Best folding knife choice for the outdoors?

Spyderco Mini-Manix or Endura. Although lately I've been carrying a RAT cutlery Izula in my pocket a lot of the time.
 
After many years of collecting, using and reading about folders for camping/wilderness/survival my choice for a folder has to have the following:

No recurves - no real advantage and hard to sharpen with conventional stones

Stainless - don't want to maintain a small knife from rusting specially on the pivot

Simple Drop point or similar, no tantos or crazy shapes, got to habe some belly but some point also (Emerson Commander and ZT 0300 have large belly but the point sucks, Leek or similar is too pointy)

No autos - mechanism might get compromised

No natural materials to rot, break, soak fluids

Locking system - mmmm... let me see, Lockback is simple and reliable but can get clogged, liner lock is manufacturer sensitive, love axis, love compression.

Not to many crevices - open ended on the back if possible, easier to clean

Serrations - depends, Benchmade type are so shallow that they act as a secondary thinner edge and might be useful for many tasks

Thumbstud, disk, hole - no preferences

Handles - simple slab design but if G-10 or something to isolate cold even better.

Clip - Tip up

Based on that:
Affordables:
Spyderco Endura PE
Spyderco Manix (this is the one on my PSK)
Benchmade 710 Serrated or PE (the shallow recurve can be worked around)
Many of the Benchmades (Rittergrip etc...)
Cold Steel Voyager 5" clip (don't like that you cannot disassemble it)

High-end:
Sebenza (the epitome of simplicity)
XM-18 (drools...:grumpy:) probably my grail:D
Microtech SOCOM basic (love the spring loaded liner lock)
Microtech Amphibian (the recurve is very shallow)
Strider AR

Leatherman Charge AL - Hey it's got 2 folding knives +saw +many other things! For me the Leatherman killed the SAK.
 
I have carried a number of things, but the one I really like....

Is the Ka-Bar Dozier Thumb Notch Folder, takes a truly wicked edge, and is cheap.
 
For me I would have to say the one I use for all outdoors activities, the Fallkniven TK3...
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Kind regards
Mick
 
Manix or my rat folder with a kabar dozier as back up.

Never see anyone talk of the kabar doziers and they are my favourite cheap work knife. 27 to 35 bucks here in Canada and they are great. AUS8 steel, zytel, 3 sizes with either doziers skinner blade,clip point and a 4in blade droppoint.

I go into attics and crawlspaces for work and cut a lot of crap with them, tough enough for light abuse and not the end of the world if you lose one. Lost a spydie down a wall void once!!

Always have a fixed rat, grohman, trailmaster... or some kind of 3.5 to 9.5 in blade fixed as well, depends on the situation and mood.
 
If I'm wearing a small-medium fixed blade, then I'll carry a Vic Huntsman or Hiker.

If I'm carrying a large fixed blade (chopper), then I'll carry a Benchmade 710 or Spyderco Manix. I just got a new ZT0301 and that will be another choice.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
If I could have one folder, I will be honest - it would be my Buck 110. It is a proven knife, and I know of many people this is the most expensive folder they ever bought, and couldn't see why any knife cost any more. To them, it does what a knife is supposed to do, and that is cut.
 
I'd wan't something with a fairly thick, round handle, something like a Buck 110. What's good and low profile in the pocket for EDC is too thin & uncomfortable for using on wood.
 
Queen Mountain Man lockback. Same amount of blade as my Buck 110, in a lighter, slimmer, handier package. Also prettier. Better steel (D2 vs. 420HC), better grind (full-flat vs. hollow. Equally well-made, in America. Like the Buck, I think it requires a belt-pouch... got a nice one from AGR for like $20.

I'd much rather have a fixed blade, but I'd be happy with the Queen.
 
James_Terrio said:
Queen Mountain Man lockback. Same amount of blade as my Buck 110, in a lighter, slimmer, handier package. Also prettier. Better steel (D2 vs. 420HC), better grind (full-flat vs. hollow. Equally well-made, in America. Like the Buck, I think it requires a belt-pouch... got a nice one from AGR for like $20.

I'd much rather have a fixed blade, but I'd be happy with the Queen.
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That's too dang perty for me to want to take it in the woods. :D Looks like a sweet blade. I may get one and face it off against the 110 while I am at work.:cool:
 
dougo83 said:
That's too dang perty for me to want to take it in the woods. :D
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Why not take it in the woods? The maple is stabilized, the nickle/silver bolsters look good with a little patina on them or can be polished up easily, the blade is good, durable steel that holds an edge a long time.

Side-by-side with a 110 is a good idea. Someone who has both should write a review. Oh crap, that's me! :o
 
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I have been carrying, a ZT200, while turkey hunting. I like it alot. I also carry it when riding the 4 wheeler. Don't worry alot about hurting it. Its heavy, but it get you in better shape,haha.
 
I usually carry a Benchmade Vex and a SAK in the woods. Thinking of picking up a Spyderco Tenacious soon, though. And who knows what'll catch my eye at Blade this year. :D
 
Big Mike said:
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This beast, with its 4” by 1-3/8” D2 blade, is on my baldric rig right now.

With its locking liner lock design it is very secure for a folder.

As folders go, …this one's growing on me. :thumbup:



I'll do a review sometime soon. :rolleyes:




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
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From Fox?_:confused:
 
James_Terrio said:
I'd much rather have a fixed blade, but I'd be happy with the Queen.
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The Queen traditional folders in D2 seem to be a well-kept secret (which is unfortunate for Queen....). They have a very sturdy feel and solid "walk and talk" which is confidence inspiring... they seem to be up to any task.

I have three of them, all in the "carved stag bone" series. I reprofiled the blades on all of them, which was time-consuming, but now the knives are wonderful.

D2 seems to be the perfect blade steel for a folder.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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