Long term grid down scenario, which folder do you choose?

Probably grab the ZT 301.
I want to say a PM2 but the ZT is built like tank in comparison albeit if a little more complicated. In reality though I'd have more than one and it would be accompanied with something like a Busse TGLB.
 
I appreciate the people keeping it real here, there are obviously much more important factors essential to survival in this situation, but as Esav pointed out this is not Wilderness and Survival, I'm happy to see this thread hasn't been torn apart :) !!

Anyhoo, from reading previous threads like this I think I would definitely like to have a fixed, but a folder it must be.

I love the super steels, but an obvious problem for me would be sharpening. So I would want a knife with a softer steel like 154 cm. as much as I am not a fan I feel like an Emerson would fit the bill. Beefy, easy field maintenance, chisel grind (not a fan) but only half as much to sharpen and in the scenario you would be lucky to get to choose which blade to use!
There's the wave open as well but as far as self defense I think the people that remain will have equipped themselves better than just a blade, but it wouldn't hurt to have a blazing fast one hand open. Another thing, would definitely want a combo edge. While serrations are a different story to sharpen, they seem to keep their edge for quite awhile and you can really rip through what you need to.

I love threads like this although not entirely applicable, we're here cause we love knives and I get excited to hear which you all would bring with you on judgement day, it really brings out some important features on knives that aren't currently a hot commodity so to speak.
 
Such a hard decision to make, do you go for a tool or a weapon, or something that tries to be both? And do you go for harder steel to last you longer or for softer steel for easy sharpening in the field?

Pfff...okay in the end you have to assume that a weapon has to be INSTANTLY available and functional and it has to be no nonsense. With a tool application it's safe to assume you have time to look for other options or to improvise.

Okay, a weapon it is then. Mankind's history on the battlefield has proven that piercing weapons are more effective than slicing weapons when it comes to combat. Something with the ability to punch tickets with as little effort as possible. Probably through several layers of protective clothing so I'd look for something that is long, slim and sturdy

I think I've made my choice:

The Extrema Ratio Nemesis:

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mrdabble said:
Another thing, would definitely want a combo edge. While serrations are a different story to sharpen, they seem to keep their edge for quite awhile and you can really rip through what you need to.
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While many people don't like sharpening recurves, they are great with partial serrations in the recurved part of the blade.

For sharpening, use a leather belt as a makeshift strop. For sharpening serrations, use a leather bootlace as a strop. This works nicely on a gut-hook as well.
 
Never heard of the frosted edge of a window before. Sounds interesting and would be a lot of those to work with. I suppose I'd take my BM 0275 Adamas or Spydie TUFF. Yes, I know...no rocks would work very well unless you have one of Ernie's wonders, or equivalent. But I would likely still have my pants, and my billfold in my pants, even if nothing in it but my DMT Dia-Sharp Diamond card (red) in 600 grit. Sorry if that sounds like cheating, but that's why I bought that card.
And yes, I found Forstchen's novel to be very interesting.
 
I'm going to be somewhat real and choose from what I own and not what might be the best. In this case the SnG. I can find plenty of junk laying around for prying, hammering, etc..
 
Keep my Adamas in my pocket and find other tools for prying open manhole covers.
 
Come to think of it if prying is a real concern then friction folders should hold up pretty well. You should be able to use the opening lever with the knife closed to pry at stuff without causing too much stress to the pivot. It's one unbroken length of steel wedged between the handles scales. You won't get much leverage out of a 4-5 inch piece of steel but it should be enough to open a can of paint.
 
sideways said:
Come to think of it if prying is a real concern then friction folders should hold up pretty well.
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You're right about that. I have a JK Handmade Knives friction folder, 9" overall, 4" blade, 1/8" thick, with a 1+1/4" lever.
 
For ease of maintenance, probably an emerson CQC-15. I'd just take along my small diamond sharpening plates and I'd be pretty set. All of the hardware can be adjusted with my Leatherman, which I would also take with me. I can't really think of a different production locking knife that I would rather have in that situation. Functional for combat and utility, simple hardware and design, reliable, quick to deploy.

However, given how the world is currently, I find the prevalence of centering, lockup, and pivot issues to be unacceptable. If I were the mildly paranoid type, I would probably have one in my backpack just in case things went down and I was out and about.
 
If we are really talking about a single folder, under the circumstances given, I'd opt for something like a Leatherman Wave or equivalent multi-tool.
 
JNewell said:
I'd opt for something like a Leatherman Wave or equivalent multi-tool.
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Good idea. Under current circumstances, I have been carrying my Skeletool almost constantly.
If all I had was my Victorinox Ranger with me, I wouldn't feel deprived, either.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Good idea. Under current circumstances, I have been carrying my Skeletool almost constantly.
If all I had was my Victorinox Ranger with me, I wouldn't feel deprived, either.
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I broached the multitool thing earlier

marcinek said:
Do multiools still exist?? Will whatever omnipotetent entity is running this thing allow us to have one? More than one? Can we get new ones?
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It would be my choice, but it's not clear to me if they, technically, meet the premise of the thread. :confused:

I'm not sure if they aren't under the umbrella of the "other stuff" we'd have "out the wazoo" :):

GenOne said:
Yes, it is implied that you'll need to keep your knives sharp and serviceable in a scenario like this. Besides which folder you would choose (we all know we'd have fixed blades and other stuff out the wazoo), ...
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That said, if I couldn't cheat and turn a fixed blade into a friction folder, then I'd go multitool. Leatherman Blast user, myself.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Good idea. Under current circumstances, I have been carrying my Skeletool almost constantly.
If all I had was my Victorinox Ranger with me, I wouldn't feel deprived, either.
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If we bumped it up to two, maybe the balanced mix is a good multi-tool and a bushcraft-esque fixed blade.
 
The village in which I live has few man holes/covers and those lead to village sewage, etc...nowhere I'm willing to risk the tool to enter.
In such a scenario and you are stuck where you are I'd guess you would be stuck with whatever you have. Access to anything else will depend on what is in your area, ability to get/buy it...I'd suspect costs for such things will sky rocket making them out of reach for most.

My most heavy duty folding knife is my ZT566 so that is the one I'd rely on for a folder.

I'd stay where I am as it is a very small village with few people, most of whom I either work with or are family...my wife's family has been in this area for over 200 years...are all hunters, many dairy farms in the area, river down the road, small hydro plant a mile or less away, on Lake Ontario, heavily wooded and forested...everything you'd need for a fair sized enclave to survive most anything and be self sufficient.

My home contains all the tools, etc. I'd need to add to the village's survival prospects.
 
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Sure are a lot of random stipulations but I guess I kind of get what you are going for. Yes, the apocalypse would suck, but it wouldn't rob me of all common sense. I'm not going to run around trying to pry up manhole covers with a folding knife. Especially when (as you have stipulated) it's my only folding knife! Whatever, I'll quit poking holes and play. I guess since we are in "you can only have one" bizarro world I would bring a spyderco military. And just in case the "only one" rule is across the board, I'll choose my blue mets cap and a pair of fruit-of-the-loom 32-34s! ;)
 
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It would be something built to last if its going to me my knife for 20 years. It will have to have rock solid lock up that will not get blade play after many years of use. It would also be easily taken apart and cleaned, and will go back together perfectly ever time. Something in a stainless steel so it wont rust out if I get stuck in damp rainy weather for several days. I am leaning towards a Large Sebenza 21 or 25, or maybe an Umnumzaan.
 
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