Looking for a Mega Folder / Pocket Sword

Of those, I've had the 6" Ti-Lite with the aluminum handles. It somehow got gone from my collection last year when I had my spinal cord stroke and was in the hosp/rehab for 3 months. I really like it and the foldover linerlock is a good idea and worked really well in use. It is a weighty knife and solid with tha aluminum construction. Cold Steel list the aluminum as the 7075 grade which is about the highest grade and is harder than the standard 6061 you usually see in aluminum framed knives. The blade came with a decent edge and would cleanly slice newsprint, and shave chest hair, right out of the box. For a knife under $100 I will probably replace it just for the novelty of it.

Though not as big as the ones you have mentioned, the Ontario XL Retribution is a mega folder no doubt. It has a 4.5" blade of N690Co that is nearly .200" thick, with titanium liners that are .100" thick. Green micarta covers those thick liners. There is no pocket clip due to the sculpted handles and the front/rear flares of the micarta. It can be sanded down though and a clip installed, or just carried with the nice, heavy duty cordura sheath it comes with. I believe it to be discontinued but still available for now and will run you around $150.
 
I own every one of those listed ( and few others from Coldsteel) except for recon 1 tanto,ti lite and vaquero. The rajah 2 is another category in my opinion. The size and thickness of the blade and handle along with the leverage you get from holding it the most rear area make it a Serious chopper.The penetration ability is actually also very good despite the look of the blade shape. The point is actually in a really good position for that.The handle does stick out a bit though because of the position of the pocket clip. However I think with an untucked shirt or jacket it can be easily covered.If you want a folder that can actually be used as a chopper/machete then this is the one. It is built like a tank.

The large Talwar and G10 Large Espada are a lot more similar to eachother then they are different.Both use what looks to me to be about the same thickness of g10 except that the espada has the shortened steel liners at the lock area. The Talwar has no liners at all. They are both plenty strong and robust. They both have the swedge with the reinforced tip. The main difference with these blades are the grind and blade shape. I think that this would probably be the defining factor in someones decision. From a general outlook The overall blade geometry of the talwar is one of being able to really slice and cut. The espada has more of balanced blade geometry between slicing and utility.The g10 espada is also beadblasted while the talwar is satin finished. Also I believe the talwar is the lighter knife of the two.

The question you had about the handle of the espada is a good one. I also own the XL g10 espada and the purpose of having that handle design/subhilt near the bottom is very clear.It works beautifully to extend the reach and leverage. On the large though? It doesn't serve as much of a purpose because there isn't enough handle below the subhilt to get a fullgrip when you are holding it in that matter. It can be done however and I could see it having it's uses. It's also a very grippy handle. I think it is most comfortable in the standard grip, it really locks your hand in.I do think however that the talwar has a better handle for holding at the most back portion similar to the rajah 2. You can get a full handed rear grip with it.

Overall man, It's hard for me to pick a favorite between the large espada and the talwar. If you end up debating between these two choices and having a hard time I would just go with which one you like the look of better. They both will function pretty close to eachother.

The rajah 2 and the xl espada are different animals compared to the 5.5 inchers in the line up though. They really do have the power of a bowie knife or machete.They are not as easy to carry though and are more obtrusive in pocket.

Let us know what you end up picking.
 
Darrel Ralph also offers a MADD MAXX 9. It is 1/2 of a yard long when opened.
 
Talwar or the Espada are the two I really like out of those, for the wave feature, and the long curved edge.

Of course I have never purchased one. I just carry the regular sized clip point Recon 1, and it is enough knife.
 
cutter17 said:
Of those, I've had the 6" Ti-Lite with the aluminum handles. It somehow got gone from my collection last year when I had my spinal cord stroke and was in the hosp/rehab for 3 months. I really like it and the foldover linerlock is a good idea and worked really well in use. It is a weighty knife and solid with tha aluminum construction. Cold Steel list the aluminum as the 7075 grade which is about the highest grade and is harder than the standard 6061 you usually see in aluminum framed knives. The blade came with a decent edge and would cleanly slice newsprint, and shave chest hair, right out of the box. For a knife under $100 I will probably replace it just for the novelty of it.

Though not as big as the ones you have mentioned, the Ontario XL Retribution is a mega folder no doubt. It has a 4.5" blade of N690Co that is nearly .200" thick, with titanium liners that are .100" thick. Green micarta covers those thick liners. There is no pocket clip due to the sculpted handles and the front/rear flares of the micarta. It can be sanded down though and a clip installed, or just carried with the nice, heavy duty cordura sheath it comes with. I believe it to be discontinued but still available for now and will run you around $150.
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Cutter. Glad you pulled through the stroke and are still with us. I'm gonna reach out to you. I have a 4 in. Aluminum Ti Lite, used but still in great shape, with your name on it. You should have it. Nothing expected or wanted in return. Enjoy.
 
Back on topic: Go for the Ti Lite. Nice knife. Also, check out the Spartan. A bit shorter than the others, but a beast and great cutter.
 
Thanks for all the replies :) I think im going to go with the Talwar at first n then next paycheck or 2 get the Ti-Lite. I have seen the Ontario Retribution and owned a Spartan but I been thinking about some thing longer, the Spartan and the Ontario seem to be rather similar in handle handle shape

eta: I love the looks of the Mad Maxx but I would have to save for alittle longer for it, I might tho, I just wish I could see and handle one in person before spending that much
 
I've got a Spartan. It's awesome, in a nutshell.

All of them are pretty well regarded as tactical options. Can't really go wrong with Cold Steel. Let us know how the Talwar is, cause I want one!
 
I really like my Rajah ii. It is the only "tactical" folder I still carry on a regular basis. Usually I carry it in a 511 push+r bag or on my belt with a custom kydex sheath that holds it high up so the knife doesn't show below the belt. While this isn't really a great EDC for general use, it is a great life insurance policy.
 
I used a clip point Voyager XL with the VG-1 steel and full serrations when I worked for a plastics company. It cut better and faster than a bandsaw, with more effort of course.

I can't speak for the AUS8 except to say it takes an extremely sharp edge easily but doesn't hold it long. My suggestion would be to get a Voyager, Recon, or one of the other cheaper offerings based on the medium grade steel. I would also get plain edge unless you work heavily with fibrous materials.

This is what I had.
IMGP0820.jpg

Not mine but had the exact thing. Could slice fine with it but couldn't do fine cutting. The new ones have way better locks but IMO significantly inferior steel.
 
Poleaxe said:
The g10 espada is also beadblasted while the talwar is satin finished. Also I believe the talwar is the lighter knife of the two.
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Also, not sure if this is an issue or not, but if you don't like bead blasted, CS is releasing a stonewashed version of the G10 espadas(and the Spartan) sometime this year.
 
Don't forget the Opinel #13 or the giant Svord peasant knife for mega folders!

I have a Rajah II and I just took the pocket clip off. It fits deeper in the pocket that way and it's not like I have pockets so deep that I need that thing clipped to the top. Ha! Btw, love that it's so easy to open one handed. Just grip well and flip, it's open!
C
 
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