Need a rock solid WORKER folder

B

brad2008

Joined
Aug 5, 2008
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198
My brother does concrete and will be doing my sidewalk soon. I wanna tip him with a nice folder. I'm looking for something rock solid, high quality and built to last in the concrete world. As far as price goes I'm looking for higher end.



Suggestions ...
 
Hi there, in my limited experience, my ZT 0562 has taken everything I have thrown at it. However, in my experience working around horses with 0562, the bearing system does not respond well to dust, quickly getting a gritty feeling. While it does not impede function, it is annoying. A lot of dust from working with concrete may make it hard to keep a knife on bearings clean. For this reason, I would strongly suggest looking into any Emerson model that you feel would fit his needs. I can only personally recommend the Horseman. Simple design and construction, easy to disassemble and clean, made for use, and backed up by a great warranty. A lot of knife nuts have complaints about fit and finish, but especially if your brother is a non-knife guy, any problems in this department will likely not concern him. Good luck on your search! Hope I could be of help.
 
If budget is not a concern and you want it to last I suggest a Hinderer XM-18 or a Chris Reeve Large Inkosi or Sebenza. I like Hinderer better for harder use but both are insanely well made and I can personally attest to how each have held up to serious abuse.
 
Since we have some simoleans to work with I would suggest getting him 2 knives because any high ender is like jewelry and will gravitate towards light duty use for several or more years maybe even a very long time. Get him a Utilitac to slam around [i recomend the tanto with coffin handle for construction work] this knife is high quality and a tried and true destructive device yet cost is so low, this will be immediately usable while you can take the rest of your budget and go get the high end one. NOW you can, or your friend can have his cake and eat it too.
I'm currently in love with a Barrage w grey G-10 slabs and think it would do well under hard use but I can't get there from here haha. too damn nice if a cutting instrument.
there are quite a few choices you will have to peruse, maybe a Strider or a 4Max or a Gayle Bradley?
 
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Depends if weight /size are factors and also lock type/strength? plenty of tough knives. Benchmade Adamas, XM-18's, Benchmade Loco, Cold Steels (4max?), Sebenza, Becnhmade Contego in M390, ZT 0909. All comes down to taste as well.
 
I have a few sebenzas and have been looking at ZT and Hinderer. But, like Klute said one is gonna be jewelry (we've all all been there)....
 
Oh yeh, and ProTec are awesome guys with some serious products I woukld check them out as well, classy. The TR4 is their tank entry.
 
brad2008 said:
I have a few sebenzas and have been looking at ZT and Hinderer. But, like Klute said one is gonna be jewelry (we've all all been there)....
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If you are considering ZT and the bearings and dust are a concern I would suggest a ZT0630 or ZT0630CF. Incredible knives, great steal and I have used mine really hard with no problems! Dust and dirt just do not seem to bother it!
 
Your brother likely wears gloves doing concrete work. Ease of use while wearing gloves shouts "Spyderco hole" to me. I'd sat get him a Parmilitary II or a Manix IIXL.
 
+1 On the Spyderco PM2. I would also consider the Spyderco Military, and the Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2 (or the OG Gayle Bradley if you can find one). These knives have good track records as great working knives, ands they're relatively easy to maintain (Bronze Phosphorus washers, open construction, simple locking mechanisms).
 
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Armadew said:
I vote Hinderer, or for a cheaper option, Benchmade Adamas.
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The Adamas is the choice for super heavy duty use. Benchmade's warranty is great too.

If not an Axis lock fan, then I too would point you to whatever Emerson you like, and the Horseman or full size 8 is just a fantastic knife to carry and use. I personally like a straight edge and a tanto secondary edge, so the classic CQC-7B is my most prevalent EDC. The straight edge and 154cm are a breeze to maintain a very sharp edge, and the front edge makes a very handy chisel. The 15 line (mini and standard) make for a really versatile user too, combining the front tanto "chisel" with a mild recurve that makes the edge cut "bigger" than it is. Also, the 15's are the most "blade efficient" (blade to handle length ratio) Emersons I've seen.
 
I like Emersons and have more of them than all other folders; while they are easier to maintain than others, I am just not a fan of liner locks when the use environment lends itself to getting gunk in and around the innards of the knife - likewise with the Adamas, another one of my favorites.

The Sebenza seems to fit your bill here and has a track record than earned over time. In fact, Sebenza means worker.
 
brad2008 said:
I'm looking for something rock solid, high quality and built to last in the concrete world.
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Sorry, but there is no such thing. I'm safely assuming that your brother is going to treat that knife like a manic gorilla and beat the hell out of it. I know what concrete work entails, I've done it...

The point of a knife is to cut things, and that line of work has many abrasive things to be cut, that edge will be toast in no time. He'd be better off with Stanley with replaceable razor blades so he can always have a sharp edge at the ready.

I've used a folder for doing concrete, and they are almost useless. Things like cutting plastic sheets against pea gravel or CA6 is like dragging your edge against a pile of stones, literally.
 
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