Fellow Construction Workers...a Question.

[3rdGenRigger]

This question is more specifically aimed at my fellow Spyderco users that work construction, and more importantly, use their knives on the job on a daily or near daily basis, but obviously if anyone that doesn't work construction has something to contribute, feel free to chime in...more discussion is always better than less in my opinion. One further preamble...I do also typically use an Olfa knife regularly for certain tasks like cutting Sono Tube off of concrete once the concrete has hardened, and granted, I'll likely always use throwaway blades for the most abusive tasks like that. However, since said tasks destroy knife blades, they quickly become useless for opening packaging etc. because the edges get so chipped and destroyed, and as a result I always have a Spyderco in my pocket for the opening of packaging, breaking down boxes, cutting zip ties...the usual stuff that's also quicker because the Spyderco has a pocket clip and it's always readily at hand and not in my toolbox, which might also not necessarily be at hand, or at least farther away to be more inconvenient to go to.

And now to the question, which is more for the medium to borderline abusive tasks (I try not to do anything I would consider directly abusive, and by that I mean anything that I think would most likely cause damage to the knife (Wear from use to be considered normal)). Would anyone like to see a smaller knife but in a much more tough steel, even down to something like 3V that will sacrifice the edge retention a bit, but be able to take more blade abuse? I'm not talking overbuilt knife either...something pretty standard as I've never had issues with the durability of the handles (****...I've accidentally dropped my original WalMart Native off 2 different cell towers onto the gravel compound and it was fine both times...still useable knife to this day), maybe hawkbill blade for pull cuts to augment the main Spyderco in my pocket, reasonable stock like 2.5mm or 3mm. Shorter blade to handle ratio to give better tip control and also have stronger tip geometry...something that would make a perfect construction site backup to the regular tasks the regular Spyderco in my pocket already excels at. I'd almost say something Chaparral sized, constructed like the Sage 5 LW, but with a little bit shorter hawkbill blade, but in a very damage resilient steel at the expense of edge retention. I'd likely buy one in a heartbeat, but I'm curious to see if anyone else thinks something like that would be useful or I'm just off on a crazy tangent lol.

PS: Fantasizing about a Dodo, but built like the Sage 5 LW with full liners and compression lock in a stupidly tough steel is what lead me here, but I think I'd want something smaller as a second knife for those more abusive tasks, like cutting the plastic jacket off grounding cables or coax cables etc. Sage 5 LW in MAXAMET has kicked everything out of my pocket recently...the tolerances and fit and finish on the Sage 5 LW are phenomenal...really liking this knife a lot, but I feel the need to be careful cutting zip ties etc. because it is on the more brittle side. I'll do it...just need to pay a little more attention while doing it than I would if it was something like CruWear. Still...that Dodo though...that's going to be a hard fantasy to get out of my head...

[zhyla]

I’ve worked construction. I cannot imagine even spending Tenacious money on something that is going to be a consumable.

[Zbec27]

First thing that comes to my mind would be something with a blade shape similar to the Yojimbo. It would excel in tasks where the Olfa style snap off blades are most commonly used for.

In this case if you were to badly blunt the tip it would just take some effort with a grinder or sand paper to remove the front of the blade to put a new tip back on.

Am I right is saying that this is the concept behind the viking seax?

I'd be fist in line for a knife like that. No matter what steel is used it would have a limited life span but it would be a real joy to use vs the cheap snap off knives.

[3rdGenRigger]

I should further clarify...I'm not talking about replacing a consumable blade knife...they'll always have their purpose and use...I'm talking more about a second smaller folder (I frequently carry two when I'm at work...my favourite second right now for cutting zip ties and such is my Tasman Salt SE, though K390 Delica SE, and others fill this role too). I'm thinking about an optimized smaller second knife like how I currently use mine...different blade shapes can be useful for more specialized tasks than the CruWear or CTS 204P PM2 or CruWear Military (Now CruCarta Millie 2) that are most often in my pocket at work, though as I said above, kind of blown away by how good overall the Sage 5 LW platform is...it's far from something I think isn't robust enough. Said sidekick knife would be built no stronger I think than the Sage 5, but smaller and with a more damage resilient steel than would befit or than I would want in my main folder. I find the serrated hawkbill to be an excellent augmentation to my main folder for just about everything at work.

