Help me pick the next one

Centurian

Centurian

Joined
Mar 22, 2001
Messages
575
Ok, I want to buy another folder. Here is what I am looking at, please give me your opinions and experiances with the following knives:

(1) Buck Stider Spear Point
(2) Spyderco Military
(3) Al Mar SERE
(4) Spyderco Chinook
(5) Microtech Manual SOCOM

Thanks for your help
 
out of your list, i like the al mar SERE best. almost just bought one myself, but then found a deal on a nice benchmade for 1/2 the price, and went w/ it instead.

as a suggestion though: i myself use a knife daily, and ususally carry a cheap, good quality knife, just in case something happens (i.e. loss, break, etc.) and for that i suggest kershaw vapor II. no more the $30, nice size, great edge retention, passes a whack test s/ flying colors, and great looking. but is made in china

i'm sure you would be happy w/ any of the knives in your list though.

if you can, try to test and hold them first (if possible). always best to do that. (sorry if that was an obvious tip)
 
Originally posted by Centurian
Ok, I want to buy another folder. Here is what I am looking at, please give me your opinions and experiances with the following knives:

(1) Buck Stider Spear Point
(2) Spyderco Military
(3) Al Mar SERE
(4) Spyderco Chinook
(5) Microtech Manual SOCOM

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

I'll keep my opinion to the ones I have experience with.

1. The buck Striders are thick and rough and hard to open. The knife is nearly half an inch thick and has REALLY rough G10 scales that'll tear up your hands and pants. They have significant friction upon opening. I had one and polished the blade around the pivot a LOT which took a lot of work and it helped the opening friction a little. The only other option is to loosen the screw a LOT which causes the blade to rub the liners during opening. I wasn't impressed with this knife at all.

2. I have a Spyderco Military and I love it. It opens VERY easily with the "Spydie Drop" and has a great blade and great handle. In VG-10 steel, I don't have a single bad thing to say about it. It's a hard-use knife that's under-rated. People worry that it doesn't have liners, but from my experience it doesn't need them. Great blade shape and size. Very well-made knife. It's one of my favorite folders of all time. It's definately one of Spyderco's best even above the higher-priced Spydercos. This should be your choice in my opinion for the price.

5. I only have Microtech autos, but I have to say that they are the best put together production knives I can imagine. I had an Auto Socom once but I traded it off because I prefer tip-up-carry knives. I currently own 4 Microtechs and they are easily the best made productions I own. Other companies brag about being "hard-use" knives, but I think that Microtech makes the best "hard-use" production knives out there from what I've tried. Fit and finish is unbelievable with zero blade play. The craftsmanship is a pleasure to behold.

6. The knife you're missing in your list is the Benchmade Ares which I consider to be the best folding knife made for under $165. You have to handle one to appreciate it. Please, handle one before you buy anything else.
 
I have a SERE and like it, but not for EDC. It's undeniably tough, but also heavy and the edge is a little thick for my tastes as an EDC. However, if the weight isn't a factor and you're planning to use it for heavy duty cutting, it should suit your needs quite well. I've never used the others on your list so I can't offer any comparison. I'm very interested in getting a Military after reading Buzzbait's review. It seems to be an overwhelming popular knife for a variety of users, so I'm intrigued, especially since they are now available in S30V.
 
Get one of the new Spyderco Military models...Unless you happen to be a "lefty", in which case I'd suggest the Spydie Chinook II (in the new-style).
 
Get the Al Mar. Sure it is a bit bulky for EDC but it is built very solid and it is butter smooth to operate. It is my current EDC and one of my favorite knives. Coming in at a close second would be the Spyderco Chinook. I have the original kind so I can't say much about the second generation one. Either one of these knives should fit your needs.
 
Originally posted by Centurian
...please give me your opinions and experiances with the following knives:
(1) Buck Stider Spear Point
(2) Spyderco Military
(3) Al Mar SERE
(4) Spyderco Chinook
(5) Microtech Manual SOCOM
Click to expand...
Tell us what you need, value, and how you'll use it, and you'll get better advice. Otherwise, you'll get short, snappy "votes" with no supporting commentary, i.e. you'll simply get someone else's preferences. (some try to sell you on their preference, others will try to guide you to a good decision... caveat emptor... er, caveat inquirer).

Do you have experience with, and therefore a preference for, a particular lock type?

Corrosion Resistance needs?

