Found my favorite EDC folder, now searching for a EDC fixed blade...Bastinelli?

[RamZar]

I have been collecting knives for many many years...well over 20.
Walter Brend's Marauder suits me best as a production folder. I can come up with a huge list of reasons why, but I can do that in another thread at another time.

If/when you decide your reasons for picking Walter Brend's Marauder as your tactical folder please advise. Of course, reasons could be highly subjective. Additionally, blade shape choice and manual vs. automatic.

 

[VanDammet]

Thanks so much for the info! The Lucy really looks like a slicing knife that belongs in my kitchen slicing cold cuts...lol.

I owned the Raptor L for a year or so, and if you're into fighting knives, IMO, it's one of the very best I've ever had/held/seen. The thing is an amazing slicer & penetrator, and it's lighting fast in hand...has a great grippy handle, a relatively long & pointy blade, which I love in knives, and the overall weight & balance are just fantastic. And yes, I'm sure it'd make a great kitchen knife....but that's a little like forcing Steven Segal to stay in the kitchen in "Under Siege"....both were born to fight, and look freaking awesome while doing so!

 

[DrtyHarry]

If/when you decide your reasons for picking Walter Brend's Marauder as your tactical folder please advise. Of course, reasons could be highly subjective. Additionally, blade shape choice and manual vs. automatic.

I actually went into GREAT detail with Walter about this. I went into it before, but I'll hit on a few reasons.

1) It's incredible smooth action. Yes...he uses bearings (36 to be exact).
2) It has a great deal of weight. Meaning, you can use it as a blunt force object.
3) His tanto version will pierce most anything...including kevlar service helmets.
4) His steel is not exotic, it's very easy to sharpen and keep a scary edge on.
5) His recurve is ever so slight, just enough to make a difference in slicing, yet isn't a pain to sharpen.
6) The ergonomics fit the hand perfectly for holding it in any position, making both slashes and thrusts very comfortable and secure in the hand.
7) Yes, I have the tanto version, but his other version will do almost the same damage when thrusting.
8) For an EDC knife, the stonewash frame hides and covers up marks and scratches you might pick up.
9) The satin finish on the blade can have scratches easily buffed out.

There are a few more reasons, the inserts provide an solid grip, there are no "hot spots" with the clip and it's very easy to switch grips. I picked mine up for just over $300...the place I got it for made a listing error on the website. It really is worth more than $500. The cheapest I have seen them sell for is $450. I have seen some prototypes sell for $1000+. Yes, there are some auto versions available....but not everyone can carry an auto. He is currently working on the same knife but as a flipper. I prefer the studs, but his flipper will use washers instead of bearings, that will be a plus when the time comes to clean it and take it apart. But the way it is now is one of the smoothest opening knives I own.

In any case....those are just a few of the points we touched on. I love it....I carry it more often than any other knife I own. Be it a knife from Reeve, MT, Moon, Shiro, etc. Something about this knife just....amazing.

Think the large Assacalypse sheath can be used in the compact if the sheath is cut down to size? I would think so?

 

[RamZar]

I actually went into GREAT detail with Walter about this. I went into it before, but I'll hit on a few reasons.

1) It's incredible smooth action. Yes...he uses bearings (36 to be exact).
2) It has a great deal of weight. Meaning, you can use it as a blunt force object.
3) His tanto version will pierce most anything...including kevlar service helmets.
4) His steel is not exotic, it's very easy to sharpen and keep a scary edge on.
5) His recurve is ever so slight, just enough to make a difference in slicing, yet isn't a pain to sharpen.
6) The ergonomics fit the hand perfectly for holding it in any position, making both slashes and thrusts very comfortable and secure in the hand.
7) Yes, I have the tanto version, but his other version will do almost the same damage when thrusting.
8) For an EDC knife, the stonewash frame hides and covers up marks and scratches you might pick up.
9) The satin finish on the blade can have scratches easily buffed out.

