Best Folder

A

AJP

Joined
Feb 9, 2002
Messages
7
I am looking for a good all around folder for self defense/work. Lock and blade must strong for work, must be fast for self defense.
I was looking at the Emerson Wave Feature CQC-7 (What is Wave Feature?)and BM 942. Any one have any other recomendations for Under $200.

Thanks in advance.

Aaron
 
I really like my REKAT Carnivour. You might take a look at one if you get the chance to.:).
 
Either the TOPS CQT Magnum folders or the TOPS Thunder Hawke folders.
Both models are extremely tough, comfortable, and high quality.

I have the 747, 711, and the 303, and have nothing but great things to say about all of them, after carrying, using, and abusing all of them on a daily basis.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums, Aaron!

The Wave feature on Emersons is a small hook on the top of the blade that may be used to automatically open the blade on the edge of your pants pocket when you withdraw it. It really works great, and is not just a gimmick.

Under $200, you have a lot of choices. I personally really like Spydercos; think about checking out the Military (wide, flat-ground blade cuts great), and the Chinook (designed by James Keating, who's a widely respected knife combatives expert).
 
In addition to the above suggestions, you might want to consider the BM 710 series. It comes in a wide variety of configurations, including M2 steel.
 
The strongest most reliable folder on the market today is the venerable
Buck 110. There are documented cases of people fending off and killing
bears with this knife. For speed add a "One Armed Bandit" thumb stud
from SMKW and you'll have a complete inexpensive (way below $200)
package that will be there 24/7/365 if you need it. Not fancy but it WILL
do all that you ask of it.
 
right now I'm really liking my Microtech LCC. it is a LOT of knife for the money and the fit and finish is the Best I have seen on a production folder. plus how can you beat Carbon Fiber and Titanium for awesome High tech looks. If you get a chance check one out. this knife is High Quality!
 
Hi, and welcome

1) Emerson P-SARK- great handle, cool blade shape, waved.
2) Spyderco Lil'Temperance- awesome if you can find one.
3) Spyderco Chinook- super fit and finish, rock solid.
4) Spyderco Matriarch- purely defensive, but awesome value at $50.00 !!
 
BM 800 AFCK (m2 maybe), or a Spyderco Military are two good choices. If you want to go nearer to $200 than $100 you open yourself up to lots more arenas, like LCC's which are great, and MOD products. Depends on what size your really looking for. Good luck.

JC
 
Lots of good suggestions. I would add the Kershaw Boa to your list for consideration. It's a solid, reliable design with good looks and style as well. For defensive use the only thing that beats Ken Onion's "speed safe" for presentation speed is the Emerson Wave.

--Bob Q
 
I would like to add that I have a Mirotech LCC and love it. As was said before, it is a whole lot of knife for the money. The fit and finish on mine are excellent. Also the BM 710 was a good suggestion . I also have one of these and I think that it is very hard to beat it. The Axis lock, blade shape, and very comfortable handle make it a very good all around knife IMHO. I don't think that I could choose between these two if I could only have one :eek: , it would be very hard. Oh yes, also the new Bm AFCK with the Axis lock and D2 steel is a very good knife, you may want to look into it as well.
 
welcome fella
there're two types..:

"big mother ****er" --> spyderco - military / spyderco - matriarch / microtech - SOCOM manual / sog - vision tanto / sog - xray vision / gerber - applegate covert folder

"small mother ****er" --> spyderco - merlin / spyderco - delica lightweight / crkt - crawford/kasper / crkt - ryan model seven


those are my favorite ones...
 
Originally posted by Tightwad
The strongest most reliable folder on the market today is the venerable
Buck 110.
Click to expand...

I have had two of these fail during use, and snapped a Shrade version right in half. No offence, the 110 is a good tool, but I have broken plenty of good tools. There have been some improvements in the field of knife design in the last forty years.
 
stjames, Boy, are you hard on tools!!!! Yes, It's true that there have many
advancments in cutting tools in the last 40 years. There have been some
major steps backwards too.

Advancments.in ....
Blade Steels
Handle materials
Carry systems
Lock sytsems

Backwards steps in......
Blade Steel hardness (to much)
Handle Material (some way to expensive)
Carry systems( clips aren't always a good thing)
Lock systems ( some to complicated & prone to failure)

From my point of view it goes like this........
The simpler the tool the less likely it will fail unless it is abused or over stressed.
The less the cost if the tool fails. To me it''s a matter of cost vs. use.

I suppose from all of the changes that have happened time will weed out the bad
and install the good advancements as normal in our everyday lives. But somehow
what always works is the place we wind up no matter what path we take.
 
Not so high-end, but my CS Voyagers are tough to beat: excellent steel, very strong lock, nearly indestructible Zytel handles, and a great price. There are several varieties of blades, serrated and straight, clip, tanto. Take your choice.
 
FOr what it's worth, I have owned numerous 710 variety axii (is that a word yet?) and didnt like them. They were all flawless, locked up mint, smooth as butter, washers didnt move but the blade did (know what I mean ;) ) Yet the feel in hand is too blocky for me. It is a BIG block of G-10, not thin scaled like an afck, very thick G-10 (I know it needs to be for the milled slots for omega springs) and doesent really offer ANYTHING to stop your hand from sliding forward and slicing yourself badly in a slip situation. Sure you could choke back and put the palm in your hand, but for sabre grip safety, not the best go IMO.

An afck has a good finger cutout to prevent slippage, but no sort of choil. The spydee Military has all that and more. Good steel, I was formerly a hardcore BM till acquiring two Spydee Military folders, and I think it is as close to a versatility tie, with the added slippage safety in the choil. The 710 is just too damn bulky and unsafe in a theoretical knife-fight. Not bashing the beloved 710, just that if you dont have big meat hook hands it might not be the best choice. Good luck.

JC
 
well imho i would consider, in no particular order thefollowing:

buck strider/BM AFCK/BM 710/ MT LCC/ Emerson Commander/CQC7 waved/ spydie starmate/CRKT KFF

ya wont go totally wrong w/any of them imho

sifu
 
No one knife is the best, sorry. Your desire to win, cool head, good physical condition, fast reaction, fighting skills and a decent deal of good luck are essential in real life knife fight and you can't replace them with the knife. Believe me or not but this is the least important thing what knife you will have in your hand in situation when knife fight is unavoidable. My best advise for such occasions - run away from knife fight as fast as you can! and don't rely on your advantages, especially on knife as itself.

Well, just to do not leave you without advise you are looking for...
Take a careful look onto CRKT - Pat Crawford - Bob Kasper Pro folder. It is specially designed as folding fighter and will work in self-defense situation as good as knife as itself could. And it is equally useful for peaceful utility tasks. I would stick with plain edged one. However no one coin has a single side - it is a bit into bulky and heavy side for every day carry, for me at least.

Beware of Emersons, they all have single sided sharpening on the side improper for right handed user. If you are intending to use your knife for some utility tasks and not only for destroying - I do not believe you will be happy and comfortable with single sided sharpening...

Oppsss! Just edited to add - BM 942 Osborne is cool knife, I like my green 940 a lot but no way I can consider this knife as really good choice for self defense purposes.
 
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