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Entry-Level Folders

B

bugmenot

Banned
Joined
Nov 13, 2005
Messages
174
The only folders I currently have are cheap, no-name folders around 5$ or so in price. I'm looking for something with a little more quality to it, something I don't feel like I have to constantly worry about falling apart, something with a higher quality blade retention quality to it etc. These will just be for general utility usage....going on hikes with them...cutting various wood, maybe rope, maybe doing a little whittling here and there, that sort of thing. I don't care about how well I could kill someone with it, because that's just an unlikely scenario and so on. I just want something that is durable and practical for utility usage, but is cheap enough that I can lose it in the woods or break it somehow and not really care.

Right now two models have caught my eyes. Benchmade's Pika / Mini Pika, and the Kabar Dozers. I've heard many good things about the dozers on these forums and benchmade seems to have a strong reputation as well. Right now I'm leaning towards the Kabar, as the materials look like quality and word-of-mouth is favorable towards them as well.

I do have somewhat big hands, being 6'4, so that's another thing to consider. My hands are a little over 4 inches wide in the middle of the palm, 4.5 inches from bottom to top of palm, 8.5 inches from fingertips to bottom of palm.

The kabar has a 4.5 inch handle, which seems adequate enough. How do their locks perform?

Some other preferences: I don't like any sort of assisted opening mechanisms. I also found that non-serrated blades generally suit my needs better and are easier for me to maintain. I've noticed a lot of lower-end folders (And fixed blades for that matter) that offer some high end steel, but seem to really skimp on the handle quality. I'm looking to avoid getting something with a weak or bendy handle, or anything that will break or come apart easily.

Thanks in advance.
 
I like the Kabar over the Pika, it's definately and a good entry level knife. You might want to consider some of the larger Victorinox models as well although they don't have pocket clips so a belt pouch would be in order.
 
Heheh, I hear a lot of good about Spyderco on here too, and seems many people own them and are satisfied with them.

I'm gonna go visit a few local stores, also swing by the police station to get some more information about what exactly would be acceptable for EDC.

I really wish I could find some of the specific models I'm looking at in a store. Knives are one of the many things I dislike buying before I can actually hold it in my hand. That's one reason I enjoyed buying my fixed blade, because I got to try it out for balance, weight etc before any money left my hands. Ontario Spec plus marine fixed blade for the curious, not sure which exact model. Got it for 30$, solid knife that's taken a good beating and a surprisingly good quality sheath.

Just want to find a good little folder now that suits me, then buy 2 or 3 of them so I always have some spare. I'll check out spyderco's site if I don't see any of their blades while I'm out. Thanks for the suggestions so far.
 
I don't have any experience with the Ka-Bar, but I can tell you that my Mini-Pika is one of the best values I have come across, and is built better than knives I've seen costing twice as much. Mine has no blade play to speak of and locks up very securely. I also like how the clip allows it to sit extremely low in my pocket, and is reversible for left-handed owners.
 
I have a kabar dozer with the ausa8 and I just bought a new spyderco today at walmart. The dozier was roughly half the price of the spyderco. Dozier keeps a good edge and is easy to resharpen. The spyderco native was $40.00 , but comes with s30v steel. Blade play seemed to be pretty close in both knives. My dozier sees a lot of edc time in the pockets. The spyderco came hair popping sharp out of the box. The Dozier takes and holds a good edge when I use my sharp maker. For my two cents worth ; which ever knife you pick you can't go wrong.

Good luck asking local law enforcement for advise. I am not trying to bash local or state police, but I have asked severel officers (of each ) for the legel limits. They are the one's that should know the law. I could not find one officer that knew the max limit for a blade in my state. How can an officer enforce the law if he is clueless to the blade size? I went to my states official web site and checked out the law for myself.

Good luck and long live your edge
Jay
 
stay under 4 inches should be fine.

I second the $40 Native, that knife is crazy sharp. Hold a nice edge I use it constantly.
 
The Endura 4, hands down is my suggestion:

SC_10PBK.jpg


Costs inbetween 45 and 50 bucks, great steel (VG-10), full nested steel liners for stiff, not bendy handles, strong lock back, easy one handed opening, great grippiness, comfortable full grip. This is just the ultimate mid to low priced user knife. Everybody should have one.

If it's too big, check out the Delica 4. Same knife, just sized down a bit.

SC_C11PBK.jpg
 
Jay_Wyatt said:
Good luck asking local law enforcement for advise. I am not trying to bash local or state police, but I have asked severel officers (of each ) for the legel limits. They are the one's that should know the law. I could not find one officer that knew the max limit for a blade in my state. How can an officer enforce the law if he is clueless to the blade size? I went to my states official web site and checked out the law for myself.

