Cheap "fighting" folder

M

Minjin

Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
521
Hi, I just joined this forum after becoming reinterested in knifes recently. I'm looking for a knife to backup my Baby Eagle 9mm in EDC so I guess that means I want a fighting/tactical folder in medium size (I generally wear Medium size gloves). I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to knives and definitely not made of money. As such, I wouldn't want to spend any more than $150 on this (and it better be one hell of knife for that money) but I would certainly prefer if someone recommended a $30 knife and told me not to worry about those expensive custom showpieces. My best knife is my Gerber Gator which I thought was pretty nice until I spent a couple hours reading this forum...

It seems as though all blacked out would be a great choice so as to have the surprise advantage as long as possible at night. Of course lightness would be good and I would prefer some utility as well. I use my keychain SAK blade several times a day and sometimes the job is a little too much for that. But the knife wouldn't see any heavy utility.

Knives that I've seen that look interesting:

Emerson CQC7 with Wave (seems like a really cool feature)
CRKT M16 Special Forces

Any suggestions would be great, but please don't recommend a $350 knife. I have enough expensive hobbies as is (racing cars being chief among them).

Thanks.

Mark
 
Get yourself either a Spyderco (Massad) Ayoob folder, or a Spyderco FRN Endura.
 
IMHO, those are two great choices. You might want to consider a Benchmade with Axis lock (lots of models to choose from), Spydercos (I like the Chinook but it might be a bit big for your purposes), or something from Masters of Defense (the CQC Mark II might be good but a bit above your price range).

RL
 
I agree with glockman and also recommend the Spyderco FRN Endura. This Spydie is reasonably priced and it will easily handle anything that you throw at it. :D
 
Minjin,

Glockman has made good recommendations, but I'd take my Spyderco Military PE over the Endura any day. It's tough, mean and sharp and you can pick one up on the web for around $80. I like the Ayoob as well; it's a fierce tactical folder that's grossly under-rated.
 
Black blades under $150 tac/light utility?

Benchmade 705/710, 720, 735, 804/814, 834, 905/910, 806D2

CRKT KFF

Cold Steel Recon 1, Night Force, Scimitar

Emerson Mini Commander

Gerber Spectre, AR 3.00, A-F covert

Kabar Impact

Kershaw Boa, Blackout, Avalanche

MOD Hornet, Trident, Tempest

Spyderco Lum Tanto

That outta get you started :D
 
Alot of interesting recommendations. I just researched most of them. One thing that I read(that I'm sure all of you know) is that liner type locks have a tendency to fail under stress, so I'll have to rule those out (unless I'm incorrect on this). From what I read, the Axis lock is supposed to be decent. How about the LAWKs from CRKT? Or is that just another liner lock?

Also, I handled a buddy's spyderco last week and I wasn't too fond of the hole-style opening method. Although I suppose different knives will have different styles of holes and it could have just been that particular knife. People seen to be really fond of the AFCK so I'll have to fondle one before I really rule it out since it certainly looks nice in the pictures.

Thanks for the responses so far guys.

Mark
 
imho the liner lock problem is blown all outta proportion, a good, well built knife like BM or emerson, the liner is gonna be fine. the liner on my MT SOCOM elite i bet is as strong as an BM axis, i bet. NO ONE EVER says emersons are 'prone to failure' and he's the man in tac knives, or at least one of the top 5 - and all of his folders are liner locks, same with pat crawford. so as long as i was buying BM, MT, EKI i wouldnt worry about the liners failing, myself.

imho one of the better designs currently available is the AFCK, either liner lock or axis, try www.newgraham.com for a deal on older liner lock models, and the axis 806 is a GREAT knife also.

a MT SOCOM or SOCOM elite is a GRAET knife also, imho better than the AFCK, but ya will have to look for one for $150 or so. i recently found a SOCOM elite w/combo edge, anapeen finish, brend pre-production grind blade, for $140 including shipping, froma fellow forumite, and it was in 100% LNIB condition

a CRKT kasper folding fighter is also an excellent knife, and is only $40 or so, but not NEAR as good as the BM/MT i mentioned.

a cammilus cuda maxx w/a 5.5" blade is good too if legal in your area and has a frame lock, one of the strongest around.

