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4 inch folder recommendations?

B

bakergh

Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Messages
100
I'm looking for a good largish (3.75" - 4.5") folder for my small collection. My two main candidates the M390 version of the Contego or the Manix 2 XL, but I don't have much experience with brands other than the big name production knives and I want to get input from those with more experience than myself. I'm looking for something in the $150-$250 range that isn't to "stabby", i.e. would make a good general purpose knife. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Also, if someone knows a site (other than the Benchmade "knife wizard") that lets you search knives by blade length let me know.
 
Hogue EX series. Well, that's what I'm thinking about buying for my next 4" folder anyway!
 
The sprint Cruwear Spyderco Military is in your price range. The S90V version is only a little bit more.
 
ZT 0200, 0560/0561
Spyderco Tuff, Manix 2 XL S90V, Vallotton
Benchmade Adamas

Those are what I would recommend in that price range. The 0200 is built like a damned tank and will never fail you, the 0560 is a bit more streamlined and easier to carry, the Tuff is bombproof but can be used for finer cutting tasks, the Manix 2 XL is a performance slicer through and through, the Vallotton is what I would call a Gentleman's Shiv, and the Adamas is a very bulky but very capable folder.

I, personally, at this point, having owned all of those, would go for either the 0560 or 0200. The Manixes I've had all developed blade play and/or centering issues, the Vallotton was just too nice looking for me to use, the Adamas has such a thick handle that it was not comfortable for me. Also, I'm not really a fan of the Contego - I don't like the gap between the blade and the handle because it gets caught on things when cutting, and I have had blade play develop in all but one out of something like 7 or 8 axis locks I've owned - some having it right out of the box. The Adamas is a very good option if you have larger-than-average hands, as it is a big, tough, solid, smooth knife, and the only axis lock I've owned that had bank vault lockup.
 
Manix 2 XL is a great knife. Have the DLC coated version and it's great, better fit and finish than the typical benchmade, great steel, very smooth, and really good deal considering you can get them for around $120 if you look around. Not really sure either is worth the upgrade for the M390 version, Manix 2 more so.
 
The Contego M390 is only available this year and only from KnifeWorks and at just under $200 you get good value for a great knife.

Others:

  • Spyderco Manix 2 XL (S90V exclusive to KnifeWorks almost gone)
  • Spyderco Military
  • Spyderco LionSpy
  • Spyderco Tuff
  • Brous T4
  • Zero Tolerance 0200
  • Zero Tolerance 0560
  • Zero Tolerance 0300/0301/0303
  • Fox Deimos Citadel
  • Viper Rhino
  • LionSteel SR-1 Aluminium
  • Dendra Tiger Jump
  • Dendra Defender
  • Benchmade 810 Contego
  • Benchmade 275 Adamas
  • Hogue EX-04 4"
 
With a little searching, you can still find the benchmade 710 in M390, it is the best for EDC in the 4" category.
 
OH!

Hogue EX-01, EX-02, and EX-04.

The EX-02 is one of the best-executed linerlocks and flippers I have seen on a production knife. The EX-04 has a grind suited specifically for improved cutting performance, and the EX-01 is probably the least stabby of the designs.
 
Cereal_killer said:
Benchmade 710, carries like a much smaller knife.
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rajincagin said:
With a little searching, you can still find the benchmade 710 in M390, it is the best for EDC in the 4" category.
Click to expand...

fzla226 said:
Really is much more carryable than a Manix XL, but you're not going to find a M390 one for anything but outragous prices. The contego plus a melt job on the handle might be a better bet.
Click to expand...

You'd be lucky to find a Benchmade 710-2 (M390) for less than $250 which is the upper limit of your budget.
 
JDunn709 said:
Military!
Click to expand...

+1

Just got my first one and love it. It is a large knife even by my standards. Or you can try a ZT 0200. It is a beast of a knife. Check out Kershawguy. He has a few of each at a decent price.
 
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Military. And as mentioned the CRUWEAR version is awesome. Don't know if you can find one though. You will be amazed at how light yet solid feeling a 4" blade can feel.

 
I'll plus the Spyderco Military. I don't even own one, but carried one for about a week while swapping blades with a friend. It was unreal how much blade length you got in such a slim package, and yet it was still beefy and confidence inspiring. If you like the Military but want a little extra heft, a Titanium version can be found for a bit extra.
 
Protech TR4
Emerson Roadhouse
Benchmade AFCK (stabby but good)
Spyderco Military
Combative Edge M1

The M390 Contego is also a nice pick so if you end up there, you'll be set.
 
Benchmade 710 in D2 without a doubt. If you can find it in M390, even better. Very large blade to handle ratio, great materials, Axis lock, and Benchmade warranty!
 
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