Folding equivalent of a fixed blade

K

KenHash

Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
4,682
When in an environment that calls for and allows it I prefer to carry a 4-5in fixed blade. However there are times
when it would be better if I carried a folding knife. Which non A/O folding knives would be the closest to the fixed blade? I recognize that the main features to consider would be (1) Blade length (2) Blade Thickness (3) Pivot/lock up strength.
By BM Adamas 275 is probably the nearest to my requirements but it's A/O. Thanks.
 
Yes I hear nothing but praise about tjhe CS Triad Lock. I'm excluding Extrema Ratios on account price range.
I guess a simple way of putting my question would be " Which folding knife would you be willing to hammer into a tree, stand on it,
maybe lightly bounce on it, with reasonable confidence that it won't break?"
I know I could do this with nearly all of my 4 inch and over fixed blades.
 
miscellaneous-worms-can-tin-opening_a_can_of_worms-opening-jfa2492_low.jpg
 
I had a Benchmade Adamas a while ago, and I can say for certain it was made to be abused, though I still wonder how well the Axis Lock will hold up to constant batonning.

I think your best bet will be a Cold Steel folder, namely the Recon 1. You can look up videos of them being taken to hell and back, and they hold up surprisingly well (especially for their price point).
 
It seems that some folks are expecting

Fireworks_in_the_sky.gif


but I've found that the DPx HEST folder is pretty stout with a thick blade and locking mechanism (Roto-lock?) on its titanium frame-lock.
 
Spyderco TUFF... designed by ED SCHEMPP to be a "FOLDING FIXED BLADE" in his own words. He figured it would take two hands to open it. I've had two NIB; sold the first one. It was a two-hander. My second one is also NIB and I can operate it with one hand. It is a ROCK. I love it. I'd chop down a granite mountain with this one and pry up railroad tracks and the CPM-3V blade would still be pristine.
Oh Yeah...to leave no doubt...this is one of the finest folders I've owned, out of several hundreds. Here are a few pics with a 710. You can find Tuffs often on the exchange for $200. No greater guy than that, IMO. I've had two BM 0275's; they are ALSO great knives in D2.
http://s246.photobucket.com/user/Sonnytoo/library/TUFF-BM710D2
 
Last edited:
The only thing to consider is lock strength. Everything else is a non issue. Thicker blades are waaaaaaaay overrated.

[video=youtube;krZJUj70r1c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krZJUj70r1c[/video]
 
Benchmade 810 Contego is the strongest folder I own.

It's a beast of a knife capable of more abuse than I will ever put it through.
 
The Adamas isn't AO. If it's classified as a gravity/flick knife in your area, you could crank the pivot down and remove the thumbstuds to make it a two-handed opening knife. It's one of the strongest folding knives around, as long as the omega springs are doing their job.
 
Moving parts will always be the "weakest link" for some of the uses you described. I have an Adamas 275 and a Recon 1, and both are very sturdy to be sure, but there is no way in hell that I'd hammer either one into a tree and then trust it to hold my weight. Prying, maybe. Chopping, if done properly, sure. But even those are tasks I'd rather not try to tackle with a folder, even a very robust one.

Meanwhile, there are numerous folders I've bought in the past few years that, for my purposes, could serve as fixed blade substitutes for cutting tasks, some of which are very inexpensive. My first Kershaw purchase was a Scamp, and that is a tough little knife. My main camping/hiking folder is a Coast FX350, and it's a real beast. So is the lockback SOG Salute. However, none are going to win any awards for high-grade materials or "cool factor" when compared to more expensive knives. My Recon 1 cost twice as much as any of those budget folders, and the Adamas was twice as much as the Recon 1, so who knows - maybe if I spent twice the price of the Adamas on something else, it would be the true fixed blade substitute that seems like a myth to me.
 
;)
Not to hijakk but, seeing is believing.
That was a great vdo.
The CRKT knives, with the LAWKS, makes for a very strong folder.
rolf
 
Disclaimer- I don't really like CS knives, their ads, AUS-8 steel, handle materials, generally pokey designs.

However, if I really wanted a folder to do the ridiculous stuff that some people do to fixed blades. I'd get any of the CS triad locking knives that had the wave feature and was the least horrible looking. I just can't think of why I'd want a fixed blade outside of the outdoors, have tried it and didn't keep with it personally.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top