What exactly does a hard use high end ($200+) knife look like?

L

Luis G.

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Jan 18, 2011
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Videos:
This is my old ZT 561 abuse testing. This is abusive towards the tip, lock, and stop pin. I found myself doing this quite often when camping, pretty much exclusively with a fixed balde but sometimes with my pocket knife.
[video=youtube;9MT4AT2Gbzg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MT4AT2Gbzg[/video]

Here's what I would now consider hard use now.
[video=youtube;AEDYUqrNilI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEDYUqrNilI[/video]
 
Can anyone tell my why folding knifes are being sold as 'hard use'?
Marketing gimmick or testament to abuse?

While we're at it; what exactly is 'hard use'?

Just get a descent fixed blade if you want to bang it around...
 
I'd say an example of hard use (vs not) would be a sebenza and a mnandi. Both awesome folders in its own right, but one more utilitarian and the other more gentlemanly.
 
Pretty sure thats not white oak in the second vid test there .... The grain / knots / colour Looks like pine , much softer . If it were white oak id doubt you would be able to push a blade that deep into the edged .
Just sayin ...
Nice to see test vids posted .
 
"Hard use folder"'; a solution to a problem that doesn't exist IMO...

It is however, a stellar marketing strategy. :thumbup:
 
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bradlox said:
Pretty sure thats not white oak in the second vid test there .... The grain / knots / colour Looks like pine , much softer . If it were white oak id doubt you would be able to push a blade that deep into the edged .
Just sayin ...
Nice to see test vids posted .
Click to expand...

This was brought up in the original thread I made over a year ago. Who knows what it was. I haven't been able to source it even at home depot. Couldn't find it again (labeled white oak or not).
 
Luis G. said:
Sorry guys I meant to say show your hard used knives. Not hard use knives.
Click to expand...

You mean the ones that we tend to use for heavy tasks and whatnot right?

I tend to avoid using any of my knives in a manner that I consider "hard" but that definition is pretty subjective. I use most of my folders to cut through heavy plastics, zip ties, and occasionally even leather pieces at work, and I know several people who consider that to be heavier work, but I don't.
Judging from your videos though, your idea of hard use and mine probably aren't that far off. I do definitely agree with Czechmate though. Most "hard use" and "overbuilt" knives are largely unnecessary. I will admit that they look awesome though :cool:
 
Charr said:
You mean the ones that we tend to use for heavy tasks and whatnot right?

I tend to avoid using any of my knives in a manner that I consider "hard" but that definition is pretty subjective. I use most of my folders to cut through heavy plastics, zip ties, and occasionally even leather pieces at work, and I know several people who consider that to be heavier work, but I don't.
Judging from your videos though, your idea of hard use and mine probably aren't that far off. I do definitely agree with Czechmate though. Most "hard use" and "overbuilt" knives are largely unnecessary. I will admit that they look awesome though :cool:
Click to expand...

Exactly. $200+ folders that people are willing to hard use. Doesn't matter if it's a gentleman's folder, if you used it for tough work. Show it, and what you did. If you think it's hard use then its hard use.
 
Charr said:
You mean the ones that we tend to use for heavy tasks and whatnot right?

I tend to avoid using any of my knives in a manner that I consider "hard" but that definition is pretty subjective. I use most of my folders to cut through heavy plastics, zip ties, and occasionally even leather pieces at work, and I know several people who consider that to be heavier work, but I don't.
Judging from your videos though, your idea of hard use and mine probably aren't that far off. I do definitely agree with Czechmate though. Most "hard use" and "overbuilt" knives are largely unnecessary. I will admit that they look awesome though :cool:
Click to expand...

Luis G. said:
Exactly. $200+ folders that people are willing to hard use. Doesn't matter if it's a gentleman's folder, if you used it for tough work. Show it, and what you did. If you think it's hard use then its hard use.
Click to expand...

I definitely enjoy all of my "hard use" folders, keeping in mind that I have many similar sized fixed blades that would more than complete the task without fail.

It's an interesting topic for sure that warrants further discussion. :thumbup: ;):D
 
Man, so let me know if anyone else notices this... People often talk of how they're not afraid to hard use their high end knives. But op asked for pics and I see none. I personally would edc an expensive knife, but would be careful never to abuse it. So where are all the folks who say they hard use their expensive knives and a knife is a knife, etc? Unless I see some pics I'm gonna have to chalk it up to a lot of hot air.
 
Umnumzaan:

100_0831.jpg~original


SmF:

2011-06-05193738_zps166b871e.jpg~original


Skirmish:

DCFC0178.jpg~original


Made this:

DCFC0183.jpg~original


As my camera has been busted for a couple of years, I don't have scads of pictures...besides, when you're using your knife, who takes the picture if you're alone, right? ;)
 
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Or does it have to be a folder?

Junglas:

IMG_6325.jpg~original


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DSCF4108.jpg~original


Mjolnir was more than $200 in materials (carbon fiber, steel, abrasives, charcoal, etc>):

Sword11_zpse8e0425b.jpg~original


sword5_zps0901f505.jpg~original
 
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How about a $500 turkey knife? :D

DCFC0048.jpg~original


And this knife, Stormbreaker, cost more than $200 in materials as well:

DSCF4146_zps34c06077.jpg~original


(that was frozen bacon, by the way)
 
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And these knives got used (no action pics though):

DSCF4123.jpg~original


These too (some are the same as from the other group shot):

100_0862.jpg~original
 
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I think 'hard use' I'd a marketing thing used to sell knives to people who use them recreationally.
 
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