[Coastal]

How about a Lil Matriarch in 3V?

[Naperville]

Between 14 and 27 years of age I worked in many fields in construction. Mostly we used cheap utility knives.

I say if you are comfortable with the daily grind on construction knives then get a Spyderco in CruWear or Magnacut. CruWear is tougher. Magnacut holds an edge longer. If you know how to sharpen either one is excellent.

Whenever I worked for the IBEW they checked my pouch once they found out I was on a permit. But maybe for the union you work for they allow knives. You know what is best. You make the money.

The Spyderco Native Chief in CruWear and Magnacut are available. I am sure that there are many other Spyderco knives in these two steels as well.

[Fireman]

A harpy is my first thought. Second was the tanto PM2.

[3rdGenRigger]

I'm 37 now, and I've tried a lot of different combinations over the last 20+ years. CruWear is my favourite steel for my main work folder (I'd say CTS 204P is my favourite stainless for the winter months here, though CruWear holds up decently well to corrosion). My Maxamet Manix 2 LW's rust pits can attribute that it's definitely less corrosion resistant than CruWear, though I do enjoy Maxamet and carry it when I feel like it will be more useful than CruWear.

As I mentioned though, and I don't want this to get derailed or too off topic...I'm talking about a second smaller folder to be carried at the same time as the main folder, but with different blade geometry etc. to be optimized for tasks the main folder would be more awkward to deal with, even if it could. It's why I started frequently carrying the Tasman Salt SE as a sidekick to whatever my main folder happens to be (Could be CruWear Military, CruWear PM2, CruWear Manix2, CruCarta Military2, G-10 ATR Sprint, Schempp Tuff, Maxamet Manix2 LW, Maxamet Sage 5 LW...been collecting for over 20 years, and there are others I'm definitely forgetting, but I do rotate between quite a few main folders for work (What I carry outside of work is different, but there can be overlap depending on what I'm doing)).

I find a smaller sidekick, typically serrated, ends up complimenting the main folder at work so well, and I think the main folder will need edge retention more than I want in the sidekick knife...I want the smaller sidekick folder to be a regular knife...just maybe hawkbill serrated, but with a steel that prioritizes resilience to damage over edge retention, because that base is already covered by the main folder. Just trying to optimize useage...H1 is very damage resilient, but it's not my favourite, and I don't need quite that level of corrosion resistance to be frank, and I have a suspicion that there's a better alternative...something a little smaller would also be ideal, but something still with a 4 finger grip...I think the Dragonfly is too small for this...Chapparal sized would be kind of ideal in my mind.

[3rdGenRigger]

A hawkbill Chapparal with a compression lock, even with a shallower hawkbill to fit the handle I think would work...I don't think shallowing out the hawkbill in this use scenario would have much if any real detriment, serrated I think would be ideal, 3V or another steel ideally tougher than CruWear (Which is my favourite overall steel of all time, I should point out). And again...small knife...doesn't need to be heavily built...Ideally same construction as the Sage 5 LW...I'd want thicker blade stock than the Chaparral, but if the steel was right, I think even the same blade stock thickness of the Sage 5 would be adequate.

[riclaw]

Lil' Temperance with a hawkbill blade in 3V?

[Jeb]

Either one of these top two would make an excellent complement to the Sage5 you carry. That way you can keep the Sage5 sharp for cutting and slicing more delicate situations, and use one of these top two to cut, claw and scrape things down. This way not using the Maxamet to do those chores would be my focus.



Now me personally, I carry quite a few Spyderco knives on me at any one given time. One for the stuff you always want the sharpest knife for. Which presently is a Manix 2XL with M4 steel.

Then I got a Manix 2 with M4 steel for more things like tie straps and stripping insulation off wires and the like.
Then I have my nasty knife for crud you have to something with, which for me this knife is a Police4 with Micro Melt PD 1 steel.

Then I always have my multi-tool on my belt, which I just recently upgraded to the Leatherman Arc, which is freaking amazing.

I carry all four of these all right side of my pants. But I have lots of pockets lol. I also use a razor blade holder for the really crappy stuff that I just refuse to use one of my Spyderco knives on or my Leatherman. I just don't always have this blade holder on me, unless I know I'm going to need it and if I do, that sucker goes in the left pocket with my 12' tape measure I always have.
This has been my daily carry for quite some time now, and will be till the new Salt series hit the seen of these bigger knives. I like the bigger knives and always have.

