I decided to start a new thread, because of some of the posts I am seeing lately, particularly in the 0560 thread. I want to have an open discussion about some of the issues I am seeing.
First, perception vs. reality. I am noticing that some people seem to be looking at a picture or holding a knife briefly, and drawing conclusions about how well it will perform. I am concerned by this, because none of this seems to be based on real world experience. Let's make sure that we're not stating our opinions as if they were facts (this goes for me as well
). How can anyone really comment on a steel they have never used? How can we say how tough a knife is until we go out and use it?
Second, I think that terms like "strength" are hard to quantify. What makes a knife strong? A lot of people are making the mistaken assumption that weight=strength. I'm not saying that there is no truth in this concept, but look at the strength to weight ratio of carbon fiber. The stuff is light, but incredibly rigid. Coring out a titanium knife handle will not compromise the strength of it, so long as it retains enough thickness to be rigid. The majority of the materials we use to make a knife are far stronger than they ever need to be.
But seriously, what makes a knife strong? I would say a strong lockup is one factor. A blade made from thick enough stock to prevent it from bending or deflecting under use is another. A strong knife needs a handle that is structurally rigid and strongly mated to the blade and locking mechanism.
Third, I think "Strong" and "hard use" are very open terms, and we need to be more specific in our definitions. At the end of the day, these are knives, and their intended use is cutting. I would consider opening envelopes and packages to be "light use". I think cutting cardboard, rope, rubber tubing, and carving wood to be medium use. However, if you do these tasks repetitively, I would consider that hard use. Cutting copper wire is definitely hard use. Somewhere along the line, we cross the threshold in to abuse. What are you hard users doing with your knives? I genuinely want to know.
Finally, let's keep in mind that I can never recommend that anyone pry or twist with a folding knife. We're not naiive, and we know it happens, but when I say "I don't recommend prying or twisting", don't think I'm suggesting that the knife is weak or compromised. I'm simply advising that it's not a safe thing to do with a folder, and not something I can recommend as a representative of KAI USA.
First, perception vs. reality. I am noticing that some people seem to be looking at a picture or holding a knife briefly, and drawing conclusions about how well it will perform. I am concerned by this, because none of this seems to be based on real world experience. Let's make sure that we're not stating our opinions as if they were facts (this goes for me as well
). How can anyone really comment on a steel they have never used? How can we say how tough a knife is until we go out and use it?Second, I think that terms like "strength" are hard to quantify. What makes a knife strong? A lot of people are making the mistaken assumption that weight=strength. I'm not saying that there is no truth in this concept, but look at the strength to weight ratio of carbon fiber. The stuff is light, but incredibly rigid. Coring out a titanium knife handle will not compromise the strength of it, so long as it retains enough thickness to be rigid. The majority of the materials we use to make a knife are far stronger than they ever need to be.
But seriously, what makes a knife strong? I would say a strong lockup is one factor. A blade made from thick enough stock to prevent it from bending or deflecting under use is another. A strong knife needs a handle that is structurally rigid and strongly mated to the blade and locking mechanism.
Third, I think "Strong" and "hard use" are very open terms, and we need to be more specific in our definitions. At the end of the day, these are knives, and their intended use is cutting. I would consider opening envelopes and packages to be "light use". I think cutting cardboard, rope, rubber tubing, and carving wood to be medium use. However, if you do these tasks repetitively, I would consider that hard use. Cutting copper wire is definitely hard use. Somewhere along the line, we cross the threshold in to abuse. What are you hard users doing with your knives? I genuinely want to know.
Finally, let's keep in mind that I can never recommend that anyone pry or twist with a folding knife. We're not naiive, and we know it happens, but when I say "I don't recommend prying or twisting", don't think I'm suggesting that the knife is weak or compromised. I'm simply advising that it's not a safe thing to do with a folder, and not something I can recommend as a representative of KAI USA.
they also get caked in silt too. (for instance the emerson I had with me today handled all these tasks but the wire as none needed cutting. My blur was fine for these things too before I gave it away, which for all the "weak knife" guys out there, ain't even a full scale liner lock let alone a Ti framelock)