Why so many thread asking for rec. for a really thick folder?

singularity35 said:
How much cardboard do you cut?
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I cut cardboard every day, along with really thick plastic. I think that's why I enjoy thin knives so much; for me personally, they need to cut almost as easily as a razor. I do change up my knife rotation, and I definitely notice the difference when I have a thicker grind, much less a thicker knife in general.
 
midnight flyer said:
That's strange. The second time you have expressed your interest in how much cardboard he cuts. Why would you need to know exactly how much cardboard he cut?

Robert
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Quoting you, but responding to singularity too.

I would say that I cut cardboard with a knife at least once every 5-10 minutes many days, and on others maybe every 30 minutes. I don't have a quantity, unless I were to say I cut up a couple large flat rate USPS boxes worth of cardboard a day, at work. I work in the plastics industry. Thick plastic such as we use actually dulls a knife faster than cardboard. Also, when doing set-up on machines it is necessary to strip compacted, baked on plastic from the rods threaded into the extruders. Believe me, it would not work with anything but a razor or a thin knife(or torch, if there isn't a large amount of material). It really wears the arm out trying to force even a new razor through things like that.

I see it this way; to each their own. I'm not one of those in this thread who thinks thick blades are pointless. I have just been expressing my opinions on what I personally prefer as per the subiect of the thread. I don't know why people get so hung up on their own preference that they stop using logic. A thin blade equals less drag. It WILL slice better. That is fact. However it will not take the kind of punishment that a thicker blade would. It will also get stuck in certain materials such as wood, whereas a thick blade would split the material enough to pull free. Also fact.
 
RemyKaze said:
Quoting you, but responding to singularity too.

I would say that I cut cardboard with a knife at least once every 5-10 minutes many days, and on others maybe every 30 minutes. I don't have a quantity, unless I were to say I cut up a couple large flat rate USPS boxes worth of cardboard a day, at work. I work in the plastics industry. Thick plastic such as we use actually dulls a knife faster than cardboard. Also, when doing set-up on machines it is necessary to strip compacted, baked on plastic from the rods threaded into the extruders. Believe me, it would not work with anything but a razor or a thin knife(or torch, if there isn't a large amount of material). It really wears the arm out trying to force even a new razor through things like that.

I see it this way; to each their own. I'm not one of those in this thread who thinks thick blades are pointless. I have just been expressing my opinions on what I personally prefer as per the subiect of the thread. I don't know why people get so hung up on their own preference that they stop using logic. A thin blade equals less drag. It WILL slice better. That is fact. However it will not take the kind of punishment that a thicker blade would. It will also get stuck in certain materials such as wood, whereas a thick blade would split the material enough to pull free. Also fact.
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Remy,

What knives suit your work needs best? When you do rotate, when considering work, what is a list of knives you prefer to get the job done?

Do you have to touch up your blades during the work day, or not really?
 
RedLynx said:
Remy,

What knives suit your work needs best? When you do rotate, when considering work, what is a list of knives you prefer to get the job done?

Do you have to touch up your blades during the work day, or not really?
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I touch them up at night. I prefer the Avispa I just picked up, Rat 2, Delica, sometimes a Ritter Grip or PM2. Now and then a Rat 1, Gayle Bradley. I have a weird fondness for AUS-8 despite having to sharpen it up a bit each night.

How about you? It'd be interesting to see what each person carries and what they do with it.
 
RemyKaze said:
I see it this way; to each their own. I'm not one of those in this thread who thinks thick blades are pointless. I have just been expressing my opinions on what I personally prefer as per the subiect of the thread. I don't know why people get so hung up on their own preference that they stop using logic. A thin blade equals less drag. It WILL slice better. That is fact. However it will not take the kind of punishment that a thicker blade would. It will also get stuck in certain materials such as wood, whereas a thick blade would split the material enough to pull free. Also fact.
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Couldn't agree more. That all makes sense to me. I too, use my knives quite a bit during the day for all manner of tasks. That is why I carry a larger work knife, and also a smaller traditional with thin grinds and some with hollow grinds to do my slicing work.