I bought these knives in the pic I tacked on here, just because of like you; liked the look of them for doing just these sorts of things as mentioned here, I truly think either one of the top two would be excellent for scraping insulation off, clawing at stuff you wouldn't dare do with your now razor sharp Sage5 lol.

I just have not carried either one of these killer looking knives that Spyderco has so well designed for us, but I had to have them and I bought them both for just that sort of thing.

One of these days though I will start carrying one of them lol. If nothing else I will stick one of them in one of my shirt pockets and carry it for more than a week and give them a go at what they look so perfect for...

[3rdGenRigger]

I have a Dodo (Orange G-10 S30V)...bought it on vacation so I'd have a Spyderco to carry, and then mailed it home before flying home...done that trick a few times to have a Spyderco with me. I've carried it at work a few times and there are a lot of things I love about it, and a few things I don't. Perfect shape for the type of pull cut to cut zip ties, cutting the plastic jacket off of different cable types, and is nasty at opening boxes (Though I'll take my main folder if I have to break them down 100% of the time...)...don't like the lock with gloves on (Caged ball bearing is a lot nicer with gloves on in my opinion), and I think the blade could remain identical, but the handle could be the same shape but 10-20% shorter and it would still offer a full grip, but be smaller and carry more nicely...I'm off on a tangent now though. And as much as I like the recurve, in practice and daily use, a hawkbill is just easier and more practical, which is why my Tasman Salt SE is by far one of my most carried and used knives.

[Red Leader]

I work in HVAC and am frequently on construction sites, although I will not compare the work I do to doing something like concrete work. Still, my knives do see hard use.

I carry more than one knife on me. I carry a 'main' folder, for slicing tasks, a serrated edge folder, for 'gotta get through it now' type of tasks, and then I carry a ultra hard use/beater type knife.

The main folder has been usually either a PM2 Salt (Magnacut), a PM3 LW (15V), or a Stretch 2 (K390). The serrated edge folder is my Leafjumper SE in K390. On my hard use folder, I tend to ebb and flow between a 'Craftsman folding knife' which is a fantastic knife for $18, or some sort of Cold Steel Triad Lock folder, w/ the SR-1 Lite being my preference.

The fastbacks are ultra popular on construction sites due to their usefulness and durability, especially for a plunge lock (although they fall into the utility knife category). A guy last week let me use his to prop open a door that was seeing close to 10"WC of static pressure (aka so much you couldn't push the door open) - knife did fine:)


For a while now, I have beaten the drum on a 'hard use' type of folder line that Spyderco could do, as I believe there is a market for them, but I also completely understand why they haven't - I don't really consider Spyderco knives to be hard use knives. Spyderco prioritizes harder, higher wear resistance steel for cutting performance and slicier grinds, which are automatically working against the 'hard use' factor, but perhaps the biggest detriment (in this case) is their signature round hole opener, which with respect to hard use/toughness, just becomes a giant stress riser by taking a huge chunk of steel right out of the base of the blade.

None of the above is a complaint and should not be construed as such. Don't get me wrong, Spyderco is my #1 knife of choice, but I also can recognize their limitations. They are cutting implements, not hammers, screwdrivers, or prybars. I know people tend to look at, say, the Shaman, with it's thick blade stock, and call it a hard use knife, and in Spydie terms, it is. But it is orders of magnitude away from what I consider hard use, in that I would never take a Shaman, even in Cruwear, and use it to pry a giant metal door off the side of one of my units, but have done that w/ other knives. In that sense, I feel sort of bad asking Spyderco to make an ultra tough folder, because it would mean forgoing the high wear resistance steel, the slicier grind, and the big cutout in the blade - all the things that make a Spyderco knife, a Spyderco. I'm okay with that, and I'm more than okay with what the knives can do - I don't think there is a more capable folder than Spydercos for the task they were designed to do.

But...still a part of me really wants them to do one lol

Now, if Spyderco was okay picking a super tough steel like 3V (I've beat that drum before and I'm happy to beat it again!), get rid of the giant opener hole (or maybe just indent a hole on each side, don't go all the way through the blade, and give it a tough saber grind, I could get behind that. Could they San Mai a slicey steel in-between a 3V sandwich? There are a lot of different directions they could go, but the current design ethos seems to be a little at odds with what I consider to be hard use - and that definition changes based on the person. Given my field, I tend to define 'hard use' as pretty extreme!

