Overbuilt folders : Yes or no?

I don't have any, but the 4 Max is coming my way some day. Knifecenter had a massive sale the other day, but sadly, I'm broke.

I'm glad overbuilt folders exist, but I'm also glad that they aren't all that we have to choose from.
 
'Overbuilt' folders hold no allure to me.
In the eyes of some they are cool - I find some of them silly of silly designs if not outright counterproductive. Some are so big and heavy as to defeat the very purpose of carrying a folding knife.
Incredibly, they seem to convey an image of the being very strong (the folders that is), when any folder is only as strong as the weakest point - the pivot.
Some of them are big slab-like clown knives and look the part.
I dont personally need a bigger folder than for example a GB, as mentioned earlier.
If I want strong, I use a fixed blade.
 
Hawk45 said:
Nothing wrong with liking what you like and there is something to be said for cool factor. Practicality/utility doesn't always have to win.
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Exactly.:thumbsup:
I've got every sized knife imaginable but sometimes it just puts a grin on my face to shove a Direware into my pocket.
Not the most practical for everything (nor is an underbuilt knife) but it certainly is fun having a variety.
 
I carry a knife everyday.
If the s**t hits the fan or my world gets tipped upside down while I am away from home.
The only assets I will have is what I have brought with me.
Knife wise, I would trust my overbuilt Loco over any other normally built knife.

If something does happen and I find myself with a 940 or a mini-grip, I would never forgive myself. But, to each his own
JM2C
 
miso2 said:
Lamborghini?
To me, it is more like driving a 20 ton truck to buy a cup of coffee down a block or two.

Anyway, I do like my Umnumzaan.
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The analogy was meant to highlight the excessive quality of both items and their departure from practicality.

In my neck of the woods, the wealthier people drive $50,000 trucks with a $5,000 lift kit, $5,000 tires, and $10,000 in aftermarket nonsense.

Once you depart from the realm of necessity almost everything becomes ridiculous after that. Whether it's a $70,000 truck or sports car, it's down to preference at that point.

I love my overbuilt folders. I've never been one to notice an extra ounce. I believe everything I own weighs in at around 5ish oz, for the most part. With jeans/cargos and a belt on, nothing I throw into my pocket makes much of a difference, especially when it's attached so snugly to the pants.

That's something that has always come across as a bit strange to me...the whole issue of "it's too heavy"...I can totally understand if you're a rucker or a soldier required to haul around a considerable amount of stuff on a regular and extended basis. Practicality is paramount in that situation. Certainly almost any triad Coldsteel could perform as good, if not better, than the "overbuilt" stuff. But really...an ounce...or two? That's pretty hard to notice!
 
BladeScout said:
'Overbuilt' folders hold no allure to me.
In the eyes of some they are cool - I find some of them silly of silly designs if not outright counterproductive. Some are so big and heavy as to defeat the very purpose of carrying a folding knife.
Incredibly, they seem to convey an image of the being very strong (the folders that is), when any folder is only as strong as the weakest point - the pivot.
Some of them are big slab-like clown knives and look the part.
I dont personally need a bigger folder than for example a GB, as mentioned earlier.
If I want strong, I use a fixed blade.
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I get what you're saying here.

My knives, while I'm sure they qualify as "overbuilt" are a far cry from some of the stuff I see being made these days.

Like a Medford Praetorian or some of the Direwire stuff. Literal pocket bricks. I doubt they'd even function well as knives.

My Kwaibacks, A15s, Manix 2 XL, ZT0560, etc....they all cut stuff and do a pretty good job of it. Certainly not the best slicers, but they do what I need them to.

I like to think it's a happy medium? Between the two poles of "slicey/pragmatic" and "nice foldable brick, dude!"
 
I like larger folders, but don't have a lot of the over-built variety. I'm fond of my Hinderers and love their quality and feel in hand, but don't find myself carrying them that much. I've got a few ZTs, but they mostly just sit. I bought a Strider SNG just to try one and it surprisingly finds its way into my pocket here and there.

