Is there a more sturdy folder than the Spyderco Nirvana ?

C

Chapp

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Mar 28, 2018
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190
A friend of mine have one. I was impressed how sturdy the knife is. It's a folder, but it really feel as though as a fixed blade. I think the design also help. The Spyderco Nirvana made my Para-2 feels like a flimsy knife after it (and it's brand new). When it comes to folder, do you think of a knife as sturdy as this one ?
 
Most(not all) titanium frame locks will feel sturdier than a PM2. Does that mean they are? Hell no. Feeling and construction are not one and the same. A PM2 is built to be a lighter folder, but I would put it up against most titanium slabbed knives out there in terms of durability and strength, especially lock strength.

There's nothing wrong with wanting a folder to feel like it's a fixed blade and because you're asking, my ZT 0900 feels that way to me. Just don't think the lightweightedness of the PM2 means it's a weak knife.
 
These two:
opplanet-extrema-ratio-rao-ii-folder-knife-ex130raoii-main.jpg

Extreme Ratio Rao 2 (Has a pin that locks the blade in place)
Cold-Steel-4MAX-Folding-Knife-Desert-Tan-600x600.jpg

And the Cold Steel 4Max (Tank like build with Triad Lock)
 
Cold Steel SR1, Benchmade Adamas and Viper Knives Rhino all feel like absolute beasts. The Viper is the only one of 'em that cuts worth a damn, though.

But glad to hear you're digging the Nirvana. It's not my style and too rich for my pocketbook, but it's a beautiful knife and I'm glad there are those that dig it.
 
Mo2 said:
Every one of my folders other than the budget ones feels sturdy. Can I have what ur smokin
Click to expand...

I don't think he meant that they aren't sturdy, it's more about hand feel, I can see why an open construction G10 PM2 feels subjectively less sturdy than a titanium frame lock integral. My Kwaiback feels like a tank compared to my Military but I have no less confidence in the latter despite the Kwaiback feeling sturdier simply due to the increased weight.
 
Yeah, the comp lock on the PM2 is more sturdy than the Nirvana. Both great knives though!
 
Hinderer XM-18. Or for less $ a ZeroTolerance 0562. Not a Spyderco lover
 
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Demko AD-10
Cold Steel SR1
Cold Steel 4max

That's about as far on the spectrum of sturdy as you can get in the world of folders. There are plenty of other very sturdy folders tho, CRK's, Hinderers, ZT's Spydies etc. but if we are talking sturdy to the point where they can withstand the most abuse, the above are probably the top dogs in terms of raw out the box strength with no extra locking help.
 
Chapp said:
A friend of mine have one. I was impressed how sturdy the knife is. It's a folder, but it really feel as though as a fixed blade. I think the design also help. The Spyderco Nirvana made my Para-2 feels like a flimsy knife after it (and it's brand new). When it comes to folder, do you think of a knife as sturdy as this one ?
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I have to say that framelocks often appear very sturdy but probably aren’t the strongest locks on the market. No folder will ever approach the strength of a fixed blade.

Take a look at the lockbar cutout by the butt end of the knife. The part where the titanium is thinned down which lets you push the lockbar over. That is where a framelock will fail, assuming the lockbar doesn’t just slip off the tang of the knife. It is usually quite thin even on ultra “overbuilt” framelocks.

The Cold Steel Triad Lock is supposedly the strongest lock on the market.

That said the reason you are probably percieving the Nirvana as sturdy is its integral one piece handle construction. Search for other integral framelocks for knives with a similar feel.

You could also check out Medford, Direware, Hinderer and many other brands which all make overbuilt framelocks. Wander Tactical folders are supposedly quite sturdy as well.
 
You win this round Andrew Demko. You win.

If it has to be a framelock I'd go Chris Reeve or Shirogorov.
 
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