Just asking... it seemed you were spoiling for something... I was hoping we weren't going back to the Freudian stuff again about manhood and Mom when talking about our knives. :eek:

Thanks for the clarification.

Robert
 
RemyKaze said:
I touch them up at night. I prefer the Avispa I just picked up, Rat 2, Delica, sometimes a Ritter Grip or PM2. Now and then a Rat 1, Gayle Bradley. I have a weird fondness for AUS-8 despite having to sharpen it up a bit each night.

How about you? It'd be interesting to see what each person carries and what they do with it.
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Thanks for sharing, I am always interested in what guys do with their knives, especially when they really do use them all day at work. Is the Rat-2 a fixed blade or another folder like the Rat-1? I can't recall for some reason.

I too think AUS-8 is a nice middle of the road steel, and as long as I know I won't be away for several days or something, I really don't mind touching up my knives. I enjoy it in fact.

Lately I have been carrying a Rat-1, Utilitac II (I think for right now I slightly prefer it), Opinel #10 (my favorite size of Opinel). I have a few go-to favorites from Kershaw's expanding line of budget/value blades that for me really perform beyond their price point (I'm not constantly cutting stuff all day like you, however). I do use my knives to break down my fair share of large cardboard though. The Utilitac has been pretty great at this actually.

Other than those, I like a Buck 110, Case Sodbuster or other classics. I have a strange habit of going to two-handed opening knives, particularly those I can belt carry. It isn't exactly ideal, as I use a cane in my right hand and it can be tough opening two handers unless I'm sitting down or leaning against something. Logically I should really just stick to one-handed opening knives, for the sake of convenience. But there's just too many classic, nice two handed knives I like to give up on them for convenience sake. It'll probably come back to bite me one day.

I haven't heard of the Avispa, I will check those out.
 
RedLynx said:
Thanks for sharing, I am always interested in what guys do with their knives, especially when they really do use them all day at work. Is the Rat-2 a fixed blade or another folder like the Rat-1? I can't recall for some reason.

I too think AUS-8 is a nice middle of the road steel, and as long as I know I won't be away for several days or something, I really don't mind touching up my knives. I enjoy it in fact.

Lately I have been carrying a Rat-1, Utilitac II (I think for right now I slightly prefer it), Opinel #10 (my favorite size of Opinel). I have a few go-to favorites from Kershaw's expanding line of budget/value blades that for me really perform beyond their price point (I'm not constantly cutting stuff all day like you, however). I do use my knives to break down my fair share of large cardboard though. The Utilitac has been pretty great at this actually.

Other than those, I like a Buck 110, Case Sodbuster or other classics. I have a strange habit of going to two-handed opening knives, particularly those I can belt carry. It isn't exactly ideal, as I use a cane in my right hand and it can be tough opening two handers unless I'm sitting down or leaning against something. Logically I should really just stick to one-handed opening knives, for the sake of convenience. But there's just too many classic, nice two handed knives I like to give up on them for convenience sake. It'll probably come back to bite me one day.

I haven't heard of the Avispa, I will check those out.
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The Rat 2 is a smaller version of the Ontario Rat 1. The Avispa is a larger version of the Zancudo. I love all of ESEE's designs whether Ontario or BRK because they're all not only flat ground, but very thin.
 
RedLynx said:
Thanks for sharing, I am always interested in what guys do with their knives, especially when they really do use them all day at work. Is the Rat-2 a fixed blade or another folder like the Rat-1? I can't recall for some reason.
Click to expand...

RAT 2 is just a smaller, scaled down version of the RAT 1.

RedLynx said:
I too think AUS-8 is a nice middle of the road steel, and as long as I know I won't be away for several days or something, I really don't mind touching up my knives. I enjoy it in fact.
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If done well, it serves well. Most of my heavier work knives are in that range and I like the steel because no matter how badly I treat the blade it is easy to repair. If I am cutting up a supply box and hit a staple, the blade rolls in that area, but does not chip. If I cut extremely abrasive material like sheetrock or shingles, the blade dulls across the edge but is not damaged. Just dull. It isn't brittle, and you can sharpen it with a few strokes (in my case, even on sandpaper out on the job) as needed. I personally think of it as a good utility steel.

