long time.
Cheap too on Ebay.
 
+1 on the Cold Steel Voyager in VG-1.

Also, the Spyderco Endura (VG-10).

I don't think AUS8 is ideal for a "hard use" knife - it does take an amazingly sharp edge, but dulls quickly.

For hard use, I like the lockback design of the Voyager and the Endura.
And both knives are made with excellent build quality in Seki City, Japan.
 
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I have a Smith and Wesson tactical in G-10 fills all your requirements and is cheap. SWAT I think its called. Ebay $20.
 
Maybe the new CRKT Drifter? They offer a version with G-10 scales and partial serrations. Very affordable, sub-$20 street price. I haven't handled one, but it looks like a practical, no-frills user.
 
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I suppose it depends on 3wolves' definition of "cheap".
His original choices were in the $30 range. The alternatives:
Large KaBar Dozier - $25
Voyager - $45
Endura - $50
Tarani - $63

The more you pay in these, the better the blade.
I still recommend the Large KaBar Dozier as being corrosion resistant and getting the job done for the least money. But if you can afford more, so much the better. All the others are outstanding blades.
 
Yep I was looking at the under $40 range, I would like to keep it cold steel, byrd, spyderco, ka bar or something else I could get at warriors and wonders. I decided that a fully serrated edge would give me the maximum performance for what I need to do. I just noticed the G-10 crossbill in SE, I don't have a hawksbill and it seems like a good desighn for riping through rope, bags of fertilizer/concrete, agricloth, zip ties, opening up cardboard boxes, nylon webbing, those plastic belts they put on boxes, etc. The tenacious on the other hand would be better at slicing should I ever need to. Im pretty much down to the tenacious or crossbill in a SE. I also really want to try G-10, so Im limited to those two.
 
Also, the new CS Pocket Bushman has gotten good reviews.
You could do something to improve the grip. If you're handy with a Dremel, you could cut or stipple it.
Or you could go with Grip Tape.
 
knarfeng said:
Sal said the 8Cr13MoV is less corrosion resistant than AUS8. If you are going to be crabbing, you might do better with a Large KaBar Dozier. It is a lockback with a 3 1/2" AUS8 blade and runs about $25 online. No G10, but better corrosion resistance for the steel.
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Honestly, for a real use, beater knife, there's not a Spyderco made that can't handle a salt-water environment. I've carried a lot of different Spydercos on boats on the ocean, at the beach, and IN the water (clipped to my shorts while wade-casting for bass in a Central Florida lake). I'm talking ATS-55, VG-10 and AUS-8. WORST case scenario is that the blade gets a few spots after a long day fishing. Scrape 'em off with a thumb nail, rinse and dry the knife and you're good to go!
 
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