Advice on small bladed locking folder please.

[Arathol]

Some suggestions....
Artisan Cutlery Tomahawk, comes in two sizes...

Artisan Proponent, again comes in two sizes and various handle materials

Top to bottom-
Artisan Proponent
Twosun TS218
Twosun TS111
Twosun TS85

 

[roaduck]

Oh like them A Arathol
Thanks a million for taking the time and trouble to fish out the relevant models and attach pictures.
I`ve got loads of knife books and videos if you`re interested.
In 40 years I`ve made 700 knives as a hobby - mostly when I lived in Hong Kong.
I just gave them away as pressies - I was a Hi-Fi salesman during the day.

 

[Drop bear]

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!

The cold steel sr1 lite is possibly the standard recommendation for OTT.

And they are cheap.

 

[roaduck]

That guy sounds foreign.
Like me - I`m a mad alcoholic Russian hippy
That knife looks Johnny-proof ! and not many things are.
I go through jobs, girlfriends, cars, computers, money and vodka like toilet paper.
It reminds me of that mad geek on the Blendtec "Will it Blend" video
The only madder blokes are two British mechanical / electrical engineers that are so mad they`re not allowed in a loony bin - only a zoo or circus could accommodate them.
Mad British Geek
Mad British Colin

These two make serious preppers look like warm-up acts.
There`s a fine line between madness and genius definitely.

 

[Drop bear]

That guy sounds foreign.
Like me - I`m a mad alcoholic Russian hippy
That knife looks Johnny-proof ! and not many things are.
I go through jobs, girlfriends, cars, computers, money and vodka like toilet paper.
It reminds me of that mad geek on the Blendtec "Will it Blend" video
The only madder blokes are two British mechanical / electrical engineers that are so mad they`re not allowed in a loony bin - only a zoo or circus could accommodate them.

Yeah. The worst thing that happened was the pivot unscrewed. And it is just a little star nut thing.

I think it is reasonable that he could have stopped and tightened it back up.

 

[Hashishiin]

Sounds like this is your real heart's desire...

 

[Hashishiin]

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

Nice! Got one recently from our own David Mary in good ol' super tough 8670 and purple heartwood

I have no idea why you are not getting rec'd more Wharncliffes though, MAM makes some nice ones, made in Portugal. Higonokami, but no lock... very old, classic designs

 

[Chronovore]

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.

In that case, 14C28N is hard to beat on the budget end. I've even pursued it in custom fixed blades. It's one of the toughest stainless blade steels overall. Edge retention tends to be in the same ballpark as some of the other budget steels I like. The fine grain structure that helps to makes it so tough also helps to keep it friendly for sharpening.

Nitro-V is another steel you might like. It's not on the same level as 14C28N for toughness (or corrosion resistance) but it's still a big step up in toughness from most of the other popular stainless blade steels.

For premium PM steels with more edge retention, have you tried MagnaCut? It's almost as tough as Nitro-V and is practically rustproof. LC200N is tougher and actually is rustproof but the higher edge retention of MagnaCut has stolen some of its thunder.

 

[roaduck]

I`m looking for a mini-cleaver in something really tough - I couldn`t care less about edge retention or hardness.
That cold steel SR-1 lite is mega but it`s the wrong shape for me.
I want a folding pocket-sized mini machete.
The 8Cr14MoV will do me - I`ve just gotta find a thick rectangle shaped knife made of it.
I don`t have many pointed knives in the kitch because chopping is faster than slicing for big tough thick things for me and I don`t want a saw because it`s not as versatile as a mini axe. I don`t want curves or pointed ends at all.
Plus if they`re wider and thicker than a tanto or a drop point or lambsfoot with that added strength you can use them for prying like a mini crowbar.
So like those Chinese Shooziz knives shape - but made of better steel.
It`ll probably be mid fifties hardness but I want it tough.
If it goes blunt I can sharpen it on a brick, pebble or flat rock outside no problemo.
It doesn`t even matter if it`s semi stainless - or goes rusty that`s fine for me.
The only way i`ll get a mini folding cleaver in a supersteel is if I go bespoke which is gonna be $2000 -$4000.
I might just get that Chinese Shooziz because all the American ones are the wrong shape or too thin and light.
I`m looking for a 300 gram folding pocket knife; 200 g is toytown.
I want something three times the weight of a cold steel SR-1 lite which is useless as a prybar or an mini axe.
Like a Gerber flatiron but bigger and heavier.
Then you wouldn`t need as much effort to use it cos of the weight.
Something like this but better quality steel - just under a pound weight - about 400 grams.

https://www.swordnarmory.com/new/ma...-kitchen-knife-stainless-steel-folding-blade/

 

[Drop bear]

Gerber double down.

