Folding knives you trust...

[desmobob]

When I first became interested in knives, I was a folder guy. My first Benchmade folder (Mini AFCK) from A. G. Russel's catalog got me hooked on good knives. But after a while, I started using fixed blade knives and sort of lost my trust in folders (some guys like to say, "They're already broken!").

There are a couple of folders I have that I feel are up to some serious tasks. One is the Zero Tolerance 0301 and the other is the Spyderco Manix. Today, I carried the Manix during a bowhunt here in the Adirondacks. (I still carry a folder when hunting from a treestand.)

I used it to field dress a young doe I arrowed with my recurve. It was the first time I used the Manix for field dressing and I'd have to say it was perfect for the job. That S30V blade takes a scary, hair-popping edge and it was delight to use. The blade is very sturdy, but the full flat grind and fine edge helps it retain a great amount of general utility. I always felt the Manix's G10 scales texture was left just a bit too sharp/aggressive, but when covered in slippery blood, they were great.

I'd like to try out my Zero Tolerance 0301 for field dressing, but I'm worried about getting blood and gore into the assisted opening mechanism. Up until now, I had figured it was my most trustworthy folder. But after considering this field dressing business, I'm starting to think otherwise... my fondness for assisted openers is suddenly diminished.

Even my Benchmade 710D2 might be a poor candidate for field dressing duty. It would seem the Axis lock would not do well in a blood and guts environment.

Today's hunting experience has me rethinking my ideas of a dependable folder and appreciating fixed blades even more.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[raylaconico]

I don't hunt but I've used my SAK and Endura for cleaning fish. The blood and guts don't ruin the knife.. Just wash it after. I trust these knives for just about all cutting needs when camping or in everyday life.

I have the ZT 0301 and I've taken it apart completely with no problem. I don't think the blood will get into the assisted opening mechanism but you can take it apart and clean it if you want to. It's actually a very simple mechanism with only one spring and you can see how it works if you take it apart.

 

[Wandering_About]

I have the small version of the Manix and it's a great knife as well. Also have the FRN Stretch from Spyderco, and it's become my new EDC. It's a lot lighter than the Manix, but I like the blade shape better and it sits in my pocket nicer than the Manix.

SAK always rides in my pocket. Don't use too many other folders. Have a few other Spydercos but the two mentioned above get almost all use.

 

[brians]

My grip or minigrip often make my fly fishing outings - light and reliable.

Desmobob, on another note, I sold my compound bow but am looking to go traditional. Any suggestions on a used longbow or recurve for sub$200?

 

[mrappraisit]

I have an Endura 4 that I always take hiking. I don't always use it because I also take my CF Caly III, but I know it will never let down as long as I keep it sharp.

 

[udtjim]

You might want to try the Knives of Alsaka folding hunter. It has a D2 blade and the knife is open on the back side too. This makes them much easier to clean out the gunk. I love the heck out of mine. I have the Master Guide model.

 

[desmobob]

I don't hunt but I've used my SAK and Endura for cleaning fish. The blood and guts don't ruin the knife.. Just wash it after. I trust these knives for just about all cutting needs when camping or in everyday life.

I have the ZT 0301 and I've taken it apart completely with no problem. I don't think the blood will get into the assisted opening mechanism but you can take it apart and clean it if you want to. It's actually a very simple mechanism with only one spring and you can see how it works if you take it apart.

After buying the first few models of Ken Onion's Speed Safe knives and reading all the "Do not disassemble" warnings in the warranty literature, I've been hesitant to take them apart. (and that's not like me!) Thanks for letting me know it's no big deal.

I agree that blood and guts won't ruin a knife if you clean it properly. What I was thinking (but didn't say) was that in a wilderness/survival situation, a more complicated knife like an Axis lock or assisted opener might not be able to be cleaned thoroughly without taking it apart, and that might not be possible in that setting. A simple slipjoint, liner lock or lockback might be a better choice than an assisted opener or knife with a complicated locking mechanism.

Of course, all this is moot when I'm carrying my Laconico fixed blade.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[BWSkipper]

Buck 110 is the knife equivilent of the reliable old 30/30 for deer. Sure you can pay more for fancier knives or guns but I'd be willing to bet this combo has put more wild game on American tables than any others.

The deer don't know if he was killed by a $5k rifle or the humble old 30/30 and he surely won't care if he's dressed out with a $30 110 from Wally World instead of a high dollar knife.

 

[desmobob]

My grip or minigrip often make my fly fishing outings - light and reliable.

Desmobob, on another note, I sold my compound bow but am looking to go traditional. Any suggestions on a used longbow or recurve for sub$200?

Nice photo. :thumbup: (I'm a fly fisherman and Maxpedition Jumbo Versapack user too.)

As for the bow, don't be afraid to look at used models. I'm shooting an old Hoyt Pro Medalist target riser with a pair of used, discounted blemished Hoyt Gold Medalist carbon limbs. The riser is spray painted in camo and the white target limbs are covered with sticky cloth camo tape. This is a great way to go... with the ILF-style riser, you can buy different length and weight limbs of many brands and prices. You can buy a light set (30-35#) to build your form and practice, then get a heavier set for hunting later on. And you can get all this for less than the price of a decent take-down recurve hunting bow.

