Looking for a good tactical folder 4" or larger

[DRider]

Absolutely the Skirmish. The Skirmish is a magic knife.

It carries like a much smaller knife. It carries small and flat and is easy on the pocket. Open it, and it's huge! Well, ok, not huge, but big and sturdy.

The frame lock is rock solid - no side to side at all. The hole and the size of the blade let's me draw-to-open as fast as a switchblade. I index finger the blade out slightly and flick it the rest of the way. No grip change required. The blade is flat ground and takes a great edge. Titanium frame means its not real heavy for it's size.

I can't speak highly enough about this knife. I think it's a triumph in the world of factory knives. And so... photos!

Here's two photos - the Skirmish in my pocket sheath, and a much smaller knife, the Wegner Pro Hunter (excellent knife by the way) in the same sheath.

And here's a size comparison shot of the Skirmish with a few well known others:

And finally my knife and gun shot of my other Skirmish, my favorite large knife of all.

 

[Rafael]

Big folding knives are fun, but normally I would suggest either a Spyderco Endura (with FRN or G-10 scales, foliage green is available for a tactical look) or Benchmade Griptilian for a variety of reasons. Both are under 4”.

The Cold Steel Voyager Extra Large and X2 Voyager have a blade length of 5” and 6” respectively. I have a smaller Voyager (clip point style) which is a decent knife.

The Spyderco Civilian is very specialized, but a design that I love.

Rafael

 

[Jos]

Sorry for asking a question that's probably been asked before, but I would appreciate your help nonetheless.

No, you are the first to ask this question!

To answer your question: if price is not important get yourself one of these:

Greg Lightfoot Full Contact

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

how about a spyderco chinook ?
big enough, strong, made for SD...

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

this described here is the first version of the chinook
http://www.donrearic.com/stingerchinook.html

 

[tholiver]

Had an Endura 4.... the tip broke off.

Hmmm tried to pry with the tip?
Buy a two layer SAK (Recruit/Spartan/Cadet/Pioneer/Soldier) to pry with.
A light two layer SAK is the perfect companion to a single bladed OH opening knife.
Any of these SAK's are in the 20$-ish price range, even cheaper if you buy used.
Use the canopener and/or bottle opener for any necessary light prying.
A two layer SAK will easily disappear in your pocket until you need it.

Heck you could even go 1 layer, the Vic Waiter is very inexpensive and will do the job.

 

[MK262]

Hmmm tried to pry with the tip?

Actually no... I didn't try to pry anything with the blade. The knife slipped out of my hand, and hit the bathroom sink before falling to the ground; the tip broke off when the blade hit the sink.

 

[Brian Jones]

This was made for SERE teams and DEA, It's beast and I've had one since 2001, abused the hell out it, and it's still going strong.:

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=5&products_id=59

 

[Matador]

I should add that this knife will be used for personal protection, therefore, a blade profile suited toward that end would be best. The ZT knives are large and nearly meet the size requirement, but the blade profile seems to be not suited towards self-defense.

For SD orientation, on the low end any of the large Cold Steel offerings will surely fill the bill. In the mid range price point, Emerson is a great choice who's offerings are based upon and around both western and southeast asian edged combatives.

Matador-

 

[crom]

For the size of the CS 5" & 6" Voyagers in clip and tanto, the weight is very manageable. When you start adding steel liners, G10, micarta etc to a large blade, the knife becomes cumbersome to carry. This of course would not apply to the Ti framelock skirmish.

 

[MK262]

any other suggestions?

 

[JPD1998]

any other suggestions?

I'm going to recommend the Beretta BH tactical folder. It's the size you want ( 4" blade) and is built like a $200 should be. I own many similar production folders , from all different companies and I would put this one up there with the best of them.

Plus Berettta USA is closing them out on their web site. So you can get an outstanding knife for $100.00.

Heres a link to a thread - a few of us bought them...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5784359

 

[MK262]

I'm going to recommend the Beretta BH tactical folder. It's the size you want ( 4" blade) and is built like a $200 should be. I own many similar production folders , from all different companies and I would put this one up there with the best of them.

Plus Berettta USA is closing them out on their web site. So you can get an outstanding knife for $100.00.

Heres a link to a thread - a few of us bought them...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5784359

It states on beretta's website the blade length is 3.75 inches, not 4 inches.

 

[JPD1998]

It states on beretta's website the blade length is 3.75 inches, not 4 inches.

For some reason the web site is not correct... the blade on the knife I received is about 3.99"

Also the e-receipt and box I received from Beretta said the blade was 3.25" and clearly that was wrong too. After I placed my order I thought they were going to send me a smaller knife , but it was the 4" version ( 9" open)

I'm not sure why the specs are different on Beretta's site ( different sites list the model number differently too). I also read that calling Beretta will do no good because their customer service is clueless.

I placed the order because of the information another poster wrote on this forum and he was correct.

Here's the description from another vendor "4" CPM S30V stainless blade, 5 1/4" closed, G-10 handle, locking liner, reversible pocket clip. "

It's just a good deal .... a $200 knife for $100. This knife is very similar to Lone Wolf Harsey T2 Tactical Folder

Good luck on whatever you decide to buy

 

[rowdy27]

ZT 0300 is a tank. You need a fixed blade for over 4" fighter for your own fingers safety..

 

[Gunfucius]

I'd recommend an Endura 4, in any configuration. If you insist on carrying a knife for self defense, I'd check out Mercop's posts in Prac Tac, especially the one about IET (inverted edge tactics). He teaches self defense courses as well, which are a definite good idea for any weapon that you intend to carry for self defense.

 

[The Mastiff]

There are socom Elites running around from a short run in 2006 that are made with S90V. Really very nice knives, but getting difficult to find. If you like MT's, it's well worth the time spent looking for one. Joe

 

[Flatlander1963]

BM 630 Skirmish. I have one and if you’re looking for a light (for its size) quick deploy folder that’s freaking intimidating, that’s the one. In fact mine is exactly the same as the one above.

If you can live with a 3.5in blade...a mini Skirmish