toughest folder

If it weren't for the SD aspect I'd say get a Buck 110 and come back here with some stories if you ever break it. I had a Manix myself and putting the two next to eachother it's clear the 110 is no slouch.
 
Also, the Greco Falcon/whisper, if you can find one, and the Mission Titanium folder, I assume... :)
 
I'm always looking for the strongest blade steel out there, and purchase alot of 'em. The Buck/Strider ATS-34/G10 knife is weak at the pivot and the liner lock is too thin. Both led to gross failure of the knife while doing minor twisting type work that an older/thinner Benchmade AFO handled all day long. That knife ended up in the Euphrates River. The Manix was good to go, separated wood, cut rope/ballistic blankets, and remained sharp and was easy to sharpen. But the best under two hundred dollar knife for hard use (And I hate to say it) is the Dark Ops Stratofighter. The blade is 1/4" thick, pointy, and has serrations. The edge profile is too thick to get a razor edge on for all day cutting, but if you have to open a door/car trunk, then this knife will do it all day long. I hate the ads, but I like the knife for heavy work. And it split wood like crazy! If I had to do the purchase all over again, I would go with the other more traditional blade design. Maybe that design would give a better edge profile. My 2 cents.
 
I typically use my 881 Buck Strider for jobs I'd never put a thinner blade through but I'm curious to know more about this failure you had that caused you to toss the knife Bobo. My 881 blade is anything but thin at the tip compared to any other knife in my collection. I've had the knife apart and its got a bull pivot and blade stop also so I'm curious to know how yours failed at the pivot for future reference. I've tried to make my lock fail by splitting wood with it and while I could make it move on the 880, 881 and 882 I never saw them fail. Of all three I felt the 881 was the better and mostly I figured it was because of the shortness of it.

Please elaborate for us. (well ok, me) How did the pivot on this knife fail you? I have my own idea as to the pivot but would like more on why you would say it is weak there to see if my thoughts are on line with your experience. Also, what blade type was it a tanto or a spear if it was the 880 or 881?
STR
 
I'd also say Manix. In that price range I also like the Benchmade Axis, maybe a Ruckus. I've always liked the axis lock, it's never failed me. I'd also look at the Buck 110. I have a custom 110 with elk horn scales and BG-42 blade and it was less than $200. The Buck is an excellent knife for the money.:thumbup:
 
Of the folders I own, under $200:
1) Spyderco Manix.
2) Buck/Strider 882 Tarani.

Honorable mention:
Spyderco CF-handled S30V or BG-42 folders: The combination of CF handles and the added hidden second liner remove all traces of handle-flex from the original Military design. The blade dimensions remain the same as the original, which removes it from contention on overall strength.
 
STR said:
I typically use my 881 Buck Strider for jobs I'd never put a thinner blade through but I'm curious to know more about this failure you had that caused you to toss the knife Bobo. My 881 blade is anything but thin at the tip compared to any other knife in my collection.
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I don't think he's talking about the 880/881. I think he means one of the SBMF Strider Buck Military Folders
 
I have to admit I wondered about that after posting but was away from my computer. I was curious after reading it because the 880 and 881 have very thick liners so I kind of put two and two together only a bit too late.


Thanks Esav.

STR
 
STR, I was talking about the Strider/ Buck/ Tarani Collaboration with G10 scales and ATS-34 blade steel. It had the grip surface along the top of the blade for two handed opening, and the long oval opening hole. I believe the knife failed at the pivot because the liners underneith the G10 are too thin and they allow the blade too much side to side play which allows the liner lock to move out of the path of the blade. The blade was a very well thought out and seemed very similiar to a Strider SNF, but robust is was not. I have two SMF's, one older model and one newer model and I believe the thinnest of material on the Buck was the problem, not the material. But then again I was using the knife for what 90% of the purchasing public wouldn't. And the knife was marketed towards police, I believe, as Tarani is a police trainer, for unobtrusive carry & SD. It would be a better knife if they would thicken the material around the pivot area, and the liner lock. IMO. Also noticed that the liner lock would move into the unlock with normal grip and shifting. This is sometimes expected with liner locks anyways.
 
If you can still find one you might want to consider the CRKT S-2.
It is not the best knife in the world but it is extremely tough!

And the Buck 110 is an inexpensive alternative as well.
 
The Benchmade Gravitator might make the list...

IMG_0816.JPG
 
This is hard to answer without knowing what your meaning of 'toughest,workhorse etc".

I work as a firefighter, a fair number of guys carry a Delica. I would say half of the guys have broke the tips off them......

The often mentioned Manix ( I love mine btw) has a tip that would also fail in these guys hands .For that reason I would not recomend it if your use goes beyond ofther than cutting .

If your a hack, poke,pry,bore a hole type guy then I'd look at the Buck/Striders .
 
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