Tough all-purpose hardworking non-EDC folder?

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sixbyseven

Joined
Jul 3, 2002
Messages
10
I've been keeping a DPx HEST 2.0 in the garage which I use in my 'workshop' area, or grab on the way out, whether I'm doing yard work or heading out for a hike. It's a good, tough knife but has some annoyances so I'm looking for an alternative. (I did just buy a BM Loco with this in mind but it seems too nice to leave in the garage!) So, looking for recommendations:

* not too expensive or flashy ($100 or thereabouts, or less), easy to replace if damaged or lost
* good ergonomics and cutting power - think cutting branches, not salami!
* nothing too small or dainty (not doing any brain surgery here)
* good lockup, reliable build quality
* good steel
* easy to clean
* would prefer to avoid the more tacticool choices

So far, my favorite blades tend to come from BM or Spyderco but I'm open to others.
 
I was thinking a BM 810 with M4 steel from the exchange. A little more tacticool than you are probably looking for, but I think it meets your requirements quite nicely. Though, it might be priced around $140ish. I feel that the upgraded steel would justify the increase in cost.
 
sixbyseven said:
I've been keeping... in the garage which I use in my 'workshop' area, or grab on the way out, whether I'm doing yard work or heading out for a hike.
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Maybe not what you're looking for, but you pretty much described exactly how I use my Svord Peasant. I have an orange one, so it's hard to misplace doing yardwork. It hangs on a peg in the garage, and I use it to pry, scrape, dig out roots, etc... Out of my Spydercos, my Manix 2 in Cru-wear sees a lot of "outdoors" type use as well. But really, I just have a hard time using a $100+ knife the same way I abuse a $20 knife...
 
Some of Cold Steel's offerings might work well for you. The Recon series of knives has a reliable locking mechanism, are strongly constructed, and have a good steel. They fit within your budget and can be purchased in different blade shapes to fit your needs and preferences.
 
I've had several Benchmade manual Adamas model 275, which are great, but at 175 you would have to find one used on the Exchange. More to your price range, a Spyderco Manix2 XL in s30v. Heavy duty, nice working size; will last and last.
 
Bahco folding saw <$30 (also great for camping) + Kabar Mule <$50 was my first thought.
 
Apophis said:
Maybe not what you're looking for, but you pretty much described exactly how I use my Svord Peasant.
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I was going to suggest the same thing. You may want to consider an opinel too. A fullsize griptilian would be a good one. It has a hand filling handle on it.
 
Apophis said:
Maybe not what you're looking for, but you pretty much described exactly how I use my Svord Peasant. I have an orange one, so it's hard to misplace doing yardwork. It hangs on a peg in the garage, and I use it to pry, scrape, dig out roots, etc...
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This was exactly my thought as well...

They can be opened/closed one handed with gloves on, it disassembles with a simple screwdriver if you need to clean it out, the L6 steel is quite tough and holds a good edge. Also, mine cost... $11? $13? I can't remember exactly but "very inexpensive" is how I'd describe them.

If you do get one, get the plastic handled ones. The metal scaled ones are much worse from what I hear.
 
Some great suggestions here. I may have to get them all! :D

For the record, I do have a Svord Peasant, with plastic handles, but I don't find it very usable. The blade is great, but the ergonomics not so good.
 
sixbyseven said:
Some great suggestions here. I may have to get them all! :D

For the record, I do have a Svord Peasant, with plastic handles, but I don't find it very usable. The blade is great, but the ergonomics not so good.
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Good to know :).

Just another option. But you could completely change the ergos of the knife by changing the handle scales. Get some wood/micarta/g10, and shape it to your liking, as literally the only thing you need to make sure you do is drill three holes (two for the screws, one for the stop pin). The rest is just shaping.

I made some micarta handles for my peasant mini, and it completely changed the feel of the knife, I'd highly recommend it.

Anyway, just an idea :).

Also, have you considered some of the smaller fixed blades? They could be just the type of thing you're looking for. For instance, the Becker BK14 with zytel scales would take care of many of those tasks easily.

Good luck with the hunt :).
 
I have a Gerber Propel (USA made) and a CS Recon 1 that i use for this purpose. Both are more "tactical" in appearance but are very strong with reliable locks, good ergos, easy to clean with a branch or Q-tip, <$80...
 
