Large beefy folding hunter-- which one?

MTHall720

MTHall720

Joined
Sep 21, 2010
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I wanted to see if any of you have a really good sized folding hunter with a 3.5 to over 4 inch blade yet not so super heavy that your pants sag way down on one side in any of the following makes?
Queen
S&M
Case
If so, are you fairly happy with fit and finish, no blade wobble, and fairly well centered?

Thanks much!
 
Can't speak to all of them, but my #23 fits the bill for me. Single blade, and slim in the pocket (though I usually belt sheath it). Substantial, but not overly heavy for a knife this size. F&F is excellent, absolutely no wobble and blade alignment is dead on. Spring is a 8/9 out of 10 - something to consider, though I really like it on a bigger knife like this.

img2068we.jpg
 
Sort of a tough call, as to which of these is 'light' enough to prevent the 'saggy pants' syndrome. ;)

The Queen FH's I have seem 'beefier' than others I have, like Case. On that point, Queen's blades are substantially thicker & heavier than the thinner sabre-hollow-grind blades on Case's current FH models (clip blade only; the secondary skinner is flat-ground). The additional upside to the Queens is, the fit/finish seem very good and these things feel rock-solid in hand. Obviously, D2 doesn't hurt either. Queen also has a version with a single blade, which should alleviate some of the weight issues. But Case doesn't have a single-blade in their current lineup (though older Case 6165s can be found).

Don't know about the S&M offerings, though I've wondered if they were patterned after the Queen models.


David
 
A number 12 Opinel is 3.9 ounces, gives you a 4 3/4 inch blade, and is a rugged knife.

Carl.
 
At $55-60 the current Case chestnut/CV 2-blade model (w/ belt sheath included) has me pondering. But I agree with Smithhammer that the single blade #23 (especially the wood models) is a really nice slim option, and you can even get it with a liner lock.
 
I don't know about US made folding hunters, but if I had to bet, I would suggest a GEC #23...yet I'm pretty confident to suggest you an Opinel #10 or #11.
You won't be able to find a lighter knife, nor a stronger knife.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Smithhammer said:
Can't speak to all of them, but my #23 fits the bill for me. Single blade, and slim in the pocket (though I usually belt sheath it). Substantial, but not overly heavy for a knife this size. F&F is excellent, absolutely no wobble and blade alignment is dead on. Spring is a 8/9 out of 10 - something to consider, though I really like it on a bigger knife like this.

img2068we.jpg
Click to expand...

Love the looks. Do you happen to also have a pic of it open too?
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Sort of a tough call, as to which of these is 'light' enough to prevent the 'saggy pants' syndrome. ;)

The Queen FH's I have seem 'beefier' than others I have, like Case. On that point, Queen's blades are substantially thicker & heavier than the thinner sabre-hollow-grind blades on Case's current FH models (clip blade only; the secondary skinner is flat-ground). The additional upside to the Queens is, the fit/finish seem very good and these things feel rock-solid in hand. Obviously, D2 doesn't hurt either. Queen also has a version with a single blade, which should alleviate some of the weight issues. But Case doesn't have a single-blade in their current lineup (though older Case 6165s can be found).

Don't know about the S&M offerings, though I've wondered if they were patterned after the Queen models.


David
Click to expand...

David I really have a thing for big single blades. When it comes to pants sagging I can go with something about the same weight as either the ZT 0200 or maybe a CS Spartan. The traditional bug has bitten me hard. Just starting to realize that the one handed opening bladed knives are starting to look a little drab compared to the variety of materials to be had in traditionals. Plus, at 57, I think traditionals are a great idea for me :).
 
MTHall720 said:
David I really have a thing for big single blades. When it comes to pants sagging I can go with something about the same weight as either the ZT 0200 or maybe a CS Spartan. The traditional bug has bitten me hard. Just starting to realize that the one handed opening bladed knives are starting to look a little drab compared to the variety of materials to be had in traditionals. Plus, at 57, I think traditionals are a great idea for me :).
Click to expand...

