Large beefy folding hunter-- which one?

[TLARbb]

I was going to suggest a Gerber Folding Sportsman III, but then you brought up that weight issue....

Here's a "Mutt and Jeff" pic:

Ed J

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Queen Mountain Man (handle first, my first few were bad, the slipjoint I have now is a great model of what Queen can do); GEC 23 single blade slipjoint (although I still need to send mine in to have the pull lessened); GEC missouri trader, GEC Ben Hogan spear or clip.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Waitaminute not done. Queen Dan Burke daddy barlow. Another great reason that I surprised when Queen releases junk. The Mountain Man and daddy barlow I have are top flight examples of what they can do.

 

[pinnah]

What kind of blade do you want?

I would think a bit about blade material and grind. I like hollow ground blades (more common on hunters) for cutting meat but strongly prefer flatter ground blades for wood and general utility work.

If you like hollow ground blades, you might look at a customized and thinned Buck 110 or Buck 112. Our own Duane/Sitflyer does amazing looking "melted" 110s and 112s and there is quite an active industry in Buck customizations.

Unaltered, the Buck 112 is pocketable, if heavy. The 110 is just a bit too much for me. Another option is the Buck 500, which is now reintroduced. Drop point. 3" blade. Very easy to carry.

Buck really made the locking folder a reality in the US. Really, all other lock backs are following Buck's lead. But then, some of them might do it better too.

If you want US made, thinner carry and a flat ground blade, the big GEC looks like the right thing.

Lastly, if you want a flat ground blade, light weight and super tough and if you're willing to get your hands dirty, you can get an Opinel #10 and thin the handle with a sanding block. The #10 will be about the size of a Buck 110. A #9 will a bit bigger than a 112. A #8 is just a tick smaller than the 112 but has a longer blade.

I like US made knives but the Opinel has proven itself to me. I'm a convert. Some pictures...

The 110 next to a thinned and dropped #10.

Buck 110 and Opinel #10 by Pinnah, on Flickr

The 112 next to the #8.

Buck 112 & Opinel #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr

The Buck 500 Duke (real purty knife)

Buck 500 by Pinnah, on Flickr

Short version, I think real hunters like teh Bucks are better for hunting and blood and guts and getting washed out in hot soapy water later. But the Opinels are much, much better EDC pocket carry knives. My 110 stays in my hunting kit. My Opinels get carried daily. My 112 and 500 languish.

 

[knarfeng]

If you look around, you will find that Queen has made a single blade folding hunter model in addition to the dual blade model. If you buy a Queen, you will have to change the edge bevel in order to get it to perform decently. However, once you do, the Queen D2 will hold an edge quite a bit longer than any blade from any of the other companies under discussion.

 

[MTHall720]

I Very much appreciate all the great advice. At this point I really haven't thought out what I want as far as grind or composition is concerned. Mostly been focused on fit and finish plus wanting large, single clip point or sabre and perhaps spearpoint just for personal preference.
I also love the Remington I recently got from a BF brother.

 

[MTHall720]

I wish my local knife store carried more than the very few traditionals they do. They have a great selection of other modern types though. Hard for me to handle any of the ones I am thinking of prior to purchase

 

[Stich2442]

#54 Moose is nice solid & rugged, also has large spear & clip blades.

Pete

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I need a 54 or 53.

 

[TLARbb]

Maybe you want to take a look at Case's large copperlock or even the mini copperlock. I have both; very nice knives.

Ed J

 

[stevomiller]

The new Canal Street Squeeze is 5" long closed. Like Queen, it also uses D2 - harder than woopecker lips and very wear resistant.

 

[MTHall720]

Ed, are all those in your picture Copperlocks? Love the blade shapes.

 

[MTHall720]

I saw my first Canal Street at a big knife show a few months ago. Very nice looking work on all the ones I looked at.

 

[puukkoman]

Everybody on this forum likely knows how big a fan I am of the Queen Mountain Man. Mine's the locker, is rock-solid, has stood up to daily use (and some abuse) for years, and only gets better with age. :thumbup:

 

[black mamba]

This swell-center folding hunter (large Coke bottle) from Rough Rider is 5-3/8" closed, and has as good F&F as any large folder I own.

Rough Rider #522 in Brown Sawcut Bone

 

[lamech]

MTHall I usually carry 54 Trapper it seems to fit the best in my pocket without pulling down my britches. The 6265 folding hunter goes on the belt in the sheath it just seemed to heavy in the pocket for me.The nice thing about these two is they were purchased at the local TSC store, it's nice being able to feel them in the hand and check them over. Good luck with your choice.
God Bless
Tracy

 

[MarkPinTx]

Yeah the beef is going to be hard to reconcile with not yanking your pants down. The copperlock might be a good choice; its thin and light but that lovely clip cuts like a laser.