A great "do-everything", "last forever" large clip folder

Ok, I would have to say that if you want to spend the cash for a large folder the Darrel Ralph Mad Maxx is pretty awesome. Without offending anyone because I know there is a religious following of the Sebenza, I thought this post started with "a LARGE clip folder". While I am sure it is a very good knife it isn't what I would call "large" by any means. Largest I could find is 3 1/2 inches in blade length, in my book that is a small/medium folder.

Side note: As far as how REKAT does business, I'll admit they need to have more of a connection with their customers, but overall Customer Service is very good.
 
Allow me to make some revisions to the criteria originally intended for this post:

1. In the beginning I wanted an honest last-forever folder, after a while I realized such a thing wasn't possible in the under $300 category, and I never really made it clear that I had personal budget restrictions: this being about $200 Maximum and $100-$150 a more likely ballpark. Besides i'm having fun collecting all sorts of factory knives and trying out all kinds of nifty things before I take the plunge for something like a Sebenza or a handmade from Darrel Ralph (which i'm sure will come in a few years).
2. I guess all I really wanted with "large" was something my significantly sized hands could easily and comfortably control, it's my experience that most anything with greater than a 3" blade fits this bill. Something to consider: my Kershaw Blackout is about as small as i'd ever really wanna get for an EDC folder.
 
Y/C I am pretty much a factory collector as well. I love knives, but I refuse to spend the money for a custom. I believe that you can find a good quality folder from a respected company and it will last you for a very long time. Heck, I got a great Case pocket knife that dates back to the 30's still working well. The one's I mentioned above are great knives but expensive in my opinion.

My suggestion is find a good folder from a respected company that fits your hand and buy it, plus you can always buy more:D

On the note of customs, you have to look at the Ryan Tactical Custom Model One. The most wicked, creepy, awsome looking thing out there.
 
Cold Steel Largest Voyager...

YoungCutter, I didn't see where you have personally evaluated the Big Cold Steel's. Have you? If not, I think you should include them in your quest. I have been won over by the largest Voyager in straight blade and have carried it daily for the same chores you state for several years. I like the large size, the good steel, the ease of sharpening, and the almost weightlessness of it! The other knives are great as well but after checking them all, it's the relatively inexpensive and lightest weight, large Voyager that I like the best.
 
Centurian,

I can't for the life of me find a pic of a Ryan Tactical Custom Model One anywhere, but i'd sure like to see it, got a URL or something?

Mr Hudson,
i've heard alot of votes for Cold Steel Voyagers, especially when taking value into consideration, i'm not exactly thrilled with the way they handle customer support but I don't think it's as bad as REKAT, also i've personally examined the Vaquero and Recon 1 lines and was significantly disappointed by what, in my opinion, were some noticeable design weaknesses. Still, in search of fairness, I think I owe a Voyager a personal lookover, I will bear this in mind the next time I visit my Cold Steel stocking dealer.
 
Ok, I just finished checking out the voyagers on various websites, I hadn't realized how nice and large they could get, the ones i've seen at my dealer are probably more in the medium size range.

Ok so, hypothetically, let's say the XL Tanto turned me on - what steel is the voyager series? it appears to be some kind of government secret... :)
 
There are others who know better than I, but it seems like a good quality high carbon tool steel to me. It is a bit easier to sharpen than a Buck with the sharpeners I use and holds an edge a bit better.

I use my hard and it's scarred badly all over. I did send one back several years ago after hammering it through a piece of 150 year old white oak with a sledge... They replaced it with no comment in a few days. I had loosened the hinge a little bit. I had to cut the oak in order to get a door opened on an old building that was FAR from a locksmith AND the knife was cheaper than the locksmith call would have been. I told them exactly how I damaged the knife.
 
By the way, Gerald Willey of Willey Made Knives can put a Spiderco edge on anything. If you want a folder to have a bit of serration on it he will do it for you reasonably inexpensively and he IS good.

