Giving up on folders?

420isaac said:
Hey everybody this is my first post and Im just wondering if anybody feels the same as me. I'm sure you all have heard this many times but over the past couple years I have tried so many different folding knives looking for "the one" and I just don't think it exists. Ive tried the PM2, the military, police 4, 0452, 0562, griptilian, crooked river and most recently a large sebenza 21.These are all amazing knives but I always seem to find something that I don't like about them and its usually something about the lock or blade to handle ratio. Maybe folders just arn't meant for me? I usually prefer longer blades but Ive been looking very closely at a small fixed blade like a TM hunt Magua or Bradford Guardian 3 or even the Bark River bravo necker and would love to know about any similar knives. Any thoughts or suggestions?
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As a new member I will be the first to warn you. Do not listen to Gaston444. He either has no idea what he is talking about or deliberately spreads false information for fun.
 
There is no such thing as the one, and the problem is not the knives, it is that we are spoiled for choice.

Pick one of the knives you generally like, then imagine it's the only folder on earth or the only one you had on a deserted island after a plane crash. I guarantee you and that knife would quickly become best friends.
 
Lapedog said:
As a new member I will be the first to warn you. Do not listen to Gaston444. He either has no idea what he is talking about or deliberately spreads false information for fun.
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Just remember that this is a forum where you learn that hollow handles always break, Carbon steel is most practical and only rusts by your fault, and low price 420J steel performs less well than expensive steel with a whole new set of numbers and letters. Just keep all that in mind and you'll be fine...

G.
 
Gaston444 said:
Liner/frame locks could be your problem.

I am not crazy about lockbacks, but they are safe: The closing resistance of a liner lock is just a tiny ball detent: That will eventually skip open one day, from an unusual focused force most likely... I was injured badly once by a CRKT Apache, and never carried a liner lock again.

The only folder I own is a SOG Fatcat, which is an arc-lock. I don't like the recurved edge, but I do like the light weight for the 4.5" blade size: 5 ounces is easy to believe. Even if some sites quote far more, they are simply wrong: It really is big and light because of the Titanium, and the magnificiently designed Kraton handle, something a custom will never be able to offer.

And yes, it is a no-clip design from the start. This actually matters little to me: Far more important to me is that the blade is fully protected from pocket induced scratches by being fully seated inside the handle, and scratches on the Titanium polish off absolutely beautifully: You have to rub the 3200 grit on Titanium to believe it when they just "wash away" perfectly...

I used to think it looked over-designed (it does scream computer designed), but now I realize it is simply well designed (minus the silly recurved edge).

Gaston
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Linerlocks don't rely just on a ball detent as resistance to closing; where did you get that idea?
 
Thanks for the advice everybody I really appreciate it. I think I am overthinking a bit though. The sebenza is pretty much perfect for me as far as blade shape and handle size so I shouldn't try to nitpick so much. Im going to try a small fixed blade and slip joint together also and see what works better for me after a while.
 
Well, you have had an assortment of knives, so you have to have a feel by now of what you like and don't like. For me, I think that's part of the process. I have been carrying knives for about 55+ years now, and still... no perfect knife. I prefer folders unless I am hunting and doing extensive camping.

I am in construction and carry a larger folder every day, usually one with the blade anywhere from about 3 1/4" to 4" in length. They all have clips on them, and none of them over the last decades have come open once I started to carry them tip up with the blades against the seam of my pants. I climb ladders, crawl on the floor to install trims, climb on roofs, and have a very active day. No problems. Likewise, with a QUALITY (can't reinforce that word enough) knife, I have never had a liner lock fail. No safe queens for me, they all go to work. Now granted, I don't use them as hard as some of the folks here when I am on the job site. I don't baton with my folders, I don't hammer them different objects, I don't stab metal, etc. They are used to cut, scrape, light prying, and anything I think isn't abuse.

That being said, over the last half century I have found there is no perfect knife for me. I remember when I got the RAT 1 when they were first introduced and hard to find. Couldn't get it out of my pocket. Then I got a Kershaw Tremor, not the RAT wound up in rotation. Then I got a Spyderco Valloton. Then I got a Cold Steel Amercan Lawman. Then a Utilitac II. After that, a ZT 0909. Like that one enough I bought an extra.

For me, it's a love affair with cutlery. To the point where I carry two knives all the time when at work, one for rough work and a smaller traditional to cut my cigars, pick out splinters, and any light slicing as needed.

I hope I never find the perfect knife. I actually went about 15 years without buying a new knife as there wasn't anything I was interested in. It was QUALITY (there's that word again) liner locks with pocket clips that got me interested again as I could more comfortably carry a larger work knife without a belt sheath. I am glad it rekindled my interest. I have more knives than I can use, but I love rotating them around. Once in a while I will drop an knife in my pocket and it's like running into an old girlfriend that you like seeing... fun all over again.

