All weather affordable folding knife?

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karl_f87

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Dec 4, 2009
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Hi guys. I would like to ask for recommendations. I plan to purchase a Folding Knife that :

a.) can be used indoors and outdoors
b.) can stand the abuse of nature (e.g. high humidity, rain, snow, heat, sand, etc.)
c.) is affordable (preferrably less than $50)
d.) has a one hand opening mechanism
e.) has a fairly strong locking mechanism (preferrably a lockback type)
f.) holds and edge fairly
g.) blade length is under 4 inches
h.) easy maintenance


I have been looking at two knives in particular. They are the Emerson Hard Wear knives and the Blackhawk BHB40 knives. I still haven't decided and I'm still on the search. I would appreciate all your input.

The knife will be used for everyday cutting tasks (I'm in the medical field) and as a defensive tool as well. Please post pics if possible. Thank you.
 
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You might want to consider, in addition, to the knives you've looked at...Perhaps something with H1 steel as it's rust resistant...The companu that I know off the top of my head would be spyderco, but there are a few companies that have rust resistance knives...Anyways...Spyderco Salt series would be my suggestion...
 
Not an exaggeration. H1 is rust proof. You can search the Spyderco forums for more. :cool:
 
I would go with one of the new FFG ZDP Enduras or just a regular endura. H1 is cool if you really need a knife that will Not rust but I'd rather have edge retention.
 
The regular endura is a good choice. However, I have heard that the ZDP-189 is subject to rust that pits. Also while the plain edge H1 knives may be soft to start the SpyderEdge version should have greater edge retention, also they should work harden as they are sharpened.
 
I've looked at the Spyderco Pacific Salt (serrated) in the Spyderco website and the knife seems promising. The H1 steel seems really interesting. Does AUS 8 steel have properties that are close to H1 steel?
 
karl_f87 said:
I've looked at the Spyderco Pacific Salt (serrated) in the Spyderco website and the knife seems promising. The H1 steel seems really interesting. Does AUS 8 steel have properties that are close to H1 steel?
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H-1 is amazing steel. And I love my Salt 1 and Pacific Salt folders.
H-1 roughly has the same edge retention, but rust proof, and IIRC- way tougher .
Some will argue the edge retention, but I find my H-1 as good in edge retention, in real use, as AUS8.
Also, H-1 work-hardens. which means that with every time you sharpen it, or use it heavy, it actually gets harder, thus edge retention improves. Furthermore, an edge, when exposed to high humidity, might begin to rust on the microscopic level, which will lead to bad edge holding and hence - performance.

Just my two cents...:cool:
 
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Razorsharp1986 said:
H-1 is amazing steel. And I love my Salt 1 and Pacific Salt folders.
Aus 8 roughly has the same edge retention, but rust proof, and IIRC- way tougher .
Some will argue the edge retention, but I find my H-1 as good in edge retention, in real use, as AUS8.
Also, H-1 work-hardens. which means that with every time you sharpen it, or use it heavy, it actually gets harder, thus edge retention improves. Furthermore, an edge, when exposed to high humidity, might begin to rust on the microscopic level, which will lead to bad edge holding and hence - performance.

Just my two cents...:cool:
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The underlined portion of your quote makes it sound as though you're saying AUS-8 is "rust-proof and way tougher" than H-1, instead of the other way around. H-1 is the only rust-proof steel of the two, and is the tougher of the two as well.;)
 
3Guardsmen said:
The underlined portion of your quote makes it sound as though you're saying AUS-8 is "rust-proof and way tougher" than H-1, instead of the other way around. H-1 is the only rust-proof steel of the two, and is the tougher of the two as well.;)
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LOL. Sorry 'bout that.
Its 7 in the morning, and I haven't slept YET. @_@
Thanks for the correction, I fixed it.
 
Unless you are working in and around salt water, any of the standard stainless steels should be close enough to rustfree. I'm no expert, but I have experience with AUS-8 and like it. It does not rust in any reasonable environment, takes a great edge, holds it fairly well, and, importantly, sharpens readily. There are better steels, but AUS-8 is plenty good enough for most uses.

A knife that meets your requirements is the Ontario RAT-1. At around $25, it's the best deal going. While it is a linerlock, it's a GOOD linerlock. You might make it fail by driving it into a tree and using it as a step, but I can't see it failing under anything less than that. For all the talk about the shortcomings of linerlocks, I've had far more trouble with lockbacks. All it takes is a bit of debris in the wrong place, and the lock won't fully engage. Debris has an incredible facility for lodging in those places, too, and it can be near impossible to get at to remove.
 
Take a look at the KaBar Dozier folder. Around $20.00, very lightweight, stainless. One hand opening and lockback, too.

I have one and it came shaving sharp from the box. I haven't subjected mine to any hard use yet, but I think it would do just fine. Heck, for its price and weight, you could carry two of them!
 
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