Best Folding Knife for Deployment & EDC?

elitebrothers8

elitebrothers8

Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
236
Hey everyone, I know its been awhile since i've been on the forums but I have a question for you guys and would love some input. I am looking to purchase a folder that would be good for both military deployment as well as an every day carry knife. Another thing, is it better to get a spring assisted, or just a traditional knife? I'm not looking to spend over $60 and have already been referred to the Ontario Rat 1. Any suggestions would be great!
 
Respecting your price range, I would suggest a Cold Steel Recon 1, or a CRKT M16 or M21.
 
Slightly over your price range but the Benchmade Griptilian is tough to beat. The axis lock does not seem to have any problems with dirt or sand (at least not that I have noticed) also the 154CM steel holds a great edge for a good amount of time.
 
elitebrothers8 said:
Hey everyone, I know its been awhile since i've been on the forums but I have a question for you guys and would love some input. I am looking to purchase a folder that would be good for both military deployment as well as an every day carry knife. Another thing, is it better to get a spring assisted, or just a traditional knife? I'm not looking to spend over $60 and have already been referred to the Ontario Rat 1. Any suggestions would be great!
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I would double it and get a Spyderco Military in PE, will serve both very well, I carried one in Afghanistan and many years as a civilian until I moved to Colorado, no blades over 3.5 inches here, which sucks because the company is in this state.
 
as far as assisted or not... i've never had a problem with an assisted knife, but there's less that could go wrong with a more simple design.
a couple to check out
kershaw blur (the s30v version is more like $75)
kershaw ram
buck vantage pro
spyderco endura 4
i have a preference for knives with flippers, but thumb studs and holes do just fine with quick opening after a little bit of practice.
i recommend you actually get your hands on some knives at a store before ordering based off good reviews and specs though. a griptilian or blur may look perfect to you on paper, but the grips on either one of them could be the bane of your existence due to personal preference.
bdmicarta said:
Respecting your price range, I would suggest a Cold Steel Recon 1, or a CRKT M16 or M21.
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DR.BOOM said:
Slightly over your price range but the Benchmade Griptilian is tough to beat. The axis lock does not seem to have any problems with dirt or sand (at least not that I have noticed) also the 154CM steel holds a great edge for a good amount of time.
Click to expand...

i agree with these responses. the m16 (and m21) has been one of my favorite knifes for a long time considering the price point. you can get them in multiple sizes, colors/finishes/handle materials, and a multitude of blade designs/configurations. mine have always had and kept a solid lock up with no blade play.

the griptilian can be had for barely more than the price range... $73.50 and $69.50 for the mini at knife center.
 
I'm Going To Go A Slightly Different Route.

I Say.. Go About $15 More And Get Yourself A Spyderco Manix 2.
It's Hard To Get A Tough Folder Better Than This One In The Price Range.

The Cold Steel Recon 1, And American Lawman Are Obviously Good Choices.
But The Manix 2 Is Made By A Company Which Is More Upheld Here In The Knife Community, Has Good Blade Steel, A Solid Ball Bearing Lock, And Is Just An EXCELLENT Knife.
If I Was Being Deployed, I Would Choose The Manix 2, Paramilitary 2, Or Military.

Preferrably To Me, The Manix 2 Or Para2. But The Manix 2 Is A Really Heavy Duty Knife. The Para2 Is An Excellent Cutter And Slicer, But I Would Go The Manix 2 Because It's Also A Good Cutter/Slicer But Is Excellent For Lots And Lots Of Hard Use.
 
Deployment is a broad area to cover in itself. Company clerk or motor pool? :)
I carry my Leatherman Skeletool a lot ... I think a multitool or Swiss Army Knife has a lot to recommend it.
 
When I saw the title of this thread I immediately thought get an Emerson, but for your price range I'd suggest Cold Steel Recon 1 (4" blade) or AK-47 (3.5" blade), where its thumb disc acts like an Emerson wave opener. I love the redesigned Recon 1 handle it's extremely comfortable to hold and the G-10 is very aggressive. The lockup is solid and for the price ~$60 you cant go wrong with it.
 