RedLynx said:
Lately I have been carrying a Rat-1, Utilitac II (I think for right now I slightly prefer it), Opinel #10 (my favorite size of Opinel). I have a few go-to favorites from Kershaw's expanding line of budget/value blades that for me really perform beyond their price point (I'm not constantly cutting stuff all day like you, however). I do use my knives to break down my fair share of large cardboard though. The Utilitac has been pretty great at this actually.
Click to expand...

The Utilitac IIs are pretty nice knives. The one I got was very well finished and put together, and came arm shaving sharp. I was impressed. I bought the tanto version to use like a Razel for trimming wood using the blade shape almost as a chisel. I like it, too!

RedLynx said:
Other than those, I like a Buck 110, Case Sodbuster or other classics. I have a strange habit of going to two-handed opening knives, particularly those I can belt carry. It isn't exactly ideal, as I use a cane in my right hand and it can be tough opening two handers unless I'm sitting down or leaning against something. Logically I should really just stick to one-handed opening knives, for the sake of convenience. But there's just too many classic, nice two handed knives I like to give up on them for convenience sake. It'll probably come back to bite me one day.
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Naw.... why deprive yourself? IIRC, you are just starting down the slope of traditional knives, and there is absolutely no reason to deny yourself the fun and enjoyment of a well made traditional pattern. I might have mentioned before, or maybe not, but although I carry one of these larger working knives, I always carry a traditional blade for slicing and dicing. Always... they are my favorites.

Robert
 
This is one of the most entertaining threads I've read here in quite awhile. Just some good stuff. You guys too funny! Lol.

But there have been some interesting points of view and found them interesting to see other reasons for their choice of carry.

I must really be in need of some analysis, as I always have a Minichamp in one pocket, a traditional in the other - often the Vic Electrician, then frequently a bit larger knife pocket clipped. An XM18, Small Sebbie, PT CC, something like that. Some days I'll grab the DPx T3 or the TSF Beast just for fun. As one person posted, sometimes one of those "heavier" knives is just fun.

To me - it's all personal choice. If you aren't carrying the right knife for your tasks, you'll figure it out soon enough on your own cause it won't work very well. Or you'll observe someone else performing the same task much easier with a different model. It's your money.....as that guy on tv says, who's says he's trying to help, but I don't believe him. Lol.
 
RemyKaze said:
Quoting you, but responding to singularity too.

I would say that I cut cardboard with a knife at least once every 5-10 minutes many days, and on others maybe every 30 minutes. I don't have a quantity, unless I were to say I cut up a couple large flat rate USPS boxes worth of cardboard a day, at work. I work in the plastics industry. Thick plastic such as we use actually dulls a knife faster than cardboard. Also, when doing set-up on machines it is necessary to strip compacted, baked on plastic from the rods threaded into the extruders. Believe me, it would not work with anything but a razor or a thin knife(or torch, if there isn't a large amount of material). It really wears the arm out trying to force even a new razor through things like that.

I see it this way; to each their own. I'm not one of those in this thread who thinks thick blades are pointless. I have just been expressing my opinions on what I personally prefer as per the subiect of the thread. I don't know why people get so hung up on their own preference that they stop using logic. A thin blade equals less drag. It WILL slice better. That is fact. However it will not take the kind of punishment that a thicker blade would. It will also get stuck in certain materials such as wood, whereas a thick blade would split the material enough to pull free. Also fact.
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You'll get no disagreement from me about the cutting performance of thin blades. Additionally, if you are saying that I am asking my question on how much you cut, just because I prefer thick blades, then you are wrong. I've worked part time in an auto repair shop where I had to cut a lot of thick, dirty cardboard boxes and I know which geometry performs better.

