Looking for a new folder between $50 and $75.

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
923
I currently own a Spyderco Resilience, an Ontario Rat 1, a Kershaw Blur in S30V, as well as a Farmer II SAK. I would like to get a blade by a different maker. Maybe Cold Steel, CRKT or anything else. I was also looking at the Buck/Tops Csar and would like some feedback from owners.

I LOVE the ergos of spyderco, as well as the thumb hole. The jimping is incredible imo. Not a fan of 8cr13mov. But it feels amazing in my hand. The Ontario rat 1 is probably my most carried. I feel like I can just rely on it and it's been used pretty heavily. On the down side, the frn handles aren't too trippy and the jumping on the spine is a bit too smooth for my liking.

As for the Kershaw blur, the blade is great and stays sharper longer. I like the recurve, But for a $60 knife, I think aluminum handles with the griptek is light And good for pocket carry, but kind of cheap at the same time. Again this is my opinion, in order to help you with your recommendation.

As for the blade, I'm looking for a quality steel. Vg10, s30v, ats34 etc. I'm pretty open for the locking mechanism. As for the handles, g10 is my favorite, but I'll take anything as long as the grip is good if wet.


Again, budget is $50-$75. Thanks guys
 
If you are excluding knives from makers you already own your selections are very limited in my opinion, but I understand you wanting to try out other brands.

Have you looked into SOG? Something like a Flash II.

sog_DFSA98CP.JPG

http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/sogknivesdfsa98flashiiassistedopening-35blacktinifinish5050edgeblade-digicamohandle.aspx



I think somehting you should really look into is the Leatherman Skeletool CX. It has a plain edge 154cm blade as well as some tools and pliers. If you are wanting to try something new why not a multitool with a excellent blade. :thumbup:

lt_SkeletoolCX1.JPG

http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/leathermanskeletoolcx-4closed-7tools-blackcarbonfiberhandleinserts.aspx
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
Here is the clip on some different pants just to show how it sits. NOT my pictures.


skeletool5.jpg


Skeletool-vs-ZillaJr6.jpg
Click to expand...
Im actually a bit intrigued. Maybe I'll look into it. But if you think my options are small then I don't mind a recommendation of a spyderco or Kershaw etc. Thanks for the quick reply btw
 
Last multi-tool I had was the Skeletool; I'm pretty sad I lost it. Next one I buy will probably be the same because I personally don't care for oodles and oodles of tools.

The Plier, Knife, Bit Driver, and Carabiner/clip was perfect for me.
 
For Cold Steel, you might look at the American Lawman or Recon. They both use AUS-8 (same as your RAT-1) and have very coarse G10 handles (excellent grip, but will shred your pockets). The American Lawman is my favorite Cold Steel design. The Code 4 looks nice too, but if you don't like aluminum handles, that might not be for you.

The CRKT Ripple framelock versions are also pretty interesting. The handles are all steel, but the pattern milled into them provides good grip. The framelock ones use Acuto+ steel, which I've read is similar to 440C, but possibly a bit better edge retention due to the addition of vanadium.

The Buck Vantage Pro is discontinued, but you may be able to find one within your price range on the secondary market. Polished 3D-machined G10 handles. S30V blade.

If you're open to others from the brands you already have, here are a couple other suggestions:
- Kershaw Junkyard Dog II - G10 handles, CPM-D2 cutting edge (comparable to S30V in edge retention, in my experience), great ergos
- Kersahw Piston - G10 handles, inset frame lock, Sandvik 14C28N blade (takes a very fine edge, and easy to maintain), assisted opener
- Kershaw Speedform II - polished 3D machined G10 handles, Elmax blade - discontinued, but sometimes comes up on the secondary market within your price range
- Spyderco Endura - if you like the Resilience, you'll really like the Endura - much better F&F, and VG-10 steel
- Spyderco Delica - smaller than the Endura, but a really good size for EDC
 
;)Check out Ontario knives Pardue folders. One of the best sub $50 knives I've ever come across and quite a few different styles to choose from
 
Buck vantage pro large (I don't have one, but it fits your criteria well)
and for CRKT maybe try looking at a m21 or m16. The handles are aluminium or titanium, but surprisingly they have good grip and ergonomics.
Also they usually have AUS-8 steel, which is alright, but not as good as some of the others you listed. although i do assume you like AUS-8 because of your rat 1.
 