I'm fine w/ where it lands either way.

[Doc Dan]

The Spyderco Kahr Arms Delica would give you the longer handle and shorter blade, and made with 13C26/AEB-L would be perfect.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kahr-Spyd ... nim--22743

[Jeb]

The Spyderco Kahr Arms Delica would give you the longer handle and shorter blade, and made with 13C26/AEB-L would be perfect.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kahr-Spyd ... nim--22743

Doc Dan,

That Kahr specs show it to be made from VG10. Good enough price point for a hard use knife for me, I just like a larger blade for that sort of knife, but that is just the way I roll lol. My Police4 in the Micro Melt PD 1 steel has been hard beat on but I still won't use it straight on concrete slabs lol.

You can still buy the Police4 in VG10 steel and that steel would make a great hard use knife for us larger knife guys and with its thumb and finger jimped choils you can choke up on it for the close up finer detail things if need be.

The big Police4 is a killer construction type knife, I have no idea how many of these knives I have given away to guys I have worked with on different jobs that didn't have a pocket knife.

I just can't even fathom going to work without a single pocket knife lol. And if these guys just remotely seem to me, to be a good worker and honest, I just end up giving them a Police4, if I enjoyed working with him or her.

Just my way of complimenting him or her on how they worked with my work group. Most of them smaller groups from 6 to 10, but I have been on bigger jobs where I was with several 100. You meet all sorts of people on those larger jobs, some good ones and some not so much lol.

This thread has been a great read of our different perspectives, needs and wants or wish list lol. Just an awesome read from all you guys!!!

[aicolainen]

This question is more specifically aimed at my fellow Spyderco users that work construction, and more importantly, use their knives on the job on a daily or near daily basis, but obviously if anyone that doesn't work construction has something to contribute, feel free to chime in...more discussion is always better than less in my opinion. One further preamble...I do also typically use an Olfa knife regularly for certain tasks like cutting Sono Tube off of concrete once the concrete has hardened, and granted, I'll likely always use throwaway blades for the most abusive tasks like that. However, since said tasks destroy knife blades, they quickly become useless for opening packaging etc. because the edges get so chipped and destroyed, and as a result I always have a Spyderco in my pocket for the opening of packaging, breaking down boxes, cutting zip ties...the usual stuff that's also quicker because the Spyderco has a pocket clip and it's always readily at hand and not in my toolbox, which might also not necessarily be at hand, or at least farther away to be more inconvenient to go to.

And now to the question, which is more for the medium to borderline abusive tasks (I try not to do anything I would consider directly abusive, and by that I mean anything that I think would most likely cause damage to the knife (Wear from use to be considered normal)). Would anyone like to see a smaller knife but in a much more tough steel, even down to something like 3V that will sacrifice the edge retention a bit, but be able to take more blade abuse? I'm not talking overbuilt knife either...something pretty standard as I've never had issues with the durability of the handles (****...I've accidentally dropped my original WalMart Native off 2 different cell towers onto the gravel compound and it was fine both times...still useable knife to this day), maybe hawkbill blade for pull cuts to augment the main Spyderco in my pocket, reasonable stock like 2.5mm or 3mm. Shorter blade to handle ratio to give better tip control and also have stronger tip geometry...something that would make a perfect construction site backup to the regular tasks the regular Spyderco in my pocket already excels at. I'd almost say something Chaparral sized, constructed like the Sage 5 LW, but with a little bit shorter hawkbill blade, but in a very damage resilient steel at the expense of edge retention. I'd likely buy one in a heartbeat, but I'm curious to see if anyone else thinks something like that would be useful or I'm just off on a crazy tangent lol.

PS: Fantasizing about a Dodo, but built like the Sage 5 LW with full liners and compression lock in a stupidly tough steel is what lead me here, but I think I'd want something smaller as a second knife for those more abusive tasks, like cutting the plastic jacket off grounding cables or coax cables etc. Sage 5 LW in MAXAMET has kicked everything out of my pocket recently...the tolerances and fit and finish on the Sage 5 LW are phenomenal...really liking this knife a lot, but I feel the need to be careful cutting zip ties etc. because it is on the more brittle side. I'll do it...just need to pay a little more attention while doing it than I would if it was something like CruWear. Still...that Dodo though...that's going to be a hard fantasy to get out of my head...

