- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,172
Well, I've been toying around with a few of the bigger folders...I'm talking 4+ inch blades. Why have big folders? Well, personally, I almost always have a fixed blade on me and don't always need one, but there are some situations where I can't get away with a fixed blade and must carry a folder. Now, the majority of daily tasks can be handled with a "normal" sized folder, but I'm just throwing out the possibility of having a very large folder...most can get by with carrying a large folder, even on the belt. Of course big folders aren't for everyone, I would consider them a niche-type of knife...once you get into the 4+ inch-sized folders, you looking at a size comparison of many 5" fixed bladed knives when opened up...that's a big knife.
I know there are limitations when compared to a fixed blade, but there are a few heavy duty folders out there that can be used for most of the fixed bladed chores out there just with the added convenience of more discreet carrying and a little more compact. Wish I could get pictures posted (not much luck here in Iraq), I have a couple I'm playing with here in Iraq and the rest are at home...
My original "big" folder is the old Al Mar SERE, the monster folder with a large belt sheath. I still have it, and it's a great blade, very stout and the lockup is still stiff and solid.
I also have one of the REKAT Sifu's...a very large, heavy duty folder with the axis-style (they called it the rolling-lock) lock. It's nice but less utilitarian. Another on the same lines is the Cold Steel Vasquero Grande...the big 6" recurved blade; great at clearing light vegetation, but not a big camp-chore user. Both of these I would consider more of large self-defense folder and not too serious for heavy duty utility use.
There's some newer folders out that are large in size, have solid locking designs, good profiles and made of quality materials. Here's a few I've used/have and could recommend if someone was looking for a large folder:
Benchmade's Skirmish
Ontario's Hossom Retribution
TOPS Magnum (747-hunter's blade)
Benchmade's Rukus
I know there's a few others out there that I haven't used...Lone Wolf's Harsey, Cold Steel's Voyager and Camilus large Cuda Maxx folder...can't comment on them specifically, but I've heard mixed review on the Harsey.
Both the Ontario Hossom and TOPS Magnum don't have belt clips, but come with large (almost eye-glass size) belt pouches. These are very large folders that when open are as large as most of my 5" bladed knives (Mission MPK10, Fehrman Last Chance, Ontario TAK). Lock up is very solid (the Hossom is a liner lock and the Magnum is a framelock). I've done some chopping in the scrap plywood pile out behind our living quarters. Both are quite impressive. I really don't feel comfortable battoning with a folder, but I would say both of these could do so in a pinch if needed. No, they are not fixed blades, even when they are as large as or even larger the same-sized fixed bladed knives. Their size allows them to do much larger cutting and chopping chores than most typical pocket knives, yet can still be carried with a low profile. The Hossom is a very stout designed folder, and when opened up and locked, is really quite impressive.
Well, if you need a large blade and can't carry a fixed blade, a large folder may be your ticket, allowing a little more in the department of discreet carry...even with a large belt pouch, it's typically more acceptable than a sheathed fixed blade. My best example is a Scouting trip I went on where the Scout Leader didn't allow fixed blades (he was a good guy, just adhering to our district rules). The TOPS Magnum was carried in a belt pouch, in plain sight, but less conspicuous. He had no issues with it either, so all was well and the big folder came along. Was it really necessary? Well, that's up to you, all I did was some light chopping, but it was good alternative to medium-sized fixed blade for me. The large folders are just another tool for the tool box if it fills your particular niche.
ROCK6
I know there are limitations when compared to a fixed blade, but there are a few heavy duty folders out there that can be used for most of the fixed bladed chores out there just with the added convenience of more discreet carrying and a little more compact. Wish I could get pictures posted (not much luck here in Iraq), I have a couple I'm playing with here in Iraq and the rest are at home...
My original "big" folder is the old Al Mar SERE, the monster folder with a large belt sheath. I still have it, and it's a great blade, very stout and the lockup is still stiff and solid.
I also have one of the REKAT Sifu's...a very large, heavy duty folder with the axis-style (they called it the rolling-lock) lock. It's nice but less utilitarian. Another on the same lines is the Cold Steel Vasquero Grande...the big 6" recurved blade; great at clearing light vegetation, but not a big camp-chore user. Both of these I would consider more of large self-defense folder and not too serious for heavy duty utility use.
There's some newer folders out that are large in size, have solid locking designs, good profiles and made of quality materials. Here's a few I've used/have and could recommend if someone was looking for a large folder:
Benchmade's Skirmish
Ontario's Hossom Retribution
TOPS Magnum (747-hunter's blade)
Benchmade's Rukus
I know there's a few others out there that I haven't used...Lone Wolf's Harsey, Cold Steel's Voyager and Camilus large Cuda Maxx folder...can't comment on them specifically, but I've heard mixed review on the Harsey.
Both the Ontario Hossom and TOPS Magnum don't have belt clips, but come with large (almost eye-glass size) belt pouches. These are very large folders that when open are as large as most of my 5" bladed knives (Mission MPK10, Fehrman Last Chance, Ontario TAK). Lock up is very solid (the Hossom is a liner lock and the Magnum is a framelock). I've done some chopping in the scrap plywood pile out behind our living quarters. Both are quite impressive. I really don't feel comfortable battoning with a folder, but I would say both of these could do so in a pinch if needed. No, they are not fixed blades, even when they are as large as or even larger the same-sized fixed bladed knives. Their size allows them to do much larger cutting and chopping chores than most typical pocket knives, yet can still be carried with a low profile. The Hossom is a very stout designed folder, and when opened up and locked, is really quite impressive.
Well, if you need a large blade and can't carry a fixed blade, a large folder may be your ticket, allowing a little more in the department of discreet carry...even with a large belt pouch, it's typically more acceptable than a sheathed fixed blade. My best example is a Scouting trip I went on where the Scout Leader didn't allow fixed blades (he was a good guy, just adhering to our district rules). The TOPS Magnum was carried in a belt pouch, in plain sight, but less conspicuous. He had no issues with it either, so all was well and the big folder came along. Was it really necessary? Well, that's up to you, all I did was some light chopping, but it was good alternative to medium-sized fixed blade for me. The large folders are just another tool for the tool box if it fills your particular niche.
ROCK6