Robert
 
420isaac said:
Thanks for the advice everybody I really appreciate it. I think I am overthinking a bit though. The sebenza is pretty much perfect for me as far as blade shape and handle size so I shouldn't try to nitpick so much. Im going to try a small fixed blade and slip joint together also and see what works better for me after a while.
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Hey man have you ever tried deep carry after market pocket clips? I was a little taken back by the fact you keep them loose in your pocket. The whole 45degrees or 180 degrees in my pocket drives me insane!! This could be the answer!! Haha
 
midnight flyer said:
Well, you have had an assortment of knives, so you have to have a feel by now of what you like and don't like. For me, I think that's part of the process. I have been carrying knives for about 55+ years now, and still... no perfect knife. I prefer folders unless I am hunting and doing extensive camping.

I am in construction and carry a larger folder every day, usually one with the blade anywhere from about 3 1/4" to 4" in length. They all have clips on them, and none of them over the last decades have come open once I started to carry them tip up with the blades against the seam of my pants. I climb ladders, crawl on the floor to install trims, climb on roofs, and have a very active day. No problems. Likewise, with a QUALITY (can't reinforce that word enough) knife, I have never had a liner lock fail. No safe queens for me, they all go to work. Now granted, I don't use them as hard as some of the folks here when I am on the job site. I don't baton with my folders, I don't hammer them different objects, I don't stab metal, etc. They are used to cut, scrape, light prying, and anything I think isn't abuse.

That being said, over the last half century I have found there is no perfect knife for me. I remember when I got the RAT 1 when they were first introduced and hard to find. Couldn't get it out of my pocket. Then I got a Kershaw Tremor, not the RAT wound up in rotation. Then I got a Spyderco Valloton. Then I got a Cold Steel Amercan Lawman. Then a Utilitac II. After that, a ZT 0909. Like that one enough I bought an extra.

For me, it's a love affair with cutlery. To the point where I carry two knives all the time when at work, one for rough work and a smaller traditional to cut my cigars, pick out splinters, and any light slicing as needed.

I hope I never find the perfect knife. I actually went about 15 years without buying a new knife as there wasn't anything I was interested in. It was QUALITY (there's that word again) liner locks with pocket clips that got me interested again as I could more comfortably carry a larger work knife without a belt sheath. I am glad it rekindled my interest. I have more knives than I can use, but I love rotating them around. Once in a while I will drop an knife in my pocket and it's like running into an old girlfriend that you like seeing... fun all over again.

Robert
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Wow man, very well spoken. That was like an awesome article in blade magazine. Thanks for sharing, that was one of the best posts I’ve ever read.
 
420isaac said:
Hey everybody this is my first post . . .Ive been looking very closely at a small fixed blade like a TM hunt Magua or Bradford Guardian 3 or even the Bark River bravo necker and would love to know about any similar knives. Any thoughts or suggestions?
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Welcome to the forum.
I love my Bradford Guardian 3, and have a 3.5 and a Guardian 5 on my wish list right now.
View media item 2135I discovered that I, personally, prefer a fixed blade when I can legally carry one (which can get interesting, depending on where you are). The Guardian 3 is on my belt most days, but I will carry other knives instead (usually a spyderco) when needed and/or to complement the Guardian.

I have learned that for a fixed blade, the sheath can be a deal breaker. A comfortable sheath with a decent knife will win over an uncomfortable sheath on a great knife every time. If you want to try something inexpensive, grab an A.G. Russell Woodswalker. It can give you an idea of the utility of a fixed blade for a low cost.
View media item 1919If you have the funds, definitely jump in with the Guardian 3, and I bet you will be impressed. Either way, splurge for both the leather and kydex sheaths, so you can see what style you like better after using both for at least a couple of weeks each. You may end up determining you need a custom sheath, but you will have a good idea of what you want after using both varieties.

Good luck and enjoy.
 
Puleio said:
Welcome to the forum.
I love my Bradford Guardian 3, and have a 3.5 and a Guardian 5 on my wish list right now.
View media item 2135I discovered that I, personally, prefer a fixed blade when I can legally carry one (which can get interesting, depending on where you are). The Guardian 3 is on my belt most days, but I will carry other knives instead (usually a spyderco) when needed and/or to complement the Guardian.

I have learned that for a fixed blade, the sheath can be a deal breaker. A comfortable sheath with a decent knife will win over an uncomfortable sheath on a great knife every time. If you want to try something inexpensive, grab an A.G. Russell Woodswalker. It can give you an idea of the utility of a fixed blade for a low cost.
View media item 1919If you have the funds, definitely jump in with the Guardian 3, and I bet you will be impressed. Either way, splurge for both the leather and kydex sheaths, so you can see what style you like better after using both for at least a couple of weeks each. You may end up determining you need a custom sheath, but you will have a good idea of what you want after using both varieties.

