Help Me Come To Grips With Modern Folders

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Vivi

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Kind of the antithesis of the thread in the multi-tools forums, I need help converting to modern folders. I have a CRKT, 2 spydercos and a Manix in the mail....but they never seem to get any pocket time. I have a feeling after I handle the manix and appreciate the design of it, I'll trade it off for some SAKs on these forums. My wenger handyman always rides next to my wallet and sometimes a classic will ride along with us. Sometimes I'll make myself carry my Native, and I'll have all three. Generally I'll always pull out the classic in this scenario.

So I guess my question is, what do you use your beefy folders for that a SAK can't handle? I love my Native....amazing ergos, incredible blade steel, much easier to open than the SAK blade etc...but the SAK is so useful, such a mean cutter and so on. I find so many uses for the various implements, yet when I carry a Native or Delica I never seem to use them anything. Last thing I used either for was slicing open some canteloupe, but the SAK would of been even better for that given its thin blade.

I want to be into them more, but I haven't found the justification for them in my lifestyle. *Shrug*
 
From reading here, and in other knife-related forums, many people find SAKs and multi-tools more handy/useful than a straight folding knife. If that's you, well, then... I'd say carry and enjoy what works for you.

I carry a straigh folder because it's lighter and thinner than a SAK or multi-tool, and I don't often have use for the other things SAKs and multi-tools offer that can't be better-met with "real," full-sized tools--which I nearly always have close to hand. That being said: I'm tending to revise my thinking on what I'd choose to take with me if I had to go out in the field and survive, based on what I've read here and elsewhere. I'm thinking a SAK or multi-tool might replace the straight folder I normally carry. In fact: My next acquisition might well be a Victorinox Trekker. But I doubt it'll be my EDC.
 
Different strokes, different folks. Modern folders may not be for you, and that is okay.

I like pretty much all types of knives. I try to own, and more importantly, use a little bit of everything. But modern folders are my favorite to buy, use, and carry.

Having a locking blade can be nice. It usually isn't needed, but it can be nice.

There isn't much that most people have to do that is "too much" for a SAK or other slipjoint, but extra beefiness can offer piece of mind.
 
I EDC a SAK and a modern folder. I use the folder for most cutting chores because it is quickly deployable due to the pocket clip and thumbstud. I can have it out, do the job and have it back in my pocket in the time it would take me to fish the SAK out and two-hand open it. That said, I like having my SAK as well for the other options it gives me. Being a knife knut, I don't need much of an excuse to carry two.
 
The grips on SAK's, even the larger contoured handled ones like the Rucksac, don't feel as secure to me as the coutoured and textured handles of a "modern" folder. But I think this is largely a psycological issue seeing as there isn't a huge problem with grip when using the saws.

As for "beefy folders," those are you words not mine. Folders with blades thicker than 3mm generally don't appeal to me. But take the SOG Twitch II or Benchmade 530. The former is has a 2.6 in blade flat ground blade, not too far from a SAK blade, and the latter is a 3.25 in symmetrially ground spear point, both on thin stock.
 
I like the one hand opening of "modern" folders. Yes, I know that there are one handed SAK's. Modern folders are not for everyone. I also very much like slip joints and SAK's. I happen to EDC an Alox Soldier, along with my other knives. To each his/ her own.
 
I carry both SAK's and the "modern" folders as well - I feel each has a place. I tend to carry smaller SAK's, with the Soldier being the largest from the SAK side. I do prefer larger handles when I'm cutting larger things. Smaller things - it can be anything from my Recruit to BM Mini-Grip, Delica 4, Dragonfly, to something like my Al Mar SERE 2K to a fixed blade.

- gord
 
It is kind of like saying "Convince me that I need an 8 cylinder engine when my 4 cylinder gets me everywhere I want to go". My watch pocket Dragonfly does 80% of the cutting I need done but its the Manix I carry RR IWB that gives me the rush when I use it. When I pull that big boy out it is like Jurassic Park look out here I come. The bigger blades are not always necessary but they tickle my fancy. It is a personal taste thing.
 
Like others have said, to each his own. It could be that "modern" folders aren't for you. My grandfather wouldn't know what to do with a locking folder, and would laugh at the price I paid for almost any of my knives. He's carried a slipjoint for most of his life. Honestly, a slipjoint is all most people need, but I still carry a fixed and a locking folder. I do so, because some tasks I just don't feel comfortable doing with a slipjoint. That's just ME, though. Its not that the jobs I do with a locking folder COULDN'T be done with a slipjoint, its just that I feel more comfortable using a locking folder for that task. Still, I typically carry a slipjoint as part of my EDC.
 