My issue is that when talking about thick blades, the argument that often gets tossed in is that thick blades tire your arm fast when cutting thick media. Once more I am not disagreeing BUT here's where my issue is, the argument is repeated so much that even people who barely cut a foot or two of cardboard PER WEEK, use the argument to express their preference.

As you mentioned, sometimes it comes down to personal preference and that's all good. When people use an argument that's irrelevant to them to support a personal preference, that's when I take issue with it.
 
midnight flyer said:
RAT 2 is just a smaller, scaled down version of the RAT 1.



If done well, it serves well. Most of my heavier work knives are in that range and I like the steel because no matter how badly I treat the blade it is easy to repair. If I am cutting up a supply box and hit a staple, the blade rolls in that area, but does not chip. If I cut extremely abrasive material like sheetrock or shingles, the blade dulls across the edge but is not damaged. Just dull. It isn't brittle, and you can sharpen it with a few strokes (in my case, even on sandpaper out on the job) as needed. I personally think of it as a good utility steel.



The Utilitac IIs are pretty nice knives. The one I got was very well finished and put together, and came arm shaving sharp. I was impressed. I bought the tanto version to use like a Razel for trimming wood using the blade shape almost as a chisel. I like it, too!



Naw.... why deprive yourself? IIRC, you are just starting down the slope of traditional knives, and there is absolutely no reason to deny yourself the fun and enjoyment of a well made traditional pattern. I might have mentioned before, or maybe not, but although I carry one of these larger working knives, I always carry a traditional blade for slicing and dicing. Always... they are my favorites.

Robert
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As always, good stuff and thanks Rob!

Most of my middle of the road "good utility knives" are in AUS-8 steel. Not any particular reason, just most knives I found that I like happen to be in that, and it has served well. Didn't know you could touch it up on sandpaper though, that's awesome!
 
dogstar said:
Forcing a thick blade through cardboard gets old in a hurry.
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I actually work in retail and cut a lot of cardboard and zip ties. Most of my cardboard cuts are one of two types: repeated 4"-6" cuts of tabs to take down shippers, or loooong (multiple feet) cuts to reduce large boxes so they'll fit neatly in a not-so-large compactor.

I have no trouble getting a .156" 0550 through multiple feet of cardboard in very short order. I prefer the .12" of 0566 for it, but have used either just fine.
 
singularity35 said:
You'll get no disagreement from me about the cutting performance of thin blades. Additionally, if you are saying that I am asking my question on how much you cut, just because I prefer thick blades, then you are wrong. I've worked part time in an auto repair shop where I had to cut a lot of thick, dirty cardboard boxes and I know which geometry performs better.

My issue is that when talking about thick blades, the argument that often gets tossed in is that thick blades tire your arm fast when cutting thick media. Once more I am not disagreeing BUT here's where my issue is, the argument is repeated so much that even people who barely cut a foot or two of cardboard PER WEEK, use the argument to express their preference.

As you mentioned, sometimes it comes down to personal preference and that's all good. When people use an argument that's irrelevant to them to support a personal preference, that's when I take issue with it.
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You are a great example of logic and civility. Thank you for not misunderstanding my phrasing. It happens way too much for my comfort. I'm glad some of us are in agreement about the usefulness of all types of blades.
 
RemyKaze said:
You are a great example of logic and civility. Thank you for not misunderstanding my phrasing. It happens way too much for my comfort. I'm glad some of us are in agreement about the usefulness of all types of blades.
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I respond in kind. :)

Since you yourself is being logical and civil, I can only respond the same way. Thank YOU.
 
RedLynx said:
I have plenty of thick folders but I'm looking for a folding knife that is literally as strong as a fixed blade... anyone know if I can get something like that?
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Anyone wanna bet on how long forumites will keep this one going on BF? :D
 
Krissig12 said:
Anyone wanna bet on how long forumites will keep this one going on BF? :D
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Personally I think it's good for a few more months at least. You can easily slip in comments here or there. For instance I've noticed none of my folders have very good lateral strength for some reason. People have been developing folders for decades now but somehow no one seems to care they have terrible lateral strength for prying!
 
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