What will you use for? Every day carry, or "hard" use, and then define "hard". What are you gonna cut? Open boxes & envelopes, or cut carpet, clean game, dig/pry? Clean salt water fish? Let it sit in puddle of salt water in bottom of a boat?

Do you value toughness over stain resistance? Do you value hardness/resistance to rolling/impaction over toughness (resistance to chipping?) You can't truly have it all, but S30V gets semi-close.

Right or left handed?

Carry method? (pouch, pocket via clip?)

How tall are you? (e.g. Military is big for front pocket carry if you are 5'-5", IMO). Huge hands? Very small hands?

Do you think the "spine whack" is a valid test for lock quality? (If you don't know what I'm talking about, don't worry about it. ;) )

And, how much are you willing to spend? To really confuse you, ya might get other recommendations to check out (Spydie ATR, Sebenza, etc).
 
Ok, I'll try to answer the above questions:
Experiance with lock types. I have owned most of the locks that are available, don't really have a preference but I like liner locks the least.
Corrosion resistance> not a big concern. It will be carried on person in a dry enviornment. I take care of my equipment so it will not be subject to neglect.

Hard use...what is it going to cut? General purpose EDC. Opening packages, cutting rope, may see use on game animals, maybe used as s backup weapon (defense knife)

I need a right hand modle. My normal carry method is strong side front pcoket. I prefer tip up carry but not that big of deal if it's tip down. I have average size hands and big knives (size, and weight) not a concern carried SIFU and Camillus Maxx and a Cold Steel Vaquaro Grande.

I belive in the spine wack test, not that I think that the knife will be subject to that back of blade direct force, however, it's nice to know it can.

Willing to spend:D For and EDC knife I will not go over $150.00 (internet prices).

Hope that helps
 
Ok, I vote #2.

You should validate my opinion by purchasing #2 also.

Or an RJ Q40 in S30V, or a Carson Model 4 in S30V.



Seriously, I'll post more later. Like it or not! ;)
 
Have you handled any of these knives?
The Buck Strider is the odd man out. It doesn’t belong with the other knives. It is big, thick, and crude. If I were going to pry with one of those knives, that would be the one. If I broke it I wouldn’t care, because I don’t particularly like that knife.
The Spyderco Military is a great knife. It is big, but still comfortable to carry. It’s a wonderful cutting machine. Try to hold one first to see if you like the way it feels in your hand.
The Al Mar SERE is a nice knife. It’s a good design with good steel. However, there is some controversy about lock reliability. The lock seems OK to me. The knife is a little heavy.
The Spyderco Chinook is a strong, heavy knife. I don’t like the blade shape for everyday carry.
The Microtech Manual SOCOM is my favorite. I like the design, size, shape, and materials. The quality control is hard to beat.
Will you be buying the knife on the Internet or from a physical (B&M) store? I have seen manufacturing flaws in examples of all the knives except the Microtech. That is something to consider if you are buying the knife sight unseen. If I could have any one of those knifes as a gift, I would choose the Microtech. I wouldn’t even have to think about it.
 
Originally posted by Centurian
Hard use...what is it going to cut? General purpose EDC. Opening packages, cutting rope, may see use on game animals, maybe used as s backup weapon (defense knife)
Click to expand...

That sounds like you should give the Military a shot (even though it's a liner lock folder).
 
(1) Buck Strider Spear Point

Haven't handled one, but seems like I'd agree with those who've posted about it already. Supposedly pretty well made, for what it is. Certainly inelegant, design-wise. If you need something that overbuilt, get a small fixed blade custom made in 3V and get a good custom sheath built to make it easy to carry.

Quick bullets from here:

(2) Spyderco Military
* I own one.
* Get S30V... best balanced stainless going, and toughest stainless period.
* Spyderco quality
* Relatively thin handle, relatively long handle. Interesting design... can choke up, or put hand nearer to butt (not sure why you'd do this, since I wouldn't chop with a folder). Pretty good ergos overall.
* blade-to-handle ratio is inefficient relative to most knives
* flat ground blade is nice, but coupled with pure distal taper, you get a very sharp "pointy" point, but one that is a bit fragile given the knife's personality. S30V might help a little.
* Could ramble for long time on liner lock on this one, but suffice to say I like it fine overall. The radiused tang is a great idea, well executed, should make it wear well over time. If concerned about accidental release, the "serrations" that protrude below handle can be ground off.
* Poster indicated huge knives are not a problem for him, but this one is at the outer limit for what I'm willing to carry in front/right pocket. I'm 5'-11". Too complaints... it kinda pokes my leg when I sit, and the huge Spyder hump makes it hard to stick hand into pocket to grab something else (frequent e.g., coins).

