Looking a general purpouse folder

thejamppa

thejamppa

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
2,907
Hi!

I am looking (relatively) non-expensive under $70 folding knife.

Requirements:

- Reliable locking mehcanism
- single, plain edge
- relatively small in size ( blade under 4" )
- Belt clip is plus
- Can with stand frost - 25 degree C and over not being spoiled or permanently being damaged. Its not nice to have general purpouse knife that can't be opened because mechanism is frozen ( yeah that's why you probably carry fixed blade but I don't want junk and sometimes fixed blades are just too big to carry around )
- Reputable manufacturer (I don't mind if its made in china as long its good quality )

I am now looking Gerber Truss 2.0 ( framelock makes me bit uncertain ) or Gerber L.S.T. Lockback series. I have good experiences from Lockback mechanism.

Truss looks pretty good but all metal handle is not good combination in frost when using bare hands... Trust me, I know... Don't ask, yet anyway.

You can give me any advice. I can purchase knives much cheaper from the states Via eBay than buy locally.
 
Well, in your price range, I would say that a benchmade full size griptillian would be perfect for you. It has 154cm blade steel, witch is a high quality steel, ten times better then the mystery steel in gerber knives. It has synthetic handles, a pocket clip for tip up of down carry, and has one of the strongest locks on the market, the axis lock. Another choice would be a Spyderco Native, however the blade is sorta small for me. It has a great blade steel, s30v, synthetic handles, and a pocket clip.
 
Might want to take a look at the Spyderco Delica, Endura, Tenacious or the Kershaw Skyline.

I would generally advise against Gerbers.
 
$70 will buy you A LOT of knife these days. As lorsban said above, I'd look at Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, CRKT, Cold Steel and Byrd (Spyderco's China made brand).

Read the "What's in your pocket" and "Most recent purchase" threads to get a feel for what guys are buying and what is good. Also look over in the "Test and Review" forum. this is what I do usually since I can't get my hands on all these knives locally. Find some that everyone likes, look for pics if I like the design, read reviews (YouTube is great for that.. at least to get a good look at a knife and +/-'s). Look up the prices on good stores like New Graham, Your Corner Store, Knifeworks, etc. I'm sure one will stand out.. and I'm sure your budget will go up a little for the extra quality of a good folder (it always does). Especially if it is you main go-to knife.

Good Luck.
 
+1 on the Endura. Spyderco has a great reputation and the Endura is made in Japan. It also uses VG-10 which is great stuff, the FRN handles are almost bomb proof, it's a lockback so you shouldn't have problems with lock strength and it's pretty cheap. newgraham stock the standard ones for around $60 while the waved and stainless steel ones are $70ish.

Hope this helps.
 
Any of the Salts will do well (Pacific, Salt I, Atlantic), the Endura's or Delica's will do well. Other then that Maybe the Paramilitary (out of your price range though) or a Tenacious

I'm not sure how the Axis or BBL would handle freezing. I should probably try it with my Manix 2 and 520.
 
Everyone has good recommendations. Hawk45 hit it on the nose.

But most wont recommend a Gerber, SOG, or CRKT folder, but you cant really go wrong with a Benchmade or Spyderco.

I know you said folders, but I thought that a small fixed knife, like a necker might work. For the most part its light weight, the fixed blade is strong and wont be frozen shut (maybe in its sheath), and a paracord wrapped handle wont stick/hurt your hands/fingers when cold/frozen. Check out a RAT Izula or Kabar Becker BK11.

Welcome to the Blade Forums. Im pretty much new here too. Everybody is very helpful and Im sure you'll like it here. But Im tellin' you, get out while you still can :) Its one knife now, but more soon than later, is 2, 3, 4, etc etc..
 
Kershaw: Groove, Junkyard dog, OD-1, R.A.M.... there's others that I can't remember. All of them are great--I'd recommend the composite bladed JYD.

Axis locks/assisted opening from springs and torsion bars may snap in that frigid weather, don't know.
 
