Folder recommendation

B

BladeLock

Joined
Oct 14, 2004
Messages
3
I will be attending a gun show this weekend and am looking to pick up a folder for self defense. I am looking to spend around $100 and was wondering what any of you would recommend and why. I know $100 is not a lot to spend on a knife. Right now I have a gerber paraframe II that only cost $25. I like the knife except it does not open easily one handed. Any info would be appreciated.

BladeLock
 
More info on what you are interested in and what you plan to use it for would be a huge help. While knives can easily exceed the $100 you mentioned there are Tons of them available at that price range or less which are very good knives. Give some more info about what you like in a knife materials etc and what you plan to do with it. An excelent camping knife is not likely to be as practical as an every day carrry knif etc...
 
$100 can buy you plenty of knife.

For purely self-defence, look at something like a Spyderco Police or Military, fully serrated. Just make sure the blade length is within your legal limits.
 
Lot of options out there for 100 bucks but I'd have to say that the Benchmade AFCK and Spyderco Yojimbo would be right up there.

A lot of it will be a preference thing since there are so many great knives out there that could meet your criteria.
 
Spyderco Chinook II's can be found for around $110.00 on the 'net. Now, THAT'S a self defense folder. Strongest lockback(lock strength is Martial Blade Craft rated by Spyderco) I've ever used, CPM S30V blade steel, four position pocket clip and a black G-10 handle with dual steel liners.

Probably the best multi-use folder I've ever owned. I wouldn't trade or sell it period.

Good suggestions by all previous posters too IMO.


All the best,
Mike U.
 
chris in mo said:
More info on what you are interested in and what you plan to use it for would be a huge help. While knives can easily exceed the $100 you mentioned there are Tons of them available at that price range or less which are very good knives. Give some more info about what you like in a knife materials etc and what you plan to do with it. An excelent camping knife is not likely to be as practical as an every day carrry knif etc...
Click to expand...

As I am new to knives I am not sure even what I should like as far as materials, etc. I do know I want a folder, it needs to have a 4 inch or less blade and I would like to carry it everyday, all day. I am thinking I would like an assisted opening knife. I carry my gerber now clipped to my pocket and so far no one at any of the schools I frequent as a service tech have said anything. I am pretty sure I want to stay with a clip. Bottom line is I want it for defensive purposes, though I would also use it for normal knife use. I don't have any training in knife tactics so I don't know if that in any way limits my choices or not.
Thanks for the response.

BladeLock
 
I agree with Planterz.
See the post about using a zip tie to make a wave.
A Spyderco Military with a quick draw.
 
The top 3...Benchmade 806D2, 805, or 710...Either one of these will do nicely as a "defensive" folder.
 
I would strongly recommend that you get some training if you intend to carry a knife for defense. It is fairly easy to hurt someone with a blade, but if that doesn't scare them off it is very difficult to actually stop an attacker with one. You would probably be better off keeping the knife closed and using it as an impact weapon in most cases.

That aside, here are my criteria for a good defensive knife...

It must have a strong and reliable lock. My favorite is a well-implemented frame lock, but the type of lock is not as important as the quality of its design and implementation. The most consistent are probably Spyderco's compression lock and Benchmade's axis lock. Just don't count out lockbacks (also known as front locks) or liner locks, many are rock solid.

It must have a secure grip. Personally I want something to keep my hand from sliding forward onto the blade. I prefer a lower guard, but a deep finger indent works too. An upper guard or friction-grooved thumb ramp provides additional security.

It must be easy to draw. A well-designed pocket clip is always a good choice. So is a kydex belt sheath. Just make sure the location is easy to reach and the draw angle is comfortable.

It must deploy quickly and reliably. Assisted-openers are nice, but not really necessary. Flippers are my favorite mechanism for fast opening. Holes and thumb studs work well too. Emerson's Wave may be the fastest, although it will tear up your pockets. Whatever your choice, practice is more important than finding the perfect opener.