His number is 302-349-4070

That way if you choose a knife that has a straight blade and you want some serrations on it, he can help you.

Jody
 
Y/C I can't find a picture of the Ryan number 1. However, I have the catalog and if I can get a friend to take a digital pic I'll post it.The Cold Steel Voyagers are made out of AUS 8 steel which is a form of stainless steel.

I personally like the steel my XL Voyager Clip point takes a hell of an edge. Never sharpened the Vaquero Grande. Voyagers are awsome for the cash. I prefer the Clip point over the tanto, just for looks. It seems bigger because the blade has a wider profile.
 
Should you choose a Benchmade AFCK, the best price I have found is at New Graham Pharmacy (and they can probably sell you some bandaids along with the knife in case you cut yourself).

I just ordered an AFCK 800 with plain edge and black coating for $72.50 plus $5 shipping.

I am like yourself, Young Cutter, not in a position to buy the expensive customs at the moment. Plus, I really don't think I will use any one of my knives enough to wear it out, so a knife I can use daily and then pass down to grandkids really isn't something I need.

Although, I do plan to shell out a hefty sum for one large fixed blade, which at any rate interests me more than folders. I've got my eye on a Randall Model 14, and it is one high-priced knife I am willing to spend big bucks for - as much for the design as for the quality. The Randall knives, unlike many modern customs, have hefty, old-fashioned guards, and that is what I like best about them.
 
The old Benchmade 800's are a true classic. Great knife. Hard to be beat at those closeout prices.
 
Look into an 800 or 812 HSS or HSSR. As many are saying great prices, and since they produce an afck-II model now, which is almost exactly the same. You will NOT have a problem geting replacement scales or stuff from them when you send it in. I just got back one 800s that I swear is the sweetest action and most trick benchmade I own. No play whatsoever, the titanium liner lock sticks to the blade, and is hard to get off sometimes. The 812afck will need to be sent back after heavy use (mine 2 years) for re-adjustment. BM factory service IMO is fabulous, I have had 10 knives come back to me absolutely perfect in every aspect. Mictorech eat your heart out, I owned a few of those and IMO for the money and strength wise they have nothing over bm manula folders, maybe the LCC does...

JC
 
It's too bad you insist on a pocket clip, because the TOPS CQT folders are just about as tough as you can buy, but they don't have a pocket clip.

I would put my CQT up against any folder out there, in regards to fit & finish and toughness.
 
One question: Are you really going to use this knife for all kinds of tough nasty work?
Strip wire, clean battery terminals, scrape paint, build shelters, dig up roots and rocks, ect...

If your answer is yes, then you can face the fact that, sooner or later, you're going to damage the knife (or lose it or have it stolen). Now think how costly it would be to replace or repair.

You can find knives for around 100.00 and less that will out last you. Knives like the Spyderco stainless steel Endura or Police models.

I have lately been looking closely at CRKT knives and they are really well-made for a reasonable price. The only shortcoming I can really find is the AUS-6 steel, and that's not even a problem if you don't mind sharpening more often.

Before buying just make sure you're really getting your money's worth.
FWIW, I've even got a Victorinox SAK that's 15 years old and it has seen tons of abuse and it's still going strong.


Good luck,
Allen.
 
some worthy of consideration imho include:

BM 710

buck/strider folder ( a tank of a knife imho)

BM 800S AFCK from newgraham.com for $67.50, a lot of knife for the $$

MT LCC - a very good knife, and pretty too imho

spydie military/police/starmate - are all good

and mant others, but i have experience w/the above items .....


sifu
 
I think allenC has a good point. I am planning to buy one famous custom (some argue about that) - a Randall. However, I don't expect to use it or take it out of the house much. Given the price I would hate to lose or damage such a knife. If you spend alot of money on knife you plan to use heavily, chances are you will sooner or later be losing or damaging a very expensive knife.
 
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