Help me identify my perfect folder

K

Kennykid

Joined
Jul 19, 2011
Messages
264
I've been trying a lot of folders recently, and they all seem to have features I like and some I would change. I'm trying to find a knife with the most features I prefer combined into one knife, thought you guys may be able to help.

I love the Axis lock, but I don't want to limit myself to Benchmade, so lockback I don't mind, but I despise liner locks. So basically no liner locks.

I prefer large option because a mini-grip is my perfect small knife, but I'm not fond of the feel of the larger griptilian.

Blade style is not an issue, I'm open to all, but I prefer plain edge, silver.

I haven't educated myself enough to have a steel preference, so just quality steel.

Deep pocket clip like Spyderco's, hate the shallow ones like Cold Steel.

Non- G10 handles, I dont like the sandpaper feel and it wears down my pockets.

No thumb studs. I prefer the holes that won't catch on your pocket.

Adjustable pivot, thats my only gripe with my Spyderco Native.

Prefer the ability to break it down like a griptilian so I can clean and oil it very particularly.

Price, I'd prefer to stay around or under $150, but I can go as high as $300 if need be.

I think that's about it but I'm sure I'm leaving something out. Throw me some suggestions! Thanks!
 
If you hate liner locks, how do you feel about frame locks? Spyderco Sage 2. Awesome knife.
 
The endura meets your needs pretty much exactly, it has a proven track record, and is a wonderful knife. FFG VG10 blade, many choices for handle scale color, and if you want basic black, the sabre-ground model is extremely tough. I was going to recommend a delica, but you said you already have the small knife covered. Personally, I prefer the Grip feel to the Endura, but that's only a personal opinion, which many others disagree with. I'd say the endura should definitely be considered.

Getting a handle that isn't G10 may be tough if you are looking at a higher-end knife. The grippiness of G10 does vary quite a lot, with Cold Steel, Emerson, and Blackhawk on the very high, abrasive side, and knives like the tenacious and skyline on the lower side. Just MHO, but if a knife interests you with a G10 handle, read some reviews to see how grippy people say it is. I know the Benchmade 710 is a great knife, with a less aggressive G10 handle.
 
If you're willing to wait you could pick up a Spyderco Laci Szabo folder. Compression lock, carbon fiber scales. Not sure when it's coming out, though.
 
I carry a Spyderco Native quite often, if it had an adjustable pivot, it would be perfect, but it doesn't and it's too taut to flick open.

My beef with G10 is really only from one knife, a Benchmade Triage 915, it is so coarse and tough that it has shredded one of my pockets. Maybe a finer grit wouldnt be as bad, like a Para 2, which ill almost certainly get just because of its reputation and aesthetics.

Now from what I understand, a frame lock would be a sebenza and liner lock would be a Para 2. I'm not as chapped about frame locks, as long as it's significant like a sebenza.

I know I probably wont be able to amalgamate all these qualities into one knife, but the majority of them.

Perhaps I should just find an older 550 grip when the had thumb holes instead of studs, and purchase some custom scales.... I'll check out the Endura and Sage, thanks guys.
 
Kennykid said:
I carry a Spyderco Native quite often, if it had an adjustable pivot, it would be perfect, but it doesn't and it's too taut to flick open.

My beef with G10 is really only from one knife, a Benchmade Triage 915, it is so coarse and tough that it has shredded one of my pockets. Maybe a finer grit wouldnt be as bad, like a Para 2, which ill almost certainly get just because of its reputation and aesthetics.

Now from what I understand, a frame lock would be a sebenza and liner lock would be a Para 2. I'm not as chapped about frame locks, as long as it's significant like a sebenza.

I know I probably wont be able to amalgamate all these qualities into one knife, but the majority of them.

Perhaps I should just find an older 550 grip when the had thumb holes instead of studs, and purchase some custom scales.... I'll check out the Endura and Sage, thanks guys.
Click to expand...