(3) Al Mar SERE
(from memory, I sold mine)
* good ergos, beefy handle, beefy liners
* mine inexplicably failed the spine whack (moderate whack on a mouse pad). I couldn't believe it. They may have figured out what was wrong in production, I dunno. Find a knife shop, handle all they have, take a mouse pad with you, whack them all and find one with a good lockup. I'm kidding. I don't know how to get around this.
* useful blade shape, most useful of what you list for game cleaning, given it has a spear point (Carson Model 4 DP or CP and Spydie Wegner are significantly better here)
* Lots of people like VG-10, I don't own a knife with VG-10. I'm surprised how well it's liked given the alloy composition. If Jeff Clark says it gets sharp, it gets sharp.
* blade profile a bit thick as Roadrunner stated, can compromise by doing say 20deg per side.

(4) Spyderco Chinook
(handled, never owned)
* Big knife. Beefy. Spine lock is really stout, arguably safer than liner lock.
* Fairly long handle, drop at butt means secure for draw stroke.
* Spyderco quality.
* I'm not a 440V fan at all... too soft, rolls easy, but fine grain yields a super sharp edge, and it is abrasion resistant stuff. Others like it fine it seems.
* I don't like upswept blades... would take almost any profile before upswept, search on James Keating and you might find out exactly why he wanted upswept... he likes sharpened secondary edges for backcuts. Knife fighting stuff. Not my cup o tea. YMMV.

(5) Microtech Manual SOCOM
(Owned one, sold it)
* Microtech quality is best in production world
* people love or hate the microbar, I liked it fine, seemed unlikely to unlock accidentally the way I use knives, other may think there's too much index finger engagement in use. One fact of Microbar is that is does rely on a small spring (coil?) for tension, which can break. Can find older ones with liner lock I believe, with patience.
* heat treat of 154CM seemed to be quite good. Sharpened up nicely (whereas some latter day BM's in 154CM were a bear to sharpen and didn't take much of an edge, not easily). Heat treat matters.
* I don't mind metal handle, don't love 'em either. But they are a bit slick even with inserts. Not good for, say, Alaska carry (cold). I prefer grippier and "less cold", e.g. G-10, Micarta, or even wood.
* Loved blade profile, looks very cool (the "clip", not the tanto)
* Only thing I didn't like... handle is triangular shaped, in that it narrows towards the butt. Makes it feel insecure in draw stroke, although this is 1/2 in my mind and 1/2 real.
* blade profile a bit thick as Roadrunner stated, can compromise by doing say 20deg per side.

Your answers to the questions didn't really rule out anything.

What I kept is what I like, of the list you presented. Other stuff I like you may have checked out already, but anyway:

Stuff I own:
============
BM 710, M2 especially, but older ATS-34 also
BM 800, M2 & ATS-34
Spydie Terzuola Starmate (like the knife, wish it was in S30V)
RJ Martin folders (own Q40 & Q30)
Most of Kit's knives (don't care for that sheepsfoot, but if you like those, it's got a heckuva stout tip and is of course well built)
JW Smith's folders (3)
Sebenza (4).
D Ralph EDC custom.

Stuff I'd like to own:
=====================
Spydie ATR (haven't handled)
Camillus Ralph EDC (or custom)
Camillus Dominator
MT Amphibian
Scott Cook Lochsa.
 
I like the Military because it is able to meet a broad spectrum of needs - which is what an EDC is all about for me ie; not having to reach for someing else.

1) It's light and slim so carries easily in waistband or pocket. In summer it won't drag the arse of your shorts down.

2) It's ergonomics are excellent. I noticed that I reached for it the other day when I made up a huge curry for a big 'get together' and had to chop a couple of bags of potatoes.

3) Easy to choke up on. As buzzbait said 'one day you are going to have to use it up in front of your grandmother' I find that I can open it and choke up comfortably with just an inch or two of blade poking out. Makes it quite people friendly once you get the hang of it.

4) It's a big knife. For those times when only a fistfull of handle and a decent length of steel will do.

My use varies from household/home office to bush fire fighting and fishing from my sea kayak (it works fine when filleting medium sized herring - haven't caught anything larger for a while)

If it was a cricketer it would be Ian Botham (a great all rounder) From food preparation to hard use to fine work to sheeple friendly this knife for me does (almost) it all.
 
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