Need help choosing a "hard use" folder.

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
3,700
Hi all, looking for a good folder that's going to see some pretty hard use. I live in the tropics and fish so corrosion resistance is a big deal. I am a big spyderco fan and right now I have been using the dragonfly "salt", but I need something bigger and heavier. I have a manix 2 lightweight on the way also, and it might do the trick, but I'm thinking its going to be more of an edc, and I will get something else as my hard user.

I know everyone has a different definition of hard use, so let me be specific. I fish . A LOT. I spend 30-60 minutes a day cleaning fish. Some of that is with a filet knife, but my main catch is big spanish mackerel. I cut them into 1-1.5 inch steaks, so I'm cross cutting the fish over and over...and over and over (the fishing is pretty good here!) You can't just "push" the blade through the spine. On the big ones you have to push a pointy tip into the spine and "pop" it through with the palm of the hand. I'm sure somebodies got a different method but this is how I do it and I'm pretty damned efficient at it. I just need a knife that can hold up to that kind of use.

Like I said, I like spyderco, but I am open minded.
I also like...
A ffg, but not a must.
Pointy but strong tip
Strong lock
Corrosion resistant materials (this is pretty high on the list)
I am NOT interested in a fixed blade right now...I want a folder that can handle this

I am really impressed with the "salt" knife that I have, and I am considering just getting the pacific salt. My only concerns are I am not in love with the tip on that knife and I'm not sure the knife will hold up. I dunno, it might be my best bet as I have heard people say they have beat the hell out of them and they have held up for years.

Any suggestions?

P.S. here's what I'm chopping on everyday. :-).
D441FC97-EE64-4668-BC6E-49A2B97D074C-258-0000002FE4FFA765_zps47295709.jpg
 
The spyderco police. Never owned a spyderco, but I've heard lots of good things about this knife and you said you loke spyderco. One guy told me he cut a 22inch. Long shark in half with one stroke with his spyderco police (full serrated). It comes in full serrations or all straight edge. Sorry if I wasn't any help haha.
 
the saber groung vg10 enduras held up to more than their fair share of use with me and vg10 is great as far as corrosion and the pasifc should be good. the Benchmade triage is another option if you get the drop point. you can also fin the griptilian in N680 also a good choice. hope this helps.
Paul
 
Awesome catch. Without getting too much into elaboration because I'm sort of undecided on the question myself, I've been looking for a knife for similar use and I keep returning the the zt300 series as a good option. I've heard good things about the corrosion resistance with the coating and s30v, good useful blade shape (not ideal for filleting, but it makes a good cutter and strong design), and since I use my knife for a variety of things including fishing line cutting etc the easy assisted opening for quick thoughtless one hand opening is handy for lack of a better phrase. I've been carrying and using my sebenza lately and its worked really well, but there are certain features its lacking that I'd like to have for this situation.
 
Oof, looks like that grip is twice the price of the pacific salt. Hmm, maybe somebody will convince me the pacific salt is just as tough! ;-).
 
My Cold Steel Voyagers have held up very well, and the newer models with the Triad locks are supposed to be stronger still. Lately I've been packing a Griptilian 551, which I'd consider a hard use knife.
 
Surfingringo said:
Oof, looks like that grip is twice the price of the pacific salt. Hmm, maybe somebody will convince me the pacific salt is just as tough! ;-).
Click to expand...

Pacific salt a pretty tough knife, but if you want a little more rigidity just buy the Endura 4 which has the stainless liners and just make sure to rinse it out and dry it (or blow it out with compressed air) at the end of the day. The VG-10 blade will also outperform a plain edge H1 blade, and the Endura can be had in FFG vs. the Pacific's saber grind which isn't the best at slicing (too thick IMO).

-sh00ter
 
Surfingringo said:
BAM! Thank you! Forgot all about the h2o grip! That might be the call. Anyone have any experience on the toughness of say a griptillian vs an endura "ie pacific salt"? That axis lock is pretty strong isn't it?
Click to expand...


The AXIS Lock is very strong and makes deploying it one handed very quickly. I have seen it ranging from $90 up to $110. From what I can tell, H1 Steel may be a little better than the X15, and I think that is just in edge holding. Corrosion resistance is about the same, from what I gather.

EDIT: Sorry, the x15 has better edge holding, but the corrosion resistance is inferiour, according to BM.
 
Are the omega springs on the H2O model coated or a different material then standard omega springs?

I'm wondering because I've had the omega springs on a 556 rust and ultimately break after some fresh water use and a little neglect to clean right away on my part. BUT I never hear anyone complain about this issue with their 551H2O's.

-sh00ter
 
sh00ter01 said:
Are the omega springs on the H2O model coated or a different material then standard omega springs?

I'm wondering because I've had the omega springs on a 556 rust and ultimately break after some fresh water use and a little neglect to clean right away on my part. BUT I never hear anyone complain about this issue with their 551H2O's.

-sh00ter
Click to expand...

It would make sense if they did, but I don't see anything about changes to anything aside from the blade.
 
sh00ter01 said:
Are the omega springs on the H2O model coated or a different material then standard omega springs?

I'm wondering because I've had the omega springs on a 556 rust and ultimately break after some fresh water use and a little neglect to clean right away on my part. BUT I never hear anyone complain about this issue with their 551H2O's.



-sh00ter
Click to expand...

Yep, I want to hear the answer to this too! The grip might be worth the money to me, but only if I feel the "corrosion resistance" is built into more than just the blade! Anybody know?
 
Moses2792796 said:
:mad:

Where are you? They're some of the best fish in the world I reckon.
Click to expand...

I'm in Costa Rica. I've got mackerel coming out my ears! We eat it almost everyday and give the rest away! I actually get tired of it sometimes so it's nice when I get one of these guys every now and then. Caught this guy last week casting a yo zuri crystal minnow. I get all these off my kayak.

F1658CC7-62F5-4394-B617-EB080CD70148-9483-00000C877A07E2FD_zps71f1c352.jpg
 
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