Not Tough enough

[marcinek]

Get a fixed blade, a folder is really just a broken fixed blade.

I don't see how this applies to the OPs question, since a fixed blade with the "wrong" steel is going to have the same problems.

The OP clearly stated that he wants a knife that "....folds and can keep a decent edge"

Do you have any suggestions that apply?

I'd avoid the "super steels." The 10XX suggestion made about would be great choices, as would something like AUS-8.

They are not hard, so they dont behave "like glass", and since they are not hard, they sharpen easily. They are tough, and they are inexpensive.

Something like a Kabar Dozier, used correctly, would be my choice for a good knife that "....folds and can keep a decent edge"

 

[Todd21969]

I love Spyderco and have used my Military fairly roughly when needed ,but they mostly are slicers.

The only folder I have that I will really beat on is an Emerson Mini CQC 15. He hardens his 154cm a little "soft" and combined with the chisel grind it seems to roll and deform the edge instead of chip. Much easier to clean up after edge abuse. For me at least.

 

[JBC6650]

Get a couple of the lower cost Cold Steel models. They can take abuse and my voyager in Aus 8 takes a very good edge and it sounds like the ones in cts-xhp are even better.

 

[Lapedog]

Esee Izula might be a good option. Small and easy to carry like a folder but much more capable to stand up to the abuse you’ve described.

 

[inkynate]

...What is Gona be my best bet for a steel in the spyderco line that can take a pounding? Or another brand perhaps?

Something from Spyderco's value line, Tenacious, Polestar, etc? 8Cr13MoV and BD1 should be fairly tough. Even cheaper would be something like a Byrd CaraCara 2. The H1 steel used in the Salt line is extremely tough, but really shines in serrated edge. Plain edge H1 may be fine if you don't mind sharpening fairly often (should be easy when you do).

Or you could buy a bunch of Svörd Peasant knives...

 

[midnight flyer]

I don't see how this applies to the OPs question, since a fixed blade with the "wrong" steel is going to have the same problems.

The OP clearly stated that he wants a knife that "....folds and can keep a decent edge"

Do you have any suggestions that apply?

I'd avoid the "super steels." The 10XX suggestion made about would be great choices, as would something like AUS-8.

They are not hard, so they dont behave "like glass", and since they are not hard, they sharpen easily. They are tough, and they are inexpensive.

Something like a Kabar Dozier, used correctly, would be my choice for a good knife that "....folds and can keep a decent edge"

Wait a minute... before you go off on H&S, remember that the OP says he works on a ranch and uses his knife for work. Assuming every day he is at work like me. How could he really know what he wants since he depends on a certain knife style every day? Can't you see how many folks know better than he does by suggesting that he get what they want him to have?

Agree with you about staying away from most of the "super steels" as they are a waste of good metal when using them on the job. When cutting a filthy banding straps to get materials off pallets, my 8cr, AUS8, 440C (Boker), and a couple of others work great. I when cutting into material and hitting a hidden, large staple or something else like it, the S35vn folds over just like the rest, and is hard to repair on the field. With my original RAT1, if I nick a staple, am forced to cut a thin wire or trim a shingle, I can touch up the edge to "good enough" with a piece of 600gr wet and dry on the job.

Robert

 

[ATJ999]

There are some amazing custom knife makers out there that will make a great fixed blade for 200 or under. I have a few that have a pry tool on the end of the handle, and that has come in handy quite a bit doing farm chores. When I am out doing work and not running around like crazy, I carry around a small fixed blade in my back pocket and I am good to go. If I know I'll be very active and it might fall out, I'll hook it to my belt.
As for a folder. I would just use the folder as a backup and for less abusive work. Benchmade's 154CM is quite tough, as is their M4. I have heard very good things about Cold Steel's folders.

 

[wensynch]

Here's my work knife :

137 of 1000 first production. That's like 2 decades old used for everything.

Look how beautiful that 440C is with the iridescent shine. Supreme steel is what it is called. The real steel. Lol

 

[Badhammer]

I know you said no Benchmades but the Adamas would likely suit your needs as would the Buck CSAR-T

 

[hexenjager]

Hey, M Miltonhunter77 . Welcome to the forums.

I'm a rancher and I know what you mean about bale twine and net wrap. It and the hay gets a lot of stuff trapped in it and it's really tough on an edge. It sounds like you're tougher on your knives than I am (I don't pry with or hammer on mine) but I've been pretty happy with my ZT 0909 for work around the ranch.

It's been recently discontinued, but there may be new old stock left out there. Plus there's always the secondary market. Blade steel is S35VN. I haven't tested it in hammering or prying, but it's a pretty darned robust knife, so who knows? I should also note that on the bale twine thing, I got some very small chipping at first, like you did with S30V, but I stopped getting chipping after hand sharpening a couple times. I almost always get chipping at first on bales with the machine sharpened factory edges, though. Your Spyderco might improve in that regard after a few trips to the stone as well. Might be worth giving it another chance if you like the knife.

If you're open to carrying a fixed blade, I have in the past carried a stainless Mora Companion in the winter for bales. They're easy to sharpen and fairly tough. They're also very inexpensive, so you could have several on hand as backups if you broke one.

Also, I have a good friend and neighbor who does use his knife to hammer, pry, turn screws, etc and he's quit carrying folders. He's gone through a few inexpensive fixed blades, but he had a skeletonized Buck that he liked except for its lack of a guthook (he's a hay grinder and likes the guthook for cutting twine off of his hammer mill) so I gave him one of these a couple Christmases ago:

It's looking a little... alright, a lot battered these days, but it's still on his belt. It's pretty much stood up to whatever he threw at it the last couple years. The prong on his guthook is considerably shorter now and I'd bet he needs me to sharpen it for him again, but otherwise it's intact. I think these are only around $25.

