Folder

A

alex.neves

Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
82
Hello Hogs,

I think that is not an heresy talk about other manufacturers folders in this forum, because we still dont have the chance to have an Infi folder.

I'm not been lazy asking for advice, in fact I did a lot of research, and saw that several folders from manufactures like ZT, Strider, CRK, seems to be rock solid reliable. I'm putting this question here because I think that most of us have a similar taste for steel, we like INFI, we like robust stuff.

I litlle feedback, in the beginning of 90's I was using a swiss army knife to make a repair in a piece of furniture, the blade stop/lock broke and I had some serious injuries in my hand. Ever since I never used a folder for (really) hard work.
I work with information techonology (home office), but I also have a small construction business, and living in a area crowded by farms, and loving fishing and huting, I'm in the outdoors very often.

I have been using a Spyderco militay as my EDC for almost 15 years (sometimes I use a Cold Steel Vaquero.. I like big blades :D ) , and it is a good one, but I think that the lock mechanism could be more robust. I also carry a Spyderco Civilian for SD.

Sometimes I use my CABS but I can't get used to use a fixed blade as EDC. And living in Brazil, where all the cool stuff is forbidden, :grumpy: the only way to go is a folder.

So I'm wondering, based on your experience, can you advice?

Cheers

Alex
 
Since i don't know your price, i'll just tell you what i would buy if price didn't matter

in order of preference

Hinderer XM-24
Hinderer XM-18
Zermeno Azrael
Zt- 560
DDR Gunhammer Torpedo

Those are the ones i would want, but i tend to be hard on my knives. I'm also a flipper guy so i don't much like CRK folders
 
The price is relevant, but is not my main concern. I started looking the Hinderer folders, I do like it, but they are kind of hard to find, and I'm not sure if I'll be to put some severe use in a piece with a price tag of 1K (XM24). Then I noticed that the ZT0560/0561 are basically a version of the XM18. So I'm considering it.

These are some impressive folders, I didn't saw it before.

Jeremy Robertson - El Patron 3V
Grayman - SATO
Zermeno - Azrael
 
i do love me some ZT560, and it's VERY similar to an XM18, so it's not a bad trade off if you don't mind production

Price matters to me too, and i personally believe that the Zermeno Azrael is the single best value in a custom folder on the market. CPM154 steel, hand made with great fit and finish.... and it looks like THIS, all for between $300 and $400 depending on the options you want

CHti2.jpg
 
BePrepared said:
i do love me some ZT560, and it's VERY similar to an XM18, so it's not a bad trade off if you don't mind production

Price matters to me too, and i personally believe that the Zermeno Azrael is the single best value in a custom folder on the market. CPM154 steel, hand made with great fit and finish.... and it looks like THIS, all for between $300 and $400 depending on the options you want

CHti2.jpg
Click to expand...

This is INDEED AWESOME !!! :D
 
the zt 0560 really blew me away when i got it i think its an awesome edc blade! super smooth solid lock up great feel in the hand cant ask for much more than that.
 
Anyone surprised I say go Hinderer?

Hop over to the Hinderer section here on BF and give it a couple minutes of your time. Right now at the top of the page are a couple threads on the ZT collaborations and XMs.
 
alex.neves said:
The price is relevant, but is not my main concern. I started looking the Hinderer folders, I do like it, but they are kind of hard to find, and I'm not sure if I'll be to put some severe use in a piece with a price tag of 1K (XM24). Then I noticed that the ZT0560/0561 are basically a version of the XM18. So I'm considering it.
Click to expand...

I scored a Hinderer XM-24 from Blade show and that was $550. Maybe you can find a proxy? Mine was the production version. I've seen the ZT's severely beat and held up well when I worked at a knife shop for a few years. Some guys really like Striders and I love my Emerson CQC-8. Lot's of good choices out there. Just comes down to what tasks you have in mind and what price range you're looking at. I think Les George just came out with a model that I think is the VECP which looks stout but can't remember the price.
 
I'll also throw in a vote for the 0560/0561 if you want a larger folder with a flipper. 0550 if you want a beefy folder with thumb stud opening. Kind of surprised ZT doesn't offer a 0550 sized 0560 style flipper and a larger non flipper. I bet they are a consideration for the future though.
 
I went thru the process of searching for the right robust folder for me. A very personal thing. I have settled on the Hinderer XM 18 3.5 Spanto Flipper. But there are a lot of great knives out there.






.
 
Last edited:
i do have a soft spot for that spanto tip... that thing is NICE

if the XM-24 were 400ish, i'd have one, but i just couldn't pass up the WDZ azrael for the money. It's just too awesome for the money
 
For 550US$, a XM-24 would be my choice for sure.

I checked Les George VECP in the internet, and it seems a good option. I got this image from Les George website , I'm a user so I dont know how strong is it, but compared to pictures of other folders it seems that the "lock" could be more at the center.


IMG_9606.JPG
 
that is what's referred to as an "early lockup" and it is a highly desirable characteristic.
 
BePrepared said:
that is what's referred to as an "early lockup" and it is a highly desirable characteristic.
Click to expand...

This..

Because over time with use, the lock bar will migrate a bit toward center on most every frame lock knife. Early lockup is a good thing.
I can see how some would be concerned that it could slide and cause the blade to close unwantedly, but in use, your grip tends to push inward a bit on every bit of the handle. I have yet to have any frame lock I own fail from a lockbar sliding.
 
Thank you both for the info! It is much appreciated.

Need2Know said:
This..

Because over time with use, the lock bar will migrate a bit toward center on most every frame lock knife. Early lockup is a good thing.
I can see how some would be concerned that it could slide and cause the blade to close unwantedly, but in use, your grip tends to push inward a bit on every bit of the handle. I have yet to have any frame lock I own fail from a lockbar sliding.
Click to expand...
 
Get a Svord Peasant Folder to hold you over. $15..
You could stop right at this one. These are great, simple knives. Use the Google please.
 
Go custom ... design your own ... sacrifice an INFI blade for the folder blade ... then post pic's :thumbup:
 
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