 

[Drop bear]

The folding razel

 

[roaduck]

Unfortunately the doubledown and the razel are too light for me but thanks anyway

D Drop bear - much appreciated for finding the link and posting.​

I`m looking at a budget Amazon one or the Shooziz direct from China up to now.
There is no choice in England unless I go bespoke and pay daft prices plus the long wait.

Amazon folding Cleaver

 

[Chronovore]

Shooziz got a confirmation in this recent steel identity and hardness check.

 

[VorpelSword]

Chris Reeve Knives has several models of "small, bladed folders" that are well recommended by many.

When wearing a suit or otherwise too well dressed for a pocket clipped tactical folder, I often carry an inexpensive Hen and Rooster brand pen knife. It looks just like a ball point pen when clipped into my breast pocket. check Amazon.

 

[roaduck]

I`m looking for a heavy mini cleaver penknife with a straight blade but all the American ones and German/Swiss ones are too light and flimsy for me and I don`t want a fixed blade.
I`m looking for a heavy knife ( 10 ounces upwards ) with a 4"-5" inch blade that is 4mm - 6mm thick made with a decent steel.Semi stainless, P.M. or carbon is fine for me.

My only alternative option is a bespoke folder but I can`t afford $2000-$3500 on one knife at the moment.

I`ll probably get that cheapie Chinese Shooziz 8Cr13Mov
one in the end and it`ll have to suffice.
I`ve had cheap knives for decades that were used to the max.

 

[Chronovore]

I`m looking for a heavy mini cleaver penknife with a straight blade but all the American ones and German/Swiss ones are too light and flimsy for me and I don`t want a fixed blade.
I`m looking for a heavy knife ( 10 ounces upwards ) with a 4"-5" inch blade that is 4mm - 6mm thick made with a decent steel.Semi stainless, P.M. or carbon is fine for me.

My only alternative option is a bespoke folder but I can`t afford $2000-$3500 on one knife at the moment.

I`ll probably get that cheapie Chinese Shooziz 8Cr13Mov
one in the end and it`ll have to suffice.
I`ve had cheap knives for decades that were used to the max.

Definitely post back and let us know how you like it if you get it.

Seeing some confirmation on the Shooziz brand prompted me to order a couple. Shipping from China to the States, I'm not sure when they'll get here.

 

[roaduck]

https://i.postimg.cc/xjZCcHyL/SHOOZIZ.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/xjZCcHyL/SHOOZIZ.jpg

I`m gonna risk it for a biscuit Chronovore and get the big steel Shooziz because there is no paint to come off and look scruffy with use.

No endorsement for Aliexpress Chronovore but I have ordered well over a hundred budget Chinese knives since 2018 for cooking mostly and apart from a couple of budget ceramic ones which have slightly chipped the rest have been well-made good value for money knives.

I`ve had nearly zero problems buying from that Chinese shopping portal ; If an item doesn`t ship - aliexpress refunds the customer.
I have had a lot of problems buying stuff from ebay uk and amazon uk and I have the American accounts as well where I encountered blatant fraud and significant delays and quality problems.

Have a look at Reddit - Chinese knives.The quality is getting better and better Chronovore .Glancing through I was quite amazed.The ones on steelreviews were jaw dropping.

Usually the shipping takes about 2-3 weeks from China to England which is fine for me.
I`ll order it in the next couple of weeks and I will let you know how it performs and holds up.
Apparently the Shooziz brand has a better than average build quality and is good value for money - I`ll have to see Chronovore .

 

[Chronovore]

I`m gonna risk it for a biscuit Chronovore and get the big steel Shooziz because there is no paint to come off and look scruffy with use.

No endorsement for Aliexpress Chronovore but I have ordered well over a hundred budget Chinese knives since 2018...

