Opinions on folder / steel for extreme use!?

Hyped23

Hyped23

Joined
Sep 21, 2013
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14
Im new to this fourm so i appologize if im asking a common question.

I am looking for a new folder for heavy use. Looking for some suggestions on a good knife and or best blade steel for my work.

Im a electrition and i tend to abuse my knives pretty bad, sometimes it being the only tool i have on me. Daily things i might do include cut smaller wire copper, aluminum, strip different insulations. Ream/de bur conduit mainly pvc. Use as a screw driver or small pry bar (i know lol but i dont always have the propper tool on me). Cut all kinds and size of ropes and string. A lot of other weird situations when i only have a knife on me.

I have a benchmade auto in 154cm the steel worked pretty good but i ended up with a ton of play in the knife. If i tighten the screw the auto wont deploy properly. So im looking at a folder now.

Edit* ok i rarely use my knife as a screwdriver or prybar i just included that because it might happen once a year but it does happen. Just wanted to clear that up

Thanks for any input sorry for long post!:yawn:
 
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Depending on your budget you might want to look at the Spyderco Tuff in 3v. Alternatively you could carry the knife of your choice and a multitool :P
 
Hyped23 said:
screw driver or small pry bar.
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Many abused knives have a screwdriver that was once a clip blade. :eek:

You might look at something in D2 steel. Harder to sharpen but holds a good edge.

I don't think that you should spend a lot of money.

Victorinox Electrician
 
I would recommend a Queen in d2. It is a very hard working knife and very reasonably priced.
 
I know you are looking for a folder, but a small 3 to 3.5 inch fixed blade for EDC would be great for hard use.
 
That would be an easy choice in my opinion. A Victorinox Electrician. This knife is designed especially for your line of work and is super tough. It has a thick flat screwdriver to handle the prying work you mention. Take a look at it. I believe it would serve you well.
 
Moving this one to General Knife Discussion.
 
A lot of us carry mini prybars like the Gerber Shard on the off chance that we have to pry something. You might want to look into that instead of ruining your perfectly good knives. If you absolutely want to carry just a knife, try a Scrapyard Scrapivore. It's not a folder, but you shouldn't be prying with one anyway, or anything on a pivot for that matter.
 
zcd said:
Depending on your budget you might want to look at the Spyderco Tuff in 3v. Alternatively you could carry the knife of your choice and a multitool :P
Click to expand...
A definite YES. You can find a Tuff on the Exchange occasionally for $200. BenchMade Adamus 275 is pretty good also.
 
An electrician who sometimes only carries a knife?? Odd. Get a multitool if you are only carrying one item. But what kind of electrician .. nm :) Get a Leatherman MUT. Enjoy.
 
Get an ESEE Izula and a leatherman.
 
we're not going to be able to tell you anything meaningful without know what you're prepared to spend. For me, a cheap knife is one that costs less than $200... for some people here it's under $1000 and for people new to knives, it might be $30.

For what you're describing, personally i'd recommend something cheap because you're very likely to damage it. On the other hand, a Benchmade in M4 or m390 is going to be tough enough to handle abuse and the Axis lock is rock solid.

You're really going to need to decide your budget, then we can tell you the best options in that range
 
I'd say a Leatherman as well. They have replaceable wire cutter blades. If you use a knife for this type work keep the bevel thick enough to not chip, bend or damage. Many knives don't come with a suitable edge for that type work mainly as knives aren't supposed to be used for that according to their warranty papers. MultiTools like the Leatherman are. I don't know many knives that can be used as a screwdriver without screwing something up.

Joe
 
I'm with K.O.D. and Mastiff. Sounds like you need a multitool and maybe a small FB like an Izula or BK11/14. I wouldn't spend $ on a dedicated heavy duty folder for what you describe. An Ontario RAT or a KaBar Dozier folder would probably be better choices if you want a folder, but I think the FB is a better choice.
 
The only folder I can think of that would even stand a chance would be the Strider SnG in either PD1, Z Wear, or CPM 3V or an XM18. Now these are not cheap at all the Strider is at least 500 due to those steels being limited runs and if you find an XM for less than 700 bucks your doing good.

A Leatherman will be just as good for your work and cost you a lot less, I am a cable installer so I do a good bit of the same type of work and I learned the hard way that a Leatherman Wave is what belonged in my pocket. I do keep a knife on me as well but I just use it for knife tasks.
 
Thanks for all the replys. I have a few things to look at but as far as fixed blade goes it would be ideal. Except i work in peoples homes government buildings and operating stores all kinds of places were an exposed knife might be unprofessional.

I could use multitool however i have tools on me 80% of the time its just those times when your stuck in a ceiling with no tools or scopeing a job and need to open something up. I got a few things to look at thanks!

As far as price goes id probly not spend over 200 on a knife i could possibly chip or break
 
Get a Leatherman or Victorinox multitool. Both come with nice sheaths for belt-carry, so you wont find yourself stuck in a ceiling with no tools.

Look at the Leatherman Charge Ti or Victorinox Swisstool X.
 
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