Advice on choice of folding knife

O

OneofFour

Joined
Nov 23, 1999
Messages
8
I am looking for some advice on choosing a folding knife. Based on what I have seen and read my shortlist is:-

Chris Reeve Sebenza
EDI Genesis
Microtech SOCOM

While I have read excellent reviews of the quality and robustness of these, I wonder if any of you have any comments on specific features of these knives that I'm interested in such as:-

1) Their ease of one handed deployment with a gloved hand. (In particular, with a wet glove.) - An automatic is not an option.

2) Their ease of cleaning and care after use in wet environments (both fresh water and salt water)

3) The ease of sharpening for someone new to knives (any recommendations on a foolproof sharpening tool would also be welcome)

4) Whether they can have a lanyard or cord attached to make sure I don't lose the knife if I drop it in a difficult situation like.

5) Whether a combined blade with a serrated portion is better for general outdoor use than a smooth blade.

I won't be using it as an everyday knife, but as my main outdoor recreation knife. (Kayaking, climbing, walking)

My apologies in advance if these questions are somewhat naive, but I am new to this and this will be my first blade purchase other than my Swiss Army knife and I want to make sure I get the most appropriate knife for me.
Many thanks,
Gerry
 
Generally, I don't like folders. I went through a long (for me) decision process, before settling on the Microtech SOCOM. The strong 2nd runner was the BM AFCK. I like the SOCOM a lot. The lock is solid. The combo edge reccomends itself for any utility use. Serrations make a world of difference cutting rope, etc. I have not played with mine underwater. The SOCOM comes out of the box with a surgical edge. It also has a lanyard hole. The ergonomics are probably the best I have experienced. Plus its a damn fine lookin' knife.

My only reservations would be that the point on my tanto version is almost too fine. I expect it to break. Time will tell.
 
Gerry,

Here's my shoot at it, as I have all three. I'd also like to recommend BM AFCK, BM Axis and Spyderco Military. All of the knives use ATS 34 (or 154 CM for the SOCOM) except the Sebenza which uses BG 42, and the Military (in CPM 440V).

1. For me the easiest to open with a glove is a tie among an AFCK, and Axis and a Military. Military and AFCK have thumb holes, an Axis has a thumbstud, but it's the easiest knife with a thumbstud to open.

2. Cleaning and care for these knives are relatively easy, just flush them with water and dry. Problems will probably arise if you have sands interferring with the mechanism. With that in mind, I'd also suggest that you include ease of disassembling/reassembling in your list. For me the Sebenza is a clear winner, mine came with all the tools necessary to take the knife apart. You can disassemble an Axis and a Military, but it's difficult and you're going to screw the warranty.

3. All of the knives would be a tad difficult to resharpen, especially if you have never sharpened a knife in ATS 34. Personally I'd put the Military as the hardest to sharpen, but it also has one of the best steel out there. I'd suggest you get a Spyderco Sharpmaker 204 (BladeForums Store has it).

4. All of them have lanyard holes.

5. I was about to say carry two knives at all time, one fully serrated and one plain edged. But if that's not possible for practical reasons, a partially serrated knife is okay. I personally don't like partially serrated knives because it's a waste of cutting estate IMO.

I would also like to suggest that you pay attention to blade thickness and blade geometry. For general utilities, I prefer a rather thin and a little bit of belly. The EDI Genesis has a thinner blade, and it slices gracefully. Sebenza also have thinner blade due to a better steel. The Axis, with a recurved edge will cut like crazy, it's the champion cutter in my list.

I hope I had an easier answer to your question, but there are a lot of knives out there that will fit your criteria. My suggestion to you is to visit your local dealer and handle them all. All the knives mentioned above are excellent, but find the one that fits your hand well. For usefulness I'd pick either an Axis or a Sebenza (albeit at a much higher price).

Ah, I forgot, if you use your knife a lot in wet environments, consider a knife in Talonite, Stellite, or Cobalt Dendritic. They have excellent corrosion resistance. As of now, only the Cobalt Dendritic make it to a production run (see Boye folders). As for Talonite and Stellite knives, you can ask a custom maker to make one (or go to the Custom Knife forum and ask around). Rob Simonich, Darrel Ralph, or Kit Carson, among others, will help you there.


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Reynaert
Fayetteville, AR




[This message has been edited by Frantium (edited 24 November 1999).]
 
Welcome to the Forum, One of Four! Generally speaking, I think of folders as “daily use” knives. In the environment and conditions you’ve described, I would STRONGLY encourage you to consider a small or medium-sized FIXED BLADE. Why?

