what folders are built to last a lifetime?

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
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Do you think a pin constructed folder can last a lifetime, or do you need bolts and barrels? Any handle materials seem better suited? Does the knife need liners? Any particular locks that can or can't make the long haul? How large a threat is rust?
 
I have a pin constructed (you mean those brass rivets, right?) Kabar slipjoint that I've had for about twenty years, and it must have been at least twenty years old when I got it. Both blades are pitted and sharpened down to a fraction of their former glory, but the bone scales are held on solidly with no loosening at all. There's some side-side wiggle in the blade when open, but nothing that interferes with it's use, and not so loose that it rattles or anything.

It's never been EDC'd by me, but takes an occasional beating out in my garage, where it lives on a shelf and always in easy reach. It's original blade was about 5 or 5.5" but is now less than four I'd say. It weighs a ton.

There's occasional rusting on the blade, but the silver bolsters and other hardware are immune. The slipjoint 'lock' still clunks heavily when engaged and is very strong; the strongest slipjoint (as in most resistant to closing) that I've ever come across. I fully expect it will last my lifetime.

Except for a simlilarly aged SAK, all my other folders are much, much newer, and while I expect many will hold up very well, it's too early to promise that. I've certainly been impressed with my Bradley Alias II so far. I do really like that knife, and it feels hella strong, but it's not 'pin construction'.
 
All of the better brands are! I've seen slip joints pin constructed made in the '20's and '30's still crankin'. Case has had liner locks for decades and still working fine. Much depends on how you take care of a knife, how much metal you remove from the blade in sharpening, and how the knife is used. Knives are not pry bars nor screw drivers. The old bakelite handles are still holding up and of course hardwood. When high tech plastics arrived a new world opened up to durability. As for rust, just like any other type of corrosion, guard against as it can destroy a pivot pin or blade if bad enough. Micarta and stainless steel have done much for longevity. You still must care for and use a good knife right to make it last.

With over 4000 posts in BF, you should be answering these questions for us who've only been here a short time.....or did I just walk into a sucker punch?
 
lol, no sucker punch, but I like to find out what people think about different aspects of knives. I ask weird questions from time to time, what is sharp, what is tough, what is expensive, what is hard use, etc. I have my own opinions on things, but it's nice to see where others are coming from.
 
:thumbup: Thanks! I'm with you on info from others, that's why I'm here. I'm old, been over the road a couple of times, and can only speak from experience which sometimes isn't much in a high tech world. So very very much has happened in the last 25-40 years in technology, and the knife world is not the least of these. One thing you can count on is "the way it is" to the best of my knowledge....otherwise teach me. :)
 
Go to Ebay, and look at all the folders that have out lasted their owners, many of them have seen heavy use. By far the biggest problem with many folders, is over sharpening or poor sharpening that have left the blades near useless.

We all like to think of ourselves as hard users that need the heaviest knives, truth is, we're pretty average or even delicate compared to some people.
 
Most knives will not make it 50 years unless they are seldom used or come with a lifetime warranty to replace parts that wear, a la Benchmade.
 
I have carried, everyday, a pocket knife since I was 12 years old...let's see that's 51 years. It was the only tool I owned, dad owned all the rest. My slippie got used for all sorts of "kid" things, then I graduated to a fixed blade along with my slip joint, and from there was hooked on knives. Left many of them on the creek bank where cutting bait, and gave away several pounds of knives I'd like to have today. Over the 51 years I can truthfully say, my old Case battered and worn still cuts, still does what it's supposed to do. Why, because dad taught me to take care of things that served me well. :)
 
I think many slippies can last. Though the blade may develop a little play, and I have seen a fair share of broken scales which can more often be blamed on the bone not being dried, but a slippy with no scales can still be used.
Now I have never EDC'd a tactical knife for any long length of time, but I have seen many, and know people who do. Benchmades axis lock seem to be sturdy, but its weak point is the springs I have seen several 3-4 and owned 1 where this was a problem, but it could be fixed, but I would not count that as lasting. Due to a distrust of liner locks I can say little about them, but my 5yr old Sebenza framelock locks just as tightly, with the same contact as the day I bought it. This length of time with thousands of openings is what broke the omega springs in my BM's, and aside from scratches on the titanium, and cosmetic flaws on the blade it is like new. If rebead blasted it would look new, but with a barely noticably thinner blade from spine to edge.
 
