Folder for everything

O

OmegaA

Joined
Feb 13, 2004
Messages
282
Hello, guys.
My search for a good folder started so long time ago that now I even think I am completely lost. Here is my problem: I want a good knife for hiking, camping, hunting. I find folder will best suit my needs. At the moment, I have Spyderco Delica and Victorinox. Spyderco is good to carry and always with me, but I find it very inconvenient to cut. Victorinox is very good knife to use, but I do not like it does not have clip and not particularly strong - you cannot stick into teh wood to carve something out.
So, my question is what folding knife would you recommend that is tough, comfortable to use, has one hand opening and clip that can be placed on the other side of the handle or made specially for left-handers? I consider Swamp Rat and Sebenza at the moment (at least half a year), but not sure which one is better - Swamp is longer, Sebenza, as I read, is more comfortable, but not sure if both of them can beat or match Victorinox in comfort. Both tough, and it is arguable which one is tougher. I do not think Spydeco or Benchmade will meet my requirements of toughness - I managed to break my first Delica in 2 years, so I think I am not that delicate with knives.
I read about Strider, but they look not particularly useful for camping or hunting. Plus, they seem to be a bit too pricey.
Regards,
 
The Spyderco Chinook would be my first thought, has all the criteria you want and you can practically fillet a Tank with one they are so tough.

I would look at some of the Benchmade Axis locks also, theya re all completely reversible for left-hand (I am one) and I can't imagine what you would run into that they are not tough enough to handle.
 
If you considered a sheath folder as a possiblity you would have more options , you know this I'm sure.
Honestly if I go hiking or hunting or fishing I carry my trusty old Buck 110 , solid as a rock , cuts like no tommorrow and not pricey , unless you get into the 'custom' versions.
 
Go with the Sebenza. Well made and tough. Very useful blade shape. Has a clip. Made in left hand dedicated version. Can be easily stripped down and cleaned.
 
There are many knives that would suit your needs.

Here are a few suggestions:

Spyderco Military
Spyderco Stretch
Spyderco Pacific Salt
Spyderco Atlantic Salt
Benchmade 720 or 721
Benchmade 551

Good luck,
Allen.
 
My first thought was the Benchmade Ritter Grip. It has a much thicker profile than the Endura, but that may be advantageous while using gloves. The clip can be mounted on either side and is one-handed opening. The S30V blade does hold an edge, but sharpening can be a pain until you get used to it. Carry that with a SAK, or the Mini Ritter Grip, and that may cover the bases for hunting, hiking, etc.
 
I second the Ritter Benchmade, or the Sebenza.. That Al Mar is just too damn big & clunky for me.
 
If your budget is tight, you can go with a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, the name is ronfling (? err. too big?) but it's a fine knife, far from being fancy but it's tough while remaining not too heavy, it's worth giving it a check, just my 0.02 cents...
 
gajinoz said:
Go with the Sebenza. Well made and tough. Very useful blade shape. Has a clip. Made in left hand dedicated version. Can be easily stripped down and cleaned.
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Yup.


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[Sebenza]

gajinoz said:
...tough.
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The spec'ed edge on a Sebenza is ~0.020" with a high hollow grind, on a high alloy stainless steel this isn't tough, some of them are also much thinner, the small Sebenza I have has one of the most extreme edge profiles I have seen, I could easily take a huge chunk out of the knife with moderate twisting in hard woods. It cuts very well of course, but is very fragile.

OmegaA said:
Spyderco is good to carry and always with me, but I find it very inconvenient to cut.
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What does this mean exactly, is it serrated?

Victorinox is very good knife to use, but I do not like it does not have clip and not particularly strong - you cannot stick into teh wood to carve something out.
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Convert one of the screwdrivers to a wood chisel.

I managed to break my first Delica in 2 years...
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Doing what? And i what way did it break?

-Cliff
 
I broke my Spyderco Delica by... using it... :eek: I did not do anything wrong with it, but one day the lock stopped locking and Delica became like an ordinary pen knife without lock - some bit in the lock worn out. Of course, Spyderco replaced it for a brand new, but I had to pay a few quids for postage to the USA etc. My replacement Delica started having some problems with lock as well now, so perhaps in a year, when lock breaks down, I will send it to Spyderco for another replacement. I am not annoyed by this though, it is still a good city knife with free regular upgrade :D

But in truth, if you try Delica vs Victorinox Picnicker in the kitchen you will feel Picnicker is much more comfortable knife. When I cut a thin pine tree branch I felt significant difference - you have to press Delica really hard, while Picnicker does the job very easy! I only do not like that Victorinox gets blunt quickly.

For these reasons I did not consider Spyderco for my use any more, and Benchmade.
 
OmegaA said:
My replacement Delica started having some problems with lock as well now ...
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What kind of cutting are you doing?

But in truth, if you try Delica vs Victorinox Picnicker in the kitchen you will feel Picnicker is much more comfortable knife. When I cut a thin pine tree branch I felt significant difference - you have to press Delica really hard, while Picnicker does the job very easy!
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Yes, the main blade on Swiss Army Knives is very thin and cuts very well, Spyderco however does make lots of knives which cut better than the Delica, try one of the fuly flat ground models.

-Cliff
 
What's wrong with two knives?
I use my Victornox (tinker) virtually every day (its my carry knife and one of the best tools that I have ever bought (the one in my pocket is around 20 years old)) for light camp chores, emergency can opening and every day cutting its great.
I use a heavy (sheath) folder for tougher jobs (bigger than bagels) camping (I'm not particular what kind of folder as long as it will hold an edge and its tough enough to bear down on (The Victonox has cleaned deer, but its easier to do with a larger blade (use the right tool for the purpose))
Enjoy!
 
I don't understand the "one folding knife for everything" ideology. I will say, however, that my 30 year old Buck 110 Hunter, has done about any kind of chore a small folding knife could be called on -- REALISTICALLY -- to do. I've used it to clean elk, Mule deer, Blacktail deer, antelope, Black bear, fish, tree squirrels, cottontail rabbits, and various and sundry whittling chores around camp, etc., and it has NEVER failed me.

One hand opening?? It can be done with the Buck 110, if you know how to "snap your wrist" the correct way. But I couldn't care less about that.

That said, I always carry two knives when out in the boonies, a folder and a fixed blade, but if anticipating heavier cutting duties, I'll have a good hatchet, or ax, or machete, or saw, or whatever I think I might need.

Problem with "one knife for all chores imaginable" is that IF you break or lose it, you are now "up the creek without a paddle." Besides, in my opinion, there is no such thing as the one blade that can handle ALL cutting chores.

Good luck. L.W.
 
I vote for the Sebenza.

This opinion is coming from someone (me) who also spent a long time searching to that one perfect folder for the the exact same situations plus urban EDC as well. Also coming from someone that has spent a couple thousand dollars trying every other folder on the market.

Since purchasing my latest (3rd) Sebenza, there are only two types of situations where I substitute another folder for my Sebbie.

1. Watersports - Then I switch to Syderco Salt (so I dont have to deal with water related maintenance).
2. Air travel - Then I switch to Ritter Grip (so I'm not worried about TSA or the airlines "losing" my sebbie with my baggage).
 
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