While I might not be on exactly the same page as you, I recognize the use case you describe and it sets off an interesting thought process.

I'm not in construction, so there's one possible reason I might come at this from a slightly different angle, but I definitively dabble in adjacent tasks.
Like you I usually carry something disposable or semi-disposable when I expect to run into non-knife knife tasks, like cutting very hard and / or abrasive material, and carry a folding knife (usually a Spyderco) for actual knife tasks.
My qualms with your suggested approach is the narrow use case of a hawkbill blade. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic at what it does. The Ladybug HB (and even the Manbug sheepsfoot Salt) are my favorite for precise pull cuts, but their lack of general utility prevents me from carrying even these miniscule knives as compliments to my main carry.
The idea that your post ignited, and I would be very interested in, is a dedicated folding knife that took inspiration from the serrated blade on the Leatherman Charge TTi, combining a wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade with a cutting hook.
IMO it does't have to be the same blade shape, though it's probaby among the easier ones to combine with a cutting hook feature. The main point is to address the widest range of cutting task with as few tools as possible. A tool like this, in a pocket friendly size and a tough steel, and reasonably thin blade stock would definitely appeal to me.

[benben]

I’m not in the construction side of things but I would think in the current lineup, a serrated Salt in either LC200N or MagnaCut would make for a tough folder that won’t break the bank.

Depending on whether stainless or tool steel, and Sal were to make another dedicated tough work folder, something in AEB-L or 3V with full liners and G-10 would be rigid and plenty tough.

I just bought a Medford Praetorian in 3V, haven’t put it through it’s paces yet but I’m looking forward to it, the sharpening response is great, very easy to get super sharp for such a thick chunk of blade stock, my first in 3V.

Have we talked about a Bodacious in 3V before??

[tzirconia]

If you already have a Tasman Salt SE hawkbill but want something similar that is smaller, consider a Dragonfly 2 Salt SE hawkbill. It’s smaller than the Chap but close, and could be a good secondary carry. H1/H2 is very tough and relatively easily to sharpen with a Sharpmaker. This might be the closest fit to what you’re looking for, at least for current production.

Good luck and let us know what you choose!

[JFR1]

I do in-home repairs for stores in my area. I have a similar perspective of carrying a knife for light duty work (currently enjoying a MagnaCut UKPK) and a utility knife for stuff I wouldn't want to put my knife through.

I've been pondering the Dragonfly 2 for a secondary carry since I know it's easy to toss in my pocket. I'm thinking the PD#1 sprint (currently still available at my retailer of choice) might fit the role you're looking for. It's something I'm considering since I've never tried CruWear.

[Red Leader]

The Spyderco Kahr Arms Delica would give you the longer handle and shorter blade, and made with 13C26/AEB-L would be perfect.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kahr-Spyd ... nim--22743

Doc Dan,

That Kahr specs show it to be made from VG10. Good enough price point for a hard use knife for me, I just like a larger blade for that sort of knife, but that is just the way I roll lol. My Police4 in the Micro Melt PD 1 steel has been hard beat on but I still won't use it straight on concrete slabs lol.

You can still buy the Police4 in VG10 steel and that steel would make a great hard use knife for us larger knife guys and with its thumb and finger jimped choils you can choke up on it for the close up finer detail things if need be.

The big Police4 is a killer construction type knife, I have no idea how many of these knives I have given away to guys I have worked with on different jobs that didn't have a pocket knife.

I just can't even fathom going to work without a single pocket knife lol. And if these guys just remotely seem to me, to be a good worker and honest, I just end up giving them a Police4, if I enjoyed working with him or her.

Just my way of complimenting him or her on how they worked with my work group. Most of them smaller groups from 6 to 10, but I have been on bigger jobs where I was with several 100. You meet all sorts of people on those larger jobs, some good ones and some not so much lol.

This thread has been a great read of our different perspectives, needs and wants or wish list lol. Just an awesome read from all you guys!!!

We've talked about this before, but again I'll say it is very generous of you to give away the knives you do, and a great way to increase the size of the Spydie family! Great work!