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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
best folding knife?
- Thread starter powersx2
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2002
- Messages
- 861
A Benchmade Griptilian beats a CS Voyager in every respect, except price. And as his price range is under $100, he should buy the best he can afford. And therefore, Cold Steel is not even a consideration. You buy what you can afford, but Benchmade makes excellent folders, much better than Cold Steel IMO.
Unless of course he wants a large CS folder in the 5"-6" length. In the 4" and under range, I think that while CS has some solid folders, they aren't as good as it's competitors in the same price range.
Tip up: Knife blade is oriented tip-up in the closed position while clipped to the pocket. In some knives, the knife will open very slightly (from shock, etc.) and scratch your hand when you put your hand in your pocket to retrieve something. This isn't much of a factor if you keep the knife at the seam of your pocket which will keep the knife closed.
Tip down: Knife blade is oriented tip-down in the closed position while clipped to the pocket. This is generally safer because gravity isn't trying to pull the knife-blade out of the handle, and it's much less likely to cut you if it opens slightly.
Unless of course he wants a large CS folder in the 5"-6" length. In the 4" and under range, I think that while CS has some solid folders, they aren't as good as it's competitors in the same price range.
Tip up: Knife blade is oriented tip-up in the closed position while clipped to the pocket. In some knives, the knife will open very slightly (from shock, etc.) and scratch your hand when you put your hand in your pocket to retrieve something. This isn't much of a factor if you keep the knife at the seam of your pocket which will keep the knife closed.
Tip down: Knife blade is oriented tip-down in the closed position while clipped to the pocket. This is generally safer because gravity isn't trying to pull the knife-blade out of the handle, and it's much less likely to cut you if it opens slightly.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2002
- Messages
- 861
BM 550:
440C steel, thick steel liners, opening hole, *AXIS-lock*, deeply checkered Noryl GTX, treads for grip on both the spine and the steel liners, treads the underside of the handle, treads for use in reverse grip, contoured handles, reversable clip, along with a pretty well-defined "guard" for the index finger.
'Nuff said.
Now, you go up the BM line to something like the 806D2 or the 710HS, there is absolutely no comparison.
If you just want a knife to cut, you can always get a Stanley box cutter. You pay more for a well-thought out and well-executed folding knife design. Which is why it comes down to getting the best one can afford, and *feels suits one's needs best*. I don't think anyone knocks CS for not making a good knife, but almost no-one calls them a high-end production knife company.
The original poster placed his price range at under $100. For under $100, there are many better knives (material, design, cutting efficiency) than a CS Voyager.
440C steel, thick steel liners, opening hole, *AXIS-lock*, deeply checkered Noryl GTX, treads for grip on both the spine and the steel liners, treads the underside of the handle, treads for use in reverse grip, contoured handles, reversable clip, along with a pretty well-defined "guard" for the index finger.
'Nuff said.
Now, you go up the BM line to something like the 806D2 or the 710HS, there is absolutely no comparison.
If you just want a knife to cut, you can always get a Stanley box cutter. You pay more for a well-thought out and well-executed folding knife design. Which is why it comes down to getting the best one can afford, and *feels suits one's needs best*. I don't think anyone knocks CS for not making a good knife, but almost no-one calls them a high-end production knife company.
The original poster placed his price range at under $100. For under $100, there are many better knives (material, design, cutting efficiency) than a CS Voyager.
IMHO in a 440C griptillian vs. a CS voyager clip point, I'd go with Cold Steel. 440C is comparable to AUS8, and in my CS voyager, the AUS8 is excellent...no need for any minor improvement you may get in 440C. I prefer the edge and grind of the CS over the Benchmade. I'd also go with the voyager for the lock. The CS lockback is a proven system that can take a lot of abuse. The Axis lock is new, more mechanical and subject to spring failure. Both knives can be flicked open in a heartbeat.
I like Benchmade. I own three of their knives, just in this comparison, I'd go coldsteel.
Edited to add: I took a look at both knives last night. The griptillian has a variety of blade shapes, so you've got more choices. But the Griptillian clip can be moved for lefties and the voyager cannot, thus if you're left handed, the voyager isn't the best choice.
I like Benchmade. I own three of their knives, just in this comparison, I'd go coldsteel.
Edited to add: I took a look at both knives last night. The griptillian has a variety of blade shapes, so you've got more choices. But the Griptillian clip can be moved for lefties and the voyager cannot, thus if you're left handed, the voyager isn't the best choice.
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2001
- Messages
- 4,306
If size is not an issue for you, (this knife is huge), check out Lone Wolf's Harsey Tactical Folder. I absolutely love this knife, and it is perhaps the best kept secret in the knife world right now. Unfortunately it is twice your $100.00 range, and a little on the large size.
It can give my Strider folders a run for their money (no small feat).
It can give my Strider folders a run for their money (no small feat).