Since you mention the Buck/TOPS CSAR, I'll chime in as best I can. I have the 154CM CSAR-T tanto, and it is a big, heavy monster of a folder. I'm not sure about the other "flavors" of the CSAR series, but the T is one of a select few knives under $100 that I'd consider to really fill the role of a backup/substitute for a fixed blade. One of the TOPS contributions to the collaboration is the sheath, and that was a major consideration for me, as I wanted something that could mount securely to a backpack.

Another knife that you should be able to track down within your budget (more easily in its "Mini" version) is the SOG Vulcan. I have a love/hate relationship with SOG designs, but the Vulcan definitely is a true love of mine. Also poke around to see if you can find a Hogue EX (several models) in your price range. It may not be easy, but may be doable, especially on the secondary market.
 
I would suggest checking out Boker Plus. There are some neat knives that can easily be found in your price range. If you wanted titanium for around $50 you could look at the Titan Drop, or for carbon fiber handles with a ceramic blade you could look at the Anti Grav also easily found in the $50 range. Also titanium handled ceramic knives available. And some pretty damascus knives. Obviously, for them to be available at these prices they are made in China, but they look awfully nice to me.
 
Spyderco Delica or Stretch all day. IMHO the clip on the Skeletool stinks and its a small blade for the extra weight of a multitool.
 
First of all, JDX, best of luck in your hunt. There's a lot of great blades out there to choose from, that's for sure.

I'm going to kind of echo flarp and say check out the Cold Steel American Lawman....with a caveat. If you are looking for something that's 'ready to go' right out of the box, perhaps an Endura/Delica/Native 5 LW/Manix 2 LW (just to name some Spydercos) would be better than the Lawman. But, if you are willing to put a little work into the Lawman...there's a proverbial diamond in the rough waiting for you.

Straight out of the box, the Lawman has a lot of things going for it. Fundamentals, such as the blade shape, grind and steel are good. AUS-8a is by no means a super steel, but respectable given the price point, about $46 on Amazon last I looked. The ergos are almost perfect to me, allowing comfortable use in multiple grips. The forward choil is also a nice touch, providing that extra control for the so called 'detail work'. The Triad Lock....well, nothing else needs to be said about it. And, won't find much grippier G10 anywhere. ;)

Where the Lawman perhaps loses points is in the details. The Teflon coating is pretty lame. Jimping on the spine would certainly improve matters. The action of the knife is often gritty, rough and unrefined. Cold Steel's marketing, while demonstrating what their products are capable of, is pretty over the top and alienates many.

But, look beyond all that. Underneath that silly coating is a beautiful stonewash. With perhaps an hour of elbow grease, taking the knife down, cleaning, deburring and polishing the internals...again, a gem awaits. There are some good YouTube videos on the subject if that type of thing appeals to you. My example has perfect blade centering and unbelievably smooth action. The only lingering quirk is the stiff release of the lockbar.

I'm not even much of a Cold Steel fan...the first things I think of when hearing that name are the blade coating and the ridiculous advertising. But a good design is a good design, no matter what company releases it. And, the Lawman, with a little TLC, nails it in my book.

uploadfromtaptalk1420179952177.jpg
 
NKlamerus said:
I vote Skeletool as well. I feel like "capt. Spaulding" is a name I've seen somewhere else -_-
Click to expand...

To answer your question.....
[video=youtube;_YrNQaXdOxU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YrNQaXdOxU[/video]

To the OP I would check out the higher end Spyderco knives like a ManixII LW right around $75 I believe
 
Check out the Buck Vantage Pro large. I recently purchased one and love it. Great price for S30v blade. It should be in your price range.
 
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