Not many people can honestly answer the "last a lifetime" question unless they are in their 80s and have carried and used the same knife since youth. I suppose some folks out there have their father's or grandfather's knives and know the history. Otherwise we're making guesses -- perhaps educated guests.

I still have the same John Primble congress slipjoint my father gave me in 1968 when I was 10. I used it regularly for about 10 years and it shows. The blades are worn down about 10%. The pinned blade I used the most has considerable play. Still, it's in 1 piece. Rust has not been an issue.

More recently, I've carried and used a small Sebenza almost daily for 3 years. The lock engagement started at exactly 50% and remains exactly 50%. Could it last a lifetime? I think so, especially if Chris Reeve stays in business and can replace parts, but I can't honestly tell you for about another 75 years.
 
While I appreciate quality that lasts, it is likely an irrelevant pursuit. It will likely be replaced or have the burden shared with other knives. I don't feel the nostalgia for my own knives that many do, but perhaps my kids and grandkids will. I do feel nostalgia for my grandfathers knives though.

I would think a solid frame lock like a Sebenza or Strider SnG would last a lifetime, if used for light gentlemanly tasks. Any amount of serious use and resharpening will wear the blade down. In case with the Strider it probably won't last really long. Because it is built stronger, I tend to use to harder and more, and it will probably need a new blade within a decade.
 
I think that the Buck 110 is about as close as it gets. I have seen many of them going on 40 or more years and going strong. If there is a better, tougher folder thats a better value than the old 110, I have not seen it yet. I don't love the knife but you got to give it its dues. I will always have one around for when the whiz bangs give up the ghost.:)
 
I would be more concerned with the blade eventually being honed away.:thumbdn:

I have several old slippies that my father used that have less than 1/3 of the blade left. I also have a couple of fixed blade KaBars from the middle fifties that are no longer useable due to blade wear. Maybe that's why I have become such a "steel snob." :D

My first concern, therefore is the steel in the blade. I think that any Benchmade, Kershaw, Spyderco or other high quality folder, with a blade made of M-2, D-2, S30V, ZDP 189, etc would literally last a lifetime, even in fairly heavy use.
 
I have used my Pacific Salt harder than any other knife I own. It is an unlined pin construction with plastic handle, and so far it has not shown signs of wear other than a scratched blade and a dirty handle. I don't know if it will last a lifetime, but I am pretty sure it will last at the going rate minimum 10-15 years, and I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted 40-50.
 
I've carried a Vic SAK Huntsman for 25 years - since I was twelve - and for most of that time, it was my only knife and got used for everything. It's got its scars, but is still fully functional.
 
even though lifetimes vary quite a bit i wouldnt worry about your spyderco falling apart anytime soon. if this continues to be a bother to you,just buy two.
 
pin constructed Spyderco Centofante3/4 are built to last a lifetime IMO, as long as you don't pry with it....
 
if you take care of your knives, more often than not their service life will outlast our own.
 
udtjim said:
I think that the Buck 110 is about as close as it gets. I have seen many of them going on 40 or more years and going strong. If there is a better, tougher folder thats a better value than the old 110, I have not seen it yet. I don't love the knife but you got to give it its dues. I will always have one around for when the whiz bangs give up the ghost.:)
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i dont have my first one from '67.. grew legs ...
many buck 110 did that...
i do have some from early 70's i bought and they hold up still!
i never wamted to keep a slipy long... the 110 did all i needed.
the 440c would get some spots now and then and if abused as pry bar would get some wiggle but have never had one fail ...
have see a few that got "sharpened" past were the edge had hardness left but these looked like olive knife blades long and very thin in an abused way...
but sent in to buck ...coime back new with no charge!

now i collect them for the joy of a good looking fancy knife~
handle or blade or both.. i have over 120 of them now...
but would not heastate to defend life or wife with the fancyest!
they all will do the job!
 
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