what folders are built to last a lifetime?

My oldest 110 is something close to 20 yr - and fine. My EDC for eons - and over 30 now - is a larger SAK. It was always in my pocket. I sent it back when the scales would no longer fit - the scissors were replaced, too - as were the tweezers and toothpick - gratis! Sadly, the only way the blade would cut butter was if heated. That was perhaps due to my 'attempts' at sharpening it. While you can shave - or pare fingernails into layers - with my wood chisels, I never 'mastered' sharpening the double edge with my collection of stones. That changed last summer when I bought a Spydie 'Sharpmaker'.

I have a Buck 279 Folding Alpha Hunter that 'should' last a long time... it has a nice bushing to rotate the blade on - not bad for $34 from Wally World. Of course, as a liner lock, that may be more of a life ender - except for Buck's waranty. The lockback 110 is still a hard act to follow. Oddly, my secondary 'carry' for nearing 20 yr has been a 301 Stockman - finally sharp again as well - and still 'tight'. I've never owned a Case...

Stainz
 
I've got a Spyderco Endura that i've had 20+ years and it's one of the most solid knives I have. I'm impressed with how it's holding up, no blade play and smooth as silk. I'll be passing it to my son when I can bare to part with it.
 
This thread's got me thinking. Whether a knife can last a lifetime depends on a number of factors, and the knife itself is only part of the picture. The factors include:

1. The materials used to make the knife.

2. The design of the knife.

3. The level of workmanship.

4. How often the knife is used.

5. What kind of cutting it is used for.

6. How well it's taken care of.

7. How it's sharpended.

8. Availability of repair.

Any other factors I've missed?
 
I have the same obsession as many others, wanting a pocket knife that will last forever. A while back I posted about a 3.25" Craftsman stockman (Schrade) I've used hard (for it's size) since 1972. The primary is just a little wobbly but I still use it today because I'm so used to the feel. It's done everything except prying. I built houses, fixed trucks, and hunted with it. A utility knife for roofing, flooring, and insulation plus prybars and screwdrivers probably saved it's life many times. I believe a standard brand slip will last as long as the user is not desparate enough to knowingly break it. :)Regards, ss.
 
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.
Click to expand...
I totally disagree.

Just about any knife will last a lifetime if it's treated like a knife...to cut things.

Heck, I've got a Victorinox Super Tinker that works just fine (except the spring to the scissors), and it's 17 years old.

And my father carried a Boker slip-joint for over thirty years before I bought him a Benchmade axis-lock folder (at age 70 his fingernails were getting to brittle and fragile to open slip-joints).

I agree, the Buck 110 is made to last if treated right.
 
I have an old Spyderco Rescue, the one with the really old fashioned skinny integral clip (gen1 of 4 integral clip designs IIRC). I bought it on Ebay and let me tell you the dude that owned it the 15 + years before me kicked the shite outta this knife. The clip is useless after being caught on too many seat belts, door knobs etc. etc. The blade is all scratched up and two of the large serration points are bent 45 degrees in opposite directions. The FRN handle is almost smooth from constant use, he wore the sharpness off the texturing. The point is the knife has no play in the lock and is as rock solid as I guess it was the day it was built. Once I get it to Spyderco to get a new metal clip installed and have the edge unfunked up I can see it lasting at least 10 more years. One of the many reasons I carry a Spyderco most of the time.

Cheers,
Rob
 
Chadilac said:
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.
Click to expand...

Nah. My dad carried the same small Craftsman Schrade lockback for 30 years until he lost it last year. Snapped tight, no play, and used working every day. I can show plenty of Scout knives with 50 years of use that are still good. King of longtermers is my great-great-grandfather's stockman. 100+ years old, and the only problem is a cracked scale.
 
A guy should add to this thread with the question What folder will out last the 110 and costs the same or less.:D I would expect a very short list.
 
I'm with allenC. As long as a knife is not abused and used as a knife should be...to cut things...then it will last a long time. I have some 40 year old knives I inherited from my father that are still usable, although I do not use them for fear of loosing one. With todays materials, titanium and stainless steels, a knife should have no problem lasting.:thumbup:
 
How does the busck strider compare to the cold steel ak47 and the spyderco manix, does anyone know, these all seem like tough folding knives
 
With the exception of the old K-55 black cats I used to carry as a kid, which experienced pin failure usually within seconds of attempted pry bar use (they were only $2, so a new one was never far away) such as opening a paint can, I haven't had a folder fail on me. I still have and occasionally carry or use Dad's old 1930's vintage Case 2 blade folder as well as my own old Cub Scout knife. Both my Edge Buck clone and the Buck folder it was a clone of are pushing 30 years and holding up well. Knives disappearing on camping or fishing trips or from locker rooms in gyms (had very pretty little turtle shell Kershaw once, something called Kai steel, with a locking blade that disappeared from an alphabet agency gymnasium locker room once) has been much more of a problem IMO than pin failure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top