Kershaw:
Needs Work < $40, 3" blade, A/O liner lock
P/N KS1820 has Black polyamide handles with stainless pocket clip
P/N KS1820BLK Black polyamide handles with stainless pocket clip black finish on the blade
P/N KS1820G10 Black G10 handles with stainless pocket clip

PackRat < $60, 3-1/4" blade, A/O liner lock
P/N KS1665 Black 10 handles with stainless pocket clip
P/N KS1665C Camo G10 handles with stainless pocket clip

Junk Yard Dog II <$70, 3-3/4" blade liner lock
P/N KS1725 Grey G10 handles with stainless pocket clip
P/N KS1725BLK Black G10 handles with stainless pocket clip

Good luck with finding the knife you want.

J.W.
 
Oh, thanks guys. I never really thought Benchmade was in my range. I got only few local dealers for Benchmade and most of their knives sell between 154-299€'s and that's for folders. In bucks that roughly $190 to 365 for 90% of their benchmade selection. ( one reason I am looking them directly from the states eBay or any other Paypal.

Spyderco is good I've often thought getting one, but they're still really expensive locally.

Kershaw is brand new name for me but I will believe you guys since so many have recomended it already.

Benchmade, Spyderco and Kershaw (skyline ) they'll be big help in the woods and in case I'll be called in active duty again, but since I am mere medic they won't call me unless they really expect war around this corner of the world.. ^^

Besides there's really no way our "beloved" neighbour, Russia would ever invade sovereign state... Oh, Georgia... never mind :P

I'll be posting here some choices i've made for opinions. Thanks a lot guys ^^
 
Take a look at the Buck 110. No pocket clip but comes with a sheath. Been around a very long time and is very dependable!:thumbup: You can purchase one for far less than the price listed in the link.:D

http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3044

This one's mine...
DSC01483.jpg
 
Oh, that Buck looks like my very first folding knife... also first one I lost 2 years after getting it... at age of 9...

So far I've gone thru a lot knives, mainly from Benchmade and Spyderco. Spyderco designs look nice and they're somewhat cheaper than Benchmade. Also a lot spyderco can be obtained far less than $50...


Most likely candidates at this point:

Spyderco Byrd Meadowlark Knife G-10
Spyderco Byrd Robin Knife Black G-10/Plain Edge
Spyderco Byrd Crossbill Knife Hawkbill Plain Edge/G-10
 
thejamppa said:
Oh, thanks guys. I never really thought Benchmade was in my range. I got only few local dealers for Benchmade and most of their knives sell between 154-299€'s and that's for folders. In bucks that roughly $190 to 365 for 90% of their benchmade selection. ( one reason I am looking them directly from the states eBay or any other Paypal.

Spyderco is good I've often thought getting one, but they're still really expensive locally.

Kershaw is brand new name for me but I will believe you guys since so many have recomended it already.

Benchmade, Spyderco and Kershaw (skyline ) they'll be big help in the woods and in case I'll be called in active duty again, but since I am mere medic they won't call me unless they really expect war around this corner of the world.. ^^

Besides there's really no way our "beloved" neighbour, Russia would ever invade sovereign state... Oh, Georgia... never mind :P

I'll be posting here some choices i've made for opinions. Thanks a lot guys ^^
Click to expand...

otkuda vi?
 
If you're willing to go up to $80ish, the Spyderco Manix 2 is a great value...

Jordan
 
din said:
otkuda vi?
Click to expand...

And to answer your question, since you asked it in Russian its only appropriate to answer with the same languange: &#1071; &#1060;&#1080;&#1085;&#1085;.

jnich67:

That looks awesome knife, I may buy that bit later. Perhaps in December when I get tax refunds ^^
 
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The Byrd line is actually very good for the price. Very close to it's more expensive big brother Spyderco. I have several of both maker. The Byrd Cara Cara is about the same as the Spyderco Endura for half the price. The metal is better in the Spyderco, but if just for general use.. who cares.. buy the Byrd and use the heck out of it.. then buy another when it wears out. Or just buy 2 to start. I also have the Crossbill from Byrd, and I would recommend the Cara Cara over the Crossbill for daily use and just size (the crossbill is tall).

Actually thinking about it... check out the Spyderco Tenacious... really AWESOME knife for the $$
 
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