Not Tough enough

[midnight flyer]

Fixed blade is obviously tougher.

YES!! If you need a fixed, buy a fixed. But since the topic at hand is folders...

If I was in your shoes I'd probably use a Rat 1 because it's cheaper and I wouldn't feel so bad about beating on it. Cold Steel has a reputation for being tough but I've never used one.

Both are winners. The Cold Steel products (let me get it out of the way for the fretful nannies, Lyn Thompson sucks...) have a reputation of performance under all kinds of nasty conditions, and my American Lawman is a good example of that. I wasn't sure I liked the knife as it is so different from my other work folders, so it got every nasty job I didn't want to use my more prized possessions to do. It is kinda banged up, but still has a few hundred thousand miles left. And it's the AUS8 from years ago! I am going to give it a new lease on life and strip the remaining coating and polish it out.

As for the RAT1, another excellent work knife. Scroll up a few posts and I linked to some "hard use" tests. Ergos, great. Blade steel... meh. Carries well, is surprisingly slim and still locks up like new. I have carried and used it so much that the FRN on the scales is almost polished smooth. I bought this many years ago when they came out at the suggestions of a few BF members and have never looked back. And even though I have the original and it still does exactly as designed, I can hear the D2 version calling me. No doubt, on the horizon for the work rotation.

Both of these knives are excellent suggestions in my opinion for their utility and silly low prices.

Robert

 

[Sonnydaze]

I have two Bradford Guardian 3 fixed blades in Vanadis 4E SuperClean. Scary sharp knives that hold their edge, similar as mentioned previously to CPM-4V. Bradford Knives also makes this knife and steel in a 4" fixed if you prefer.
BTW, I've been carrying my Bradford 3 models (CPM-3V, M390, Vanadis 4E) in his excellent belted cross-draw which makes for instant access. I still carry a folder clipped in my pocket but never use it.
This steel? Vanadis 4E? VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Note: Vanadis 4E is a tool steel and will rust if neglected or put away wet.

 

[SharpieB]

Fixed blade is obviously tougher.

In the spyderco lineup you should look at the gayle Bradley 1 or 2. The M4 is tough and holds a good edge. Thin enough to slice well but still pretty tough.

If I was in your shoes I'd probably use a Rat 1 because it's cheaper and I wouldn't feel so bad about beating on it. Cold Steel has a reputation for being tough but I've never used one.

Good point on the GB. I have a GB2 and it is hard to find a tougher and better made knife for the money. Unreal knife even at $150 IMO.

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

I'm here to find another new knife to take the place of my lone wolf swale. I love the knife. It's tough as hell,Can take a real beating.
The problem is it was a gift from my wife. I'm incredibly rough on a knife,prob not liked by real knife guys. I pry,chop and hit with hammer if it helps cut. Everything but use it for a screw driver, even that bothers me.
I picked up a spyderco s30v sage to hopefully take the spotlight of everyday abuse. I could tell real quick that s30v was a mistake. The stuff is like glass. I work on a farm and cut hay string a lot,the stuff is dirty and some of it might have metal in it.
Anyway my lone wolf has a n680 blade and never has a problem with whatever I put it through, the spyderco s30v sage not so much, it's chipped out in a few spots and now I'm afraid of ruining a good knife blade,At least for somebody that gets it next. I'm sure it's not going to take what I'll put it through,but it's obviously not made to be put through what I going to put a knife through.
I'm looking for a sure enough tough folder that is as strong as my swale" not a benchmade by the way". Nothing against benchmade, I got my wife a griptilan and I have a perdu auto, but they just are not beat with a hammer kinda tough,nor were they meant to be. I guess no knife is ,but that doesn't mean there isn't a few out there that can take it.
I want to know what there is out there that is tough as nails, folds and can keep a decent edge. I don't mind having to sharpen a bit more often if it means it's tougher. But I do like a keen edge as well. The n680 on my lone wolf is good stuff,but my wife's benchmade has n680 blade as well, but it doesn't seem to be as well made or perhaps processed the same.
I like the spyderco design, it is very well built and feels good in the hand. Just the wrong type of steel for me.
What is Gona be my best bet for a steel in the spyderco line that can take a pounding? Or another brand perhaps?

What did you end up getting?