Looking for an EDC/Tactical folding knife

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Lunarzero

Joined
Jul 23, 2010
Messages
14
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and this will be my first post.

I am looking for an EDC/Tactical folding knife preferably 4 inches with decent deploying speed. I've been looking at Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto(2010 version) and the SOG Aegis Tanto. The reason I went for those two options first is that I wanted something that is affordable and is Tactical Defense and Offense capable.
I don't mind spring assisted though I am wary of how long the spring system can last (as in the likely hood of a defect in a spring assisted knife seems a lot higher than a standard folding knife). My price range is 50 - 70 dollars but I wouldn't mind spend up to 95ish if the knife is worth it. Also could you guys recommend good places to order the knife that you recommend?

Thank You
 
Get a Sebenza! :D

J/K! Welcome to the forums!

I don't own one but apparently the Cold Steel American Lawman ($64.99 on Amazon) is a very decent knife and an extreme value. I obviously think that the 7 oz or so of the Recon 1 would be a little too heavy for EDC.

Edit: I also obviously didn't research enough because the 2010 Recon 1 is a lot lighter than that!
 
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Thanks for your reply!
I don't mind the extra weight if it could offer me more reach. I have seen a couple review of the Cold Steel American Lawman, but somehow I'm not attracted to it. Both the Recon 1 and Lawman are near the same price range.
 
Benchmade 710d2. Scour the for sale forums. You can probably find a used one for 95 bucks. There aren't many folders in your price range with blades that are 4 inches long.

Blades less than 4 inches:
Spyderco Manix 2. Around 80ish bucks new. http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercosmanix2blackg-10handles154cmbladewithstonewashfinishplainedge.aspx
ZT 0350 - contact Kershawguy. He has blems for sale that are less than retail. A lot of times you will not notice the blemish. The only indication is that the knife is marked XX. Otherwise, street price is around 110ish. The 0350 is my personal recommendation, speaking from EDCing it for months. http://www.the-knife-connection.com/zt-milfoldingbld-0350.html 111.96 shipped. The guy that runs the store is a resident forumite. TKC doesn't sell blems.
 
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IGotStabbed said:
Personally I won't get any cold steel today. Everything they have screams cheaply made and gimmicky.
Click to expand...

I have the Cold Steel Mini Lawman, and believe me, it isn't cheaply made or gimmicky. Very solid knife.

How solid?

Check out this video of Fred Perrin as he throws it full force repeatedly into a wooden barrier. In the video (it's in French) he says that he's been throwing that knife for over a year, with more than 1000 throws, and the Triad Lock is still tight, with no play in it whatsoever.

The video is titled "TEST TRI-AD LOCK Cold Steel par Fred Perrin "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1JyaTXdA1I&feature=related
 
Lunarzero said:
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and this will be my first post.

I am looking for an EDC/Tactical folding knife preferably 4 inches with decent deploying speed. I've been looking at Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto(2010 version) and the SOG Aegis Tanto. The reason I went for those two options first is that I wanted something that is affordable and is Tactical Defense and Offense capable.
I don't mind spring assisted though I am wary of how long the spring system can last (as in the likely hood of a defect in a spring assisted knife seems a lot higher than a standard folding knife). My price range is 50 - 70 dollars but I wouldn't mind spend up to 95ish if the knife is worth it. Also could you guys recommend good places to order the knife that you recommend?

Thank You
Click to expand...
Honestly, any piece of metal with an edge is "offense capable". If you're REALLY good, a pen could be quite a deadly weapon in your hands. As far as defense goes, that really depends on how far you're willing to go.

Though you should keep in mind that:
1) You get what you pay for(Cold Steel being one of many exceptions).
2) Having a knife for self defense does not automatically make you a super killer ninja. This is more to imply that you'll need to WORK for defensive ability and to be able to use your knife properly.

That said, I got myself an Emerson Super Karambit, and I do plan to do some practice on using it properly.

If you're really dead set on your price range, you might want to reconsider. I'm not sure an effective quality "tactical" folder exists at that range. Perhaps you could pick up an emerson CQC-7w off of ebay for $140-ish. However, I don't like it because of the lack of a reversible pocket clip for reverse grip use in the right hand.

Still, a Waved Endura might fit your needs. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't feel solid. Some might argue that having a near weightless knife is an advantage in combat, so perhaps it's just a personal preference.
 
From reading the OP's post, sounds like you want close to a 4" blade length or more as you can get. Is that correct? Is their a minimum blade length that you want?

Cold Steel has several models that seem to fit your needs. The new Recon1 & the Lawman are 2. Their Voyager series are another. They make several & you can even get one with more than a 4" blade, if that's your desire.

Another knife that comes to mind & has been mentioned, is the Spyderco Endura. You can get one waved or not. The wave feature is nice in that it's very reliable (No extra parts to break) & is quick to deploy.

If smaller blade is OK, here's some others that offer quality, better blade steel (Than AUS-8), & might fit your price range, too.

BM Griptilian: Axis lock is quick & strong, has 154CM blade steel & about a 3.5" blade.

Buck Vantage Pro: Smallish (3.25" blade), a flipper, & has S30V blade steel.

Kershaw (Several): Lahar (VG-10 steel), JYD II (Combo steel with CPMD2 edge), Blur (Also available with different steel edges, but smallish for what you're asking about), & I'm sure there are more that I haven't included.

Good luck & welcome to BladeForums.
 
@CL01: Yeah, I do want something that is close to 4" blade length. My minimum would be 3.5"-ish. After reviewing Spyderco Endura 4 and Manix 2, I'm now debating between Recon 1, Endura 4, Manix 2, and SOG Aegis. BM is great, but they tend to have a higher price. Though you get what you pay for.

@Noctis3880: Yeah, thanks for the input. Once I figure out what to get, I'm going to be training with it.
 
Benchmade 710 D2 McHenry/williams. 4" D2 steel blade, AXIS Lock and G-10 handles. It "feels" smaller than it actually is. A great combo.

Spyderco Endura 4 G-10 if you can find one or the FFG version with FRN handles. Another great EDC knife that can be called upon for Tac/SD role.
 
I'm not gonna say anything about the companies you're looking at, for fear of being tagged with the "T" word again, but I'd say you'd do well to try a company like Spyderco or Benchmade to get started. Try a Military (Spyderco) or a 950 Rift (Benchmade). Just about can't go wrong there, and they should FIRMLY get your knife addiction under way.
 
Check out the Zero Tolerance line of Kershaw.

If you want to go big - Crusader Forge.
 
I'd honestly nudge you in the direction of the Endura 4, you get a lot of blade in a pretty light package that can also be used in regular EDC chores. Not to mention it comes in at a pretty nice price point if you look around a bit :) If you are going purely for a self-defense mindset you can also get a waved version (the blade will open as you draw the knife from your pocket).
 
I love high end knives as well but I've never had any issue with Cold Steel. The CS website has a pretty good deal going on the OLD STYLE Recon 1 - Two of them for 60 bucks. My pair will be here in a week.
 
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