The Allure of the Fat and Chunky

90% of my work with my EDC is cutting. 0.19 with a hollow grind is fine by me. I don't eat apples.
 
I use my thick knives and thin knives all the time. My Hinderer has been in my pocket since I got it, been using it at work opening up fiber optic connectors and stripping cable, trimming labels, cutting string. It does the job just fine even if the blade stock is 165 thou. The edge isn't that thick. Sure, it won't slice an apple as nice as my Gayle Bradley 2, but it still cuts.

Now a thick, stupid fun folder is the cold steel sr1 lite! 5mm thick blade! I could tell it wouldn't slice worth a damn but for 50 bucks it's a fun beater for sure!
 
:) Cold Steel overbuilt models at least have an overbuilt Tri-ad lock to help make the whole knife functional for extreme hard use . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Some others have huge thick blades coupled with weak and /or failure prone locks . So the whole design is non-functional for hard use . :(:thumbsdown:
 
"Fat" I can understand. It allows a good grip. One of my favorite knives is the Buck 110. (and Old. Timer 7OT) At call it "5/8 inch wide", they are not petite.
"Chunky" on the other hand, I don't get. Some of the photos of the chunky knives make my hands hurt just looking at them. They gotta have hot spots galore with all those sharp boxy corners.
 
CWL said:
Nothing new about chunky folders.
It is apparent that some of y'all have never heard of sunfish knives/elephant toe knives. They first became popular ~1900, as hard use knives and had nicknames like "pocket axe" and "rope splitter", which hints at how they were used. And yes, people batonned with them.

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Those blades may be tall, but they aren't thick.
 
I have a CS AD10 that cuts better than it has an right to, and an XM24 that breaks stuff rather than cut it. The issue with the AD10 is the weight and not only does the XM not cut, the relief is on the outside so it snags on my pocket, and it's also not exactly svelte. While I do use both (XM in the Jeep and AD10 in camping box) I'm just not going to carry either when I own lighter knifes that cut better.
 
I think some equate weight to toughness/durability, and in some instances that is true.
The error is when you try to take that philosophy and apply it to all tools instead of a specific tool or need of a tool.
If I have a mill, I want it to be heavy. It will cut with less chatter. Here weight/mass is a good thing.
In a pocket knife, mass/weight is working against you. You want something light so you don't notice it, but thin so it slices.
Also, many don't choose the right tool for the job. If you need a HD folder, you are choosing the wrong tool. You need a light edc folder and a fixed blade. The fixed blade should be doing all your heavy cutting. And in some cases maybe an ax or pry bar instead of a fixed blade (or in addition to).
Feeling the need to have a big, heavy, thick folder for "whatever may happen" does not cover all your needs. What if you need to cut something thin and precise or need to carry in dress pants or shorts? Well that big, heavy, thick folder probably won't do that optimally, but hey, it cuts a nail in half, and it's not like that doesn't happen to me 3 times a day right, so it must be the best tool.
But as I always say.. spice of life... if you want it, and have the means, get what you want and enjoy it for whatever checkbox it ticks for you. "It looks cool" is enough of a reason as any. Keep supporting your knife makers!

My "hard use" folder knife of choice anymore is the S35VN Cold Steel Recon 1. Not too heavy (5.2 oz), actually pretty slicey and about $100. At least that's what goes camping with me.. along with my 5" fixed blade and an ax.
 
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I think a lot of people just carry one because they like knives and like carrying a knife and with something like a Strider, Hinderer Full Track or Medford you get to carry around as much knife as possible.

They don't NEED to carry a knife like that - they only need it for stuff that could be handled as well with a smaller knife - they just don't mind the extra pocket weight for the sake of being different.

I don't really have a problem with that.
 
Dadpool said:
...my phone negates 95% of my need for a watch...
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I don’t wear a watch, so serious question: why isn’t this 100%? I guess a watch looks better and is hands free. (But it also robs knife money. ;) )

On topic, I’ve never understood the appeal of the chunky other than they are knives, and we’re a sick bunch when it comes to that. I did get a 4 Max Scout out of curiosity. It’s large and heavy, sharp as hell and well made. I don’t carry it, but I haven’t felt compelled to sell it either.

The only other chunky monkey that has me interested is the Demko AD-20 with a solid, innovative lock and decent looking ergos.
 
E.D.C. said:
A cell phone is no replacement for a wristwatch.
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+1.

I can casually glance at my watch in a meeting in such a way that no one would ever notice. Cannot do that with a phone. I have to do something to activate the screen to see the time -- which makes it look like I'm more interested in whatever is on my phone than what is happening in the meeting.

There's also the fashion/style side of a watch, but I wear a full metal G-Shock Square 99% of the time, so I guess I don't care much about that kind of thing. I have an Omega Aqua Terra I'll wear for formal events or when I want to be a little more dressy.

On knives: I don't consider this a super chunky knife, but I wear a SOG Pillar on my belt under my untucked button up shirt to work quite often. I'm in an office environment and rarely need a knife of this size, but I'm getting myself used to it just cause. I'll wear it when camping and doing yard work, etc. To each their own. I have to interact with my knives to fully enjoy them. The more I use them, the more I like them. Buying something and throwing it in a drawer or a safe makes me regret the purchase, no matter how much I actually LIKE the knife itself. I'm weird like that.
 
I like how Spyderco does up a chunky monkey. They do some of the best 'big little knives' IMO... :cool::thumbsup:

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Spyderco Dice

 
mb> said:
I don’t wear a watch, so serious question: why isn’t this 100%?
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Mainly situations where it's rude to check the time on my phone; a discreet watch check is much simpler. But also hiking, and in places like the movie theater where the screen glare will annoy others.
 
Dadpool said:
Mainly situations where it's rude to check the time on my phone; a discreet watch check is much simpler. But also hiking, and in places like the movie theater where the screen glare will annoy others.
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In addition, my watch goes places I would never take my phone, and takes abuse that I would never put my phone through. My Seikos and G-Shocks are far cheaper and easier to replace than the $1200 flagship smartphone.
 
E.D.C. said:
A cell phone is no replacement for a wristwatch.
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If you work with your hands a smartwatch is an excellent replacement for a wristwatch. When you're wearing gloves and tools and your phone goes off deep in your pocket, all it takes is a quick glance at the wrist to see what's up. Some of them you can even answer a phone call.

mb> said:
I don’t wear a watch, so serious question: why isn’t this 100%? I guess a watch looks better and is hands free. (But it also robs knife money. ;) )

On topic, I’ve never understood the appeal of the chunky other than they are knives, and we’re a sick bunch when it comes to that. I did get a 4 Max Scout out of curiosity. It’s large and heavy, sharp as hell and well made. I don’t carry it, but I haven’t felt compelled to sell it either.

The only other chunky monkey that has me interested is the Demko AD-20 with a solid, innovative lock and decent looking ergos.
Click to expand...

Are those Demko knives slicey?
 
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