Which "hard-use" folder would be best for me?

S

ShooterMcgavin

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Jan 20, 2008
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I am interested in getting a good, tough knife, of high value, ideally under $100. The CS line with Tri-ad lock seems excellent for what I want. If you guys think of something that would fit me better, please offer it up! My ideas for this are at the bottom.

For me, "hard use" means using the knife to get a job done in a "hard" situation. Maybe an emergency or maybe pushing the knife a little harder than I want, including a little abuse. ...cutting things that can harm an edge (cutting things with possible sand/grit in it), light batonning, using the tip to dig something out of wood/rubber/etc. There might be light prying, and I know that I should not be using a knife to pry anything.

I want a high value folder with a solid blade and a solid lock (a Tri-ad variant seems to fit this). I have medium-smallish hands. The handle should offer a good grip (I like G10 but Grivory might be fine). I have no problem taking care of carbon steel, if there is an option using that, but I probably want a little more rust resistance than 1095. I don't want a tanto, recurve, serrated edge, or an overly delicate tip. I prefer a simple drop point. I also like a partial flat grind, but offer other ideas if you think they are better.

Laws in my area.... are varied and annoying. If I had my choice, my blade in this category would be about 4" long. I have no problem sticking to a 3" blade for my EDC, but for my hard-use folder, I am having issues with the law on this one. I could carry something 3.5"-4" and then always be headed out camping :) I rarely have interractions with the police, but I don't like to worry. Let's keep suggestions to 3"-3.6" blade length.

I really like the CS Voyager in 3", but it seems so short for a hard use knife. Also, the blade is only 3mm thick, when the 4" and 5.5" versions are 3.5mm and 4mm. I'd like a 3.4" Voyager with 4mm thick blade. It seems that all the other CS folders use a hollow ground blade. Is that true? Do you think the hollow ground blades compromise some tip/edge stability?

Ideas or suggestions?

*Edit* No liner locks. I want tip-up carry.
 
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Well until you said 3.6" I was going to suggest saving another 20.00 and looking at the Benchmade Adamas 275 when it comes out...middle of next month. I have two coming my way. Looks decent to me.
 
American Lawman seems perfect for you, I don't think you'll have any problem at all with it being hollow ground - tons of video and written forum experience to back up the blade and overall design being super rugged. The 4" Clip Point Voyager would be great too, I take a 4" Vaquero with me everywhere and just whip out a small $20 Schrade or Victorinox Camper if I need to cut something in the middle of a store or other crowded public area.
 
Are fixedblades legal in your area? If so, get an edc'able FB. Tougher than any folder by a long shot. If not, anything by CS or a ZT 0200 (My #1 recommendation) would be in order. Blade on the ZT is 4" but you could have it ground down slightly for cheap.
 
swamp said:
Well until you said 3.6" I was going to suggest saving another 20.00 and looking at the Benchmade Adamas 275 when it comes out...middle of next month. I have two coming my way. Looks decent to me.
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I have had my eye on that, and it looks GREAT! Yeah, but the 3.8" blade won't work for me :(

Ryanol said:
I think you just described a D2 Phat Bob?
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I have looked at it. I love everything about it (D2 is great), except that is uses a liner lock. I just don't go for them.

I will look into the AL a bit, but the hollow grind does turn me away a bit.
 
adinb114 said:
Are fixedblades legal in your area? If so, get an edc'able FB. Tougher than any folder by a long shot. If not, anything by CS or a ZT 0200 (My #1 recommendation) would be in order. Blade on the ZT is 4" but you could have it ground down slightly for cheap.
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I wish I could carry a fixed blade and be done with it. However, the city next to me prohibits anything that does not have a hinge, no matter what length!
 
The folders I beat up on the most over the years were hollow ground, it's the blade shape/profile and using a good medium level steel without pushing for utmost edge retention that makes them super rugged. A super slicing, flat-ground S30V blade that cost you an extra $40 is much more likely to let it's tip go or take edge damage.
 
The cold steel voyagers seem to fit your needs. The three inch and three mm would be more than enough for the abuse I'd force it through.

But, even though the CS American Lawman is less pretty, OrdnanceBubbaUSMC has a good point bringing it up.

Its a bit more expensive but it does fit your description better.
 
Maybe I should just go with the simple, and less-expensive, Voyager in 3". Being cheaper, it will give me confidence to use it at ANY time I want, as opposed to a more expensive knife that I would treat gently.

Also, the 3" blade is within all length laws around me, so that is nice. I might go for that one.
 
The Voyagers and Lawman look great.

Have a look at the Boker Plus line, specifically, the M-Type. There are a couple of reviews here and out there. Cheap, can take on hard tasks, decent (not great) edge holding, a good slicer even for the kitchen and sturdy frame lock. Been my beater since 2008. It's been hailed "the poor man's SNG". I tend to agree :D
 
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ive been looking at ZT 200, and ZT 350.
also emersons, they have some models with 3 inch blades. and plenty of models in the 3.5 inch range.

although those are alittle more than you want to spend, and some have recurved blades, i think its worth taking a look at them.
 
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