least-tacticool hard-use folders?

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DowntownDM

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given that there's no Busse offering, what do you HOGs prefer?

I need a new medium size folder, something nearly bullet proof, and not all tacticool...

the small Sebenza seems a good fit (whereas the Striders aren't).

what else of similar quality is out there (and doesn't scream mall ninja)?
 
Bkultra said:
Rick Hinderer XM-18 by far the best folder I own
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Good luck finding one at a reasonable price right now though. I second the small sebbie- framelocks are about as tough as they get and the price isn't too bad.
 
Spyderco Manix (large size - it is still under a 4" blade). Currently out of production but can still be found popping up for sale on forums or on ebay.

Most don't consider it in the same league as Hinderer or Airkat / Carrillo but a quality tank knife at their particular price point.

Neal
 
They sell for $375 new, so $550+ $20 shipping for a used one is still a little steep to me. It's not like they're not being made anymore, so once some more hit the market price should come down on the gen. 3's. Anyway, there's a lot of good solid knives out there, but many are of the "tacticool" variety. The sebbie is still a good choice for a small, solid, folder.
 
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I'm big into Great Eastern Cutlery right now. (I own the set in the picture, but I didn't take the photo)

If Busse made slipjoints, they would probably look a lot like Great Eastern. They're overbuilt, and hell-for-tough. With great carbon steel, perfect grinds, razor-sharp edges, looks to kill, and bear-trap backsprings. And they're about as far from "tacticool" as you are gonna get. The price is right- they cost about the same as a Case, but with 10X the quality.
 
You can get a 4th gen XM-18 very easy and for a decent price b/c they are not hand ground by Rick. If you want a Gen 3 or older you will pay 500-800, but they are not that hard to find.
 
I've got a spyderco caly3 in VG-10 steel, its a great slicer and reasonably priced at >$100.00.:thumbup:

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Sebenza Large Classic in my pocket now.

Hmmm, hard use but not tacticool. Manix, XM18 (if you can find it), maybe one of the Hossom Retribution?? I've never actually held one of the Retribution but they do look beefy.

For a reasonable price, the Kershaw Lahar with VG10 and G10 handle isn't bad either. Heckuva value for the price.
 
I like the Spyderco Calypso III as well.

Soon, I'm gonna just bite the bullet and get another Sebenza. Never liked metal-handled knives, and I sold the last one I owned. This time, I'm going for the micarta inlays.

What do I carry the most though? Victorinox Climber. :o
 
I've got a few favorites for hard use heavy duty folders:
1> Benchmade Rukus 610 for a large one and the 615 is now my favorite carry folder, these are my favorite folders right now
2> My old time favorite was the old Benchmade CQC known as the Benchmade 975
3> spyderco Military G10/black titanium coating, and a spyderco Chinook ( I like a few of spyderco's folders. the hole is nice even with gloves on) ADDITION> after reading this thread, and doing some research, I really like the Spyderco Manix with the Green handles. Another one on the want list! Thanks guys... more $ to be spent!
4> My son gave me a USMC issue Benchmade AFO Automatic knife a nice knife, but a thinner blade than I thought it would be
I've been looking at the Strider/Onion 0300 series. they look nice, but I have yet to hold one yet... any ideas on them? I've always wanted an old Al Mar SERE, but they are few and far between
 
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leatherman all the way :)

my swamp rat rat tail is very pocketable, so I have no reason to go for any sort of hard use folder.
 
Buck 110 from Walmart for $30.

I'm in the sand box now and it's what I'm toting around. Not tacticool but a great knife at a price that you never fear using it.
 
Bkultra said:
You can get a 4th gen XM-18 very easy and for a decent price b/c they are not hand ground by Rick. If you want a Gen 3 or older you will pay 500-800, but they are not that hard to find.
Click to expand...

There's a Gen 4 XM-18 already??? :confused::confused:
 
Moving downmarket, how about a Kershaw?

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Stylish, but not tacticool (unlike the Zero Tolerance models). There is also a composite blade (like the Tyrade) version of the Shallot coming soon.
 
"There is also a composite blade (like the Tyrade) version of the Shallot coming soon."

Out of the folders i own the Shallot is my favorite design. A composite version would be icing on the cake (or is that, fat on the sausage...?).
 
My number one carry is a Small Sebenza.

The Hinderer is nice but the flippers don’t really flip and since he isn’t grinding the blades any longer I wonder if it should be a $400+ knife. It is also a pretty large folder. Even so I do have two on order as it is a nice folder.

Last weekend I got to play with PorkDucci’s Scott Cook. If faced with the option I’d pay $700+ for that knife before I’d pay $400 for the new Hinderer. That Scott Cook is a killer knife. It is a lot like a large Sebenza but much more art in the knife and seems smaller.

I also agree that Spyderco makes the best knife for the money. In this size for real hard use would be the Para Military and the Mini Manix.

.
 
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