Given your price limit my actual recommendation would be the Timberline Worden Tactical Supreme. It's a mid-level knife, not glamorous by BladeForums standards, but big and solid with an excellent grip. This is a knife that I would trust in a crisis.

--Bob Q
 
Take a look at the Camillus Heat. Assisted opening, convertible to manual if necessary. Blade just over 3.5". Good big handle. Clip reversible for lefties. $50.
 
I'd forgotten about the Heat. Great choice! I would have recommended the Dominator if not for the price limit.

--Bob Q
 
BladeLock said:
As I am new to knives I am not sure even what I should like as far as materials, etc. I do know I want a folder, it needs to have a 4 inch or less blade and I would like to carry it everyday, all day. I am thinking I would like an assisted opening knife. I carry my gerber now clipped to my pocket and so far no one at any of the schools I frequent as a service tech have said anything. I am pretty sure I want to stay with a clip. Bottom line is I want it for defensive purposes, though I would also use it for normal knife use. I don't have any training in knife tactics so I don't know if that in any way limits my choices or not.
Thanks for the response.

BladeLock
Click to expand...

Bladelock,

New to knives is great good to have a new knifenut in our midst. The info you posted above is a help in that we know you want something for every day carry so most likely not something too thick (EG Buck Strider which is a good knife but not a great choice for pocket carry) and bulky and not something real decorative and fancy. There is a lot out there in the catagory and price range you are looking at. I would recomend you look at some Spyderco's and Benchmades as well as some of the other companies. Both the mentioned companies make some very good knives for the money.

As for the assisted opening option. I have a couple of them and they area cool but they can also be an issue. Some places the police will call them a switchblade and that can cause some legal hassles. I dont carry eitehr of the assisted openers that I own because it is not worth the possible legal problems when many standard one hand opening knives are nearly as fast to open.
 
I would reccomend you the Spyderco Gunting. It is a specialized knife for MBC (Martial Blade Craft). It can be used for SD both closed and open (a feature you don't find at too many knives).
But in order to use it at its fully potential, you need to understand Bram Frank's philosoplhy and to attend some MBC training. More infos regarding the Gunting and MBC here
OTOH, if you don't have time for this, I would suggest the Spyderco Lil'Temperance. It is also MBC rated, but it can be used as an utility folder as well. It is made with the best materials currently available (S30V blade, G-10 handles, compression lock). It is not that big, yet it has a solid feel and great ergonomics.
 
I fully agree with everyone who recommended defensive training before carrying a knife for self-defense for two main reasons. 1. Its better to have a wider range of options BEFORE having to resort to deadly force, and you may not always have your knife available. 2. Good training will give you experience and confidence so if you are ever unlucky enough to be in a deadly situation you'll be less likely to panic.

Almost any decent quality production folder can be used as a weapon effectively. Obviously, don't buy a plastic-handled $4 knife at the fleamarket though.
 
Spyderco Military, Chinook II, Benchmade 806D2 AFCK, 710. Those would be my suggestions.
 
I will recommend the only full-sized knife I own under $100. The Spyderco Native with S30V blade. Great Every Day Carry knife with superb steel, and ease of carry.

DD
 
Many thanks for all the info from everyone. It will be interesting to see how many of these recommendations are actually available at the gun show, and at what price. I feel like I have enough information to make a wise choice.

BladeLock
 
Check out the prices form the e-sellers before going to the gun show to make sure you're getting a good price. If the show guys can't meet it, buy from a good e-seller. It's your money.
 
Two knives I think are excellent for self defense because of the superior grip they afford are the Crawford Kasper and Hammond Cruiser, both made by CRKT.

http://www.crkt.com/crawkasp.html
http://www.crkt.com/cruiser.html

The Cruiser offers a slightly better grip, but the Crawford Kasper is a little easier to conceal because of its low width. BTW, you probably want to stay away from expensive high carbon steels, as most are more prone to break under extreme use conditions, while a softer steel such as AUS6 can take more torque before breaking.

*ducks incoming barrage from AUS6 bashers* :yawn:
 
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