Jay
Click to expand...

+1

look up the actual laws. i'm an LEO and i'm constantly amazed at how much misinformation on knives is accepted as "law" by fellow officers.

and, +1 for the Endura.
 
Benchmade Red Class is the way to go--Pika, NRA Fecas gunstock, Monochrome--all around $20-30 or so.

You are going to need to spend at least $20 IMHO to get something worthwhile.
 
I talked to the officers today about Ohio's rather vague laws, "No deadly weapons" is about as specific as they get.

He said that technically, any knife that is concealed could be considered against the law, mostly depends on the officer and what your intentions appear to be. He said that any exposed knife, for the most part, won't create many problems. I wonder if this means I can walk around with a kabar on my belt.

Really though, I don't think I'll get in much trouble if I have a "pocket knife" looking blade and stay away from intimidating tac knives. Staying away from assisted openers, butterflies, double edged blades etc also would help I'd imagine.

The Spyderco's look great, but 50$ is a little more than I'm looking to spend at this point. Ideally I'd like to be spending no more than 30$ for my first name-brand folder, see how I feel about it, then go from there. I'll help give me an idea of what I'll want in a folder and so on.

So far, it's looking like I'll pick up a dozier and a lower end benchmade. Fecas, Pika etc. I'd like to start out at lower-end and build a decent little variety so I can find my needs like I was saying. But I'll definately keep these Spyderco models in mind.

I didn't get a chance to go to any stores, but I've looked at some knife making websites and used their dealer searches to find places to check out. Will be looking for models in this thread. Thanks for the help.

As a side note, I own every Opeth album there is. Wonderful avatar. :)
 
Opeth is really good.

You can walk around with a Ka-Bar on your belt as long as fixed blades are legal in your state. In California, I absolutley can carry around any fixed blade, no matter what size, as long as it is not concealed.

Anyways, I recommend the Buck Mayo Cutback, Buck Mayo Hilo, or Kershaw Vapor. They are 20-30 bucks.

I have not handled a Ka-Bar Dozier, but I have handled a Pika, and the Cutback, Hilo, and Vapor are of equal or better quality, and have much better designs, IMO.

The Dozier and Pika offer FRN (plastic) handles and, IMO, very uninteresting designs. The Mayos and Vapor offer metal handles, framelocks, and designs worthy of Tom Mayo and Ken Onion. I know the Dozier is designed by Bob Dozier, but I don't think it is a good example of his design and his custom knives, while the great-looking Mayos and Vapor are good examples of Mayo's and Onion's stylish designs (though not as fancy as Onion's high-end art customs).

The Dozier and Pika look and feel* like cheap knives. They perform well, but they will not be mistaken for high-end knives. The Cutback, Hilo, and Vapor perform just as well and don't cost much, if anything, more and they *could* be mistaken for high-end multi-hundred dollar framelocks (until you start looking at the fit and finish details and using the blade often) because the designs are so interesting, and the framelocks are well-done and there is no cheap plastic on them.

*I haven't felt a Dozier
 
J85909266 said:
The Endura 4, hands down is my suggestion:

SC_10PBK.jpg


Costs inbetween 45 and 50 bucks, great steel (VG-10), full nested steel liners for stiff, not bendy handles, strong lock back, easy one handed opening, great grippiness, comfortable full grip. This is just the ultimate mid to low priced user knife. Everybody should have one.

If it's too big, check out the Delica 4. Same knife, just sized down a bit.

SC_C11PBK.jpg
Click to expand...


Took the words right out of my mouth. I have only the 3rd gen. version, but from the enhancements Spyderco has done, you will LOVE this knife.
 
bugmenot said:
As a side note, I own every Opeth album there is. Wonderful avatar. :)
Click to expand...
;) :thumbup:

Seriously, keep those Spyders in mind. IMO they can't be topped in production performance at most price levels.
 
The Spyderco Native from wally-world is a great way to go. The best way to pick though, is to handle as many knives as you can and pick the one you like the best.
 
I don't think there's anything that compares to the endura 4 / delica 4, if you compare the features and overall package. A bit more expensive than some of the other good candidates named here, but still under $50 and well worth if you can save a few more pennies
 
bugmenot said:
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/e_through_k/kabar/kabar_desert_mule_folder.html

What are thoughts on that model? I've just always thought that looked like a comfortable design and size for my hands since seeing it. I really wish I could find a store that has them so I could hold them.
Click to expand...

If you are willing to spend $50, than Endura (or Delica) is much better choice.
http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4894
http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4903
http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4903
 
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