Giving up on folders?

[BilboBaggins]

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.

Maybe try carrying the sebenza in a pocket sheath?

 

[craytab]

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

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.

Also remember this is a forum where we don't let new people get advice from folks who have no idea what they are talking about.

 

[stabman]

Maybe take a break for a bit.
Why not get...a pen?

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-pen-is-mightier-than-the-pencil.1578496/

Although you'll see I still had a folder with me on my pen adventure.
And a throwing knife.

I just like knives!

 

[RadialBladeworks]

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?

I’m in a similar boat. I used to love folders as like mechanical works of art. There were so many fun locks, so many steels, different pivot assemblies and so many cool designs.

I ended up building a pretty large collection of folders and had tried pretty much everything, but all my favorite ones were “too nice to use”. And after losing a small Sebenza, I was scared to carry anything expensive.

I’ve retained a couple worker folders, 3 fancier folders, and actually carry a fixed blade most days now. I like their simplicity, their strength, and how they always look better with more use

 

[420isaac]

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 really like that Carothers. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[420isaac]

Also remember this is a forum where we don't let new people get advice from folks who have no idea what they are talking about.

Lol thanks for looking out for me!

 

[Wowbagger]

Giving up on folders?

hahahaHaHaHaHAHAHAHaHaHahahaha . . . ah . . .haha . . . ah . . .
. . . no.

Might be time for a custom for you though.
Or a standard model that has been modified.

What would you say to a full flat ground Cold Steel Ti Lite IV. That sure does it for me. I'm not saying I would ever sell it. It would be easy enough for one of the Pros here in the forum to do for you though.
. . . anyway . . .
it's what I like. Happy hunting !

 

[sabre cat]

I really like that Carothers. Thanks for the recommendation!

Everybody likes the Carothers EDC. Wait, it is now the EDC 2. They made some minor design changes.
Either way, EDC or EDC 2, it is an unbelievable knife. Pair the EDC with the Carothers Field Knife and you have two knives that many here consider grails.

 

[James Y]

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?

Everybody has their preferences. If you can legally carry a fixed blade in your area, that may be the way to go for you.

I will say that it's very easy to nitpick about a knife's appearance or blade to handle ratio, but how does it function in actual use over time? That might clarify why a particular knife's blade to handle ratio is the way it is. If a knife's ergonomics fit your hand without causing hot spots during extended use, and the blade happens to excel at the tasks you use a knife for, after awhile you might forget about certain superficial aesthetics. Because there's ALWAYS something to be found about ANY knife that you may not particularly like. That could happen with fixed blades, too. There could always be something to dislike, even it it's only the sheath. That's why (IMO) hoping for "The One" is usually a fruitless exercise.

Jim

 

[oxman198]

Maybe try a cold steel code 4 in xhp?
It’s not on the price point of the sebenza but it does have a similar feel, great steel, construction and look, plus a triad lock. I have both and it’s kinda weird how similar they seem, even though they are very different in many aspects. I’ve been carrying a smaller folder (3.5” or so) with a medium sized fixed blade and like the combo so far. I also carry a lot of cold steel xl folders, they are the closest thing you can get to a folding fixed blade, and prob the only folders that could perform many of the same functions.

 

[microbe]

I Spain they cater for some extreme blade to handle ratio folders

 

[scottyj]

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

Agreed. Well put sir.

 

[Dangerously]

Pair the EDC with the Carothers Field Knife and you have two knives that many here consider grails.

I have toyed with the idea of getting this pair. Of course, I am often busy for the fourteen milliseconds that they are available on Friday afternoons.

 

[sabre cat]

I have toyed with the idea of getting this pair. Of course, I am often busy for the fourteen milliseconds that they are available on Friday afternoons.

I'd like the pair also but, I can't really justify the field knife. I really don't use the fixed blades that I have now all that much. Besides, if I purchased both of those at the same time my wife would use them to start a new hobby, minor surgery. I would be her first patient!

 

[fishface5]

I hear you OP. My per peeves are ergonomics, blade to handle ratio and being able to get my index finger close to the edge while still having a guard. Plus decent blade steel.

But the answer I have found is modding. If you are handy you can mod a knife for all the above issues except blade steel. But doing so may effect resale value.