Value Hard Use Knife

[MORIMOTOM]

Ontario RAT-1 folder.

its a liner lock.

 

[insomnia]

What about the fixed blade route? ESEE Izula + micarta handle scales is right around $60.

This is what I would go for, personally. No lock to worry about, good size for EDC, too.

Kyle.

 

[JNieporte]

Byrd Cara Cara. 3-1/2" cutting edge, 4-way clip, lined FRN handles, lanyard hole, 8Cr13MoV steel, lockback. About $24
Kabar Dozier. Tip-up (reversible for left or right hand) clip, reversible thumb stud, unlined FRN handles, lanyard hole, AUS-8 steel, lockback. About $20 for the 3" blade and $25 for the 3-1/2" bladw.
Spyderco Endura. 3-1/2" cutting edge, 4-way clip, FRN handles (lined or unlined, pick a generation), lanyard hole, VG-10 steel, lockback. Anywhere from $38 (the old ones) to $50.

 

[andrewthetuba]

Rat 1

 

[Stainz]

Below is the only picture I have of a Spyderco Native with anything else - in this case, a liner-lock Buck #347 Vantage Pro. Obviously, the Native is a lockback - and a fine knife. Both are S30V steel blades - and made in the USA.

The Buck 110 is a classic, too.

Stainz

 

[PayetteRucker]

Becker BK11, RAT Izula, Condor Windfang, Bushbuddy or Elegan, Buck Paklite Skinner, Ranger Shiv

 

[frontline29]

If I worked on a ranch I would most likely carry a fixed blade.
The BK11 with the optional handle scales would fit the bill nicely.

 

[Angus McGunnigl]

Kabar Mule is a very nice knife.

 

[A.P.F.]

I would look at the Native and the American Lawman. Both knives will do the job and do it well.

 

[thejamppa]

Consider also a Buck 110 with sheath for $30 at Walmart. That pretty much defines value and hard use for me.

Whatever he says. Buck 110 is quite awesome beast. For $30 the value is nearly unbeatable... and it works as hammer or emergency blunt weapon aswell.

 

[mnblade]

I work on a ranch most days of the week and need a knife...

Over in the folksy forum, we had a thread going awhile back about what knives are best for ranch hands. Check it out here. You might find some of it useful (some of it, you might just find entertaining ).

 

[Modoc ED]

+1.

If you want a one-hander ... Sypderco Native.

Naaaawwwww -- just buy a thumb stud for the Buck 110.:thumbup:

 

[wongKI]

I'd go with one of the Cold Steel Tri-Ads or a small fixed blade like a Becker BK11

 

[Splat]

CS American Lawman.
CS American Lawman.
CS American Lawman.

Oh, or you could get a CS American Lawman. Among my Spyderco, Benchmade, Emerson, CRK&T, Victorinox, and all the other knives I've owned, of both high and mid tier lines, it the sturdiest folder I've owned to date. I've used this knife as hard as all my other knives and yet this is the only one whose lock still locks up like the day I bought it.

 

[00max00]

Endura flat saber ground FRN.

 

[Lazydog1]

I would caution against a lockback in a dirty environment. I've had Spydercos (Persian, Renegade) and Cold Steels (Voyager) fail to lock up as they had pocket lint in the lock area. I've never had that problem with my CS Lawman, nor with CS Ultra Lock, BM Axis lock, nor with any liner lock or frame lock. But then the lockbacks where I've had problems have small lock areas and are thus prone to jam when dirt intrudes. A larger backlock (Manix 1, Buck ?) may be OK. CS Triad lock is recommended.

 

[GrinderMcgee]

A Cold Steel American Lawman or Pocket Busman isn't a bad suggestion. How about a Swede?

Fixed knife for me here.

 

[alman123]

The specs you mentioned scream endura.... Under $60, FRN, and seems to be the size you are looking for. The ffg version's tip is probably too thin, but there is the old saber ground endura.

 

[rainermh12]

+1 on the RAT-1, $30 bucks gets you a long way

 

[snorkem]

Tri ad lock ak47 or american lawman