I need a new folder...

NJSteelBaronShop

NJSteelBaronShop

Joined
May 1, 2012
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53
So I love fixed blades. Love them. Half my EDC's are fixed blades from Bark River, and the rest are fixed blades from anyone I like. But, I need to start getting into folders. So where is a good place to start? I mean, Pops just sold an RJ Martin, but I beat the crap out of all my knives. So quality versus price versus sheer abuse is what I'm looking for here. Thanks in advance.
 
You didn't define what you mean by "beat the crap out of it". Also to really pin down recommendations you need to define a size range and if you have a preference as to the type of blade lock.

My favorites are Benchmades and Spydercos, I also have a Kershaw Blur that I carry and I'm interested in trying out some ZT knives. For a really tough knife the recommendations are usually just about any ZT model, the Benchmade Adamas, and the Spyderco Gayle Bradley and the Spyderco Manix. Benchmade has a lot of knives that are good for a lot of use as does Spyderco so there are lots of choose from. Other favorites from Spyderco are the Military and the ParaMilitary 2, from Benchmade I like the Barrage 581. The Benchmade 520 seems like a pretty tough knife too.

If money is no object then knives such as the Hinderer and the Sebenza seem to be good.
 
Well if you are already spending Bark River kind of money on fb's, then you are used to spending money on quality tools. I used to always answer this question with Benchmade and Spyderco but my last folder purchase was a ZT 550 and I swear for how good this knife is I think I underpaid. Don't get me wrong I still love all my knives but this thing is a tank and scary sharp. On the other hand Bark River has kind of traditional looking designs so maybe you might be interested in a traditional folder, with that in mind I would look at GEC. Their knives are what I consider "hard use" within the traditional knife world, and they do have a lockback if that is one of you requirements. I have one, great knife very happy with it. Good luck.
 
bdmicarta said:
You didn't define what you mean by "beat the crap out of it". Also to really pin down recommendations you need to define a size range and if you have a preference as to the type of blade lock.
Click to expand...

By beat the crap out of, that knife will be used for everything from fishing, cutting wire, occasionally a pry bar, cutting rope, cardboard, sometimes as a wedge to slide in between sheets or bars of steel, etc. And prolly a 4-5 inch blade, and I'm really just learning about different types of locks to be honest. Thanks!
 
I'd recommend a cold steel recon 1 or spartan if you were looking for under $75. If you want to go into the $100+ range, I'd recommend a benchmade 275 adamas. For $200+ I'd recommend the zero tolerance 550 or 560. The cold steel spartan and benchmade 275 adamas are the strongest of all of those IMO, but the other knives I recommended are still EXTREMELY durable folding knives.
 
Considering your use find a knife company with a very forgiving warranty policy.
 
I'm going to add another vote for Zero Tolerance. A 0300 or 0560. After using several ZT for a while, I think they are a great value.

Since you're placing a premium on toughness, you might want to check out Cold Steel Tri-Ad lock folders. The Voyagers are available with 4" and 5" blades, and I think the Recon 1 has a 4" blade. Besides the lock strength, the best thing they have going for them is price.

If you're willing to spend that much, an Umnumzan or Sebenza from Chris Reeve Knives are also worth considering.
 
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