if ya want an emerson go to www.tacticaledge.com and check out the SOCFK, a spec war handle mated to a CQC7 blade and waved for $139.95, a deal imho, my green G10 handled black tanto SOCFK is one of my favs, and the price is right, much prefer to the CQC7/spec war/commander myself. also kinda collectable too.

these are all good ones, ya wont be disappointed in any, i promise

greg
 
go greco...there fixed blades are great:D and so is there warrenty...folders are very tuff...:D
 
Originally posted by SIFU1A
....my green G10 handled black tanto SOCFK is one of my favs, and the price is right, much prefer to the CQC7/spec war/commander myself. also kinda collectable too.
Click to expand...
You bet, Greg! Good suggestion.
 
Originally posted by Minjin
One thing that I read(that I'm sure all of you know) is that liner type locks have a tendency to fail under stress, so I'll have to rule those out (unless I'm incorrect on this). From what I read, the Axis lock is supposed to be decent. How about the LAWKs from CRKT? Or is that just another liner lock?
Click to expand...
The LAWKS is actually just an added safety device that prevents the liner lock from closing when you don't want it to.

I would second earlier suggestions of either the CRKT KFF or the Kershaw Boa and add to it the CRKT Ryan Model 7 or the CRKT M18. What I like about the Boa and M18 is that the flippers become a finger guard when the blade is deployed and the KFF and the Model 7 both have a groove for the index finger for a secure grip while holding the knife--very useful in a defensive situation.
 
OK, a couple more details to help narrow it down some more

no opening hole
no liner lock

and still sticking with a black knife under $150.

I have to say a coated Benchmade 705/710. Also, the 805 has that great AFCK handle, axis lock, and thumbstuds, but the blade comes in satin finish.
 
It's a liner lock, but I trust it as much as a good lockback (like my Ayoob), and more than my Axis locks (705 & 940).

Has better steel (VG-10) than most of the aformentioned knives (IMHO). Is also available with a black blade.

I'm surprised I'm the first to suggest the Al Mar SERE 2000. It's really a great knife.
 
Does anyone have anything specifically against the M16 SF? Noone recommended an M16 and I see veiled disgust in other threads concerning this series of knife. Whats so bad about it?

On a side note, I happened to be in Walmart today and thought I would check out a couple of the Kershaw recommendations. I really like the the Blackout except for its cheasy plastic handle. The quick opening is kind of nice and everything else seemed decent. Also fondled both the Vapor I and Vapor II. $20 and $25 respectively! Wow. Seemed like nice knives for the money and its stuff like this that makes me wonder if a $150 knife is really 7 times the knife?? I definitely prefered the size of the Vapor II.

I really like some of the knives suggested (especially that emerson hybrid knife) but I've made the decision to get a cheapy ($75 and under) this time around and go for something better when I know more about 'em.

Thanks.

Mark
 
I like the M16 series, enough that I got another aluminum M16-13 to accompany my zytel M16-13z.

Good lockup, the SF has LAWKS I believe, and the placement of the guards is such that it's probably impossible to cut yourself if the blade should ever close accidentally (though I doubt that will happen).

Very, very good beater knife. It's cheap enough that I use mine as a tool, and not a thing to be worshipped. For that, I have my new AFCK. :)
 
Okay, sounds like you should check out the new S&W FL-2. It's a Frame Lock with a thumb disk type opener of the same genre as Emersons. It has a 3 3/4" 440c re-curved blade and is pretty thin compared to many other folders in this blade lenght range. An added bonus is it $56.99 MSRP.:eek:
I just got one and it is pretty doggone good for the money.

Also, Benchmade has the TSEK which is essentially an 806 Axis AFCK with thumb stud instead of a hole and 440c or GIN-1 for blade steel. Both of these steels are top shelf blade steels.

All the Best,
Mike U.


BTW,
Welcome to the Forums!
 
I would suggest:
-Spyderco Massad Ayoob
-Spyderco Wegner- grossly underated
-BM 710
-BM Axis or Liner Lock AFCK
-Emerson Commander-definately a high quality fighter
-Spyderco Chinook-tough to beat, can't believe no one has mentioned this bad boy
-REKAT also offers alot of great knives in this category and right now, they aren't that expensive.
Matt
 
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