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

My favorite SOG currently is the Tomcat 3.0 . It's a stoutly built 3.75 inch ( .160 inch W) ARC lock knife in Rubber or CF. It's pretty well built.

Buck is either the Mayo TNT , a Ti/S30V framelock that is about as smooth as any production blade I've seen.
I like the 110 series. Now the Custom shop doesn't offer BG42 any longer I like the 110 Cabellas version in CPM 154. Or the Alaskan in S30V as noted above.

Blade Tech has some nice ones. They stopped making the Rijback. That was a real tank. Their line is hunting and LE oriented. Mostly hunting and worth looking at. Not always in stock but they are nice.

Hogue in 154cm. Worth looking at.

Boker has some interesting and unusual knives not often seen. The old "hunter" style full size slippie with a 4 inch blade and about 5.25 inches long of 1095. That's common though, with several versions on the market. The unusual one is the one they put a lockback on without changing the shape. It's got bone, and was only made in about 1 run a year back. Still around and not expensive, the 1095 sharpens nicely. It's Buck 110 size and appx. weight so it comes with a belt pouch and no clip. It cuts great though.

Moki, Al Mar, and Mcusta make some nice knives worth looking at as well.

Good luck, and have fun.

Joe
 
As far as CRKT goes, I think the Taiwan made models with AUS-8 steel are decent. I have the M21-04 and the Triumph.
 
Buck -- As said above the 110 (I like the Ecolite) and something in the Vantage series (of which there are many).

CRKT -- I like my Summa and M21s (big and small), and the Ken Onion Shenanigan (or the Drifter to start small)

Boker -- Boker Plus Titan Drop and Boker Plus (not Magnum) Kalashnikov
 
Not too long ago I bought a very nice CRKT M16-03Z (3.5", AUS-4, pe, bead-blast, Zytel) that I REALLY like...(Don't let the AUS-4 steel scare you away...It's really not THAT bad.).

The Cold Steel 2010 Recon 1 is also worth a look.
 
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]
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I'll second on the Vulcan that is a heavy duty folding taktical folder
 
I've had all three mentioned by the OP. My experience with SOG folders is that they have way too much blade play for me. Boker plus are pretty good but I would suggest Buck. The Vantage Pro can be had with S30V and G10 scales all for under $50. That's premium materials and a great design IMO for the money. Plus it's made in the USA and has a great warranty.
 
SOG gets trashed here, but I had a Blink and though it was as good as most Spyderco/Benchmade offerings and better than some. My Bokers have ben the "Boker Plus" brand and I have only owned the Chad Los Banos designs. They were okay; more like Byrds, but very flat. Buck seems a little hit or miss, but the 110 is every bit as good as you've heard. The Buck Mayo is world class and one of my favorites. I handled a CRKT Ripple and wasn't that impressed. I owned a CRKT M21 that was a nice design, but seemed flimsy.

If you want to add some non Spydie/Benchmade/Kershaws, Al Mars are nice, as are Lone Wolves, maybe an Emerson.
 
The s30v Buck Vantage Pro is awsome for the price. Buck CSAR-T in ATS-34 is pretty sweet if you dont mind the weight 8.6 oz, toughest folder I have come across, think fixed blade. CRKT Hissatsu assisted folder is just nasty, more of a tactical knife then a edc but I love the traditional style tanto blade it has very strong pivot and lock up. SOG flash 1 or 2 are great edc knives.
 
SOG Aegis is a great knife, super lightweight, nice ergos, decent steel & price. Mine has been falling out of my rotation a bit, but only because I've bought a lot of new blades lately! Still love her, though! :)
 
I highly recommend the Boker Plus Exskelibur. Yes, its made in China, but the fit and finish is exemplary. Mine is better than most my other knives (BM, Spyder, ZT, Kershaw, etc.) Its got G-10 scales, 440 C blade, titanium clip and anodised titanium liners. Its ergonomic and the opening method (like striking a Bic lighter) is ingeniuos. Its a functional, ergonomic and beautiful knife originally designed by Mike Skellern/Trevor Burger. Comes in 2 sizes.

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You could also take a look at Bokers Jens Anso designs, the Haddock and 67. Both are titanium framelocks, G-10 scaled and come with a stonewashed N690 Bohler blade. If you want to go crazy, you can get the Haddock in a damascus version. Way too expensive for my liking though.

Where else can you get Miker Skellern/Trevor Burger and Jens Ansø designs in a production model? Boker is definitely worth looking at.

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If you can, look for a CRKT Apache II, its a great knife. ATS-34 steel and mine came super sharp. They're not made anymore but i'm sure you could find one secondhand.
 
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