I've recently gotten a weird hankering for heavy framelocks.
Specifically non-assisted ones with a simple design. Now, before I get slapped on the wrist for dipping my toe in the "heavy-duty, hard-use tacticool" pool, let me say that I understand that a heavy knife does not mean a strong knife, that a paper-thin blade cuts better than a sharpened prybar, and that framelocks are not necessarily the strongest locks on the market.
But there's just something about handling a well-done framelock thet makes my inner neanderthal giggle with delight. The sound that heavy lockbar makes when it engages is addicting to me. Also, I love the simple minimalistic design.
I already own a Kershaw Volt SS, an Enlan EL-08, a CRKT Drifter, a Sanrenmu 710, and a Schrade SCH-304.
With the Volt, I found that an assisted framelock doesn't make the gratifying "thunk" of a slowly opened manual framelock.
The EL-08 is heavy and beautiful, but I've discovered that I prefer an all metal handle to a g10 slab on one side.
Both the Drifter and the 710 are excellent designs for EDC, but not big enough to satisfy the caveman living in the back of my mind.
Now the SCH-304 (I think) has come closest to scratching my Big Bad Framelock Itch. It just screams "boat anchor". Yes, it is probably the least practical of the bunch. . .but that's kind of the point, isn't it? Just a heavy, simple, elegant beauty of a beast.
I own several Opinels, and EDC a slimline #7. Nothing will ever beat it in cutting ability. Opinels are top-of-the-food-chain slicers. I also own a few Moras and can honestly say they are the best-performing fixed blades I have owned. I have no doubt that a Mora and an Opinel can take care of 99% of my knife needs.
That said, I seem to have been bitten by the heavy-duty framelock bug. Can anyone help me scratch this itch? Recommend me a large, manual-opening, all metal framelock please.
P.s. Some of you may have realized that the knives I have mentioned all fall under $50. I hope your recommendations do too.
Specifically non-assisted ones with a simple design. Now, before I get slapped on the wrist for dipping my toe in the "heavy-duty, hard-use tacticool" pool, let me say that I understand that a heavy knife does not mean a strong knife, that a paper-thin blade cuts better than a sharpened prybar, and that framelocks are not necessarily the strongest locks on the market.
But there's just something about handling a well-done framelock thet makes my inner neanderthal giggle with delight. The sound that heavy lockbar makes when it engages is addicting to me. Also, I love the simple minimalistic design.
I already own a Kershaw Volt SS, an Enlan EL-08, a CRKT Drifter, a Sanrenmu 710, and a Schrade SCH-304.
With the Volt, I found that an assisted framelock doesn't make the gratifying "thunk" of a slowly opened manual framelock.
The EL-08 is heavy and beautiful, but I've discovered that I prefer an all metal handle to a g10 slab on one side.
Both the Drifter and the 710 are excellent designs for EDC, but not big enough to satisfy the caveman living in the back of my mind.
Now the SCH-304 (I think) has come closest to scratching my Big Bad Framelock Itch. It just screams "boat anchor". Yes, it is probably the least practical of the bunch. . .but that's kind of the point, isn't it? Just a heavy, simple, elegant beauty of a beast.
I own several Opinels, and EDC a slimline #7. Nothing will ever beat it in cutting ability. Opinels are top-of-the-food-chain slicers. I also own a few Moras and can honestly say they are the best-performing fixed blades I have owned. I have no doubt that a Mora and an Opinel can take care of 99% of my knife needs.
That said, I seem to have been bitten by the heavy-duty framelock bug. Can anyone help me scratch this itch? Recommend me a large, manual-opening, all metal framelock please.
P.s. Some of you may have realized that the knives I have mentioned all fall under $50. I hope your recommendations do too.