Hope I was some help. Let us know what you end up finding that works for you.

 

[Todd21969]

Get a fixed blade, a folder is really just a broken fixed blade.

Really a folder is designed from the ground up to fold ,it's not a broken fixed blade.

A folder is more convenient for most of us to carry and use daily. Some on this forum can't legally carry a fixed blade daily, or even want to. I ,for one can,, but choose not to. It would get in the way and bang into my hips at work.

Just what job do you have that allows the carry and use of a Buck 119?

 

[Hickory n steel]

Really a folder is designed from the ground up to fold ,it's not a broken fixed blade.

A folder is more convenient for most of us to carry and use daily. Some on this forum can't legally carry a fixed blade daily, or even want to. I ,for one can,, but choose not to. It would get in the way and bang into my hips at work.

Just what job do you have that allows the carry and use of a Buck 119?

It was a bit of a joke, The point is that a folder is not as strong as a fixed blade.
It's much easier to find a good fixed blade to carry than it is a really tough folder.
If you want a really tough folder they're out there, but there are way more fixed blade options that are also more readily available.

 

[jimmyd1982]

Svord Peasant.
The L7 steel is pretty darn tough and is easy to put a wicked edge on. If you do decide to hit it with a hammer there is no lock to break and the knife is very inexpensive so it's not a huge loss if you do break it.

 

[Todd21969]

It was a bit of a joke, The point is that a folder is not as strong as a fixed blade.
It's much easier to find a good fixed blade to carry than it is a really tough folder.
If you want a really tough folder they're out there, but there are way more fixed blade options that are also more readily available.

Of course a fixed is stronger than a folder. However the OP asked for a folder.

And again not everyone can carry a fixed, or even wants to.

So what do you carry at work? Fixed or folder?

 

[SALTY]

For a handy sized fixed blade that punches above its weight and has a value based price, the Becker BK11 or 14 (depending on whether you want the bottle opener) would surpass your expectations. Those little Beckers are tough!

 

[Shotgun]

Svord Peasant.
The L7 steel is pretty darn tough and is easy to put a wicked edge on. If you do decide to hit it with a hammer there is no lock to break and the knife is very inexpensive so it's not a huge loss if you do break it.

I second this only if I’m not mistaken they’re using 15n20 now. Still a really good non-stainless steel for rough use. The peasant is one of my all time favorites only it can be a bit hard to pocket carry depending on the pocket. They have a mini version which is okay but the full size is where it’s at for a working knife. I’ve heard that the mini maglite sheath fits it so there’s a cheap belt carry option though you can get custom work done.

 

[19-3ben]

I mean... i get the whole "OP only asked for folders" thing. But even the toughest folders are going to only take so much of being hit with a hammer. That's the kind of thing you do when you're TRYING to break a knife. I can't see the sense in suggesting any folder because quite frankly, even a Medford Praetorian is going to give in after being beaten with a hammer enough times.

I'm going to vote for an ESEE 5. Even the OP would be hard pressed to break it, and on the off chance he does, even with unmitigated abuse, ESEE will replace it under warrantee. The only other thing I'd suggest is maybe something like a Ratmandu, or similar from Busse, where again, it's under warranted because we know it's only a matter of time before this guy breaks his knife. Might as well get the one with the "break it and we'll replace it no matter what" warrantee.

 

[midnight flyer]

Hey, M Miltonhunter77 . Welcome to the forums.

I'm a rancher and I know what you mean about bale twine and net wrap. It and the hay gets a lot of stuff trapped in it and it's really tough on an edge. It sounds like you're tougher on your knives than I am (I don't pry with or hammer on mine) but I've been pretty happy with my ZT 0909 for work around the ranch.
View attachment 857593
It's been recently discontinued, but there may be new old stock left out there. Plus there's always the secondary market. Blade steel is S35VN. I haven't tested it in hammering or prying, but it's a pretty darned robust knife, so who knows?

And there it is! I bought this to use in my daily construction duties about 9 months ago. It has become my favorite work knife! I posted before that I like it so much I bought a second, "just in case".

I have a stable of work knives, and if I don't feel like sharpening, I just get the next one in line. A RAT1, Cold Steel American Lawman, and old Kershaw Tremor, an Enlan of some model in 440C, and on an on. They go in a box, and when I get a few minutes, I tune them up with some lube and a cleaning, then put an edge on them and they go back to wait their turn. They all have their strong points and a couple have taken quite a beating (no abuse). Note as mentioned before they all have easy to sharpen blades.

But the 0909 is the pocket champ right now, and I will edge that one to put back in my pocket without putting it back in the rotation. I rebeveled the edge, and now it is a breeze to sharpen, although I don't go past 1200gr. Makes the edge too fragile for my use.

Hope you follow up and let us know what you picked and why.

Robert

 

[Miltonhunter77]

I do understand that a fixed blade is far stronger than a folder. I work at a prison during my regular job, it makes it kinda hard to keep a fixed blade on my person all the time. And after work I don't always have time to swing by the house to pick up multiple tools.
Folder is easier to keep in car or truck/ legal to carry around everywhere all the time. . I'm not the type of person that's Gona let a weak tool slow me down. Either it works or it gets replaced. It's not like I'm beating with a hammer every day .Lol.

 

[skyhorse]

How about a Buck 110 Milton ? Easy enough to open and close one handed if need be and a well proven hard use folder.