Looking for a new EDC folder - suggestions please?

A

albinokoala

Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
7
After many years of using a spyderco police I would like to get a new folding knife but my head is spinning at all the choices available. I have a few criteria which might help narrow down the choices a bit:

1. Blade length of around 3.5 - 4.0 inches
2. Tanto point
3. Would prefer a harder wearing metal
4. Assisted open would be a bonus (I presume this is legal in Canada and different from an Auto, correct?)
5. Would like a strong locking mechanism. Any suggestions/info here?
6. Price range somewhere $100-150 but definitely under $200 at the max.
7. Will be purchasing online so need some suggestions for retailers that ship to Canada.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and/or knowledge provided.
 
Maybe a Super CQC-7B would work?

It isnt assisted, but it has the wave which is alot faster!

Super_CQC7BTW.jpg

(not my image)
 
One that comes to mind is the Cold Steel Recon 1. 4" blade, comes in tanto, goofy strong lock. The Japanese Aus 8A Stainless is no slouch. US$60 more or less on ebay. If you go this route, make sure you get the 2010 model with the Tri-ad lock.

Link.
 
I'm not a big tanto fan but I have the drop point version of this one. It is the Benchmade H&K 14255. It can also be bought from wonders and warriors which is a Canadian company so you don't have to worry about customs. I think the only thing from your list it doesn't have is the assisted opening.


BM14255.jpg
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I'm not a big tanto fan but I have the drop point version of this one. It is the Benchmade H&K 14255. It can also be bought from wonders and warriors which is a Canadian company so you don't have to worry about customs. I think the only thing from your list it doesn't have is the assisted opening.


BM14255.jpg
Click to expand...

I'll second that choice. An AO knife is OK in Canada, however for the utmost in dependably, you should be looking at a non-assisted knife such as the HK14255.
 
Thanks for all the responses. All of the suggestions thus far fit my criteria really well. Someone mentioned SOG and I was wondering if they made reliable folders with strong locks as I have never heard of them before.

dinozzo said:
Maybe a Super CQC-7B would work?

It isnt assisted, but it has the wave which is alot faster!
Click to expand...

That seems to hit all the important criteria in terms of materials(154CM, titanium liners, G10 handles) and the fast opening without assist sounds interesting. How is the lock strength on it compared to others?


powernoodle said:
One that comes to mind is the Cold Steel Recon 1. 4" blade, comes in tanto, goofy strong lock. The Japanese Aus 8A Stainless is no slouch. US$60 more or less on ebay. If you go this route, make sure you get the 2010 model with the Tri-ad lock.

Link.
Click to expand...

Wow, that sounds like a lot of value for the price. The Tri-Ad locking mechanism sounds very sturdy. How does the AUS8A compare to stuff like 154CM and S30V? I'm was never too found of ATS-34 so if AUS8A is similar......


res1cue said:
Benchmade Warn.. 120 dollars, 3.7 inch D2 blade, tanto point, assisted opening, AND you get the axis lock

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BM5831
Click to expand...

That one also ticks all the boxes except the blade metal. D2 Tool steel seems a little cheap for something that price.


A.P.F. said:
I'll second that choice. An AO knife is OK in Canada, however for the utmost in dependably, you should be looking at a non-assisted knife such as the HK14255.
Click to expand...

That blade fits most of my criteria as well except it may be just slightly short at 3.4" compared with the others recommended in this thread. Are there known reliability issues with assisted knives?
 
My first thought was also for the CQC-7. I recently had the chance to work on a couple of these, and while I wasn't initially sold on their appearance, they are very nice knives. The wave works very well, and after breaking in, the action is super smooth.

They dress up well, too. :D
img_6777.jpg


4797880330_fc192c00cd_b.jpg


Phillip
 
albinokoala said:
Thanks for all the responses. All of the suggestions thus far fit my criteria really well. Someone mentioned SOG and I was wondering if they made reliable folders with strong locks as I have never heard of them before.
QUOTE]

the locking system on the aegis and trident is similar to benchmade's axis system, it is definitely reliable.
Click to expand...
 
albinokoala said:
That seems to hit all the important criteria in terms of materials(154CM, titanium liners, G10 handles) and the fast opening without assist sounds interesting. How is the lock strength on it compared to others?
Click to expand...

