Heavy Duty Folder

[BOD]

Hi,

I am looking for an inexpensive heavy duty folder 3"-4" drop point or similar with a full sized and comfortable handle for medium-large sized hands and would appreciate some advice.

Use and preferences are:

1. for use mainly with wood - strong enough for batoning (if needed) yet with Opinel style sharpness.
2. throws a good spark shower with firesteels
3. no serrations
4. good lock

This is for occassions when it's not 'politick' to carry a fixed blade in a sheath or a parang/golok.

Ta

 

[Bardster]

Something like the Benchmade griptillians would be perfect for this. In fact Doug Ritter - survival expert uses this very same model as the basis for his Ritter survival knife, only with S30V steel instead of the current 154CM, itself a very good steel. The lock is probably the best in the world, very very solid.

 

[Hoodoo]

I have to agree on the Griptilian. Good choice.

 

[Andy]

I like the mini grips myself

I wouldn't use any folder with a baton though

 

[Hoodoo]

Hmmm...I have used lots of folders with a baton with no ill affect. I think people get a little carried away with the baton. You don't need to smash the knife into the wood. You can gently tap it (hitting it square above the wood you are cutting) and it gets the job done...in a pinch. For splitting long chunks of wood, you can start with the folder and finish with a wooden wedge. I prefer a fixed blade but people should learn how to baton a folder as that just might be the only knife you have on you in an emergency situation.

 

[Phil562]

. For splitting long chunks of wood, you can start with the folder and finish with a wooden wedge. I prefer a fixed blade but people should learn how to baton a folder as that just might be the only knife you have on you in an emergency situation.

I agree, however as Hoodoo said, don't get carried away and be careful

 

[bambodoggy]

I like the mini grips myself

I wouldn't use any folder with a baton though

I baton with my folding British army clasp knife all the time and haven't done it any harm.....

I agree with what Hoodoo says about being careful and you should be ok.... Or to quote Mors Kochanski "If the knife can't stand up to this kind of moderate abuse then it has no business being in the hands of a woodsman".

Actually I've battered the heck out of my clasp knife and it still hasn't broken.

Cheers,

Bam.

 

[addyb]

Uhhhh...Bam, are you serious? Wow, that knife never ceases to amaze me.

Adam

 

[Buckshot]

What about something like the Spyderco Manix?

 

[bambodoggy]

Uhhhh...Bam, are you serious? Wow, that knife never ceases to amaze me.

Adam

Sure I'm serious.....take it out in your yard and try it Mate (just be careful not to have it close on your fingers )

Bam.

 

[addyb]

I think I just might!

 

[laurens ch]

that british army clasp knife is really bomb proof i not surprised it can be battened with.

 

[Bardster]

What about something like the Spyderco Manix?

the manix is a great big solid knife - but for me the blade shape is all wrong for an allround bushcraft knife. The blade shape on the griptillians is great but the ritter version is better still.

 

[laurens ch]

I'm not sure somthing with a thin grind as a opinel could take battening.

 

[sxmolloy]

i wouldnt baton with my opinel, not only would i be scared of snapping the thin blade i think the spine of the blade would "sink into" the baton, and not be very effective!

 

[laurens ch]

How about one of the byrd knives there relitivley cheap
http://www.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinnie_store/web_store.cgi?page=FRATOTAB/knives.htm&cart_id=

I think the lock would be the first thing to go if you try'd battening an opinel

 

[addyb]

Laurens,

I agree. The lock on an Opinel is definately the first thing to go. You know that feeling you get when the lock on your Opi slips and the blade almost slices off your fingers? I imagine it's a similar feeling to getting shot at, or realizing your plane ran out of fuel. I don't use Opi's anymore.

Adam

 

[laurens ch]

I quite like opinels although I don't have a great deal of trust in them and only use them lightly(even less now I’m actually considering not using them any more and I just bought a new one today

 

[addyb]

Opinel's are a beautiful knife, and they work quite well but as you said Laurens, mostly just for light tasks. The blade has a very acute angle on it and slices extremely well and the handles are very easily modifed to just about any shape that suits a person's fancy. I just don't use them anymore because the lock scares me. I went through three of them in less than a year, two were No. 7 carbons, and the third was a No. 8 stainless. I stick to a Frosts Clipper now and use an SAK for an EDC. But that's not to say that Opinel's are bad knives!

Cheers,

Adam

 

[bambodoggy]

How did you get on battoning with the Brit army clasp knife Adam?