Cheap folder as good as RAT?

A number of Spyderco folders will fit the bill, also their Byrd line is worth a look at, some Benchmades are also a bargain...

I picked this modified Benchmade / Emerson CQC7 folder for around US$50 on a forum last summer.

Benchmade/Emerson CQC7. User from the late 90's. Used to be a black coated tanto blade, combo edge, chisel ground. After some hours with the sandpaper and leather strop, it's now a modified tanto, plain edge, convexed and shiny ATS34. Perfect lockup, still very solid and with plenty of years left to serve.

( Shown with a JDR Hammerhead tool )

cqc7.jpg
 
Buck Vantage Pro. Personally I think folding knives in general have a very limited market, basic utililties such as cutting cardboard/paper, line, tape, envelopes, etc. Folders in general tend to use brittle stainless steels with hollow ground edges and use moving parts where not really necessary. Both my HEST and RC3 fit in my pocket perfectly whereas people have this idea that fixed blade knives are bulky and can't be used for EDC. Why pay for a fragile folding action when it isn't necessary? That's just my beef with folders. I do have a few that I like, all of them are very cheap. The Kabar Warthog II is a solid design that locks up tight with a good finish. Going price is around 10 dollars. The RAT1 is an obvious choice, also a great blade. The Columbia River Lightfoot is a solidly designed knife as well at around 30, and the Kershaw Junkyard Dog is another folder I have that I consider a solid design. Like I said other than basic slicing tasks I never use them-they sit in the front pocket of my pack and never leave.
 
PayetteRucker said:
That's just my beef with folders.
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I have nothing against folders and I like the ones I have - but you do make a good point. Currently I need a couple of things from Knife Center and because I will have to pay shipping anyway then I might as well add a new knife to the order too. I was considering an Spyderco Endura (FFG, G-10) or a Military - but I can't help but think that I don't really need any more folders, no matter how nice they may be. So now I think I'll get an Izula - I don't currently have a knife in that size and it is small enough to EDC if I want to.

For folders I have my RAT-1, Endura 4, Leatherman K502x and several Opinel knives - that is plenty. I'm actually pretty happy with my knife collection TBH - if I just add an Izula and an HI Kukri then I'll have just about every situation covered. Though maybe one of them RAT Junglas knives might be nice as well. That's my current thinking anyway - 2 or 3 fixed knives that I'd like to add to my collection and despite there being some folders I like, I just don't see the big need to buy them.
 
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