Assisted 3-3.5" Plain Edge Folder recommendations

S

soapboxpreacher

Joined
Apr 3, 2010
Messages
955
Ok after some research I have narrowed my needs down:

blade length 3-3.5" (Under 3" in IL and you wont get a lot of grief)
Plain edge no serration
Nice sturdy clip for front right pants pocket
Assisted opening mechanism
EDC
Sturdy (Would like it to be a workhorse!)
Reliable Lock!!

Some I have found that I like:

ZT 0350

ZT0350.jpg


Impressive! I like the steel but dont know about the liner and build quality for sturdiness. Also not familiar with the locking and how well it works compared to benchmades 580 type. Scales are probably the best of these 4! ZT seems to have an excellent rep.

Benchmade 585 Mini

BM585.jpg


This is probably were i am leaning. I believe the Assisted mechanism is one of the finest if not the best, the liners add great strength and the locking mechanism is one I really like! Handle is just alright and the steel isnt as good as the S30V but still nice! But it is very Light!

Kershaw Blur

KS1670s30v.gif


I dont thing this one is as nice as the other 2 above, aluminum frame probably not as tough, liner lock not my favorite but the blade is light

Sog Aegis

19sgae01.jpg


Interesting, cheap, I like the blade cut, Steel is ok, it is light, I like the lock release and the indicator.

I currently only have one folder and a ton of fixed blades. So now I need to get a few good folders. One for the Car, EDC, and my laptop bag. I have a benchmade 580 and I love it but it is a little too long and big for an EDC, heavy, and slightly bulky. I absolutely love the action and the locking. I lock it much more than a liner lock!!! I feel confident it will not close if I am using it heavily which I have. Not to mention the lock is fast to operate! I also like the stainless steel liners, they add a ton of strength and there is no play what so ever! This is my benchmark to compare all other folder too, my baseline if you may. Let me know if I am missing a blade that fits my needs.
 
I love my Kershaw Boa, it is a fantastic knife, aluminum scales over 440hc liners, s30v blade, built like a tank... They are discontinued but there are definitely deals to be had.

-Jack
 
The aluminum scales on the Blur would be the strongest of the bunch simply because aluminum is stronger than G10 or plastic. However the ZT has the thickest steel liners so I think that would pretty much make up for it. The liner locks on ZTs are very stout and when you combine that with the burly blade and pivot I think the 0350 would stand up to the most use. Also the fat handle is nice in the hand. I don't like the plastic scales on the Benchmade (they did do a special run or Knifeworks with G10 though) and I never really understood the point of making an Axis knife AO. The axis system is so fast and smooth on its own. I personally wouldn't bother with the SOG, I havn't heard anything good about them. I agree though that the blade looks good but the other choices are all better.
 
canook said:
I personally wouldn't bother with the SOG, I havn't heard anything good about them. I agree though that the blade looks good but the other choices are all better.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: It looks that it's getting more and more frequent to open a thread and see something like "gerber sucks" "SOGs are crap" "kershaw makes no decent knives"... you know what I'm talking about.

It happens that people should USE and own and carry the knives before they copy some opinion from someone else that they heard or liked or "it seems I agree with this guy who makes a lot of reviews".

Just as an example: I own a Spyderco Tenacious and from the 1st day I knew it existed I could just hear good things about it. No question it's a great knife but I don't carry it as often as that. And why is that? Isn't it a good knife? Isn't it strong and easy to open and comfortable and sharp and so on and so on? Yeah it is, but I (me, myself, in my uses) don't like to carry it on my pocket. Sooner or later I'll buy one of those ZT's but I know I won't be carrying it as much for the same reason as the Tenacious: they are wide folders that get too big for my pocket.

I own SOG's and I can tell good things about them :) My new EDC is a SOG Visionary I. I have bigger, assisted opened, framelock folders. I used to wonder about knives that are offered in two sizes and think like "why the hell I'll buy a smaller knife for just 4 or 5 euros less than its big brother?" But that was some years ago, when I liked the knives based on reviews, some of them made by just collectors that use their knives to slice paper while sitting on their couches (I'm not saying it's you canook, don't take it personally).
 
canook said:
The aluminum scales on the Blur would be the strongest of the bunch simply because aluminum is stronger than G10 or plastic. However the ZT has the thickest steel liners so I think that would pretty much make up for it.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking. The Aluminum handles on the blur pretty much outclass the plastic handles of the SOG and Benchmade in terms of sheer toughness, and will probably stand more abuse than G10. I've thrown all kinds of abuse at mine, and although they look like five miles of bad road, the kind of abuse they shrug off would destroy plastic.

