Best Lightweight Large Folders

R

RedLynx

Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
11,445
Hi guys,

I enjoy finding a folder that is both large and relatively lightweight. One of my current favorites is the CRKT Kasper folder. Nearly 4 inches of steel and relatively lightweight for all of that. I only wish it had a left hand pocket clip option. Oh well. Best of all it is inexpensive.

Was just wondering if anyone had other recommendations for fairly large knives that you also find light to carry.

As an opposite example I like the Schrade 303 as an inexpensive large beater, but man, is it a heavy knife in the pocket.

Anything inexpensive is welcome, I'm trying to keep knife purchases under $40 this year.

Thanks guys.
 
The Kershaw Piston is 5" closed with a 3.75" blade, and only weighs about 4 ounces. I also really like the ESEE Avispa. It gives you a 5" handle with 3.5" blade for about 4.4 ounces.
 
MaxFisher said:
The Kershaw Piston is 5" closed with a 3.75" blade, and only weighs about 4 ounces. I also really like the ESEE Avispa. It gives you a 5" handle with 3.5" blade for about 4.4 ounces.
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Big fan of Kershaw but surprisingly unfamiliar with the Piston just yet. I've heard good things about the Avispa. Thanks friend.
 
Are you talking large as in blade length, or large as in beefy/bulky?

And what is the intended use for the knife?
 
Note my pic, and i personally prefer the medium-size knives, but the Bucklite Max 486 is 3.1 oz with a large blade, USA-made and costs ~$22:

110BantamBuckliteMax.jpg


It's cousin, the 110 is the heaviest pocket knife I own.

The new USA-made Gerbers are more expensive (~$50 for the larger two) but light-weight with a lot of blade:

maxresdefault.jpg
 
Cold Steel Hold Out 2 gives you a 4" blade in a 4.2oz package. The discontinued AUS8 model can be had for around $50.
 
Hi Chiral,

Good to hear from you here. I actually have the "orange camo" Buck Bantam there, it's a great knife. I really wanted the Bucklite Max but its pocket clip is riveted in place... a one position clip isnt' a deal breaker, but as a lefty I'd at least like the option to remove it.
 
ejames13 said:
Are you talking large as in blade length, or large as in beefy/bulky?

And what is the intended use for the knife?
Click to expand...

Hi ejames,

Sorry for being unclear. Mostly I'm discussing length but I can't deny I enjoy bulky knives as well.

Intended uses would be relatively light, so bulky knives wouldn't be necessary, I just tend to like them. Larger hands and long fingers mean a bulkier handle is easier to grip. I mostly open boxes, cut plastic, cut ties, etc, but occasionally will use a knife in various construction and DIY projects as well.
 
Here's a vote for the CRKT ripple. 3.5 inch blade at 2.5 oz. Very thin and (sometimes with some work) very smooth opening. The more plain models (no colors) fit your budget.
 
I'd often passed by the Ripple. Perhaps it deserves a second or third look. Thank you.
 
The Benchmade Snipe is one that I regret getting rid of; it's a big folder and I believe I paid under $40 for it on clearance as it's discontinued.

f_2554t_1.1.jpg


http://www.benchmade.com/products/10600

Modified drop-point, razor-edge blade
Levitator push-button locking mechanism
Textured non-slip handle scales
Removable pocket clip
Lanyard hole in spine
Blade: 4”
Open: 9-½”
Closed: 5-½”
Weight: 5.6 oz.
Material:
Blade: AUS8 stainless steel
Handle: Molded thermoplastic
Closeouts. Taiwan.
 
Really like the Kabar Dozier Large Folding hunter. Big. Lightweight (no metal frame at all). Well built. Under $40.

But I think it was discontinued. :(
 
RedLynx said:
I actually have the "orange camo" Buck Bantam there, it's a great knife. I really wanted the Bucklite Max but its pocket clip is riveted in place... a one position clip isnt' a deal breaker, but as a lefty I'd at least like the option to remove it.
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My apologies, yeah, all those I mentioned have RH-only pocket clips, not the best options for lefties. :( Cold Steel and Spyderco are more expensive, but both do offer some light-weight large-blade knives :thumbup:
 
marcinek said:
Really like the Kabar Dozier Large Folding hunter. Big. Lightweight (no metal frame at all). Well built. Under $40.

But I think it was discontinued. :(
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You may be right, which surprises me as I believe it came in a variety of colors (and the "folding hunter" line came in a variety of sizes as well). It seemed to be an extremely popular inexpensive line, people were recommending them a lot on here as I recall.
 
RedLynx said:
You may be right, which surprises me as I believe it came in a variety of colors (and the "folding hunter" line came in a variety of sizes as well). It seemed to be an extremely popular inexpensive line, people were recommending them a lot on here as I recall.
Click to expand...

They may have just eliminated the "Large." I love mine.
 
chiral.grolim said:
My apologies, yeah, all those I mentioned have RH-only pocket clips, not the best options for lefties. :( Cold Steel and Spyderco are more expensive, but both do offer some light-weight large-blade knives :thumbup:
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Right tip down only isn't a deal-breaker for me (the CRKT I mention above is like this) but it helps if it has more options. I liked SOG's "Sogzilla" line for larger, lightweight knives but, upon receiving one, it appeared to only have a one position clip despite being touted as reversible. I think they meant to make it reversible but the way the handle is constructed, the positioning of a rivet prevents a user from being able to stick the clip down into the other side. If they modified it to really reflect the item description it would be a good buy. Spyderco's Byrd line seem nice and relatively inexpensive as well, but they also seem to be simply more inexpensive copies of higher end models (CaraCara2 looks like an Endura to me, for example). So I haven't pulled the trigger. Not owning one, however, I could be wrong about that. I think they have some popularity round these parts.
 
marcinek said:
They may have just eliminated the "Large." I love mine.
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Do you know if the thumb stud on that is reversible? I was looking at the Dozier line awhile ago and it looks like the stud is only on the right, but sometimes a knife with only one stud can be switched to the other side. If not it would be a two-hander for me.
 
RedLynx said:
Do you know if the thumb stud on that is reversible? I was looking at the Dozier line awhile ago and it looks like the stud is only on the right, but sometimes a knife with only one stud can be switched to the other side. If not it would be a two-hander for me.
Click to expand...

Good question. I'd have to check @ home ... hopefully somebody has one handy. But I will check...
 
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