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Entry-Level Folders

Took a look at that site and seems they've got prettymuch every knife I'm looking at, so here's a list of them all.

http://www.tradingpostsupply.com/kbar3050.html - Kabar Mule. What can I say, I'm hung up on the comfy looking design and that's a good price from what I've seen.

http://www.tradingpostsupply.com/ben10300.html - Benchmade monochrome. Good size and steel handles.

http://www.tradingpostsupply.com/c2315b.html - Camillus Sizzle. Looked like another nice-sized knife, doubt I'll get it though.

http://store.tradingpostsupply.com/kbar4065.html - Dozier. I think this one's been covered :)

http://www.tradingpostsupply.com/spyby03p.html - Spyderco Cara Cara. Looks like a good deal.


I'd imagine I'll ge tthe monochrome, dozier or cara cara. I'm not really looking to spend 40 or 50 dollars if I don't have to. I just don't have enough uses for a knife to justify spending that much, when I could be spending it on a new skateboard or something. :D
 
Yeah, if you have large hands, the sizzle is waaaaay too small. It's just big enough for me, and I have mediumish hands. Approx 3.5 in across knuckles.
 
Hmm, then scratch the sizzle then.

Leaning towards the monochrome at the moment.
 
I went to a camping store near here and here's what I found out.

Handled a Spyderco, I think an endura...something along those lines. A 50$ folder. Had a solid weight and feel and was impressed with how solid the blade locked. Felt like a fixed blade with how solid it locked up.

Then I turned around and saw a Benchmade stand I didn't notice they had before. Held a mini-skirmish and that alone was enough to make me want to buy a benchmade. It felt so good, such quality. If I had a knife like that, I would carry it with my everyday because of how nice it was and how good it felt in my hands. I'm starting to understand you guys more. :)

I took home a benchmade catalouge and I definately see myself ordering one of their knives. So, now I guess if anyone has suggestions for what to get from benchmade that's under 50$, let me know.

The monochrome still has my eye, but the Ambush looks nice too. Is it possible to get the mini-ambush with aluminum handles instead of Zytel? The normal ambush looks slightly larger than I'd like for EDC. Monochrome it is at this point.
 
Grab the mini Griptillian series for $60. Smooooth and VERY VERY secure AXIS lock, great hand filling grip and now in 154CM steel and will definately last a good part of your life.
 
Victorinox SAK One Hand Trailmaster is great, with wood saw and one hand opening locked blade.
It's not pricey and the build is solid!:thumbup: Besides, it also comes with black coated blade.
I believe the 111mm size will fit large hand better.

Tim FelineVet (you can search him on this forum or visit his shop )also has the Bundeswehr (German Army official) version, but this model will be lacking the toothpick and tweezer.
 
Vivi said:
I went to a camping store near here and here's what I found out.

Handled a Spyderco, I think an endura...something along those lines. A 50$ folder. Had a solid weight and feel and was impressed with how solid the blade locked. Felt like a fixed blade with how solid it locked up.

Then I turned around and saw a Benchmade stand I didn't notice they had before. Held a mini-skirmish and that alone was enough to make me want to buy a benchmade. It felt so good, such quality. If I had a knife like that, I would carry it with my everyday because of how nice it was and how good it felt in my hands. I'm starting to understand you guys more. :)

I took home a benchmade catalouge and I definately see myself ordering one of their knives. So, now I guess if anyone has suggestions for what to get from benchmade that's under 50$, let me know.

The monochrome still has my eye, but the Ambush looks nice too. Is it possible to get the mini-ambush with aluminum handles instead of Zytel? The normal ambush looks slightly larger than I'd like for EDC. Monochrome it is at this point.
Click to expand...

You can see if these guys have any more of the mini grips for $42,00....
I bought a full size MDP for $52.00 from them in Jan or early Feb.

http://www.gpknives.com/specials.html?osCsid=91d4f912e92935fb5ed9184b0e7b14a7
 
I have a Mini Skirmish...........its a great knife.........Pika's a great deal
Vic OH Trekker......I've looked at a few and they've all had what I thought was excessive main blade play.......I think it's inherent in the design.....bought one anyway and am very happy with it....blade play goes away with just a little back pressure on the blade............never had any problems with Swiss Army steel rust or corrosion.
 
Metis said:
+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.
Click to expand...