You might also check out the Kershaw Cyclone if you can find one. Very abusable knife, but quite well made. A friend of mine also swears by his SOG Flash-II, but it's got all manner of blade play and the steel is nothing to write home about.
 
BM913 Nitrous Stryker. Powerful and extremely durable assist. 3.75 ounces with full titanium liners and g10 scales. Solid lock up on mine, no movement in any direction. Its righthanded only which is fine for you, but also only tip down carry.
To me its very comfortable in the hand but still very grippy.

Its my favorite assisted opener by far.

EDIT: Forgot to say the blade length is exactly 3.5in
 
I'm kinda new here at the forums, so can you guys explain me what do you mean by sturdy and workhorses and strong folders?
I know what a strong and sturdy fixed blade is, but what's that for folders? Are you going to baton, chop, pry and dig with a folder?

I like all the options mentioned in the 1st post, specially the ZT. The SOG Aegis is also a cool one, I don't have it but I had one on my hands already. But would it be a wise thing to use any of these folders for example for battoning? Humm, what's the limit for "strong" in a folder? Sure there are sturdier folder than others, but in my opinion once you use one of these folders with assisted openings and extremely engineered locking mechanisms to baton trough a thick branch none of them would be in great condition after...



I've done this and I think this is abuse when performed with a folder...
 
tonijedi said:
:rolleyes: It looks that it's getting more and more frequent to open a thread and see something like "gerber sucks" "SOGs are crap" "kershaw makes no decent knives"... you know what I'm talking about.

It happens that people should USE and own and carry the knives before they copy some opinion from someone else that they heard or liked or "it seems I agree with this guy who makes a lot of reviews".

Just as an example: I own a Spyderco Tenacious and from the 1st day I knew it existed I could just hear good things about it. No question it's a great knife but I don't carry it as often as that. And why is that? Isn't it a good knife? Isn't it strong and easy to open and comfortable and sharp and so on and so on? Yeah it is, but I (me, myself, in my uses) don't like to carry it on my pocket. Sooner or later I'll buy one of those ZT's but I know I won't be carrying it as much for the same reason as the Tenacious: they are wide folders that get too big for my pocket.

I own SOG's and I can tell good things about them :) My new EDC is a SOG Visionary I. I have bigger, assisted opened, framelock folders. I used to wonder about knives that are offered in two sizes and think like "why the hell I'll buy a smaller knife for just 4 or 5 euros less than its big brother?" But that was some years ago, when I liked the knives based on reviews, some of them made by just collectors that use their knives to slice paper while sitting on their couches (I'm not saying it's you canook, don't take it personally).
Click to expand...

I'll admit that I don't have any experience with the SOG Aegis so I probably shouldn't just say "don't bother". I do have limited experience with the SOG Trident though. My friend had one and was having problems with the Arc lock. I only reccomended the others over it because of that and the plastic handles, I'm just not a plastic fan. I don't mind the AUS8 steel though.

No worries, I didn't take it personally. These forums are made for discussion after all :):thumbup:

Someone else mentioned the Benchmade Nitrous Stryker. I have a Mini and can say it fires fast! It's also very light, pretty slim and has what I consider to be the nicest silhouette of any folder. The D2 steel is great for a work knife too.
 
I carried a Blur everyday...until I got a Mini Barrage. Now I have two, and hardly carry the Blur....
 
canook said:
My friend had one and was having problems with the Arc lock. I only reccomended the others over it because of that and the plastic handles, I'm just not a plastic fan. I don't mind the AUS8 steel though.
Click to expand...

What kind of problems? I have a Flash II for 2 years already and never had any problems with it, that's why I bought the Visionary...

I've to try this Benchmade Mini, looks awesome!
 
tonijedi said:
What kind of problems? I have a Flash II for 2 years already and never had any problems with it, that's why I bought the Visionary...

I've to try this Benchmade Mini, looks awesome!
Click to expand...

After a couple weeks of use it developed significant up and down play and the arc lock would be all the way forward. That had been the same complaint I'd heard about other SOGs with the arc lock.

The Mini Stryker is pretty cool. I would like to see one in the future in an AO frame lock like the 790 Subrosa.:thumbup:
 
canook said:
After a couple weeks of use it developed significant up and down play and the arc lock would be all the way forward. That had been the same complaint I'd heard about other SOGs with the arc lock.
Click to expand...

