tough folder

lazerboy2000

lazerboy2000

Joined
Mar 3, 2008
Messages
1,341
I'll be working for a tree service the next few weeks so I'm looking for a tough knife to be used for cutting, digging out roots, some light prying, and other hard,dirty tasks. I need a knife that'll stand up to these tasks and also be comfortable while wearing gloves and easy to open/close. It also needs to be fairly easy to maintain and clean since it'll be used outdoors in rain/dirt/oils/gas/diesel. I'm also usually not a fan of serrations, but I think they could help in cutting some thick stuff.

Price limit around $50. Thanks!
 
Im sorry to say... But there is no reason for you to purchase a folder.. or a spyderco for that matter... Especially in the 50$ range....
Do your self a favor and get a fixed blade with sheath.... It will do the job 10X better and last much longer...... I dont know about fixed blades much..... But that is what you need... Otherwise your blade will dull quick on a folder...
And the dirt will totally destroy the edge just like it would a chainsaw blade... A fixed blade will give you the extra steel you need...
I carry a para military at work.. Which is a hard use knife in D2..... But i use a fixed blade/ chainsaw or a sawsall for roots and stuff.... Dont make the mistake of getting a folder for that work..
IMO anyway... Which might be effected by the brew...
Matt
 
Hey Mang---Use the right tool for the right job. Your knife will last a lot longer! :)
 
I like knives that can dig and pry, even for EDC folders...that's just me. But Spyderco's niche tends to be efficient slicers that excel at knife-like tasks, which precludes most digging, prying, and other abusive chores. You might be asking this question in the wrong forum.

I'd love a dedicated abuse-worthy Spydie, but I'm not sure one exists (or will).
 
Alright thanks for the replies. I do realize that knives are not intended for prying/digging and hard abuse but my job demands a knife that can meet these tasks so it doesn't leave me much choice.

I also know that a fixed knife would be ideal, but I wouldn't want to have a knife on my belt and risk it getting snagged in branches and dragging me into the chipper which eats 18" logs for a snack. Thus I'm looking for a folder which I can tuck into my jeans and pull out as needed.

Knowing that Spydies aren't meant for my tasks, does anybody have experience with a Kabar Mule or Dozier?
 
I haven't done much in the way of digging and prying with mine, but a Spyderco Tenacious seems like it might fill your needs fairly well. If you could give me a more specific idea of what you intend to do with your knife I could try it with mine and tell you how it holds up.

There are also different means of carrying a fixed blade that might work for you. Smaller fixed blades can fit in the pocket, you can use a shoulder rig, attach it to the leg etc.
 
Iv worked as a chainsaw operator in the woods and as an arboriculturist in gardens and estate grounds for nearly my whole working life.

While folders do come in handy, and I did carry one daily, I found a good fixed blade bushcraft style knife was the way forward for sure.
They are a good size thats easy to carry but big and tough enough to handle most cutting chores you will have to do on site.

:thumbup:
 
If a Spyderco folder can't fit the bill, then I don't think a Kabar will. I think I'm just a bit biased. ;)

I highly recommend the Pacific Salt. Get it with a yellow handle and serrations---mine is this exact setup and I love it. If you drop it, the yellow FRN handles will make it easy to find. The lock and blade are manufactured from nitrogen-infused, work-hardened H1 steel that is impervious to rust. The pocket clip is coated titanium. Essentially, this is a knife that is easy to maintain (you don't really have to do anything besides touch it up on your SharpMaker once in a while) and cuts like a demon. Mine has held up very well to the use and abuse I've subjected it to over the past years. The lock is strong, the tip is relatively thick. While I don't recommend it, it could probably stand up to light prying.

However, in the words of everyone on the forums---use the right tool for the job. The Pac Salt is a great knife, but not a great pry bar. :D
 
Vivi said:
I haven't done much in the way of digging and prying with mine, but a Spyderco Tenacious seems like it might fill your needs fairly well.
Click to expand...
I'd stay away from a linerlock for these chores myself.

I'd say go with an Atlantic Salt or Byrd Cara Cara Rescue. They're sheepsfoot blades, so you don't have a tip to worry about breaking, but it'll still dig well and get at roots. As for prying, get a pry bar.
 
Try a Manix. I think that maybe one of the most heavy duty folders that Spyderco has. It is more than $50.00 though.
 
The "problem" with the Manix (which I EDC), is the thinness of the blade at the tip. Stabs and cuts like nobody's business, but I'm careful to avoid putting lateral stress on it.

I haven't seen a spine shot of the Chinook, but I thought it's tip was similarly tapered.
 
maybe try your luck in the wilderness survival forum. but to be honest i as well wouldnt use a spyderco. there are tons of 10" fixed blades that will fit pretty well in a pocket. and really for 50 bucks i cant think of anything that will fit your budget that will be as tough as you want.

however, silky saws seem to be a popular folding saw that might work for your needs. and there were also a few threads over there about mini-pry bars too.

anyway, good luck -CB
 
Thanks again guys for all the replies. I'm actually only working for about 2 weeks this summer because then I'll be away for the rest of it due to a sweet bigass vacation.

I'm very very tempted to just go the extra mile ($$) and get a RAT RC-4 which I've always wanted. The tasks I listed are really the most extreme ones I would encounter and the majority of the tasks are light cutting of rope,vines,small branches.
I just finished my 1st day of work today and man am I sore! I sure need a knife thats tougher than I am lol.
 
I'd probably go with a fully serrated Spyderco Endura overall. The serrated Pacific Salt might be an option, but the lack of steel liners might take away from lateral strength and the H1 won't hold an edge as long as VG-10. If those 2 factors aren't that much of a concern and rust is, I'd probably go with the fully serrated Pacific Salt. Either way the serrations on either folder will allow longer edge retention.
 
I'm a diehard Spyderco guy myself and I think you'd be better off with a good carbon steel fixed blade like a Ka-Bar. BUT if you want folders I think the tips on Spydercos are probably too thin for what you want, and your stated budget eliminates most of the low volume, extremely expensive folders.

Check out the new BUCK BRAVO, as well as the Buck Strider line, the Buck 880 is in your price range and probably just what you're looking for. A bit out of budget but you might want to check out the Emerson CQC-7 and Benchmade does make a Tanto Axis lock, I forget which model. Whatever you get please post a review after you've put it thru that kind of workload.
 
If you start looking at fixed blades you may want to start in the maker forums. there are reasonably priced fixed blades there a lot.

if you want a folder for hard use and prying (ducks for cover) you may also look at the kershaw ZT line, or their tyrade and JD models.
 
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