Overbuilt, Tough Work Folder

B

Bnum3

Joined
Nov 8, 2014
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31
So I work in landscaping and I frequently find myself needing a good tough knife but I cant be walking around with a fixed blade unfortunately. With that said i also don't want anything over expensive in the event that it gets lost and i'm willing to pay around $200-$230 maximum. It would need to have a fairly thick blade and a dependable lock type. It also would have to have some sort of premium tough steel ( Cpm-S35VN, Cpm-154, 14c28n Etc...) Ive been looking at Spyderco and Zero Tolerance however its not limited to those two.

All suggestions are appreciated

Thanks :)
 
Thick will cut like shit. What will you use it for exactly? How long does it need to be?

Unless you will use it as a pry bar, there is no need for thick or overbuilt. Just correctly built will be fine.

If you actually need it for hard gardening work, consider a good old carbon steel. It will bend rather than snap in most cases. Fast and easy sharpening too.
 
Around 8 1/2 to 9 inches is good. I like hand fillers. useing for ond wood, etc landscaping needs
 
Dpx gear I carry the hest assault occasionally. It's a small fixed blade 3.15" . and has a pry bar on the end .Also a heft t3 folder. Another solid knife for a folder
 
Now that Cold Steel is making knives in CTS-XHP, you can have a very reliable lock with an excellent steel at a great price. It's not my style, but I'm sure those knives would serve you very well.
 
pick up a ZT gen3 0550 before they are gone. they are discontinued but you can still find them. they are big and beefy but will handle damn near anything you throw at them and carry surprisingly well for their size.
 
Damn that's a NICE knife, i see now the difference between gen 2 and gen 3 it has the stainless steel insert
 
I also recomend the Gayle Bradley, it's a no-nonsense knife that was meant to cut!

That thing will serve you very well if you're more about function rather than form:thumbup: Just make sure you have some tuff glide.
 
Benchmade Adamas
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ZT0561
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I have both, they are very different but both would work for you. My vote is for the Adamas, it fills the hand better and with the axis lock it is a more comfortable handle as well.

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ZT has built their entire reputation around overbuilt. Find a design you like and check out some youtube reviews to see how it is outside of pictures. I work outside on a farm 60 hours a week and have carried an 0350, 0550, 0561, and 0801 in the past 4 years or so. I have loved them all and I sharpen on a wicked edge so I have had no issues with them "cutting like crap". My blades are hair splitting sharp. Check out the other brands too but that is my brand loyalty speaking. In the end find a design that YOU like from any well respected manufacturer and you will be happy.
 
I'd say hands down the ZT MUDD 0500. The problem with working in dirt is that debris will cause lock problems in almost any lock - sliding type (liner, frame, compression), back lock (backlock, Tri-Ad) or compressive (Axis, ball bearing). Plus it's a real pain to clean out a knife lock, and even worse if it's something you'll end up doing every day. The 0500 is specifically designed for uses such as yours.

If you can't find a 0500, at least shy away from Axis/bearing locks and ball bearing pivots as I found these to be the biggest headache when it came to debris in the knife.
 
Sounds like you need a ZT 0200. Its a work horse of a knife. Fits my hande like no other. I have used it mostly for yard work, even taking down bamboo. Its got great heft without being taxing.
 
Cold steel ultimate hunter. More of ultimate EDC. XHP steel and the tri ad lock with a hollow ground blade and lots of belly.
How can you beat that for 120$
 
If you need it tough as all hell, ZT0550. Need a better slicer Spyderco Tenacious, not as strong but buy 5 for the same price of the ZT and beat the hell out of them.
 
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