I've used that site extensively and really, it's a large market place with individual sellers. The experience depends on the seller. That includes authorized dealers and companies who use it as their main marketing portal to the United States. For instance, Kizer has authorized dealers there and until recently, it was the only place to get Petrified Fish. On the flashlight end of EDC, Simon Mao runs Convoy Flashlights and that seems to be his primary outlet.

So I tried the "Shooziz Knife Store" over there. I'll try to remember and report back whenever they show up.

Do the same.

 

[Thorgrim]

I've used that site extensively and really, it's a large market place with individual sellers. The experience depends on the seller. That includes authorized dealers and companies who use it as their main marketing portal to the United States. For instance, Kizer has authorized dealers there and until recently, it was the only place to get Petrified Fish. On the flashlight end of EDC, Simon Mao runs Convoy Flashlights and that seems to be his primary outlet.

So I tried the "Shooziz Knife Store" over there. I'll try to remember and report back whenever they show up.

Do the same.

Buy knock-offs - and you get a knock-off, it looks like the real thing but it may or may not be what you thought you were getting, most likely not. I say this as someone is in Amazon's "Vine" program where we can get anything in the Vine category for free if we review it fairly (you can't "enlist", you get there by writing a lot of not-for-profit reviews that Amazon likes). You don't have to spend a lot of money on what you want, but you seem to be all over the place (decidedly undecided) on just what you want.

You mentioned a Wharncliffe style knife - that's a damned good all-around blade. But you also want a cleaver, and while you can make a semi-Wharncliffe cleaver, it isn't the best use of that design. My recommendation is that you first decide on what style of knife you want, second that you decide on the steel you want that will stand up to your intended usage, and then start looking at knives. You seem to be "all over the map
on the first, and indifferent as to the second - it doesn't work like that if you want a happy ending. The Wharncliffe is an excellent blade design for most "normal" uses - but if you want a nearly indestructible chopper you can abuse, just buy a Salvadorean machete. It may or may not hold an edge well (probably not), but if you want to cut up cars it's hard to beat as long as you keep a grindstone handy. As someone who used a machete every day, all day, for five years - you can do better. A dull heavy machete is worth far less than a light, sharp machete that will hold an edge reasonably well. While I was a miner, we hired "weed eaters (summer help, usually college students on summer break) and a lot of their job involved included just that - whacking down weeds. We gave them lightweight machetes or weed sickles or decent quality, and files to sharpen them. Only a few figured out that a few minutes with the file made the rest of their days more bearable. Back to the Wharncliffe, when I was a fur trapper the knives I found best for skinning everything but beaver were essentially Wharncliffe styled, even though they weren't advertised as such. There'as a lot of delicate work in properly skinning animals such as fox, muskrat, opossums and bobcats, but despite them being such a difficult animal to skin without poking holes in the fur/hide, I found myself reaching for the Wharncliffe blades (which I bought by the dozen and sharpened the same) when I hit the especially difficult parts in the process. (Don't let anyone kid you, beaver skinning is largely a lost art and only a few can do it economically).

I own a Salvadorean-made machete. It's a brute, and would serve well as a short slashing sword if properly sharpened, but I'd far rather have a lightweight machete made of good steel and a proper file to sharpen it. To sharpen the Salvadoran machete, I'd want a grinding wheel and a lot of patience, but like I said, it's a brute. Anything I can't cut with 1-2 slashes with a lighter machete would be better handled by simply walking around it. I don't know, maybe they're using them for sugar cane or such. It I ever had to fight someone wearing medieval armor, I'd love that heavy machete, but if I had to work for a living, using a machete, I'd far rather have a lightweight machete made of decent steel - and that's where your "steel doesn't matter" argument falls flat. Unless you're chopping up cars. steel type matters, and it matters a lot.

I'd recommend that you take a big step back, and re-examine why you want what you want. I think you'll come back from that with an entirely different set of criteria, and I'm not a "steel snob". Except for the occasional "boutique steel", the price difference for arguably "better" steels is there for a reason - performance over long term, not instant "flash".

 

[Chronovore]

Buy knock-offs - and you get a knock-off, it looks like the real thing but it may or may not be what you thought you were getting, most likely not.

Forgive me if I missed something here but who is talking about buying knock-offs?