Advice on small bladed locking folder please.

[roaduck]

I`ve got to admit I know nothing about penknives, folders, fixed EDC or tactical knives.

I bought a Kershaw 8310 Fringe Pocket Knife 8cr13mov folding with carbon fibre handle scales for a neighbour for Christmas and he loves it.I got it on aliexpress for less than $20 inc del and it
looked good quality and value to me.

I am looking for a similar quality knife to the Kershaw 8310 but with a straight blade for up to about £50 - $55 which I suppose is a budget knife to you guys.
I`ve never had a decent penknife in my life.

I think I`m looking for a tanto or a lambsfoot - I`m not sure.
Maybe my best shot is called a pocket fruit cleaver but I`m aiming for as straight as blade as possible with no belly at all.
Most of my kitchen blades are flat and I learnt my core cooking skills with a cleaver in China although I can rock-chop as well.

This is the Kershaw 8310 Fringe I got neighbour.

A tough stainless uncoated 50/50 grind monosteel would be ideal but I would consider a carbon because I`m used to old style carbon Asian and Japanese kitchen knives and can look after it.
I only need a short blade about 3 or 4 inches or 75mm to about 100mm.

Any advice would be most appreciated because I have no idea what to buy.

Please forgive me if this thread is in the wrong sub-forum ; I`m still learning.

I`m in North West England btw.

 

[Another Shepherd]

You want a Wharncliffe blade.

Do you really want a locking folder? I thought those were legally restricted in the UK.

 

[Dergyll]

Try the Civivi badlands vagabond.

 

[DMG]

I`ve got to admit I know nothing about penknives, folders, fixed EDC or tactical knives.

I bought a Kershaw 8310 Fringe Pocket Knife 8cr13mov folding with carbon fibre handle scales for a neighbour for Christmas and he loves it.I got it on aliexpress for less than $20 inc del and it
looked good quality and value to me.

I am looking for a similar quality knife to the Kershaw 8310 but with a straight blade for up to about £50 - $55 which I suppose is a budget knife to you guys.
I`ve never had a decent penknife in my life.

I think I`m looking for a tanto or a lambsfoot - I`m not sure.
Maybe my best shot is called a pocket fruit cleaver but I`m aiming for as straight as blade as possible with no belly at all.
Most of my kitchen blades are flat and I learnt my core cooking skills with a cleaver in China although I can rock-chop as well.

This is the Kershaw 8310 Fringe I got neighbour.

A tough stainless uncoated 50/50 grind monosteel would be ideal but I would consider a carbon because I`m used to old style carbon Asian and Japanese kitchen knives and can look after it.
I only need a short blade about 3 or 4 inches or 75mm to about 100mm.

Any advice would be most appreciated because I have no idea what to buy.

Please forgive me if this thread is in the wrong sub-forum ; I`m still learning.

I`m in North West England btw.

If you bought it on aliexpress you didn’t buy a kershaw. You bought a fake. You also supported the theft of intellectual property from a U.S. knifemaker. Please buy your next knife from a legitimate source.

 

[Bastler]

For a straight blade, look for a sheep foot, Wharncliffe, or lamb's foot. Perhaps an Anker Messer or Weber Messer from Otter in Solingen.

 

[Chronovore]

AFAIK, 100% of the Kershaw knives on AliExpress are counterfeits. Don't waste your time with those. It's an ugly practice and companies who lie about the identity of a knife are just as likely to lie about the materials used to make it. For instance, that "8Cr13Mov" could just as well be 5Cr15 or 3Cr13.

There are legitimate authorized dealers for some of the Chinese brands over there, including Kizer, Petrified Fish, Sanrenmu, and Harnds. If you are outside of the United States and that marketplace is your primary or only source; stick to those brands.

Here are a few higher-quality Tantos closer to your given price, from top to bottom: Kizer Z-82, Kizer Begleiter 2, and Kizer Lan.

 

[Bastler]

You might look for a Cudeman La Marinera, if you want a locking sheep foot blade.

 

[roaduck]

Thanks for the helpful suggestion Bastler - much appreciated.
That Cudeman is right up my street - thanks a lot

 

[roaduck]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions Chronovore - much appreciated.