That's pretty annoying, specially for a 150USD knife like the Visionary I. If I have any issue with this lock I'll tell you here at the forums, guys!
 
Out of the given choices, I'd go with the Blur. Good blade steel, and reasonable price. The Blur is one of the very few linerlocks I trust. Kershaw probably has the best assisted folders out there. It also carries very well.

I personally just don't care for the ZT, the looks don't do much and I find it a bit bulky. The liner is probably slightly stronger than that of the Blur's, although it shouldn't matter.

The Benchmade would be a distant third. I personally have no problem with the 154CM blade, as its my favorite steel. I prefer the axis lock to all other locks. I'm not big on Benchmade's assisted folders, as I've heard many complaints and problems on earlier models. The handle material also doesn't do much for me, as it feels cheap.

The sog wouldn't even be a consideration, far better companies out there.
 
I own the Blur and the Aegis and if you are choosing between the two, you really want the Blur. The SOG Aegis was the first folder I ever purchased - I bought one in black TiNi finish and one in satin finish, I was so enamored with the wicked blade shape. The Aegis deploys lightning quick but both of mine have significant up/down blade play, off-centered blades, and after a couple of months one knife is developing a crack at the butt of the plastic handle. The Aegis is probably the most frustrating item I've ever owned because I still love the blade shape lol. Also, the portion of the blade edge near the tip actually impacts the opposing plastic of the handle. There has always been a hairline crack in the plastic where the blade hits it every time I close the knife - on both of my Aegises. I will probably end up sending at least one in to SOG.

The Blur, on the other hand, has perfect blade centering, no blade wiggle whatsoever, and the assisted opening feels much smoother, if not as quick as the Aegis if anyone is counting milliseconds. The overall fit and finish is remarkably higher quality than the SOG, I can't believe these two knives are in the same price category.

Just my personal experience...
 
xmtgx said:
BM913 Nitrous Stryker. Powerful and extremely durable assist. 3.75 ounces with full titanium liners and g10 scales. Solid lock up on mine, no movement in any direction. Its righthanded only which is fine for you, but also only tip down carry.
To me its very comfortable in the hand but still very grippy.

Its my favorite assisted opener by far.

EDIT: Forgot to say the blade length is exactly 3.5in
Click to expand...

They have a mini and I really like this one!! D2 is a tough steel as well as titanium liner. How is the assist mechanism? This one has caught my attention it is up there with the ZT 0350 and the DM585. But the clip isnt my favorite.

907d2.jpg


The 585 and ZT 0350 clip is a better orientation coming from the 580. But the 585 grip/handle is one of my hang ups, if it was a different material I would be all in.

For Steel the The BM907 D2 is my first then the ZT S30V, and finally the 585 154CM. These are folders so all of these steels are more than acceptable.

As for Lock the BM is tops both the 585 then 907 and finally the ZT.

Grip is 907, ZT, then 585

Assistance is 585, ZT, 907. ZT is nice..almost a tie with the 585

Blade shape, 907, 585, ZT..in that order.

Once again TOUGH choice...damn it!
 
wuluf said:
I carried a Blur everyday...until I got a Mini Barrage. Now I have two, and hardly carry the Blur....
Click to expand...

I think this is really between the ZT and the 585 Mini. Since I already have a 580 (the big version of the 585) I might give the ZT a shot. If it doesnt work out I can always get a 585. The Blur seems to be distant to the ZT and the 585. Still an excellent Blade and a better price.

Tonijedi, I hear you with the baton, chop, pry and dig...but honestly the length is too short and most folder just can hold up for a lot of these activities. To an extent some can hand some of this in a very limited and light fashion. But when we talk about sturdy I am referring to no wiggle (side to side), solid no slip lock, either liner or axis. Also no play when the blade is in the locked position. I would love to have a folder that could pry to a degree or be wedged in between things. To a degree some should do this. A HEST will be one that can take a beating like this. It is on my list. But for now I want something that is a tank...for a folder that has an assisted opening mechanism.
 
In my opinion, you should go with the ZT 0350. Its liner lock is one of the best I've seen, feels great in hand, locks up completely solid, and has a great blade steel. It's 5-6 ounces (i can't remember) but it really doesn't feel bad in the pocket at all. I've never even held or used the Benchmade so my second choice would be a Kershaw Blur. My dad has carried one for about a year and a half now and he likes it. Although, some blade play up and down has started up and cant be fixed with the pivot bold and the rubber inlays lose some of their grib after use but other than that it's a great knife for the money.
 
You might want to wait for the rumored automatic version of the Hogue EX01.
 
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