Everyone has different knife needs depending on their environment. A SAK may be great for you but other people may require a large locking folder for their daily knife activities. Take a look at how your using your knives day in and day out. That should give you a good idea on what to carry and what can stay home. Of course there is probably nothing wrong with being over-knifed as long as your pockets can handle the weight.
 
I love Swiss Army knives and I have quite a collection of them.
But when it comes to speed and ease-of-use, they can't compete with a nice one-hand-pocket-clip folder.
As much as I like traditional folders, I can draw my "tactical" with one hand, cut whatever needs to be cut, and place it back in my pocket, usually quicker than I can even open a blade on a traditional--and since I can open the tactical with one hand, I need never let go of the material that needs to be cut.

So I guess my question is, what do you use your beefy folders for that a SAK can't handle?
Click to expand...

I also think that you can get a nice thin "tactical" if you look around abit--check out the Centofante III and Centofante IV from Spyderco.
They have thin blades that compare nicely to the Victorinox Soldier model.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I'm with you on the blade thickness issue.

A premium steel blade with a 1/16 inch or so thickness would be nice for many tasks. HRc of approx. 60-62. Might be too easy to snap off, though.

But then would they sell?

Kinda specialised.
 
I usually have both a sak and a folder on me. I use the folder if I have only one hand free, or if I'm going to do some cutting that will involve moderate lateral stress. Although most folders are not designed to handle this and will not hold up to extreme lateral stressing, they will do a lot better than the thin and (relatively) soft steel of the sak blade. In addition, if you like serrated blades, its a lot easier to find a folder with serrations than the sak you like with a serrated blade.

One more thing, if you will be using the knife for a long time with some heavy cutting, you'll miss the ergos of a folder. A large sak can feel a little unwieldy at times.
 
I think it'd be nice to see SAK's offered in high-end steels. Maybe one blade in s30v if it'd be practical in such a configuration, and a smaller one in their normal steel? By interesting at least.

I'm just looking around for some good reasons to carry a Native or Manix. I love the knives, they're awsome designs that get me excited to use, but it's that feeling of impracticality that gets to me.

Maybe if I got a thinner bladed folder, that'd be a good compromise for me. Start carrying, say, a VIC Rambler and a Centofante.
 
If not for being as big as it is, I would EDC my Victorinox Trekker A Lot more. I love that knife. At the same time I love my William Henry Spearpoint with Redwood Burl for those times I am dressing up. At work, as a nurse, I find my Spyderco 93mm Rescue comes in quite handy. Lately around the house doing yardwork I have been enjoying my Spyderco Endura 4. Lounging around on the weekend I have been shifting between my custom Atkinson folder or my W.C. Davis folder. I do enjoy the ease in opening and carrying a modern knife with a clip & thumbstud/opening hole. At the same time SAK's, slipjoints & lockbacks are timeless classics that bring back good childhood memories, in addition to being just as useful.

Sure all my cutting chores could be handled by one knife, but where is the fun in that.
 
I love the Sak designs too but for me it comes done to edge holding ability. Do I like to sharpen more frequently than not? I haven't had a SAK that will hold an edge for heavy use or whittling more than a few hours if that ( I have a Mauser that I love) ... don't mind sharpening but I'd prefer not to HAVE to maintain the blade as frequently as required by the SAK's. For funtionality, I'd prefer my Leatherman Charge if I need more than a knife. To each their own and enjoy what you use.
 
SAK are ok. It would be nice if they'd update the design and make a more "modern" one with maybe g-10, micarta for grips and 154cm or n690 blades. I keep destroying them, just sittin in my ruck the handles get scratched cracked, the blades often fold easily when I'm cutting things on rucks, vests, etc and just barely graze some metal, or when whittling and hitting a not. I've found that if you carry a good multitool you can do everything a SAK can and quite a bit better. Even better a multitool and dedicated knife. That said since SAK's are so cheap I have one permanately residing in every pack, vest, duffel I have in a ziplock covered in remoil.
 
The thing I like most about "modern" folders is one hand opening. It comes in handy at times. Just the other day I got an important phone call and had to quickly write something down. I couldnt find any paper, except for an unopend box of post-it notes. Rather than fumbling with tryin to hold the phone against my ear with my shoulder while trying to open my sak, I just quickly grabbed my Kershaw Storm, opened it, cut the package of post-it notes open and wrote down what I needed, all while never having to let go of the phone with my left hand.
 
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