My preferences run in the 3.5-4" range and my CRKs and Shiros get the most pocket time and use. I favor blade stock closer to 1/8" than 3/16ths, something that will cut finer, being thin behind the edge, and that will slice and plunge better with a high hollow or full flat grind.

Overbuilt is cool in its own way, but if I find myself needing that quality I'll generally have a more appropriate tool for the job close at hand.
 
SeppukuSamurai said:
I love my overbuilt folders. I've never been one to notice an extra ounce. I believe everything I own weighs in at around 5ish oz, for the most part. With jeans/cargos and a belt on, nothing I throw into my pocket makes much of a difference, especially when it's attached so snugly to the pants.

That's something that has always come across as a bit strange to me...the whole issue of "it's too heavy"...I can totally understand if you're a rucker or a soldier required to haul around a considerable amount of stuff on a regular and extended basis. Practicality is paramount in that situation. Certainly almost any triad Coldsteel could perform as good, if not better, than the "overbuilt" stuff. But really...an ounce...or two? That's pretty hard to notice!
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On any given day I'm asking my belt to hold up:
  • My pants/shorts
  • My wallet
  • My keys
  • My knife
  • My firearm & holster
  • Any other random thing I need to pocket for some reason
An ounce here or there doesn't matter much on its own, but add up enough of them and it gets pretty noticeable to me.

I usually carry a small and light wallet, no infrequently used keys and a light (relatively speaking) firearm to shave weight where I can. I do the same with my pocket knives, and as a result rarely carry any knife that weighs more than around four ounces.
 
Weight in pocket is noticeable, as is knife thickness and width. More noticeable in lighter weight pants/shorts.
 
No, I only like knives that are super "slicey" and can only "slice". Knives with blades made of thick stock couldn't possibly ever do any cutting, or be useful in any way.

LOL Just kidding, I love and own knives of all kinds, and like overbuilt tacticool folders just as much as the next knife guy!

They work fine for me, since I have zero need in my daily life to be able to slice potatoes or tomatoes into slices thin enough to read through. A good sharp edge will cut my steak at a restaurant, open a package, snip a thread, or whittle on wood just fine. So crazy, right?
 
The OP asked yes or no

Some have said yes some have said no

No one is right no one is wrong

Heck I edc a small fixed blade most days

Does not mean that that is the best choice for all

I’ve been involved in knives for decades and I’ve seen fads come and go

The overbuilt genre I do believe is here to stay but it does not mean they are for everyone

My biggest issue is with overbuilt frame locks

They just don’t add up
 
evilgreg said:
On any given day I'm asking my belt to hold up:
  • My pants/shorts
  • My wallet
  • My keys
  • My knife
  • My firearm & holster
  • Any other random thing I need to pocket for some reason
An ounce here or there doesn't matter much on its own, but add up enough of them and it gets pretty noticeable to me.

I usually carry a small and light wallet, no infrequently used keys and a light (relatively speaking) firearm to shave weight where I can. I do the same with my pocket knives, and as a result rarely carry any knife that weighs more than around four ounces.
Click to expand...

Makes sense to me!
 
I've happened upon a few Jim Skelton videos reviewing knives (selling knives) that are just....enormous.

Initially I couldn't believe anyone would carry such an overstatement but then I found $500 spinner tops and the giant knives seemed to make a lot more sense after that.

Whatever floats your boat.
 
It's all just marketing buy whatever you want.

You can justify it however you want. I think at some point just about everyone will evaluate what their specific needs are an adjust but until that point go buy knives and figure it out.

An American Lawman is as overbuilt of a folder as I'll go and frankly I rarely carry it.

Some folks don't care about a carrying a crap load of stuff. Me I realized that every day when I get to work I put my wallet, keys and phone on the desk - turns out I don't like heavy things in my pockets. I am not batman so carrying extraneous things on my belt is out. So small lightweight fixed blades or folders in the pocket is my go to. I like a candiru or kershaw skyline. Those are just about perfect.
 
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