If you buy the 550 grip let me know if you want these scales;)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/934216-Love-me-my-Ritters!
 
Is there a reason you dislike the liner lock? Because you are leaving out a significant number of possibilities. Well made liner locks are going to be as stong and secure as the framelock, which is just a thick liner lock.

I'm just curious and I do not want to turn your thread into a liner lock discussion. If you would rather email me why, or to entirely ignore the question, that's ok, as you really don't owe me an explanation.:thumbup::)
 
Sounds like my SOG Vulcan, except for the thumb studs. I've never had any trouble with them, their smooth. Check it out.
 
I actually don't hate them, I just think the axis lock is such a good idea that I resent other styles haha. I dont like that you have to put your hand in the path of the blade to close it, and it's not as simple to one hand close. What good options am I missing out on that covers most areas besides the locking mechanism?
 
Last edited:
mantzao said:
If you buy the 550 grip let me know if you want these scales;)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/934216-Love-me-my-Ritters!
Click to expand...

I actually just got a Mel Pardue 550 in, I know EXACTLY what you mean, the minis are damn near perfect but the larger ones sound odd and arent as ergonomic. If they made the little bumps the same size as they did on the mini, I think, it would help alot, but instead theyre larger too and less grippy. Im not sure if im keepibg it because of the thumb studs I dislike. PM me about wilkins.
 
If you don't like liner locks beacuse your finger is in the blade path get the para 2 or any of the spydercos with a compression lock considering the lock is on the backside
 
Kennykid said:
I actually just got a Mel Pardue 550 in, I know EXACTLY what you mean, the minis are damn near perfect but the larger ones sound odd and arent as ergonomic. If they made the little bumps the same size as they did on the mini, I think, it would help alot, but instead theyre larger too and less grippy. Im not sure if im keepibg it because of the thumb studs I dislike. PM me about wilkins.
Click to expand...

can't pm mate.
send me an email and i will give you all the info needed
 
If your asking for the perfect folder, you are going to end up with many knives. But the spyderco gayle bradley is a good larger sized knife. It also has cpm-m4 steel which is great for edge holding, and doesn't chip easily even at shallow angles.
 
Kennykid said:
I carry a Spyderco Native quite often, if it had an adjustable pivot, it would be perfect, but it doesn't and it's too taut to flick open.

My beef with G10 is really only from one knife, a Benchmade Triage 915, it is so coarse and tough that it has shredded one of my pockets. Maybe a finer grit wouldnt be as bad, like a Para 2, which ill almost certainly get just because of its reputation and aesthetics.

Now from what I understand, a frame lock would be a sebenza and liner lock would be a Para 2. I'm not as chapped about frame locks, as long as it's significant like a sebenza.

I know I probably wont be able to amalgamate all these qualities into one knife, but the majority of them.

Perhaps I should just find an older 550 grip when the had thumb holes instead of studs, and purchase some custom scales.... I'll check out the Endura and Sage, thanks guys.
Click to expand...

PM2 is a compression lock, not a liner lock.
 
I have to second the BM Bone Collector.
You can get it Large - Thumb Hole - Walnut Scales - Good Blade Steel - Awesome Blade Shape - Great Ergos.
Get it. I have one and love it.

Or the Para2 or maybe even the Manix 2.

Also the Sage 3 has a sweet Bolt Action Lock but it's G-10 handles.

If you're looking for a decent and awesome Frame Lock with a thumb hole... you can't go wrong with the Sage 2 or the Spyderco Chokwe. The Chokwe looks weird but it's ergos and everything are second to none.
 
Buy a Sage 3 and then smooth out the G-10 scales with some high grit sandpaper. Done.
 
Benchmade Bone Collector with Walnut handles ( Large model ), Axis, thumb hole, easy break down, looks awesome, D2 steel is one of the toughest. Knifeworks.com has it at close to $100 with their discount code
 
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