I can definitely relate to that. :)

The few times I've carried my large traditional FH's, I've often put them in my back pocket (jeans). They seem to 'ride' more comfortably back there. I have sometimes put them in a front pocket, and don't have too many of the 'saggy' issues (thanks to my belt, in large part). But, I'm definitely more aware of them, when they're riding in front.

(I'm 52, BTW)


David
 
I have GEC #23's both a single blade and a double. Both Fantastic! I have not had to fix anything on my GEC knives yet.

(large and small pioneer #23, and Scout #73. these are GEC made)



Gec also makes a elephant toe, (some all steel liners and bolster). I have one. It is a great knife, and beefy, though still cuts great!

(the #23 is not in this pic, that is a #73 next to the sunfish)



Single blade #23 Northfield Yellow Rose (this was the one that drew me back in to traditionals. Gifted to me by Flymon)



Single blade versions of the elephant toe are available as well. Mine is the two blade version, with single spring.



I have a Queen grandaddy barlow (a Queen/Burke collab). It came with a gaps, and wiggle, but a real strong spring. I fixed the wobble. And re-profiled the edge to cut, instead of tear. I carry it often.






I have an S&M grandad barlow. Thinner blades, and better grind at the edge. Blade wobble, and gappy. I fixed that, and carry it all the time. One of my favorites. I bought one for my dad, with no gaps, or wiggle.






I really like the steel on the S&M file and wire (Ats 34). I also love the edge holding on the Queen (D2).

The D2 queens I have received (only a sample of 2), have thicker grinds, especially at the edge, than I like.

If they could thin those babies down from the factory, and deliver them without gaps, they would be impossible to pass up.

The GEC have been my favorite for finish, and pull, and grind.


Queen has a lot I like the patterns of (they are significantly less $ than the GEC).
 
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One nice thing about the GEC #23 is there are still plenty of them out there (least there was last time I looked!)

I also quite like the look of the Canal Street Folding Hunter.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Sort of a tough call, as to which of these is 'light' enough to prevent the 'saggy pants' syndrome. ;)

The Queen FH's I have seem 'beefier' than others I have, like Case. On that point, Queen's blades are substantially thicker & heavier than the thinner sabre-hollow-grind blades on Case's current FH models (clip blade only; the secondary skinner is flat-ground). The additional upside to the Queens is, the fit/finish seem very good and these things feel rock-solid in hand. Obviously, D2 doesn't hurt either. Queen also has a version with a single blade, which should alleviate some of the weight issues. But Case doesn't have a single-blade in their current lineup (though older Case 6165s can be found).

Don't know about the S&M offerings, though I've wondered if they were patterned after the Queen models.


David
Click to expand...
Actually, (if anyone would be interested) Case did release a single blade option recently, it's in the Amber Bone Rancher series # 6165 CV.
 
samhain73 said:
Actually, (if anyone would be interested) Case did release a single blade option recently, it's in the Amber Bone Rancher series # 6165 CV.
Click to expand...

And they've surprised me again (after re-releasing the large Sod Buster in CV as well, which I'd given up on). Very good. :thumbup:


David
 
MTHall720 said:
I wanted to see if any of you have a really good sized folding hunter with a 3.5 to over 4 inch blade yet not so super heavy that your pants sag way down on one side in any of the following makes?
Queen
S&M
Case
If so, are you fairly happy with fit and finish, no blade wobble, and fairly well centered?

Thanks much!
Click to expand...

Great Eastern Cutlery #42 Missouri Trader would be a good option. Slim, fit and finish was great, no wobble, centered.... lock was tight, sharp:





With a GEC Canoe Riding Shotgun








 
suggest an end-capped, jigged bone GEC 23. when i opened it in front of my office mates, they said it looked like a folding bayonet; what with that huge NS cap, and those swedges on the blades.
 
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