Affordable heavy use folder

E

elias444

Joined
Mar 29, 2012
Messages
7
Hi guys, I'm looking for an affordable heavy use folder that can have some of the same uses as a fixed blade. Here are some things I am looking for:

Decent blade steel
very good lockup and a really strong locking mechanism
Good edge holding
Good grippy handle
The deployment method doesn't matter
3-4 inch blade length
50$ or less if possible

Also, would you guys recommend a partially serrated blade or a straight one for survival and bushcraft.

Some knives I have looked at or have heard about:

Ka-bar mule
Ka-bar dozier
Ontario rat 1

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
The Rat 1 is a great knife, even more so at its price. Go with non-serrated and pick up a folding saw to finish off the $50.
 
Almost ashamed to say here but I don't feel a thing scraping a gasket off a rusty old exhaust downpipe with my $7 San Ren Mu 710..... I really like my BM Griptillian but I can't bring myself to carry it yet because I wouldn't use it for such a thing. I'm so tight I squeak when I walk.
 
I'd have to agree with the Cold Steel Recon series, just recently bought one myself for this very purpose, and it fits the idea of affordable heavy duty folder very nicely. The Recon is a big blade, 4", and at around $70 a bit more spendy than your budget. However, the American Lawman is a bit shorter blade and a bit less expensive, but equally heavy duty so that might work for you equally well. My favorite things about the Recon were the new spear point profile, the extreme sharpness out of teh box, the incredible strength of the Triad lock (stronger than any folder lock I have, including some nice Spyderco's), and the very comfortable and grippy large handle.
 
cold steel mini AK-47. like the recon, but a bit smaller, with finger grooves on the handle and a kick-ass wave deployment option.
for bushcraft, ehhhhh
a machete or hatchet is all u need. im not big on fixed-blades so i cant really reccomend what i dont use.
u hear that beckers are nice though
 
Since there is no deal spotting allowed I can't tell you where I got my Recon 1 for in the $50's but if you surf around you might find one cheap. I have also seen the Lawman for cheap too.
 
enlan el-01
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16 bucks!
 
The Ka-Bar Mule is an exceptional folder. Very strong and ergonomic, one of the best sheaths you'll find, I recommend plain edge for ordinary use. Serrations are for rope, perhaps, but a sharp blade doesn't need them.

The Ka-Bar Dozier is a fine EDC but not as heavy-duty as the Mule or Ontario RAT-1.
 
The KA-BAR Mule is a pretty stout yet inexpensive (not to mention overlooked) folder perfect for harder use and even is a available in a screaming lime green ZK varient also while some may get tired of this recommendation the Cold Steel Voyagers are some of my favorite entry level hard use folders seeing as they feature a very secure lock as well as decent blade steel with that being said some aren't too terribly fond of the handles. I feel that they get the job done but aren't anything to right home about.
 
Ashamed to say I didn't know Ontario or Akbar even had folders until I saw this. What about the kabar phat bob? Just stumbled across that one, about to scoop one up after a little BF search...
 
CS dominates this field IMO (<50 dollars, bombproof hard use folders). You have american lawman, Recon 1 series, Voyager series, AK series, Rajah III, etc
 
Thanks so much for all the awesome answers! I'm new here and you guys FAR exceeded my expectations!
 
I recommend the Svord Peasant knife. Good L6 steel, simple, strong design. It's not pretty, but I have not qualms beating on this knife. It is a friction folder, with no lock, which is why it can take abuse.
 
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Let me say this about the Voyagers. I have been using a CS Vaquero Grande like it's a freaking demolition tool. I go through the woods hacking away like it's a machete, like it's a hatchet, like it's going to rip through vines, thorn bushes, and small branches to clear them from the trail.

But as much as I appreciated the Vaquero, it still is one of the uglier knives in the Cold Steel lineup. So when they came up with the beautiful X2 Voyager, plain edge clip point, I bought it. Took it to the woods. Used it like a Vaquero. Blew a huge chip out of the edge. Awww.

What happened was the Vaquero is a full flat grind and the Voyager is a deep hollow grind. The hollow grind couldn't take the stress.
 
The ragged edge serrations are ugly -- but they work. I have the 4" El Hombre Nogales clip point and that is beautiful.
 
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