Hard Use Folder with Premium Steel & Handle Materials

K

Kirk_Ferentz

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
589
I'm not much of a folder guru, but decided that I should have one to throw in the pocket when I'm out and about hiking and what not in areas where I might get hassled by law enforcement.

I want something that is very tough in its blade and handle design and locking mechanism. I don't want a fixed blade sized knife masquerading as a folder, but it can be on the beefier side if it adds to its toughness.

Blade length ... anywhere in the near 3'' to 4.5'' range. Plain edge.

Cannot be any auto open mechanism of any kind ... I'm in California. But I want to be able to open with one hand.

It seems like some of these great new stainless steels (most of the ones that I have researched are used by spyderco) might be a great option. In particular, I was looking at ZDP-189 and the xhp carpenter's steel. S30V is of course one of the options although I have heard a lot of different opinions about that steel. I know a lot of people love cpm 154, but I have yet to come across a lot of folders using that steel yet (I'm sure they are out there, I just need to find them). But the steel selection is certainly part of the question. I don't know a ton about stainlesses.

I'd like it to be good for general bushcraft/camp/hunting/survival use. I've been doing research on some of the steels mentioned above, but at least for the zdp and carpenter's, I'm not finding a ton of feedback. I'd like great toughness and nice edge retention. Ease of resharpening would also be good.

While I'm at it, I might as well get a tough as nails handle material.

I'm willing to spend a pretty penny, but $300+ items are out of my price range.
 
The new Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 seems to meet all your needs. Make no mistake; S30V is a great steel, and Spyderco S30V heat treat is top notch.

Para2_InHand_left_normalgrip.jpg


Also, if a tight lockup, tough as nails, and awesome action are in your criteria, the Sebenza can be had for under $300 on the exchange, from time to time. Just be patient...and quick :D

Yeah - those two are my suggestions. They're tons of other great folders too, but those are "la crème de la crème" for me at the moment. YMMV.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by "premium" handle material. G10 isn't exactly expensive, (you can find it on $30 blades), but it's about as durable as you can get.

My favorite hard use blade is the ZT0500 MUDD. Good lock, sealed mechanics, and solid materials. The steel is "only" 154cm, but ZT sure heat treated it right. It feels just a small step under my own knives in CPM 154.

Phillip
 
Phillip Dobson said:
My favorite hard use blade is the ZT0500 MUDD. Good lock, sealed mechanics, and solid materials. The steel is "only" 154cm, but ZT sure heat treated it right. It feels just a small step under my own knives in CPM 154.

Phillip
Click to expand...

Now that's hard use. Maybe the ZT 300 series as well.
 
I would say the Ritter Griptilian. The handles aren't fancy, a nortyl gtx (PLASTIC) but they provide plenty of grip, they are extremely tough, and the S30v blade/shape/stonewash finish are fantastic!
 
Do you own an Emerson already? If you do, send it to Reese Weiland for a Ti framelock conversion. Shouldn't cost more than 275-300.
 
Some good suggestions. I actually thought of G-10 as one of the premium materials. I thought it was fairly expensive. I know a lot of folks love titanium handles, but I was thinking more in line of G-10, carbon fiber, or micarta.

I wonder if a lot of these S30V knives will be made with steels like CPM 154 or zdp-189 in a few years. But I'm sure S30V is up to the job, if that is what the best design uses.
 
Premium steel and handle materials? Get one of the custom Strider folders. Shouldn't cost you more then $800 or so.

You could also get a Hinderer Custom with CF handles or silver twill, those look nice too.

"Hard use" and "Premium materials" sounds like a pickup truck with an extended cab, hand tooled leather seats, and shag carpet. :rolleyes:
 
The ZT 300 series are great knifes if you are willing to carry a little more weight. I carry a ZT 301 and i love it. If you shop around, you should be able to find one for just under 200$.

Again, if size and weight arent a issue for you, i dont see how you can beat a ZT 300 series for the price.
 
The Spyderco Chinook 3 would be a great choice. It's a beefy folder with a fantastic flat ground S30V blade. The old Manix and Mini Manix are also excellent, quite similar in construction to the Chinook. The Mini Manix is my absolute favourite Spyderco. They can still be found on ebay and the trade section of the forum.

ZTs are great, too. The assisted opening models can be easily turned into manual opening knives if you think it could get you in trouble. I really like the 0350 for EDC carry, but for your needs I'd go with the 0300. The extra bulk is worth it.

Emersons are certainly worth a look, too. The A 100 makes a great woods knife, the blade shape makes it look just like a folding version of some popular bushcraft fixed blades.
 
Nikkogi said:
I would say the Ritter Griptilian. The handles aren't fancy, a nortyl gtx (PLASTIC) but they provide plenty of grip, they are extremely tough, and the S30v blade/shape/stonewash finish are fantastic!
Click to expand...

Same!

You could always have some nice scales made for it, and still be under your desired budget.
 
premium steel?

Fallkniven's 3G or Laminated VG-10 "premium" enough for you?

their U2, P and PXL and the Tre Kronor folders are all nice.
 
I feel tempted to get a ZT 0350CB myself, but I have to keep kicking myself as a reminder that I don't really use my knives that "hard" to justify buying it.

Plus, I figure the steel is more or less like S30V, which isn't quite "super" enough for me.

My Gayle Bradley in CPM-M4 ought to be tough enough for anything I can throw at it. If there was anything I didn't like about it, it's that A) It can rust easily(won't happen with proper knife care), B)the carbon fiber isn't as "grippy" as G10, and C) the liners are stainless steel(which admittedly isn't a big issue for the price, it's just that it makes the knife quite heavy and the internal parts are vulnerable to rust).

Still, it seems like the knife I would go to if I wanted to cut up tires, cardboard, rope, or wood.
 
Josh K said:
Premium steel and handle materials? Get one of the custom Strider folders. Shouldn't cost you more then $800 or so.

You could also get a Hinderer Custom with CF handles or silver twill, those look nice too.

"Hard use" and "Premium materials" sounds like a pickup truck with an extended cab, hand tooled leather seats, and shag carpet. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Thanks, useful post.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top