What folders are robust for impact applications?

A

Agator007

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Nov 17, 2011
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First just a little background. One of my hobbies is hiking and backpacking with the minimal weight and I like to have one all purpose knife. I normally take my cold steel carbon V tanto which is super tough for the most demanding tasks from cutting rope to chopping wood and even occasional digging. I've wanted to shave some weight and/or have a more compact knife with something like the 5" voyager but it seems like the applications are more limited because the hinge will weaken and separate.

I don't mean to question the durability of cold steel's folders--I have a couple and love them. But in general are their any folders that have tougher hinges that can hold up to more abusive tasks such as chopping? (Also, with the 2011 voyagers having the screw-adjustable hinges, it seems like you could re-tighten it if it becomes loose assuming the thread doesn't strip--is this possibly a solution?)

Thanks!! :)
 
If you like to go superlight wouldn't a more reasonable choice be a Mora or a Tramontina machete? A small fixed blade will generally be lighter than a similar sized folder because you don't have multiple layers of frame, locking system, etc. As far as chopping goes, with something that small, you aren't going to be efficient or effective and the wear and tear on your joints won't make it worthwhile. Maybe a folding saw or a light pack axe like Fiskars' offerings? Abusing a very expensive folding blade is only going to leave you with a broken tool wishing for a fixed blade when you're three days out on the trail.
 
Hey thanks for the advice.

So its probably like you said that most folders are weak at the joints and can't tolerate impact like the fixed blades.

So many fixed blades seem like they could have weight shaved off the handles.

But actually I am thinking about getting a custom-made 5" fixed blade with a small light weight handle.

Thanks again :)

(By the way, sorry about posting here. I thought it was in the general discussion, but I accidentally posted here. In part I did want to review how the CS voyager tanto. )
 
I agree with PayetteRucker. A small fixed blade would be better. You could pair that with a smaller folder for lighter tasks such as food prep. The Spyderco Delica FFG is a great little light/medium duty knife is very light.
 
mora's are super light, or if you are worried about handle weight get a skeleton knife like a buck paklite.

For a all around folder get a Vic hiker. With te saw you will have no reason to baton or chop.
 
Agator007 said:
(By the way, sorry about posting here. I thought it was in the general discussion, but I accidentally posted here ... )
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I moved it before I got to this post. :)

Short fixed would be good. Don't go too short or light on the handle or you won't get a good enough grip or padding for hot spots. Unless you're in a high humidity area, go for a simple carbon steel blade, wood or Micarta handle.

By coincidence, I just ordered a 5" in O1 from John Kiedaisch at http://jkhandmadeknives.com/ . He does a lot of camp and trail styles. His foum is at http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/830-JK-Handmade-Knives

Check these out, too:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/819-Gossman-Knives
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/828-Koyote-Custom-Knives

and others at our Hosted Knifemaker Forums: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/807-Hosted-Knifemaker-s-Forums
 
As others have said, a short fixed blade would be the best choice. But if for some reason you (or anyone reading this thread) wants a folder with a pivot robust enough to stand up to the sorts of things you're talking about, Strider and Hinderer would get my vote.
 
I think sniper bladeworks used 1095 in some of their folders. It a very tough steel. There are a couple makers that use 3v which is a very tough steel as well. Strider is one.

But IMO you should just get a fixed blade like a BRKT
 
neuron said:
As others have said, a short fixed blade would be the best choice. But if for some reason you (or anyone reading this thread) wants a folder with a pivot robust enough to stand up to the sorts of things you're talking about, Strider and Hinderer would get my vote.
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agreed. strider and hinderer
 
The Becker BK11, ESEE Izula, Mora, etc are all extremely light and will take battoning abuse. Check out IAWoodsman's youtube videos on rough use techniques for short knives-he has some fantastic demonstrations on cutting down trees and other tasks that can be accomplished with a small fixed blade. I think the extending Fiskars saw weighs all of 2 ounces as well.
 
hughewil said:
mora's are super light, or if you are worried about handle weight get a skeleton knife like a buck paklite.

For a all around folder get a Vic hiker. With te saw you will have no reason to baton or chop.
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Or an Opinel folding saw. Only ~4oz

opinel-saw-knife-No12-1.jpg
 
Hah! You could learn how to knap, which is the ancient art of chipping stones to make spear and arrowheads, and also, knives. Especially if you live in an area where flint is common, you could get away without a knife at all...

Oh yes, it is also possible to make stone axes. I have exactly zero experience, but I wonder about taking down a tree with a stone axe.
 
Shorttime said:
Hah! You could learn how to knap, which is the ancient art of chipping stones to make spear and arrowheads, and also, knives. Especially if you live in an area where flint is common, you could get away without a knife at all...
Click to expand...

Flint is not common in North America. Obsidian and Chert are, but not everywhere.
 
Flint is common in North America, particularly in Rupestris' neck of the woods. Flint and chert for all intents and purposes are identical-flint just refers to chert that is found along limestone deposits. There's a limestone quarry just outside of town here where I go climbing after school and there's some beautiful pasty green chert/flint everywhere. Chert is a stronger impact stone anyway.
 
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