Flat ground folders

S

sevilla

Joined
Feb 3, 2000
Messages
131
I´m looking for a stout, rugged folder to be used in wildfirefighting and short hunting trips. Until now I´ve been using and old model AFCK –titanium liner lock, a wonderful folder- and recently a Greco Falcon –hollow ground and too much bended blade; a little disappointed with it-, but I want to change. Perhaps just a whimp, but I don’t like hollow ground blades, so I´m looking for some around 100$ folder (better if under, of course) with:
o full flat grind, or even saber, but with flat bevels.
o 3 ½ to 4 “ length and clip, drop point or spear point blade.
o premium steel (ATS34 o 1095 minimum)
o non assisted, guaranteed strong enough lock.
As far as I know, just the new VG-10 Endura and Military Spyderco, Gerber Gator and CS Trailguides fill all the points. Nevertheless, I´m not sure about the grind some models I also like have. So, that´s the question: how are ground the following folders?
o Almar SERE 2000
o Buck Strider Spearpoint.
o Spyderco Chinook
o Benchmade 710
o Lonewolf Loveless folders.
o CRKT D.O.G.
o SOG Tomcat II

Any suggestion, or advice?
Thanks a lot.
 
The only two I've got from your list are the Buck Strider Spearpoint, which is hollow ground, and the Benchmade 710, a fairly high flat grind. Both have strong lockup.

My Buck Strider has about as reliable a liner lock as you can get. The hollow grind is not wimpy, either. I've chopped with it, and it doesn't dull or roll or chip. I would prefer it for heavy duty over the Benchmade 710.

The 710 is more a finesse knife. It opens faster and smoother, and the thinner blade slices better. You can open or close it by pulling the axis lock back and flicking your wrist slightly.

My Microtech SOCOM Elite has a very sharp and strong full flat ground blade and the modified liner lock is extremely reliable. It's probably going to go for over $100, though.

Is there any reason you aren't considering fixed blades? A small one would match up real well against your needs.
 
The Al Mare is a nice knife with a nice sabre grind. It has a good weight, solid lock and handle that feels comftarble in small or large hands.

The chinook is a hollow gound knife. It is very hefty and extremely strong. You do not need to worry about the lock on this puppy, it will not give out.
 
A nice large flatground folder is the BM 520 or BM 5000 if you can legally own an auto. It is a big heavy duty knife but very, very comfortable to hold and use.
Of course the Spyderco Military is a great flatground knife also.
 
I don't believe that the endura and delica are FULL flat grinds. Am I confused when I look at the new pictures? If they are full flat, can someone provide the details of when they went from hollow->flat?
 
you might want to check out the Cold Steel Trail Guides, too. I don't own one but they shoudl fill your requirements.

-John
 
The Endura and Delica do not have a full, flat ground blade. They use what is called a flat sabre grind, I believe.

If you haven't seen a current Spyderco Military with the new S30V steel, you really should. I just handled one for the first time yesterday and it is an absolute beauty. It can be had for just under $100 U.S delivered (online), and that is an incredible bargain!

Jeff/1911.
 
If you're looking for sheer utility and a strong-as-heck, reliable lock, consider Cold Steel Twistmasters: flat ground Carbon V blades, sort of like an Opinel on steroids. Takes two hands to open, but what the heck... cheap, too.
 
Before you buy a Spyderco Military or Endura, get your hands on a Benchmade 550 Griptilian.
It has good steel (440C, or D2 from Cabela's), the very strong Axis-lock, and the blade is flat-ground (not all the way to the spine like the Military, but flat none the less).
And the it can be had with a Modified sheepsfoot blade with oval thumb-hole, or a drop-point with thumb-stud.

And you will not cry if you lose it because it does'nt cost a lot of money.

Happy hunting,
Allen.
 
If one handed deployment is not a requirement, an Opinel N0. 10 meets your other reqirements.
You could buy 10 of them for what you have budgeted, and not worry about loosing them at a wildfire.
 
You wouldn't make a mistake choosing one of those Spydies:
* Military
* Lil' Temperance
* Salsa
* Bob Lum

If you were to have a great portion of luck finding one of my favorites: The Calypso Jr Lightweight, don't hesitate and buy it! Unfortunately, this excellent model has been discontinued some time ago.

Good luck,
~Paul~
 
By your criteria, I agree with blastjv and would go for a cold steel Trail Guide (CS56LSC).
One handed deployment, if you don't mind using both hands to close it, that's your next workhorse!
:)
Though if you don't mind neither for a two handed deployment, go for a carbon steel Opinel, it's even cheaper, and the handle won't melt if you drop it during wildfirefighting, may burn a bit but, at least you have much better chance to use it again :D
 
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