4" blade folder choices?

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hoopster

hoopster

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Jan 12, 2007
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I'd love to hear some options for folders in the 4" range. I'm EDCing a Sage1 and have no desire to replace it but for camping and possibly winter work carry, I wouldn't mind trying something bigger.
Typical camping chores/food prep as well as work related (I'm in the Grounds maintenance, landscaping, handyman field).

I've been leaning towards the Spyderco Military or Gayle bradley (tough choice). I know the Military would be better for food prep and the GB better for hard use.

I'm not a huge fan of ZT folders or BM axis locks, and can't afford Stider price levels but feel free to recommend whatever comes to mind.
Thanks. :thumbup:
 
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Hoopster,

I'd say just follow your leanings. The Military will weigh less and has better rust resistance than the Gayle Bradley.

The Endura is almost 4" and costs a lot less than the above two. You could get a PE and a SE for the same money as just one of the others and have two very useful tools for your work.

I work with tools for a living and tend to favor lightweight tools with superior ergonomics, and Spyderco's folders are a perfect fit for my preferences.

Edited to add: For gardening and maintenance the SE would shine on the dirty jobs and the PE for the finesse work.
 
Bill1170 said:
Hoopster,

The Endura is almost 4" and costs a lot less than the above two. You could get a PE and a SE for the same money as just one of the others and have two very useful tools for your work.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bill, I did consider the Endura as well. The two things that are holding me back on it is the lack of a choil and rivet construction. Unless I'm wrong on the rivet part, I do like to be able to take my knives apart. The Endura isn't ruled out yet though. :D
 
link2derek said:
My thoughts too. Maybe pick up a pre-loved one to save a bit of expense.
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While I don't doubt Sebenzas are perfection, I'm not leaning towards one for this role. IIRC it isn't quite a 4" blade, and really isn't in my budget.
 
I love mine, it's tackled any task I've thrown at it and asked for more. It ain't as pretty as it once was but still locks up tighter than a tick.......
 
The Emerson CQC11 Blackhawk is a great working knife that fits your description to a tee.

/dusty
 
I prefer the Gayle Bradley to the Military, but that's me. An Endura 4 or G-10 Endura have screw construction, plus I believe you can now get a FFG blade on the FRN Endura 4s.

Another choice, although probably more expensive than most of the others, but still less than even a used Sebenza, would be a Hogue with 4" blade. My G-10 Hogue was about the same weight as the Gayle Bradley, but with a full 4" blade (Handle's a full 5", too). It is definitely a solid, well made knife. Also, for those that seem to like tip-down carry, you have a choice of tip-up/down. While a little heavier (Maybe 1/4 oz?), the aluminum handled versions have better balance than the G-10 ones.

I ended up getting rid of my G-10 version, but kept my aluminum one.
 
dustyzz said:
The Emerson CQC11 Blackhawk is a great working knife that fits your description to a tee.

/dusty
Click to expand...

Thanks Dusty, I was looking at the CQC7A but wanted a little more blade length. This might be worth a look.
I would like to stay around $150 or less though if possible. :D
 
Anyone own both the Endura and Gayle Bradley or Endura and Military? I'd like to know your thoughts on the choil/lack of choil.
 
Cabela's Alaskan Guide 110 with a Ti coated S30V blade. 3.75 inches and perfect for all those camp chores you mentioned.
 
hoopster said:
Thanks Bill, I did consider the Endura as well. The two things that are holding me back on it is the lack of a choil and rivet construction. Unless I'm wrong on the rivet part, I do like to be able to take my knives apart. The Endura isn't ruled out yet though. :D
Click to expand...

Enduras have screw construction for several years now, 4th generation model, and also skeletonized steel liners and 4 way clip options. Definitely no choil on Enduras and Delicas, but a very good integral guard in the handle and excellent jimping.
 
hoopster said:
Anyone own both the Endura and Gayle Bradley or Endura and Military? I'd like to know your thoughts on the choil/lack of choil.
Click to expand...

I own and regularly carry a Paramilitary 2 and an FRN Endura 4 FFG. The Para2 has a choil that I never use. Maybe in future I will learn to use it, but two months of daily carry has not convinced me. I like to grab the handle for most tasks, and when I choke up on the blade I really choke up a lot so only an inch or so is sticking out, in other words a pinch grip for delicate work without a lot of force. Everyone is going to be different in how they best use a given tool.
 
hoopster said:
Anyone own both the Endura and Gayle Bradley or Endura and Military? I'd like to know your thoughts on the choil/lack of choil.
Click to expand...

I don't have a Military anymore, but the Gayle Bradley's choil isn't much. Honestly, unless you think you need to choke up on a blade for some fine cutting, a choil's not that necessary.

A FFG Endura 4 would be a good choice & you'd save some $.
 
bill1170 said:
hoopster,

i'd say just follow your leanings. The military will weigh less and has better rust resistance than the gayle bradley.

The endura is almost 4" and costs a lot less than the above two. You could get a pe and a se for the same money as just one of the others and have two very useful tools for your work.

I work with tools for a living and tend to favor lightweight tools with superior ergonomics, and spyderco's folders are a perfect fit for my preferences.

Edited to add: For gardening and maintenance the se would shine on the dirty jobs and the pe for the finesse work.
Click to expand...
...+1
 
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