Looking for high quality 4-5" folder - Please Help

R

ronjeremy

Joined
Mar 6, 2001
Messages
25
Hello,

Please forgive me if I don't know the proper knife lingo as I am new to this. I am looking for a high quality light folder (as light as possible for pocket carry) with a 4 to 5 inch blade. It must have a double locking mechanism and be under $200. The handle should be very sturdy and not flex when squeezed (no cheap plastics).
Can someone please provide some makes/models so I can find what I am looking for?

I really appreciate your help everybody,
Ron
 
I'm not sure what you mean by a "double lock". There are endless debates about which type of lock is "best", but most people will agree that there are at least some models of each major type that are reliable and strong.

Given your other requirements the first knife that comes to mind is the Benchmade 710. It has a 3.9" 154CM blade, G-10 grip, and an Axis lock (one of the best locks in the business).

My other suggestion would be the Spyderco Military. It has a 4" 440V blade, G-10 grip, and an unusually strong liner lock.

Folder blades over 4" are somewhat unusual, mostly because they are illegal in so many states. Most knife makers want to keep as broad a customer base as possible. The only ones I can think of off hand that go over 4" are the Cold Steel Vaquero, the Cold Steel Voyager, and the Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Combat Folder. All of those have plastic handles.

Good luck finding your perfect knife!

--Bob Q


[This message has been edited by bquinlan (edited 03-12-2001).]
 
Ask 10,000 knive knuts to name a favourite knife and you'll probably get 10,000 different replies.

Anyway, I think the Spyderco Military SC-36 woudl fit your selection criteria pretty well. A very solid, well-contructed knife with a 4" blade and tough G10 handles. Great value for money. One of the few production knives available with hi-tech 440V steel. A knife buddy of mine has one which he carries frequently and swears by it. www.1sks.com has them for $112.99

Red



------------------
"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
If you want quality and light weight, try the Microtech Socom Elite. It's under $200 and you can either choose Manual or Auto. I have the auto version and it's the lightest folder i have for that size. Very nice, you won't regret it if you choose to buy this one.
 
Ron,
Wouldn't it be more apporpriate for you to get a 8-9" folder?
biggrin.gif
redface.gif
 
Hey Ron. Haven't seen any of your movies in awhile. Still in the business? Are you still acting or strictly producing these days?

I would also recommend the Military. It is an awesome cutting tool. It doesn't have a double lock, and it will have some handle flex but neither of these are any indication of weakness. The Military's liner lock is one of the most secure out there.

------------------
Dennis Bible

....Almost here, The Leading Edge....
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com
 
Well, when it's over 8 inches I never fold it to prevent breakage
smile.gif

But seriously, thanks for your input people!

And by a "double lock" I am referring to an additional locking mechanism (I think it's called rolling lock) which prevents you from accidentally disengaging the primary lock. Sorry if I'm not too clear on this.

Thank you,
Ron
 
Here are my votes for the 4-5" folder, not in any specific order

1. Buck Strider tactical (My daily carry)
2. Microtech SOCOM or SOCOM Elite
(love both of em')
3. Spyderco Military
(have had 3, and am impressed)
4. Spyderco Starmate
(slim and easy to carry)
5. Emerson Commander
(under 4", but worth mentioning)
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ronjeremy:
Hello,

Please forgive me if I don't know the proper knife lingo as I am new to this. I am looking for a high quality light folder (as light as possible for pocket carry) with a 4 to 5 inch blade. It must have a double locking mechanism and be under $200. The handle should be very sturdy and not flex when squeezed (no cheap plastics).
Can someone please provide some makes/models so I can find what I am looking for?

I really appreciate your help everybody,
Ron</font>
Click to expand...
GET A REKAT SIFU.
 
Ron, I'm guessing that you mean something like the safety on the Gerber A/F Covert, which prevents the liner from being unlocked, when it is engaged. Is there a specific need for his, or is it only that you don't trust liner locks?

--JB

------------------
e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Ron:

Several somewhat lower-end folders use a linerlock, and then have a secondary manually-operated safety that blocks the linerlock from backing out. CRKT is the main vendor of such pieces, calling the secondary safety the "LAWKS device". I tend to refer to these as "two-stage locks".

These have a number of basic problems - for an exhaustive overview, see also the huge thread started by me titled "An open letter to CRKT".

The REKAT Rolling Lock uses a single auto-engaging "stage" that is stronger than any CRKT with or without the additional LAWKS stage tripped manually. The BM Axis is also that strong...the SOG Arc Lock is new, but holds promise as being in this class...Cold Steel has a new lock out this year that's pretty good.

There are only three basic models of production folder that measure 5" or more. Cold Steel makes three different 5" to 6" blade folders, but they're lockbacks with Zytel (high-tech plastic) grips...the CS "Vaquero Grande" is a 6" monster.

SOG makes a 5" "dagger-pattern" folder with steel liners and Zytel scales, and their new Arc-lock modern lockwork. It's a pretty decent piece if you like that sort of "hammer-grip" handle shape. I personally prefer something that curves.

The current #1 combat-effective folder available today is the REKAT Sifu. It's light, strong, high tech, and the new D2-M steel is second to none. It's the absolute bad boy of rock'n'roll, 5.45" blade, killer ergonomics. They sell for less than $150 over the Internet.

See also:
http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/blades.html

Now, if you'd told us what state you lived in, we could give you tips as to what length is legal for concealment or open carry in your state. The Sifu is legal open-carry or concealed in California and Texas; laws elsewhere will vary.

Jim
 
If you want a great folder with a great steel and a great lock up then this is what I would suggest.

1. Spyderco Military
2. Benchmade 710 in M2 steel
3. REKAT Carnivour

The only one I don't have is number 3!

One day perhaps!

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
I didn't mention the REKAT Sifu because the original specs said 4"-5" and the Sifu is too big.
smile.gif


I live in Texas where the Sifu is legal and I carry mine just about everywhere I go. (The place I work has a 4" blade limit which I do honor, although with some irritation.)

--Bob Q
 
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