Good luck and enjoy.
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I really like the looks of the guardian 3. How do you like the leather sheath? Do you ever notice it jabbing in to you or is it pretty comfortable to carry?
 
420isaac said:
I really like the looks of the guardian 3. How do you like the leather sheath? Do you ever notice it jabbing in to you or is it pretty comfortable to carry?
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From the Bradford site: "The knife comes standard with a horizontal leather sheath. "Oiled" Brown sheath for the Stonewash and Nimbus Finish blades, Black leather sheath for the Black DLC blades."
Here's the leather and kydex together for comparison:
View media item 2140
I'm a big guy. I carry my knife at about 2-3:00, depending on where the belt loops on my pants/shorts are. It took a week or two to figure out where it was most comfortable and what sort of moving and bending made things less than fun. That said, I occasionally get my knife sheath pushed into my side, and every once in a while it will catch or clank on something if I am moving in tight quarters. However, it does not happen too often.

It may take a bit, but you will figure out what will work for you.

I hope that helps.
Enjoy
 
Unless the thing you didn't like about all those knives you tried was "they folded," getting a fixed blade is not going to solve your problem.
 
Try a Shiro Neon and a Bradford Guardian 3 with the horizontal leather sheath.
That combo works great for me and if your not happy with them pretty easy to get your money back.
 
420isaac said:
Hey everybody this is my first post and Im just wondering if anybody feels the same as me. I'm sure you all have heard this many times but over the past couple years I have tried so many different folding knives looking for "the one" and I just don't think it exists. Ive tried the PM2, the military, police 4, 0452, 0562, griptilian, crooked river and most recently a large sebenza 21.These are all amazing knives but I always seem to find something that I don't like about them and its usually something about the lock or blade to handle ratio. Maybe folders just arn't meant for me? I usually prefer longer blades but Ive been looking very closely at a small fixed blade like a TM hunt Magua or Bradford Guardian 3 or even the Bark River bravo necker and would love to know about any similar knives. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Click to expand...
Welcome to Blade Forums.

Your right, "the one" does not exist. At least it doesn't if your goal is one knife for everything. There is always some sort of trade-off in knife design. However, don't give up on folders.

I can normally find something I don't like about any knife. Take the full-size Griptilian 551, for example. I don't like the grip, blade shape, blade grind, etc. I don't even like the looks of the knife itself. And, I detest the sound it makes when you open the blade. Part of me wants to cringe when I hear it. It just echoes through the knife because of the hollow scales.

Yet, I am on my third one and probably will always own at least one. Why? Because I have looked past all of it's faults and have found it to be a solid performer. It just works. It took me a while (years, actually) to get over all the things I hated so that I could enjoy what the knife has to offer. In a way, my attitude shifted from looking for the perfect knife to asking myself if any of its faults were deal breakers.

The folders you have tried are all great knives in their own right and they all have something positive to offer. Give yourself time. Your needs and taste will change.

BTW, The Guardian 3 is an excellent knife. Amazing, is a good way to describe it, IMO.
 
If I could legally conceal a fixed blade in my state I would carry one everywhere everyday. Because I can’t, I carry a folder. If legality is not an issue for you, I would recommend a Carothers EDC in D3V. It is an excellent small fixed blade.
 
I like modern folders and fixed blades. On any given day you may find me with both; a 5"+ fixed paired with a 3-4" folder. Sometimes even adding a 3rd traditional slip joint into the mix.

I gotta say, since my wife bought me a pair of Buck 110's, (one in s30v, one in damascus), they've been getting a ton of love for regular edc, paired with just a slippie; either a congress, sak, or a french kate style knife. I still go with a fixed blade mostly if there is predetermined chores anticipated that I would much rather use a fixed blade for, but For me at least, for regular edc, the 110 (with a plethora of options available to suit your wants), really does the job of bridging the gap between folder and fixed better then any other I've owned to date. It carries in a sheath like a fixed, but much less bulky because it folds, but when deployed feels sturdier then most other folders, with plenty of blade to accomplish most tasks at hand, (hence why I pair it with a smaller slippie for small finer tasks).

Needless to say, fixed blades are great, and if that's the route you want to take then there are plenty of great options for you to choose from from $50 to $5000. Someone had mentioned the sheath can make or break it for you though, which I will say is partially true. It is disappointing when a great knife you love comes with a sheath you Can't stand, but I will say there are plenty of great leathersmiths (is that what they're called?) as well as kydex folks out there who can make you a sheath perfect for what you are looking for, so don't let the sheath alone scare you away from a knife you may really like.

Definitely consider a Buck 110 in a configuration of your choosing if you haven't done so already. If you're giving up on folders and going solely with fixed blades, the 110 may be the last great folder you'll want to keep around as an option.

One of my favorite pairings as of late:
aZf6hzi.jpg
 
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