-- If you’re wearing gloves, a decent fixed blade is far easier to handle and far more comfortable than just about any folder. In the conditions you describe, opening a folder is less “simple” than it is while sitting at a desk. With gloves, some folders may be easier to open than others, but none are as easy (or secure) as drawing a fixed blade from a sheath.

-- As Frantium noted, esp in saltwater environ, you’re likely to get sand or some other muck in your folder, which will interfere w/the smooth opening/closing action, and may also compromise the lock. If you’re outdoors, it’s pretty “socially acceptable” to carry a fixed blade.

-- The strongest folders are not as strong or as tough as a decent fixed blade. Moreover, high-quality folders’ edges are usually hardened to a level which may not be ideal for outdoor uses. A fixed blade w/a decent steel hardened anywhere between 55-59 RC will perform well for outdoor use, and sharpen or steel easily back into shape.

-- As for choosing steels: if you can afford a new “super steel” like CPM 440V or Cobalt-based metal like Talonite or Stellite, I’m sure it’ll serve you well. But keep in mind that the chance of losing a knife in the conditions you describe are far greater, even w/a lanyard. Keep in mind that lesser steels will serve just fine. My scuba knife over three yrs of diving was an Ontario Spec Plus Parachutist w/1095 steel -- a carbon, *non-stainless* steel. Very tough, very good edge retention and sharpness. With minimal care, it continued to serve me well (I tend to think that “corrosiphobia” is pretty exaggerated). If you’re really concerned about rust monsters eating your blade, the widely available high-quality stainless steels like ATS-34 or 440C offer an acceptable compromise of slightly lesser performance for greater corrosion resistance. If you spend 15 secs. at the end of each day wiping your blade down after use, you really have nothing to fear.

I’ve got a Talonite knife on order for marine (as well as general) uses, but I honestly don’t plan to use it for more than coastal camping, shore fishing, or shallow water snorkeling -- I couldn’t bear the thought of losing a $375 knife for which I will have waited nearly a year. If I lose my Parachutist while on a boat or in deeper water, I’ll certainly miss it for nostalgic reasons. But I will also be able to replace it for under $30 rather than over $300, and do so immediately rather than wait another 12-18 months for its availability.

Sorry for the long post. It doesn’t answer you folder Q, but I really do feel strongly that you should consider a fixed for your intended uses...

Glen
 
Many thanks to those of you who replied. I appreciate your comments and I am looking a few folders and fixed blades to meet my needs. It is really encouraging to be able to come to a forum like this and get good advice quickly and easily.

Thanks again for your help.
Gerry
 
Gerry, I'm in Newfoundland, Canada and have family all over the UK including Scotland so I have a fair idea of the climate you're in. I'll give you my two cents worth: Of the knives you listed I'd go for either a Sebenza or SOCOM, probably a SOCOM as I have one (clip point, combo edge, black coating). It's a very high quality knife, the handles are alluminum (no rust) and with a titanium nitrate coating highly corrosion resistant. Also, I find it opens well wven with gloves. If you want the best knive to open with gloves (IMO) it's a Spyderco Military. I can open it even with winter gloves on no problem. The steel is 440V-very good! Another choice might be a Spyderco Starmate, my personal favourite for an outdoor folding knife. All of these knives have lanyard holes and pocket clips.

As far as sharpening goes, I'd recomend a Spyderco 204. Some may say that it's a little restrictive, but it is foolproof. I've tried every sharpeing system and I like the 204 best. All of my knives are sharp enough to shave hair in both directions and can slice free-hanging cigarette papers without any tearing-I think that say a lot.

I hope this info has helped, if I can be of any further assistance, feel free to email me.

------------------
"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
 
You've already got a lot of great info from the other guys and I generally agree.

For sharpening I like the Spyderco sharpmaker 204, I've owned the Lansky and don't care for it.

Folders, I like the Emerson Commander because of the wave feature all you have to do is pull it out of your pocket and it is open. It is large and stout. It feels wonderful in your hand and if you don't like a knife that is only sharp on one side, do like I did and sharpen the other side to give a good V-grind. It is my daily carry and has never let me down.

I also own and use the Spyderco Military and Starmate awesome knives, good quality, large the way I like them and a great price and even better service.

My last choice is the Benchmade Stryker. Good construction, nice edge, good useful point for penetrating. However if you don't sharpen your own serrations Benchmade WILL NOT do it for you.

Serrations are very useful and GATCO makes a sharpener, I think it is called the tri-step, specifically for the serrations found on Spyderco's and can be obtained right here in the Blade Forums store.

The other knives you mentioned are all good and I think it is all a matter of choice and how much you have to spend. Happy hunting.
 
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