The lock strength is very good, some do not like linerlocks, but i have put my CQC-7 through plenty of rough stuff and it has held up just fine...i do think the tri-ad lock is stronger, but i prefer the look and specs of the CQC-7...now if the 7 had a tri-ad lock...:D
 
Last edited:
Zero Tolerance 0400 got everything you asked for
If you look good , you can find it for about 100$ , which is a wicked bang for the buck
Much better deal (and knife) than the overrated Emerson
Plus , Kershaw customer service and warranty is the best , period .


AO is legal in Canada , but if you order the knife from the US (and you should , because the dealers are far better over there) , make sure you ask them to tighten the pivot pin
 
termiteslayer said:
Benchmade 760 LFTi, maybe.
I love mine.
Click to expand...

That's a pricy but beautiful folder. It's a shame that it does not have the Axis lock integrated.

vicious00machete said:
Zero Tolerance 0400 got everything you asked for
If you look good , you can find it for about 100$ , which is a wicked bang for the buck
Much better deal (and knife) than the overrated Emerson
Plus , Kershaw customer service and warranty is the best , period .
Click to expand...

That is a very good suggestion as it is almost a perfect match based on my criteria. The only thing is it looks overly aggressive and lacking a certain utilitarian look that I usually prefer but the major criticism is that it is only a liner lock.



I like the Super CQC-7B a lot except for the liner lock and the Benchmade Warn is great as well except that I would prefer a 154CM or S30V blade over the D2 Tool steel that it uses. It's down to these three unless someone can come up with a superior alternative.
 
albinokoala said:
That is a very good suggestion as it is almost a perfect match based on my criteria. The only thing is it looks overly aggressive and lacking a certain utilitarian look that I usually prefer but the major criticism is that it is only a liner lock.


.
Click to expand...


I'm not a huge fan of liner locks , but if there is one company out there that makes liner locks you can actually trust , it's Zero Tolerance .

Their liner locks (at least the ones on the 0200 and 0350) are ridiculously strong .

The liner lock on the Emerson is a joke comparing to the ZT .
 
vicious00machete said:
I'm not a huge fan of liner locks , but if there is one company out there that makes liner locks you can actually trust , it's Zero Tolerance .

Their liner locks (at least the ones on the 0200 and 0350) are ridiculously strong .

The liner lock on the Emerson is a joke comparing to the ZT .
Click to expand...

What emerson(s) have you owned? Have you had one fail on you?

Theres a whole lot of talk about mega strength of folders these days, but knives are meant to cut stuff...the emersons linerlock is pretty tough as seen in ankersons tests. if the knife can pass overstrikes, spinewhacks, botoning etc, i think you should be just fine.

Both Emerson and ZT are excellent companies, and put out awesome knives. My advice would be to go with the one you like the best. you cant go wrong with any of the ones you are considering :)
 
albinokoala said:
That one also ticks all the boxes except the blade metal. D2 Tool steel seems a little cheap for something that price.
Click to expand...

I don't quite understand that statement. From what I understand, Benchmade seems to consider D2 to be an upgrade to 154CM which you seem to be fine with. I believe D2 is considered to have better edge retention than 154CM as well (I sharpen/touch up my knives too often to really see the difference myself).
 
kya said:
I don't quite understand that statement. From what I understand, Benchmade seems to consider D2 to be an upgrade to 154CM which you seem to be fine with. I believe D2 is considered to have better edge retention than 154CM as well (I sharpen/touch up my knives too often to really see the difference myself).
Click to expand...

I'm far from an expert but it was my understanding that although edge retention is comparable, D2 does not possess much corrosion resistance. I would hazard a guess that 154CM would cost more than D2 in equal weight.

The Benchmade Warn that was recommended does seem to have the least flaws according to my original criteria I guess. The Super CQC-7B and ZT 0400 both still use basic liner locks which is a little puzzling considering their reputations and pricing.
 
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