I think so, yeah. I don't do particularly laborious work outside, or inside for that matter, but I like them. They wear well and hold my stuff where I need it. The pockets are a useful size and placement. The crotch gusset is pretty nice too. I have a pair of their ballroom jeans that I really like too.
I'm wearing my fire hose pants today. I have the carpenter variant with the little tool pocket on the right thigh and a semi-useful (read: no pleats, fairly flush pocket) cargo pocket on the left. I never use the cargo, but the tool pocket is perfect for my KSF/Wave/Light combo.
They are heavy. They breathe about as well as jeans. They are extremely durable. I wouldn't recommend going for a long walk or wearing them outside for too long on a hot summer day, but I wear them pretty regularly here in south Alabama all year and I'm yet to pass out from heat exhaustion. They wear remarkably similar to jeans, but seem more durable.
I wouldn't be as worried about wearing away the tang, but I would worry taking away what the relatively thin liner can press against if stressed. I understand that most frame locks aren't much thicker than a liner lock at that point, and I'm sure it's fine. I'm good at coming up with unfounded reservations about strength of things. Comes with being an Engineer.
Oh sorry, I misunderstood you So far I haven't had any issues. The liner lock the frame piece is epoxy'ed to is holding fine, I guess we'll see.
Got the the idea from bladeforums, someone did it to an Emerson Commander or cqc 8 (cant remember) The owner was quite happy with the result so I decided to give it a go.
I suppose it really comes down to what you're doing with the knife. If you're not abusing it, you'll be fine. If you're putting serious compressive force on the liner/frame, in it's original configuration the liner could press out on the scale and add some extra constraint to keep it from buckling out. With the rigid scale removed, that constraint isn't there anymore so the liner could buckle that way if abused.
Again, I'm not trying to stir any pots or ruffle any feathers, just thinking. I definitely like the look of frame locks myself, and I don't think I've ever used a folder in a way that would compromise that style lock, so it wouldn't be any skin off my back if it were a little weaker.
I hear ya man, just wondering if there was some magic about it I wasn't seeing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Bleh :)
There are pros and cons to the framelock. Your lock is more secure once knife is open due to your grip pressing and holding the lock against the blade tang by the pivot However many people from bladeforums say this also increases the wear of the lock on the tang
I wouldn't be as worried about wearing away the tang, but I would worry taking away what the relatively thin liner can press against if stressed. I understand that most frame locks aren't much thicker than a liner lock at that point, and I'm sure it's fine. I'm good at coming up with unfounded reservations about strength of things. Comes with being an Engineer.
Isn't that wallet awesome? I got mine back in February at Bass Pro and I love it. Did you cut off the key attachment strap or just cram it down in the pocket? I've been torn on whether to cut it off.