The common thing that officers supposedly do around here is hold the blade across the palm of their hand, and if the blade is larger than their palm, they tell you it's illegal. Never mind the fact that Texas allows up to a 5.5" blade (though San Antonio does have a wacky law regarding locking folders), and I don't think anybody has a palm that's 5.5" across.

It's so common that everybody seems to use it, and I can't even find a basis for it in law.
 
Vivi said:
I took home a benchmade catalouge and I definately see myself ordering one of their knives. So, now I guess if anyone has suggestions for what to get from benchmade that's under 50$, let me know.
Click to expand...

If you've decided you want a benchmade, and you're willing to spend $50, scrape up the extra $10 and get a Griptilian. The imported folders are OK, but the Axis locks are so far ahead you'll want one once you handle them - do it now.
 
Bumping this thread for a few reasons.

Got my first folder, a CRKT. Now looking for the next.

Handled a Delica today and really liked it. If I could find one for around 40$ or so I might get one.

As far as Benchmade goes, I'd like an Axis Lock knife from them under 75$ that isn't a griptilian. What are my options? I was handling the Griptilian and Minigrip today and I just felt like I could find something that fit my hand better. It's not a bad knife by any means from what I saw, the handle is ergonomic and seems well-designed...just doesn't fit my hand as well as I prefer.

What are thoughts of the Kershaw Vapor? It seemed solid and well-built to me and at 18$ I think it'd fit in nicely as folder #3.
 
Another option is to go to local Army & Navy Surplus stores. I've noticed that a couple of them, near where I live, have older Gerber folding knives for sale. Mostly Gators and the EZ-Out models. Obviously a big step up from $5 folders.... and usually for only a few bucks more; considering how long they've been sitting in the display case. As in, a few years!
 
i second or third the suggestion of Byrd knives.

if you like full sized folders you could try the cara cara feels sorta like a police model, but its probabbly suposed to be an entry level endura
 
Happy with my purchase. Great knife. Will post more detailed thoughts after having spent more than 5 minutes with it. ;)

slnshy.jpg
 
Vivi said:
I went to a camping store near here and here's what I found out.

Handled a Spyderco, I think an endura...something along those lines. A 50$ folder. Had a solid weight and feel and was impressed with how solid the blade locked. Felt like a fixed blade with how solid it locked up.

Then I turned around and saw a Benchmade stand I didn't notice they had before. Held a mini-skirmish and that alone was enough to make me want to buy a benchmade. It felt so good, such quality. If I had a knife like that, I would carry it with my everyday because of how nice it was and how good it felt in my hands. I'm starting to understand you guys more. :)

I took home a benchmade catalouge and I definately see myself ordering one of their knives. So, now I guess if anyone has suggestions for what to get from benchmade that's under 50$, let me know.

The monochrome still has my eye, but the Ambush looks nice too. Is it possible to get the mini-ambush with aluminum handles instead of Zytel? The normal ambush looks slightly larger than I'd like for EDC. Monochrome it is at this point.
Click to expand...
Vivi, you are comparing apples to oranges here. The Skirmish runs around $165+ at most internet dealers while the Mini-Skirmish runs around $140-$150. These are hardly "entry level" knives. The Spyderco Endura and Delica both run less than $50 with FRN handles at www.knifeworks.com and less than $60 with stanless steel handles. The BenchMades run three times the price of the Endura/Delica line. so I would expect them to be rather nicer. Why not compare the Skirmish to the Chinook, the Military, the Mannix, or the Paramilitary, as examples of higher line Spydercos.

It has been my conclusion that, provided you are comfortable with Spyderco's designs which do not appeal to everyone, the best bet for "entry level" knives must be the Endura/Delica line. I have yet to find more quality for the money in any other knife except, perhaps, the Spyderco Native, which is now available at Wal-Mart for an extremely good price and with an incredibly good steel in the blade.
 
If you can find one, maybe on the sale/trade forums here, get a Spyderco Calypso Jr. with VG-10 blade. This is a fabulous cutting instrument, and will show you elements of knife and blade design that will shape future knife choices radically.

The KaBar Doziers and Byrd line others have mentioned have won a great many fans, people I respect recommend them and I assume they must be excellent values.

I would not recommend the Spyderco Native, like many others, I have one where the S30V steel chips horribly. But if you get a good one, it's an excellent design and value. Unfortunately it's luck of the draw with S30V.....
 
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