An Open Challenge...

mlanghornes

mlanghornes

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
798
Ok guys and gals, here's the story. I'm looking for a "field folder" that I can take camping, hiking, etc, for general heavy utility use and MAYBE absolute last-ditch self defense. I want something with a blade 3.5" or more, with a steel that holds an edge respectably well, is easy to sharpen, and resists corrosion very well. It needs to be a low-maintenance folder, something I can grab, use, put away, and then clean and sharpen easily when I get home. I sharpen on a couple big flat benchstones, so I'm not interested in combo edges or recurve blades, and I've got some experience sharpening, so I have no problem with long-wearing steels like S30V, M390, D2 etc. I've got about $100 saved up, I can go a little more if there's a good reason too, though. I was all set to get a Paramilitary2, but I played with a buddy of mine's and the compression lock is just a bit, well, fiddly for me. Just not my thing. Any and all other locks are fine by me.

Here's the challenge part. You have approximately (checks watch) 10 hours to convince me not to buy an Endura FFG. Begin.
 
Benchmade 710 in D2 sounds right up your alley. I've seen 'em go for about your price range in the sales forums.

Good luck with your choice - make sure you post what your ultimate decision with photos of course :)
 
Waved Endura. Fast Deployment, VG10 I like it, and the saber grind give you a stronger tip. :)
 
Any "use" description that involves the word "heavy" means you should be using a fixed blade and not a folder.
 
When I say heavy use, I mean heavy cutting use, not abuse. I don't plan on stressing the lock on this folder, since I use my knives for cutting only. Don't get me wrong, I agree with you that a fixed blade is more capable, but in this case I need the portability and low-profile carry of a folder, and for the uses I plan on having it for, a strong folder will be sufficient.
 
scarysharp said:
Benchmade 710 in D2 sounds right up your alley. I've seen 'em go for about your price range in the sales forums.

Good luck with your choice - make sure you post what your ultimate decision with photos of course :)
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What he said. Great knife and the Axis lock is dependable. Holds a great edge with the D2 steel. Classic blade design.
 
What if I convince you not to buy 1, but instead buy 2? Or you could get and Endura and an H1 ladybug hawkbill. Endura is a great value and an excellent worker. 710 has a slight recurve, so I would think that's out.
 
I second the Benchmade 710, although I currently carry a BM740 Dejavoo. I don't stress the lock so liner locks are better for me than axis locks. Less moving parts, less to fail.
 
Way out in left field here but Enlan EL-01. I got one 2 days ago and spent the following 12 hours trying to break it, I was using it for knife throwing at fences on a asphalt parking lot, (im a lousy shot and my friend is worst). I was batoning it through hardwood furniture, Cutting buckets and coffee cans in half and finally trying to see how far we could throw it across a walmart parking lot (like playing catch... but with a knife). At the end of my shift (Im a night shift garbage man) the blade was dinged to all hell, the pocket clip and one scale were loose, I needed to wash it, tighten up the screws (which most likely did not have any loc-tite from the factory, they will soon), lube it and spend around 45 minutes sharpening. Now 45 minutes of sharpening it is taking an edge that was totally destroyed and bring it back to a hair popping-mirror edge (except for one cloudy spot, im still working on that). Now, my pocket clip is all scratched up, my G10 is scratched and rounded off at the corners already and the liner lock is a little tight now, but hey, i got it yesterday, im sure it will work in. I did these terrible things to find out if it was worth ordering some more of there other models, I think I will. The damage, $9.99 with $8 shipping by itself, I was just playing around in the checkout, shipping on 5 knives is $14. Eh, for 18$ damage I know I can afford to either break it or loose it.
 
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What about the spyderco military? Very similar to the para but with a liner lock.
 
Kershaw Rake - CPM D2, assisted open, nice deep belly and hand filling G10 scales.
 
If the rest of the knife is good with you, I'd go with the Para2 anyway. I can open and close the thing with one hand, with my eyes shut. It seems gimmicky at first, and that was my initial impression, but it's easy to get used to, and you appreciate the fact that it keeps your fingers out of the way. Closing does involve a wrist flick because your pointer finger will be pushing the lock open, so unless you have arthritis, I don't see why not.

For me, the weight, size, and ergonomics is perfect for an EDC. As well, the G10 scales don't have that plastic feel of FRN.
 
Para Military 2 is an awesome folder, I have one and I trust the compression lock. The Endura with the FFG is also an awesome knife you can't go wrong with either one.
 
Call_to_Arms said:
Way out in left field here but Enlan EL-01. I got one 2 days ago and spent the following 12 hours trying to break it, I was using it for knife throwing at fences on a asphalt parking lot, (im a lousy shot and my friend is worst). I was batoning it through hardwood furniture, Cutting buckets and coffee cans in half and finally trying to see how far we could throw it across a walmart parking lot (like playing catch... but with a knife). At the end of my shift (Im a night shift garbage man) the blade was dinged to all hell, the pocket clip and one scale were loose, I needed to wash it, tighten up the screws (which most likely did not have any loc-tite from the factory, they will soon), lube it and spend around 45 minutes sharpening. Now 45 minutes of sharpening it is taking an edge that was totally destroyed and bring it back to a hair popping-mirror edge (except for one cloudy spot, im still working on that). Now, my pocket clip is all scratched up, my G10 is scratched and rounded off at the corners already and the liner lock is a little tight now, but hey, i got it yesterday, im sure it will work in. I did these terrible things to find out if it was worth ordering some more of there other models, I think I will. The damage, $9.99 with $8 shipping by itself, I was just playing around in the checkout, shipping on 5 knives is $14. Eh, for 18$ damage I know I can afford to either break it or loose it.
Click to expand...

Proof that we all carry a lot more knife than we really need :-)
 
save 60 bucks of that $100 and get a rat 1 ontario. it's about perfect, except for not having a super steel, but it's under $30 bucks, so..........
 
I've owned enduras for over 20 years. This forum has led me in the past year to purchase the benchmade 710 and the paramilitary2. the benchmade does not compare to either spyderco in weight, slimness, grip comfort or sharpness. The paramilitary2's sole advantage over the endura is ease of opening.

The FFG endura is easily my favorite.
 
Ok everyone, after careful consideration, I went with a bladeforums-style decision and bought the endura ffg in gray...and a spyderco native. I'm really intrigued about trying the native, it looks like such a simple yet strong and reliable design, I couldn't pass it up. The endura was pretty much locked in, I appreciate everyone's feedback though, but its got such a good reputation I've got to give it a go. And the best part is I managed to grab both for about $112, so my budget is pretty much intact. I'll post pics and reviews once I get them in.
 
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