The Kershaws on aliexpress are a third of the price of the legit ones so they must be dodgy.I like those Kizers ; sorry I`ve never heard of them - I only know a bit about cutlery.​

 

[1911bphil]

Have you considered a Cold Steel Tuff Lite? It's a little smaller than your listed parameters, but punches above it's dimensions.

 

[roaduck]

The knife laws in England are daft Another Shepherd .I take no notice of them.
Years ago a 14 year old here could handle a shotgun with supervision.
It`s just the government disarming the population before they shaft us properly.
There`s more ways than one to skin a cat.

 

[roaduck]

Have you considered a Cold Steel Tuff Lite? It's a little smaller than your listed parameters, but punches above it's dimensions.

Thanks i`ll go and have a look at it 1911bbphil - much appreciated for the suggestion.

 

[Drop bear]

I have been eyeing off the civivi chevalier comes in a few very pretty options.

 

[roaduck]

I`ve just seen some monster Shooziz knives - they`re like folding mini axes.
I like big 2.5 lb kitchen cleavers so a big heavy folder with ball bearings is fabulous.
These are probably a bit over the top for you guys - but I`m an OTT bloke and I don`t usually buy small wimpy things.I like over-engineered kit.
Oh I forgot - I`ve already got an axe on my penknife - these are my EDC thingies haha!
I`ll probably go for the big blue Shooziz - it`s certainly no blushing Violet haha!

 

[Chronovore]

I`ve just seen some monster Shooziz knives - they`re like folding mini axes.
I like big 2.5 lb kitchen cleavers so a big heavy folder with ball bearings is fabulous.
These are probably a bit over the top for you guys - but I`m an OTT bloke and I don`t usually buy small wimpy things.I like over-engineered kit.
Oh I forgot - I`ve already got an axe on my penknife - these are my EDC thingies haha!
I`ll probably go for the big blue Shooziz - it`s certainly no blushing Violet haha!

I recently looked at some of those. While counterfeits of existing brands is a problem on AliExpress, lying about steel content extends beyond just the counterfeits. Companies such as Eafengrow, Fura, and Komoran have been exposed due to steel testing. Unfortunately, too few of the brands over there have been tested.

The unfortunate reality of this sadly widespread practice leads a lot of us to assume the worst on brands that are not otherwise established in the United States. For instance, brands that are only available on AliExpress or sometimes just AliExpress and Amazon as opposed to trusted specialty dealers automatically creates suspicion. Funky names like "Shooziz" don't inspire confidence either. Generally, I won't try a knife in this category unless I've seen some testing.

This is another reason to stick with those known companies I mentioned before. Especially with Kizer or Petrified Fish, you can rest assured that (1) they are using the steels they claim, (2) they've given those steels a reasonable heat treatment, and (3) they have some level of customer support beyond the Ali Express dispute process, for instance if you needed a replacement screw or something down the road.

 

[roaduck]

I don`t really care what steel it is really.
Years ago I never knew about steel grades but I just bought what I fancied.
If one lasts a year ; I`ll be happy.
Apparently the Shooziz knives get good reviews.
I might give one a whirl; it`ll be better than that cheapy Chinese axe pen knife I got for a song. haha !!!

 

[Chronovore]

I don`t really care what steel it is really.
Years ago I never knew about steel grades but I just bought what I fancied.
If one lasts a year ; I`ll be happy.
Apparently the Shooziz knives get good reviews.
I might give one a whirl; it`ll be better than that cheapy Chinese axe pen knife I got for a song. haha !!!

You should care for two reasons:

1. Better steel really is better. A blade in 8Cr13Mov can easily cut twice as much as 3Cr13 before going dull. Now, remember that 8Cr13Mov itself is considered low-end these days. The lowest I'd go in that series is 9Cr18Mov. Both 9Cr18Mov and 10Cr15CoMov are decent budget steels. Forget one year. With a decently made knife in 9Cr18Mov, 10Cr15CoMov, N690, 154CM, or 14C28N and a little care; you can get many years of reliable use.

