Do it all folder

mmmotorcycle

mmmotorcycle

Captain Slow
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Jun 17, 2006
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What would you say is a good do it all folder? (Utility, outdoor abuse, batoning, SD.....)
 
I'm sorry you're gonna have to be more specific for us to help you...

Try including:

One hand open?
Blade length
Price range
Blade type (tanto, leaf, drop point...etc.)

And is this knife for you?
if yes, you might wanna think about where you live for legality issues and climate (knife steels rust, some more quickly than others...)

The first knife that comes to mind is a Native I but I would never try batoning S30V and you have to take care of the steel too, but it's a champ all around strong, sharp, extremely affordable, replaceable, relatively sheeple friendly, and legal on most college campuses...

Also, welcome to bladeforums!
 
I've never batoned a folder. The blade usually is too short and thin for my wanting to smack one.

First affordable one that comes to mind is a Buck/Strider. Mine has been a stout performer and easy to care for. Great utility and outdoor blade. SD is secondary but I supposed it could handle that too. I like recurves for SD.
 
Manix. It works well for batoning because it has enough length to facilitate it and the thickness of the spine has a wedging effect. For how robust the knife is overall, it still does precision work quite well.
 
Mmmh, without wanting to go into what a folder can and can not do and which folder is the toughest and all these tangents: yes a folder can be batoned, Cliff just recently illustrated that nicely, but it seems silly to me to shop for a folder to be batoned. If you have nothing else and as a test of what a folder can stand up to if you are careful and sensible, batoning is certainly not off limits, but if you are thinking about splitting even some smaller logs on a regular or frequent basis, you better go with a fixed blade.

Having said that, my vote goes to the Manix. Perfect trade-off between maximum strength without loosing too much utility. It is definitely strong enough for SD, wether it has the right shape for SD you have to ask someone who does SD with knives.
 
The Spyderco G-10 Para Military or the Lg Manix are tough all round knives for the $$$. I have a 1rst prod. Bradley S30V & Ti. That has proven to be a good handles all edged tool. ~baba~
 
If you can get an Extrema Ratio MPF, that would do it. Also, Strider SnG or SMF or AR or GB, or the venerable Sebenza. Tanto on the Strider & CRK s best.

There are a lot of much lighter knives that will work, and for utility and self-defense, massive is not necessarily better. Consider a Spyderco Endura 4 and especially the Endura 4 Wave. I wouldn't want to baton most folders, not even a Spyderco Military, but the Military would be hard to beat otherwise. I'm not as familiar with the Benchmades, but the big 710 would do fine.

Also, not the Cold Steel Voyagers, good as they are, but the full flat ground Vaqueros would hold up under batoning, and the Vaquero Grande's 6" blade is just made for mayhem.
 
Spyderco Manix (full size) is the one! Also, a Byrd Cara Cara G10 is pretty awesome. Especially for the dough. Otherwise, there are several "do all" knives out there. The Benchmade 710 is pretty handy. In terms of everyday usefulness: Buck 301, or a 110, or a SAK, or a Leatherman Wave, etc. etc. An Endura 4 is a pretty amazing all-round knife. It just depends on what you want to do. I guess you wouldn't want to baton a SAK, but I guess you could if you had to. I've never had to baton anything in my life, so that's not really a consideration for me.
 
HoB said:
Mmmh, without wanting to go into what a folder can and can not do and which folder is the toughest and all these tangents: yes a folder can be batoned, Cliff just recently illustrated that nicely, but it seems silly to me to shop for a folder to be batoned. If you have nothing else and as a test of what a folder can stand up to if you are careful and sensible, batoning is certainly not off limits, but if you are thinking about splitting even some smaller logs on a regular or frequent basis, you better go with a fixed blade.

Having said that, my vote goes to the Manix. Perfect trade-off between maximum strength without loosing too much utility. It is definitely strong enough for SD, wether it has the right shape for SD you have to ask someone who does SD with knives.
Click to expand...

I agree that when possible one should use a fixed blade for batoning, but sometimes it's nice to just carry one knife and have it do all you need. Sometimes when I'm outside, I carry my (New, non-defective) Opinel #12 and it can whittle and carve, baton and split, chop, dig etc. It's another great all-around folder. I could envision myself using it on longer hikes if I wanted to pack a minimum of gear that weighs very little.

I'll second the reccomendation of SAKs for all-around knives, kind of forget that because I thought you meant more overall toughness. But the SAKs are versatile. The screwdriver / bottle opener is more sensible to pry with than a knife blade, the saw expands it's scope of work etc. I'd look into something like a Camper, Soldier or Farmer, any of which can be had for under 30$ after shipping.
 
You know, How about the Rat1 Folder with 1/2 serrated blade. The lock up is amazing and the AUS 8 blade deals with some heavy abuse and sharpens up great. $70.00 or so bucks and that is about as all-round as you can get!!! ~baba~
 
Apperently this thread that I started didn't show up as active in the list of topics.... so I'm afraid i had no idea that this was here. Sorry for the confusion. My favorite will be my new Manix just cuz' its a brute.... but a SAk is always best around sheeple.
 
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