I asked this before ,and looked at everyones opinions. just googled all the different answers. Well let me say first that I am a construction worker. and I'm a rock climber.and life long knife enthusiast. So I know about good tools for the money, and I know about having to put your life in the hands of something like that. Anyway I've come to the conclusion that it might be....... The Dark ops stratofighter. I know ....I know but really.1/4 inch thick and 4.5 inches. Wow. I've read lots of reviews. And I didn't say best cutter, or prettiest most stylish. I said TOUGHEST for under 200. Any thoughts. Uh oh here we go........
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Toughest folder for 200 or under
- Thread starter MBC77
- Start date
There have been reports that the Stratofighter lock is very sketchy in terms of fit and quality control.
I am pretty sure the Rukus is 1/4 inch stock, too. It also has a stronger lock.
The Manix is often cited as the strongest folder under $200. That might be true. It is a tank. But it is a tank that also cuts like a demon. In terms of pure toughness, the blade might be a little thin and the stock edge a little acute. The Rukus might be stronger.
The Buck Striders (at least some of them) have 1/4 inch blades. The locks aren't always very good, though, and will fail mild spine wacks. Some turn out very good, though.
No one can say for sure what the toughest is because there are different kinds of tough. One might have a tougher blade, and one might have a tougher pivot.
Overall, though, the Manix is a very all-around tough knife.
I am pretty sure the Rukus is 1/4 inch stock, too. It also has a stronger lock.
The Manix is often cited as the strongest folder under $200. That might be true. It is a tank. But it is a tank that also cuts like a demon. In terms of pure toughness, the blade might be a little thin and the stock edge a little acute. The Rukus might be stronger.
The Buck Striders (at least some of them) have 1/4 inch blades. The locks aren't always very good, though, and will fail mild spine wacks. Some turn out very good, though.
No one can say for sure what the toughest is because there are different kinds of tough. One might have a tougher blade, and one might have a tougher pivot.
Overall, though, the Manix is a very all-around tough knife.
This really depends on your personal definition of "toughest". As Hair stated, there are different kinds of toughness.
What are you going to be using the knife for? Rough duty:Chipping concrete, cutting wire, supporting human weight, emergency piton? Regular stuff: cutting boxes, cutting rope, food prep?
No folder is stronger than a fixed blade. For folders, if you really want a ridiculously though knife with a covers everything warranty, save up some more and buy a Strider. They are designed for military abuse and they will repair any damage you can do to their knives. You can occasionally find them used for around $300 and as the warranty follows the knife, you can't go wrong.
The Manix is a very tough folder, but I doubt Spyderco would look too kindly upon damage caused by non-cutting task chores like prying. Nearly every production knife company warranty I've seen disclaims non-cutting task damage / abuse.
What are you going to be using the knife for? Rough duty:Chipping concrete, cutting wire, supporting human weight, emergency piton? Regular stuff: cutting boxes, cutting rope, food prep?
No folder is stronger than a fixed blade. For folders, if you really want a ridiculously though knife with a covers everything warranty, save up some more and buy a Strider. They are designed for military abuse and they will repair any damage you can do to their knives. You can occasionally find them used for around $300 and as the warranty follows the knife, you can't go wrong.
The Manix is a very tough folder, but I doubt Spyderco would look too kindly upon damage caused by non-cutting task chores like prying. Nearly every production knife company warranty I've seen disclaims non-cutting task damage / abuse.
I have owned a Strider SMF, and I consider it to be the toughest folder I have ever owned. And I have owned a Manix, SERE 2000, 710, 806D2, Rukus, Sebenza, 110, BM42, Skirmish, Military etc...
Saving for a Strider is a good suggestion if you want a really tough folder. But a Manix will be nearly as tough if you cannot swing the funds for a Strider.
Saving for a Strider is a good suggestion if you want a really tough folder. But a Manix will be nearly as tough if you cannot swing the funds for a Strider.
The blade thickness of the Rukus is a hair under 5/32", or .150", while 1/4" would be .225". Still the Rukus is a tough knife with the flat ground blade and the Axis lock mechanism. Most seem to either love or hate the grip, I love, and the blade shape being a simple but functional droppoint. The .080" thick hardened steel liners give it a toughness that some of the other Axis locks don't have. 
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I am a fan of the manix, the Rukus is tough its just a bit big for edc carry. I really like the SERE and it feels like a vault and is sooo tight. Those 3 have my votes for under 200 dollars. If you could spend 3 I would get a Strider SNG you could probably get a used one for that or an RC. If you just want a big piece of folding steel the Strider AR is just that, the thing is huge and is way too big for me to edc but I think it cuts ok.
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SOG Tomcat III would be right up there in the tough list.
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- Nov 9, 2003
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If you want a tough knife FOR CUTTING, get the Manix for 100.
If you want a tough knife for abusing and wondering why it won't break, save up another few bucks and get a used SMF or SnG (as was said).
Currently EDC'ing a custom SMF, and it simply amazes me each time I open it. As tough as tough comes.
If you want a tough knife for abusing and wondering why it won't break, save up another few bucks and get a used SMF or SnG (as was said).
Currently EDC'ing a custom SMF, and it simply amazes me each time I open it. As tough as tough comes.
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- Aug 10, 2006
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The Gravitator is a pretty sturdy knife, too. I think this knife is really underappreciated. Also, For $200 you could also buy 8 Byrd G10 Cara Caras, including tax & shipping, and have a lifetime supply. I think it'd be almost as hard to bust a G10 Cara Cara as it would be to bust a Manix. It is a damned impressive knife for $22 (what I paid). Especially if you spend a little time doing some polishing and final finishing yourself. The handle on mine looks nicer now than any of my benchmades. If you want a knife you're not afraid to abuse, Byrd's the way to go. It's a lot easier to think of something that costs about as much as a hammer as a tool.
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moonwilson said:
there is a lot of truth in this statement.
A friend of mine bought a small sebenza not long ago and still carries a g10 Meadowlark about 95% of the time. I told him he should have just said to hell with the Sebenza and bought 15 of the Byrds!
I suppose though, either way he should never have to buy another knife if he doesn't want to.
When I owned a Rukus and a Strider SMF, I held them spine to spine and the blades where the same thickness. I thought the SMF was 1/4 inch.... so I thought the Rukus was also 1/4 inch....cutter17 said:The blade thickness of the Rukus is a hair under 5/32", or .150", while 1/4" would be .225". Still the Rukus is a tough knife with the flat ground blade and the Axis lock mechanism. Most seem to either love or hate the grip, I love, and the blade shape being a simple but functional droppoint. The .080" thick hardened steel liners give it a toughness that some of the other Axis locks don't have.
But now looking at a 1/4 inch knife I made of 1095, it does look to be a little thicker.
