Dennis,
I skinned game, watched a friend make a really nice bow and arrow set in the woods (lots of whittling and draw knife apps), I've cut meat, twigs, made traps -- all of this with the 747. Here is a cur and paste from an old thread -- the stories in more details of my use and abuse of the 747. I'd say the 747 would be plenty strong in the tip:
Two "Rescues" Performed With TOPS CQT 747 Magnum Folder (Kinda Long)
I had a couple of interesting experiences in the past two weeks using my TOPS CQT Magnum Folder. I literally was forced to abuse the knife to do what I had to, in order to save a couple people. Well, not really save -- the first story is kind of funny.
First "Rescue": I was in the local pub, when some people near me started wondering where their friend Angie went to....we all realized there was banging from within the women's bathroom door. The doorknob didn't work and she couldn't get out, and actually was beginning to panic. Everybody rushed over trying the knob and pulling on the door. Nobody had a multitool or anything to unscrew it at this point. We all know each other here, and it's a comfortable atmosphere. I got up and said I could get her out, and I snapped my TOPS CQT open. Everyone parted in front of me like the Red Sea. I don't know why....
I decided I'd try to get into the doorjamb and push back the nut to open the door. As I approached, the owner of the bar helpfully warned me, "YOU'LL BREAK YOUR KNIFE!" I looked at him and smiled..I love when a challenge like that is issued. I couldn't get it to push the nut back, and the girl started crying. Someone helpfully asked her, "You got your drawers pulled up?!" LOL.
The door and jamb were both wood. So, I thought, what the heck: I jammed my knife into the crack and pushed laterally, with most of my weight on the blade, spread the door jamb and door apart enough that the nut cleared, and we pulled the door open. I mean -- I was leaning HARD on the blade sideways! Not a scratch, no failure, still locks up perfectly. You'd never know I even used the knife by looking at it. The girl ran out, crying with relief (it must've been the smell in there?). Rescue done. I looked at the owner and said, "Break it, huh?" and winked. Everyone passed the knife around admiring it (this is my kind of place!), and everyone wanted one. Score one for the only folder I've been able to use as a prybar.
Second Rescue was a bit more dramatic. This gets a little graphic. I was driving Halloween night on a back road, when a big doe jumped in front of my car. I stopped just enough for her to get by me, but she got clobbered by a woman in her SUV, going the other way, about 40 mph. The lady swerved, went off the road, and hit a stone wall and a tree. There were quite a few cars on the road at this point, but nobody stopped! (I hate that). I turned around and pulled in front of her and ran over to the car. I asked her if she was okay. She was, and so was her 10 yr old daughter and 8 year old son. I went back to the front of the SUV, and really looked at what was there. The poor doe was half-crushed, and stuck to the grille. And she was still alive. It was horrible. They got out, and the woman was in shock and had no idea what to do. Her daughter was freaking out at the deer. I pulled the lady aside, and quietly told her to take her kids back behind the car, because I'd have to put the deer down to save it from suffering. I told her to call the police so she could get a report for insurance purposes.
When they went behind, I picked up a stick about two inches or so thick, and about two feet long, to use as a baton. I opened my TOPS folder (this has the hunter's point, smooth edge), and positioned the point right under the the back of the skull, right above its spine. I prayed that I could do it right, and then banged the pommel of the handle hard, driving the knife right through the cartilage between the top vertebra and the base of its skull, into its spinal column, and then very quickly twisted the knife hard. The deer passed instantaneously, thank God. I then pulled the deer off the grille, and grabbed a rag from my car to wipe off the blood and fur on the hood and grille. It was grisly. But I thought it would spare the little girl that much more trauma. They came back around, and the little girl, crying, asked about the deer. Her mom didn't know what to say, and somehow I was able to tell her about how the deer was old (it wasn't) and would've died naturally soon, and it'll pass back to the earth, and feed the plants and animals just like in nature, so life can go on. I told her it was in heaven, and was not suffering, and that it was probably thankful for her concern. I have no idea how I came up with that -- it just came out. She relaxed a little more.
The bottom front fender of the SUV, driver's side, was crushed up against the front tire, making the car impossible to drive. It was made of that hard plastic they use now, instead of metal. I tried to pull it away, but it would just snap back against the tire. I told the woman I could try to cut it off so she could continue on her way. She said "fine -- please do." So out came the TOPS Magnum again. By this time the cops arrived.
I started "sawing" into the fender with the blade, making progress, but got tired of the time it was taking. So, I took the baton, and started hammering like crazy on the spine of the knife, driving it quickly through the plastic. The cops were standing there with their flashlights on it so I could see better. I sheared about a foot and a half off, and the wheel was clear. I looked at my knife -- the coating was intact, and the edge looked perfect. The cops were passing the blade around, and fell in love with it! LOL! "Where can we get these?" I told them.
When I got back in my car, I was curious. I turned on the interior light and held the knife up to it. The edge was perfect! I even still scraped hair off my arm with the part that went through the fender! Damn! I've been impressed with this knife for a long time -- but now I was in disbelief!!!! It absolutely confirmed to me why this is my favorite daily carry, all-around blade. And a folder, too! (I've always been a diehard fixed blade only kinda guy) This knife really is the only folder to date that I've been able to punish like a fixed blade -- and these two experiences just further illustrated it to me.
I love this thing!!! It's the TOPS CQT Magnum 747 Folder, smooth edge, hunter's point. You can find it at
http://www.topsknives.com if you wonder what it looks like.
Knives really rule don't they? They really ARE tools that help people, not hurt them.
Still grinning,
Brian.
i seem to be a little absent these days, forgive me......man am i getting senile or what?