Suggestions Please

J

jefftb

Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Messages
3
Just as title prompts....

I run a utility construction company installing lots of underground utilities and electric as well. We work with a lot of plastic pipe and conduit, electric wire, straps on pallets, cutting ropes, etc, etc.

I've run through several knives over the past couple of years and they all seem to dull pretty quickly and frankly feel less than on purpose in my hands. These are all in the $40-60 range.
I also have large hands and can easily palm a basketball.

I'm on the fence on combo blades as I've both combo and straight edges. Seems like I always needed a serration at times to get through rope or thick wall plastic tubing at some point.
Do not necessarily care about assisted or manual in my mind or how a knife is carried in my pocket. Carrying a larger knife for me is not an issue as I'm typically wearing pants with larger pockets.

Been looking at larger folders like JYDII, Rake, ZT's 0300/0305's. Something else I'm missing? Suggestions given my situation? Pointers?

Thanks.

(as an aside I tried the search function for utility/workhorse etc. first but that would be overwhelming to wade through it all.
 
If you're looking for a tough as nails folder that will take a good edge and hold it for a reasonable amount of time, the ZT 0300 or 0350 are great options. The 0300 is more overbuilt and take a good bit more abuse from what I've seen and experienced. s30v is a good steel and if it's not a razor edge, it holds it's working edge for a long amount of time which is great because it may not slice phone book paper but it will work for any other application for a long time.

If you're looking for something tough that will take a finer/keener edge and hold it's razor abilities for a long time, then the JYD 2.2 or Rake are perfect. They're tough folders that can be put through a lot of hard work yet slice with the best of them. D2 will hold it's razor edge longer than s30v, yet it also holds an awesome working edge after the razor edge is gone, like s30v.

Out of the knives mentioned I would pick between the 0300 or Rake. I've owned all four and for what you mentioned those two seem your best bet.
The 0350 is truly just a smaller less beefy 0300 so it's not a bad choice either.
 
I've gone ahead with two purchases since I've posted but still open to suggestions.

A BladeForum vendor had a ZT0350 Blem and JYDII Composite Blem available. I took both.....

I mean it cant hurt to have a third possibly. Right? :rolleyes:
 
If you can easily palm a basketball then I'm not going to recommend a zt you need a long handle. Try a spyderco paramilitary 2.
 
zcd said:
Be sure to check out the Gayle Bradley as well
Click to expand...

This is what I was going to suggest. The GB should be as close as any to what you want. I would probably carry two knives if it were me. One PE like the GB, and a fully serrated blade for the stuff you've mentioned where it would be useful.
 
Might want to get something with the Spyder edge on it. Best serrations I've ever come across.
 
The para 2 and the Bradley are obviously both good suggestions.

I like the curvature of the handle on the Para and that's what pushed me a little on the JYD and the ZT0350. I've just run through a SOG Flash II and liked the curvature of the handle of all the knives I've "killed" over the last 18 mos. It felt the best in hand from a stability/handling standpoint. As far as the "lock" I was always wondering if today was the day so to speak on a failure.

I've not been confident on a "straighter" handled unit. I like the profile of them and the sleekness but have many experiences in a moist, humid, environment and been thoughtful about my hand sliding down the handle. Maybe just a fear in my mind.
 
ZCD has it right....gayle bradley folder is a great option. It's made by spyderco and costs about 150$ through gpknives.com. The blade steel is optimum, being M4 it takes and holds a superb edge. The handle is carbon fiber I think so it will be impervious to the elements.
 
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