There are a few more reasons, the inserts provide an solid grip, there are no "hot spots" with the clip and it's very easy to switch grips. I picked mine up for just over $300...the place I got it for made a listing error on the website. It really is worth more than $500. The cheapest I have seen them sell for is $450. I have seen some prototypes sell for $1000+. Yes, there are some auto versions available....but not everyone can carry an auto. He is currently working on the same knife but as a flipper. I prefer the studs, but his flipper will use washers instead of bearings, that will be a plus when the time comes to clean it and take it apart. But the way it is now is one of the smoothest opening knives I own.

In any case....those are just a few of the points we touched on. I love it....I carry it more often than any other knife I own. Be it a knife from Reeve, MT, Moon, Shiro, etc. Something about this knife just....amazing.

That's a great price of about $300 for a Walter Brend Marauder since they're mostly about $450.

I believe it's a 3.75" blade of CPM-154 that's 0.16" thick? 6.65 ounces isn't unreasonable for a big folder. Surprised that he uses bearings on the thumb stud opener but will use washers on the flipper!?

Other than the good ergos it seems like one of the main reasons you like it as a tactical folder is the strong tip in the tanto that you have?

Looks like nice jimping on the spine of the blade but none for reverse grip.

 

[DrtyHarry]

That's a great price of about $300 for a Walter Brend Marauder since they're mostly about $450.

I believe it's a 3.75" blade of CPM-154 that's 0.16" thick? 6.65 ounces isn't unreasonable for a big folder. Surprised that he uses bearings on the thumb stud opener but will use washers on the flipper!?

Other than the good ergos it seems like one of the main reasons you like it as a tactical folder is the strong tip in the tanto that you have?

Looks like nice jimping on the spine of the blade but none for reverse grip.

The jimping is great, the blade spine matches up with the frame. Not much jimping is really needed for the reverse grip...your thumb gets GREAT position as it hooks around the but of the knife. It's why there isn't a glass breaker there. It's not flat but your thumb really molds itself around it. And like you said, for the price and for all it provides...it's really hard to beat. He actually wanted to use washers, but the man he worked with on this project didn't...he insisted to go with bearings. A LOT of them. And as great as it works....when it comes time to clean and/or take apart, it will be more complex than a knife with washers. I do like his tanto tips, even on the MT knives he worked on...his tanto blades are killer. I think he and Moon make some awesome tanto points. If I scratch or drop a Moon or a Shiro....I won't sleep for weeks. This thing can go to war and back and still be cleaned up to look brand new. I have the stonewash frame....but I like the polished titanium frame better. But because this is my EDC, the stonewash covers up all the tiny little nicks and what have you up real well. And as for the blade, nothing is easier to buff out than a satin finish. He is hoping to have his flipper version out before the show....he is having trouble with getting some tooling materials...but is trying real hard to get it out before the show. I got my name down for a hand ground mirror finished prototype. I'm not sure what kind of washers he will use and what not, I didn't get that far into it with him. He did say he wants to use aluminum rather than titanium. Not sure why...I don't like aluminum frames as much. I didn't ask what kind of inserts it will have....no matter, as long as he still makes tantos, I'm happy. He is doing both a tanto and a drop. He mentioned maybe doing something like a bowie, but wasn't sure. Regardless....I love all his grinds. I don't know if he will continue to use 154 or not. There will be an auto version and I'm certain they will have a recurve. I begged him to push for a solid 4" blade....no comment. We shall see!

 

[ScooterG]

How about a Grayman Suenami?

http://www.graymanknives.com/store1#!/Suenami/p/52551032/category=13757322

 

[mobilerd]

I like the Raptor GT6.

 

[RamZar]

There are also the Steel Will Knives Adept 1000 and Adept 1010 which are good for cutting and thrusting with a strong tip and G-10 scales. Quality made in Italy. N690Co steel with a 5.63" (1000 - double-edged dagger) or 5.91" (1010 - tanto) blade length and 0.20" blade thickness.

Adept 1000

Adept 1010