Any thoughts on a tough folder with 5 inch blade

I second the above advice...

Spartan... Best bang for the buck. Even better after the tanto regrind.

Espada et al... Nice but too slick. Pocket clip is mounted too high for a proper wave grip. Needs to be drilled for L/R. Needs a lanyard hole too. Blade stock is .125" for all models. I'd prefer .200" for the L and XL.

Ontario/Hossom Retribution... I bought one of each size and waved them. Both are waiting in Reese's shop for a rehandle in Emerson style G10 with L/R tip up clip. If you can find one of these, buy it and have the above mads done!
 
Spartan is definatly the best bang for the buck!

I have to disagree with you on the espada though: to me it is MUCH easier to draw than the spartan. I think the clip is in the PERFECT spot unlike the spartan that rides too deep. The scales are slickish but that just means less drag on draw and the handle design makes it very secure in my hand. When I draw the knife jumps into my hand open and at the lower handle spot, just where i want it. I also see no need for a lanyard on this knife, not so for the spartan....

The blade thickness is also fine for what it is, a defensive knife. A thicker blade would mean a thicker knife and this thing is a joy to EDC as it is.....
 
Don't forget the Benchmade LFK -
benchmade-lfk-500x150.jpg


Kind of an interesting design, and at about $60, affordable. Can't vouch for how tough it is though.

Andy
 
The Espada Large is pretty amazing. So amazing that I ended up with two!

I've never handled the Spartan, but the pocket clip is mounted pretty high. The G10 is pretty slick, and you can forget about waving it with non-grippy gloves. I've found that I'm alright without a lanyard, although I may end up putting a lanyard hole in, as well as getting someone to set it up for L/R.

And the aluminum is impossible to keep scratch free. But other than that, it's a sweet knife.
 
I liked the L Espada enough that I contacted the designer to build a one off mid size with all the things the production model lacked. :D
 
Chris "Anagarika";10509880 said:
New Voyager XL has PE at 5.5 inch. Saw it available for 50-60$ range on eeee bay.

Not sure how tough you need it to be though.
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That's tough enough. And the price is a nice bonus too. Thanks!
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
Don't forget the Benchmade LFK -
benchmade-lfk-500x150.jpg


Kind of an interesting design, and at about $60, affordable. Can't vouch for how tough it is though.

Andy
Click to expand...

It isnt very confidence inspiring. Thin liner lock and thin blade near tip makes it wobble with laterally applied dorce, not from bladeplay but from give
 
There are two threads regarding tough folders and both are ongoing.

The fact is, there is no tougher, or stronger, folder than the Cold Steel Rajah II. Period. Next to that is probably the Spartan. That said, Cold Steel is the only knife company I know of that is dedicated to making large, strong, knives. As many have indicated, this is just the way it is. Steve Demko designed a near foolproof folder that is as close to being a fixed blade as a folding knife can get. There is nothing nearly as strong as a Tri-Ad, and hating Cold Steel isn't going to change that.

Nutnfancy has a great review on the new Recon 1 you might want to check out.
 
cutter17 said:
Though not quite 5.0" blade, actually 4 5/8", the Ontario Hossom Retribution I is a very tough folder. Built like a brick sh*thouse with thick titanium liners (.100" thick), and a thicker blade at .200". Course it is a sheath carry only folder......unless you have the desire to turn it into a pocket clip folder, cause it is possible.:)

Just a stock photo.












8782.jpg
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My thoughts exactly +1 BTW I had my big gun site reground now it has no serrations.
 
lol me either... didn't even check the date

btw, Chris, what G10 rajah are you talking about?
 
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