A lot of people who decide to go traditional buy a heavy hunting bow to start with and are never able to develop the proper form necessary to be accurate with a traditional bow.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[theonew]

I trust my Vic Farmer...
I trust it to cut. Even when it's a little dull, that thin blade still cuts pretty well. I trust it not to corrode or chip. I trust it will sharpen up quite easily. I wouldn't trust it to survive much batoning but it doesn't have to since it has a saw. Can the point of the blade drill holes?, probably but it doesn't need to since it has an awl. Can you pry with the blade?, probably not but then you have the screwdriver for that. It opens cans and bottles as well I trust it :thumbup:

 

[desmobob]

Buck 110 is the knife equivilent of the reliable old 30/30 for deer. Sure you can pay more for fancier knives or guns but I'd be willing to bet this combo has put more wild game on American tables than any others.

The deer don't know if he was killed by a $5k rifle or the humble old 30/30 and he surely won't care if he's dressed out with a $30 110 from Wally World instead of a high dollar knife.

I guess I wasn't clear with my post. I was rambling about hard-use folders, not the best knife for field dressing deer.

I could happily field dress a deer with a 2-dollar X-Acto knife. But it, or a Buck 110, is not anywhere on my list of wilderness/survival folders. I do trust the Buck 110... to have the tip break off at the least opportune moment.

I don't care what the deer knows. If I'm able, I'll take a high end rifle or knife over a cheap one any day.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[Tim the Slugman]

My Buck 110, 112, & my CRKt M-16 5".

 

[desmobob]

I trust my Vic Farmer...
I trust it to cut. Even when it's a little dull, that thin blade still cuts pretty well. I trust it not to corrode or chip. I trust it will sharpen up quite easily. I wouldn't trust it to survive much batoning but it doesn't have to since it has a saw. Can the point of the blade drill holes?, probably but it doesn't need to since it has an awl. Can you pry with the blade?, probably not but then you have the screwdriver for that. It opens cans and bottles as well I trust it :thumbup:

Now we're talking.... :thumbup:

I can now say what I came to realize today is that the big rough-and-tough ZT0301 might not be as trusty and handy of a survival tool as the Vic Farmer.

I will carry my Vic Farmer for the remainder of the archery season in your honor.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[tholiver]

Buck 110/111/112 are pretty trustworthy,Along with all my Victorinox's and the couple of Case's i own.

My old First Gen SOG Tomcat still lockups like a bank vault.
The only thing negative i can say about it is that its profile/grind is way too thick.
Now the thickness wouldn't be so bad if it was a FFG, then it would be near perfection.

The Spyderco Tenacious is my locking type folder of choice lately though.
I even batoned with it once just to see if it would hold up.
Not something i would recommend but the knife is none the worse for the experience.
Actually i like the Tenacious so much i bought a spare lol.

Another inexpensive sturdy folder is the Byrd G10 Cara Cara.
Got that used for around $10-$15.
I've batoned once or twice with that as well with no problems.
I like it/trust it i'm just not a fan of big old choils.

Would still love to get an old full sized Manix though.
I almost bought one a few times I just couldn't justify the high (for me) cost.

Rat-1 seems pretty sturdy too, would love it more if it had less choil area and if it had a flipper/kick, i'm just not a button-opener kinda guy.
But of the button opening folders i own/or have handled the Rat-1 is definitely the easiest/smoothest to open.

Buck Vantage series looks good, i'm going to order one soon as it seems to have all the features i like, minimal choil, good steel, flipper/kick(and spyderco-ish hole) and clip that allows it to ride low in the pocket.

 

[k_estela]

Full-size ritter grip. LOVE IT! The best folder I've EDC'ed for well over a year now.

 

[myright]

Full-size ritter grip. LOVE IT! The best folder I've EDC'ed for well over a year now.

I will, at some point, buy a full sized grip. I love my mini-grip. I really want a full sized grip handle with the mini-grip blade. (state law concerns)

My answer is mini-grip :thumbup:

The axis lock is hands down the strongest lock I've had on any of my folding knives.

 

[flipe8]

One of my best buds and partners at work dressed a deer with a SS Delica that I gave him a few years ago. He stated how he really like the ability to choke up on the knife while making precise cuts.

 

[onebagnomad]

My EDC is a Benchmade assisted open D2 Stryker. I've carried it for almost three years now and I am fully convinced that it will hold it's place as my EDC folder for the rest of my life. This thing is bomb-proof. I'll be honest, I've abused the hell out of it and it's still going strong. I've used it for everything from prying open jammed humvee doors to turning rusted screws to dressing wild hog and holding up paper for target practice like it was a giant thumbtack. Haven't considered another folder since and don't think I'll ever need to.

 

[Flotsam]

I have several benchmades w/ the axis lock. My favorites are a full sized griptilian & a 730 Ares. I have lightly batonned w/ the 730 - it held up fine for splitting some small rounds for kindling (at a friend's house getting their fireplace going - no splitting tools to be had).

I've been carrying the 730 for 8 years, nearly every day, and I have experienced no problems with the lock.

 

[Foilist]

Aside from any alox SAK, I have to put in a good word for my GEC #23 Pioneer. It is a 1095 carbon, single bladed liner lock about the size of a Buck 110 and is a sturdy as a folder can be.