"Best of" folders for a SOG/CRKT/Buck/Boker

EZ Bake

EZ Bake

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Mar 5, 2009
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So I've got a lot of Spydercos and a few Benchmades and a few Kershaws that I'm really happy with. I'm looking to expand my knife-ownership though - so I want to buy some knives from some of the other big manufacturers.

I don't own any SOG, CRKT, Buck, or Boker knives though - whare are the "Best of"
for these brands (and a few major brands that I may have missed)?

I'm looking for the obvious - good steel/edge-retention, functionality, design and fit/finish. No real price barrier - they will go on the list and I'll pick them up eventually.

I know the CRKT Ken Onion and McGinnis folders appeal to me (I like flippers), but I don't know of too many more (I used to own a few M16s).

I've heard that the Buck Vantage Pro is a good one. What are other top-notch folders from Buck?

What does SOG or Boker have to offer in their nicest folders? No idea on either of these.
 
While maybe not SOGs "nicest" folder. The Trident is one of their Flag ship designs. I Personally love my SOG Trident Tanto. And with Buck their Vantage series is just as amazing.
 
The Boker Plus Exskelibur I is a great knife for $50. It, like nearly all of the Boker Plus line, is made in China, but don't let that deter you. It has very good materials (440C blade, G-10 scales), and the F&F is some of the best I've ever seen for a knife at that price point.
 
For me, I'd say the Spec Elite, Ripple, Mayo TNT, and Applegate Fairbairn Folder.
 
Buck 110, Buck 119, Buck 301...
If you don't have a Case knife, then you should. I love them. If you want a step up, look at GEC. Great traditional slipjoints.
 
As far as Buck goes, try the new Vantage Force Pro and an Alaskan Guide Series Buck 110 from Cabelas.
 
Definitely appreciate the suggestions so far. You guys have had me busy watching Youtube Videos and looking up reviews for sure.

I've got some things on the list now - any more?
 
The only one I can really speak on is CRKT, and the Eros is hands down the nicest CRKT I have ever handled. It may be second only to my Sebenza for overall feeling of quality.
 
As far as major brands you might have missed, Cold Steel is the first one that comes to mind. My suggestion there would definitely be the American Lawman.
 
I'd also second the Al Mar suggestion. They definitely produce some nice folders. Of the brands you mentioned I'd go with the SOG Aegis. I own one and it's a pretty good knife. The steel may not be top quality, but it's a nice steel and really nice ergos on the knife.
 
I agree on the SOG Spec Elite with Axis lock and the Gerber Applegate Fairbairn Covert is a tough "combat" type of knife, built like a tank and made in the U.S.
 
You could try the CRKT Hammond Cruiser series, they have a flipper and have held up pretty well for me. They are on sale at a online dealer for 20 bucks right now, so you could try it and not be out much. (i hope that's not deal spotting, if so, sorry)
The Boker CLB series are inexpensive and a few verisons have flippers, but generally bokers are pretty well put together, Buck Vantage is a good bet of course, don't have any sog's yet.

Hope that helps!
 
When it comes to Sog, some might argue that the Vulcan folder is their nicest folding knife. However in my opinion the Spec-elite II, with it's 5" blade, is Sog's most desirable folder. It's big, it's bad and in a world awash with 4" ,or smaller,folders,it's a bit of a rarity.[another cool Sog folder is the 5" Pentagon-elite folder with it's somewhat bizarre, "sharktooth" tip]
 
I really like my Boker Subclaw. Interesting appearance, extremely well thought out ergonomics and amazing cutting power for it's size.
 
Larry Turko said:
When it comes to Sog, some might argue that the Vulcan folder is their nicest folding knife. However in my opinion the Spec-elite II, with it's 5" blade, is Sog's most desirable folder. It's big, it's bad and in a world awash with 4" ,or smaller,folders,it's a bit of a rarity.[another cool Sog folder is the 5" Pentagon-elite folder with it's somewhat bizarre, "sharktooth" tip]
Click to expand...

I have some friends who really like the SOG line of knives, and as such have all owned one or two of them. The Pentagon Elite (I think its the smaller of the two) has by far the smoothest operation of all of them. Its a nice, super sleek knife, although I would argue that the Spec Elite has a more useful blade.
 
I don't have any SOGs, but if I was to get one I suppose I'd go with the Access Card 2.0 or a Twitch. My favourite CRKT so far is the Ken Onion Ripple (the Drifter is also a great little knife, and the Centofante Tribute looks promising...) The only Boker I have is the Boker Plus Hyper and it's fantastic (sub 3" blade)--the M-Type would be very similar but bigger. As for Buck, well, you can't go wrong with a classic 110 in your collection. The Buck Rush is a nice one too.
 
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