Looking for a carbon steel folder, under $100

S

ShooterMcgavin

Joined
Jan 20, 2008
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I am looking for a carbon steel folder, under $100, and much less would be preferred. I would like to strip the coating and put a patina on it. I want something kinda tough (1/8+" thickness would be nice), that I can customize with my own look.

Any ideas?

ETA: I should add some other requests...
I don't mind paying more, if it's just what I want. I don't like liner locks, generally (frame locks are fine). I would like to avoid cheap-looking plastic handles. Length - 3.25" or less. I want a blade that is good for EDC, so not looking for funky things like big re-curves or tanto blade shapes.
 
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Spyderco Caly Hitachi Blue carbon steel, it's over $100 and the blade is 3.5 inches but it's very compact with no wasted space. I have one and love it, I'm also considering adding a patina. Handle is G10.
 
The Caly 3.5 in super blue steel IS an excellent knife. The steel takes an edge like almost no other steel. It isn't coated, is a simple lockback design and light despite being full size. There's nothing on the market like it.

Joe
 
I think someone around here had ka-bar make a phat bob out of D2 - that might be just the ticket.
 
i have to post a +1 on the caly 3.5 super blue. very compact with a 3.5 inch blade. i know howesknifeshop.com still has em and with free shipping. its just worth it in the end to spend the extra dough
 
The Caly 3.5 sounds like a bit of a premium blade, a little more than I wanted to spend for my very first project with patina work :) I will check it out and I might still go with it. I do really like my CF Caly 3 - in my pocket now.

Any others??? Let's hear 'em. Thanks!
 
Tell me about Super Blue steel. What is the hardness? Is it a pretty tough steel for a folder? I have never heard of it. Can anyone make a comparison between it and another steel?
 
Well, if you're looking to practice a patina... what about an Opinel?

They're cheaper than what you're willing to pay, but they're good knives. They also don't have "plasticy" handles, OR a linerlock, so it might work for you.

Good luck
 
Check the Bone Collector folders out. They're very solid and surprisingly not pocket hogs. The blade grind is awesome and the Axis mech works very smoothly.
 
Look up John Greco's folders on eBay. Well under $100, and you get mid-tech quality (the parts are laser cut, but he does all the finishing himself). 8670 steel, tough as anything I've ever used.
 
A patina is basically just a controlled form of rust.

Stainless steels are highly resistant to rust, so they don't really work on them.
 
Enzo Birk in D2 is really nice. It's a liner lock, but it's really high quality.
[youtube]edNGeqgJUNQ[/youtube]
 
Enzo Birk...
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Those are very nice. A bit pricey, but nice!

I was wondering about stainless because there are so many options in folders that are stainless. Also, I have seen some discoloration on a Benchmade using ATS-34 after many years. It cleaned up fine with a little work, but maybe if the blade were to be treated with vinegar for a very long time, the patina would develop further? I should probably start with something cheap, but I do like the looks of the Caly 3.5.
 
Yeah, stainless will rust, but it won't stain in an appealing way like non stainless will. and it takes a lot more to stain it.

That Caly 3.5 really would be a great way to see, if you don't want more traditional knives, even if it is somewhat out of your criteria. There aren't a whole lot of people doing carbon steels in modern folders. Plus that Hitachi Blue in the Caly is supposed to be amazing. Also spyderco's M4 steel in their Gayle Bradley is great. It won't stain quite like a traditional steel, but it isn't stainless and will definitely get a patina.

Does it have to be a folder? There are a lot of fixed blade options out there in something like 1095 that will patina nicely. Or spend $10 on an Opinel or two and experiment on them. Not quite modern, but every knife lover should have a few.
 
ShooterMcgavin said:
Those are very nice. A bit pricey, but nice!

I was wondering about stainless because there are so many options in folders that are stainless. Also, I have seen some discoloration on a Benchmade using ATS-34 after many years. It cleaned up fine with a little work, but maybe if the blade were to be treated with vinegar for a very long time, the patina would develop further? I should probably start with something cheap, but I do like the looks of the Caly 3.5.
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It's available from a retailer in the U.S. for just under $100, when they have it in stock. Just google for it.
 
goodeyesniper said:
Does it have to be a folder? There are a lot of fixed blade options out there in something like 1095 that will patina nicely. Or spend $10 on an Opinel or two and experiment on them. Not quite modern, but every knife lover should have a few.
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Unfortunately, yes, it does need to be a folder. I would love to carry a fixed blade (and I have a few in 1095), however, the city next to me outlaws any knife without a hinge. Technically, just transporting a butter knife or a 1" fixed blade in your car could put you in the legal system. Stupid, and annoying.
 
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