Cold Steel Recon 1 is a great choice in that price range.
For a few dollars more, find a ZT0350 on the forum. $80-90 will get you a Super clean used one. $110.00 for a new one on EBay. It's really the knife you want. It's the perfect military knife for the price.
 
Assisted opening is not necessary. A lot of manual knives flip out just as quickly with a little practice.

My choices would be:

Ontario Rat 1 - great beater knife
Cold Steel AK-47 - the wave feature is pretty awesome, especially in a last ditch combat situation
Cold Steel Recon 1 - a great all around knife; Triad lock is very strong
Buck Vantage Pro (Not the Force version) - high end steel at an average price.
Spyderco Endura - lightweight, great slicer/utility but not necessarily a hard use knife
Cold Steel Voyager - a little cheaper and I prefer its flat grind to the hollow grind of the other Cold Steels
Spyderco Resilience - a big blade with a popular design
Cold Steel Rajah 3 - For combat I would take this over all the others

If I had to choose 1, I would choose the Recon 1. It has a large 4 inch blade that can be used for utility and "tactical" situations, and has a proven track record with respect to durability. Cold Steel just came out with a new Spear Point version that looks pretty sweet.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Deployment is a broad area to cover in itself. Company clerk or motor pool? :)
I carry my Leatherman Skeletool a lot ... I think a multitool or Swiss Army Knife has a lot to recommend it.
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Yeah, I'd want a multitool as well. Maybe that and a nice fixed blade. For a folder around town? Spyderco Endura for light weight, strength and great steel.
 
I don't see anything wrong with your original suggestion of the Ontario Rat 1 as it gets a LOT of good reviews. Something else to look at would be the Kershaw JunkYard Dog II @ ~$50. You get a well designed blade, thick liners, and a 14C28N Swedish steel blade.
 
As a former military guy, I'll have to recommend a swiss army knife. Sorry, I know that isn't as tactical of a recommendation as you might have liked, but you will find it a LOT more useful than another tactical knife. (remember that you'll already have the bayonet)

Or maybe a multi-tool would be even more useful! I like my SwissTool, but Leathermen are looking really good lately, with their bit drivers, interchangeable saw blades, and diamond files. (which could be used to sharpen your bayonet!)

I think more important than that would be to get a Spyderco Sharpmaker, to keep your pocket knife or multi-tool and bayonet sharp.

Find a well-equipped Leatherman in your price range or a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife with the right combo of tools.
 
+1 for a spyderco endura in your price range. However, depending on your job, I'd find some extra cash and get something a little more heavy duty (maybe a ZT 0200).
 
If you want an absolutely beastly folder look at the cold steel spartan... i got to sharpen one and it is stout!
 
I Saw Someone Recommended The Spyderco Resilience. It IS A Beast Of A Knife.
BUT It Also Has A Cheaper Steel.
And If You're Looking For A Beast Of A Knife For Heavy Use Without Having To Sharpen As Often, The Manix 2 Is Still My Recommendation.
Also. I Agree That A Good Swiss Army Knife Or Multi-tool Would Be Great For You.

But If You Absolutely Want A Hard Use Folder - I Say Manix 2.
 
Could see if kershawguy has any zero tolerance 350 blems...might still be a few bucks more, but thats a nice, tough knife with a flipper.
 
for CRKT M16 and M21 the SF range open wave style.
Personally like the CS Recon 1 and AK47 more
 
You want a folder? I'd have to say go get a ZT. All of them are great, and KershawGuy has blems for really great prices. Only issue about getting an assisted knife that I could see, is if you're going to get deployed somewhere with sand. I've only had one assisted knife give me trouble, and it was because it was about 2 years old and I -really- abused it. Worked up under alot of houses with it and it liked playing in the sand alot. After awhile, it did get to where sometimes it wouldn't flip out all the way BUT we are talking about a $30 dollar knife that never was cleaned. I say go for the ZT. Any of them.

I would also recommend a multitool. I'm not a big fan of them, but in your line of work I think you would probably find alot of use for it.

And...in all good sport, why don't we pick up some Manix 2's, Recon 1's, and a ZT and just smash them together abunch of times until one or the other breaks? :) Then you'll have your answer.
 
Cold steel Recon 1 also i'd stay away from assisted folders if your deploying to the sandbox. Take care and watch your six.
 
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