When I saw the requirements I was thinking Cold Steel.

The Recon is nice with G10 scales. For a more beater approach the Voyager has good ergos as well. I have owned both in the 4" blade and liked both for what they were. Little to big for me to carry, but when I think "Garage Knife", the Voyager comes to my mind.
 
ocnLogan said:
... you could completely change the ergos of the knife by changing the handle scales. Get some wood/micarta/g10, and shape it to your liking, as literally the only thing you need to make sure you do is drill three holes (two for the screws, one for the stop pin). The rest is just shaping.

I made some micarta handles for my peasant mini, and it completely changed the feel of the knife, I'd highly recommend it.

Anyway, just an idea :)..
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That's a damn fine idea! I will definitely do that.
 
sixbyseven said:
That's a damn fine idea! I will definitely do that.
Click to expand...

I made mine out of some scraps I had leftover from another project (again, this is a peasant mini, so scraps worked well). I decided to keep the existing shape (I don't have a problem with the shape personally), and really feel like its changed the feel of the knife.

100_4041_zps3f2109c0.jpg


100_4051_zps1fb53437.jpg


I have thought about doing the same with my full sizes svord, and may change the ergos more on that one.

Anyway, have you looked at the spyderco salt line? You could get a fully serrated blade that would work well for most rough stuff, it won't rust, and should be pretty easy to clean. Also, the bright yellow handles keep it from looking "tacticool".

Good luck :).
 
Maybe I am reaching with this one - but while you were going thru your requirement, esp about the branches, I was thinking Gerber Gator. If your more towards fixed, how about a Parang..?
[video=youtube;Hc9Uw0835ig]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc9Uw0835ig[/video]
[video=youtube;wmBWSfz7BLo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmBWSfz7BLo[/video]

sixbyseven said:
I've been keeping a DPx HEST 2.0 in the garage which I use in my 'workshop' area, or grab on the way out, whether I'm doing yard work or heading out for a hike. It's a good, tough knife but has some annoyances so I'm looking for an alternative. (I did just buy a BM Loco with this in mind but it seems too nice to leave in the garage!) So, looking for recommendations:

* not too expensive or flashy ($100 or thereabouts, or less), easy to replace if damaged or lost
* good ergonomics and cutting power - think cutting branches, not salami!
* nothing too small or dainty (not doing any brain surgery here)
* good lockup, reliable build quality
* good steel
* easy to clean
* would prefer to avoid the more tacticool choices

So far, my favorite blades tend to come from BM or Spyderco but I'm open to others.
Click to expand...
 
Looks great! What tools did you use to shape the material?

Turns out my own Svord is one of the 'thin' models with metal scales, not plastic. The thinness is part of the reason for its poor ergos. Also the pivot screw is too tight, and cannot be loosened. But for $15 I can easily get another!
 
sixbyseven said:
Looks great! What tools did you use to shape the material?

Turns out my own Svord is one of the 'thin' models with metal scales, not plastic. The thinness is part of the reason for its poor ergos. Also the pivot screw is too tight, and cannot be loosened. But for $15 I can easily get another!
Click to expand...

Ah, that will change things quite a bit. The metal ones have rivets, so you can't change the tension, yet another reason to avoid those ones :(.

I made the scales using literally three tools (I'm in an apt, so I don't have a nice shop to work with). I used a coping saw to rough cut the outline, an orbital sander that I flipped on its back to shape the edges, and a simple corded drill to drill the pivots (and countersink them).

I used the old scales as an outline, drilled the holes in roughly the same places (moved the end screw out a bit, to keep the blade tip from hitting it), and slightly countersunk the holes with a bigger bit. Then I just screwed the scales together (without the blade), and kept working them with on the flat surface of the upside down sander, and then finally did some shaping by hand.

Also, there have been lots of other good suggestions in here as well. The upside, is that you can afford another peasant, AND something like an Ontario RAT 1 easily in your $50 budget :).
 
Yeah my shop knife is a Kershaw tremor it does anything I need, opens fast and easily one handed and it was only $20 so I don't really care about abusing it
 
Blur

Great egos, solid steel options, all basic models being around or under $100, very easy to replace, and a stout liner lock system, pretty much checks off every box you listed.
 
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