2. Do you really want to give your money to a company that lies to you? Like I said, I don't know if Shooziz is on the level. Reviews can be hit or miss depending on who is writing them and how they are arriving at their conclusions. You can find good reviews for the worst pieces of garbage. Either way, not knowing if a company is on the level would make me uncomfortable; especially when there are companies who are on the level and work hard to produce good quality products.

Here are another couple of choices. The first is one of my absolute favorite budget knives, a full-sized version of the Kizer Domin with a sheepsfoot blade. It's only $50-something. You get a lot of value for the money and that money goes to an honest company with decent customer service. For something less expensive, check out Petrified Fish. While the blade is not straight, this is their PF818. I include it because it's easily one of the best knives available under $30. They do one of the better heat treatments on Chinese D2.

 

[roaduck]

Thanks for that advice and enlightenment Chronovore - I really appreciate that.
I`d love a knife like a mini axe because it`s so versatile for when the SHTF.
I love big heavy knives like this 2.3 lb effort below.
A big thick heavy penknife would do open air camping food and eat a 5" thick log for breakfast.If it goes dull I can sharpen it on any rock outside - I was in the cubs and scouts in 1976 sharpening anything outside - no fancy diamond plates 46 years ago.
If you saw my big chopper collection you`d understand where I was coming from.
Like this mad one!

I lived in China for years and learnt to do everything with a caidao - from skinning and filleting a 200 lb shark on the beach at midnight to carving flowers out of fruit and veg - all using one big rectangular knife.
My girlfriend likes Japanese handmade artisan specialist knives - I said "too much washing-up and babying - is worth it though - I can cut a cigarette paper in half with a 11" yanagiba - amazing; especially after its had a dance on my diamond stones.
I have a bespoke English caidao in RWL-34 PM steel and oh my god it`s tough.
It`s a 2.4 mm thick - 1 1/10 th of an inch 8" x 4" blade and you can chop fresh coconuts with it without damaging the edge.
My mate said I was mad because it cost $805.00 Haha!
I said even good Porsches have to go out in the mud and rain eventually LOL

 

[Chronovore]

Thanks for that advice and enlightenment Chronovore - I really appreciate that.
I`d love a knife like a mini axe because it`s so versatile for when the SHTF.
I have a bespoke English caidao in RWL-34 PM steel and oh my god it`s tough.
It`s a 2.4 mm thick - 1 1/10 th of an inch 8" x 4" blade and you can chop fresh coconuts with it without damaging the edge.
My mate said I was mad because it cost $805.00 Haha!
I said even good Porsches have to go out in the mud and rain eventually LOL

You're welcome. The value curve for knives is an interesting subject. Diminishing returns are very real after a certain point but steps up below a certain point on the curve can be huge. The steels I mentioned favorably exist in a great place on the curve where knives are relatively affordable and can offer years of good real-world performance.

While not available on AliExpress, the Civivi and Sencut brands from WE have a lot to offer. Specifically, they do an excellent heat treatment on 9Cr18Mov. That's already a decent budget steel but the extra boost it gets from a better heat treatment really makes it stand out from a value perspective.

 

[roaduck]

I totally get you Chronovore - thanks buddy.
I might get one decent PM steel big bespoke penknife - but that`s gonna be north of a grand - worth it though because it`ll last and not need sharpening so often.
I need tough knives because I give them no mercy.
I hammer my cars as well - I had a stage 2 rally-tuned TVR Cerbera - it did w
heelspins at 85mph - 0-150 mph in 11 seconds - it made a Porsche GT3 look like a milk-float - it was funny because it looked like a sleeper being filthy with shit wheels on it so it didn`t get stolen.
I also hammer my `puters - I`ve got an Asus ROG gaming laptop with 17 hard-drives plugged into it and it`s been on 24/7 for five years - it sounds like a hairdryer now LOL - the fan has nearly died.
I want a much tougher steel than RWL-34 I`m not arsed about stainless or edge retention or ease of sharpening - something like a modern PM version of a 1095 machete steel - with knobs on - haha!
It`ll have to be a softer steel like HRC-55 to say low sixties.
I`ve got a santoku in blue #2 and that`s quite tough even though it`s hardened to HRC-64.I`ve had it years and not chipped it once.
This is it and it was a mega bargain too.