Looking for the best folder...

D

dmupton

Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
2
I am very new to the world of knives (mostly a gun guy), but I am wanting to get a really high quality folder (one that might last a lifetime) and I do not know enough to know which companies are considered the "best". I was looking at Strider, but I don't want to spend 400.00 on a knife if it is not considered one of the best. Please help.

Thanks
 
What will you be using it for, mostly? If you don't abuse it, pretty much any half-decent knife can last you a life time (or several). I think you'll have a pretty large selection, which is actually a good thing. I'll elt the more experienced collectors recommend some brands, I jsut wanted to say that :)
 
IMHO, you can't beat the Benchmade 710 D2. It's my every day carry knife

It's made out of D2 tool steel, one of the very best tool steels available. It has an axis lock, making it easy to open with one hand, and super strong when locked open, and it holds a razor edge almost forever.

Best of all, it can be had for under $150 if you shop aroung a little.

To give you an idea of what they're like, the first morning I had my 710D2, I shaved with it. (Not quite as smooth and comfortable a shave as a good razor:D but it worked!:)
 
In production knives, it would probably be the Sebenza by Chris Reeve.

Then you get into custom's,,,,,,,,,here you would find a lot of different opinions.

Some customs are not as good as a Sebenza.

Welcome to the Forums, look around, study and learn.
 
In test 6 of the second link the strider lock broke at 80 bar, or
1160 lbs/square in., all i can say is wow!
 
Chris Reeve Sebenza for sure. I have the small sebenza and it is just a top notch knife. They also have a larger one if size isn't an issue. Many variations to choose from. I happen to have the micarta inlay one. What a great knife! Striders to me are too clunky and tactical looking. A little over-the-top for me. I've also heard a fair amount of QC complaints of Strider compared to say Chris Reeve of which I've heard none of.
 
In the custom knife world a Hinderer XM-18 is a great hardy knife w/ great materials, incredible strength( on his site he ran one over with his truck, and parked on it, and $400 is great for a custom, but they are hard to find, he has a long waiting list, look at his dealers often to find it.
 
Sebenza, 710, SG2 Blur, ZDP Mini Cyclone, any other folder thread.

Tons recently about good folders.
 
I am very new to the world of women, but I am wanting to date a soul mate suitable for the rest of my life. I do not know what kind of women are considered the "best". I was looking at the French, but I don't want to spent much time on a woman if she is not considered one of the best. Please help.

:rolleyes:

Now, there are many things that good knives all must have in common. They must be strong for their purpose, reliably lock, comfortably grip, and must cut well.

But there are many things that they can't possibly have in common, due to the laws of physics. A long knife cannot be as inconspicuous as a short knife. A chisel-ground thick blade is going to fillet a fish as well as a prybar. A 1/20"-thick blade won't be opening cans anytime soon. A spear point blade will suck at opening plastic packaging, but you wouldn't like a Wharncliffe too much when you stab. Seeing that you seem to have a pretty high budget, money shouldn't be a concern. Mostly, you have to decide what you want to use it for.

Is it going to be every day carry?
- If so, are you the Hulk, or more average-sized (and smaller) in build? Where do you live? Do you know your knife carry laws? Are people there knife-friendly?

Do you expect most of your knife work to be in the city, cutting man-made objects? Or are you a frequent outdoorsman? If so, what activities do you do?

Do you already carry a Swiss Army Knife (SAK, you will see this a lot) or a multitool?

Anyway, if you are of the mentality GIVE ME KNIFE NOW, go get a Chris Reeve Sebenza if you'd like to spend $300, or Benchmade 710 if $150. They are the classic and foolproof gold standards of what a general-utility production locking folder should be. Otherwise, search and browse the forums for a while, and maybe come up with your own custom.

The site search engine sucks. Use google with "site:bladeforums.com" in the beginning of your search query to search more effectively.
 
In my opinion, there is no universal "best knife."

You'll get all sorts of suggestions in this thread. I've made threads like this before and went out and tried a lot of the models people suggested. For the most part they were fine knives, but they didn't fit ME, which is what matters. Finding a lock that is secure and easy for you to operate, finding a knife that carries well for your preferred carry method, a steel that you can sharpen up yourself with little hassle, a blade that cuts how you like a knife to cut and a handle that fits your hand.

The Delica 4 for example is a great knife, but the ergonomics just don't fit my hand how I'd like. The Endura does, but that knife might be too big for someone else.

I think the best option is to go to as many stores as you can and handle the knives people here tell you about or any that catch your eye.
 
dmupton said:
I am very new to the world of knives (mostly a gun guy), but I am wanting to get a really high quality folder (one that might last a lifetime) and I do not know enough to know which companies are considered the "best". I was looking at Strider, but I don't want to spend 400.00 on a knife if it is not considered one of the best. Please help.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Since there are so many great knives out there (for well below $400.00 dollars) we need a little more info to make the right recommendation...

Is the knife for you, and if so, how old are you?

How long of a blade do you prefer?

How much weight are you prepared to carry in your pocket or on your belt?

Do you care what country it is manufactured in?

BTW, don't let price influence you when it comes to knives...the humble Buck 110 will last many many decades of steady use and it only costs about $30.00 dollars at Walmart.
And it's made in the USA too.
 
For me the buck stops at Sebenzas. I have owned several of the so called higher end knives excluding striders. Benchmades, spydies, emerson hd-7's, ect. and none of them compare to my sebbie. It’s not just the quality (which I would venture to say no one can fault) but it’s just a feeling you get knowing you have the best. No gimmicks no knew trend just a tried and true knife. And to top it all off they are beautiful. A sebenza is like looking at an exotic sports car, the kind that look fast even when they are sitting still, a sebbie just looks sharp holding it in your hand. It and an alox SAK are my EDC knives no exceptions. I have tried rotating something knew into the line up but it never lasts’ IMHO a Chris Reeve Sebenza is as good as it gets. Outstanding quality, outstanding cutting ability, outstanding customer service, incredibly tuff, rides well in the pocket and simply just plain old perfect. I spent years looking for that perfect knife well I finally found it. Good luck to you.
 
I also have to give the nod to the Sebenza as well, as far as production knives go.
 
I've carried a knife in my pocket for 60 years and the knives have changed as my needs have changed. I don't remember what I started with, but odds are it was a Boy Scout knife. I now carry a Kershaw 1550. I know there are higher tech knives and better steels, but it has a very comfortable handle, it's one-handed, it sharpens quickly, holds an edge and it is large enough to perform most cutting tasks I have. I don't particularly recommend it over anything else, but if you don't have a handle that you really like, you'll be looking for something else before long.
 
Very quickly and after all the other input I'd recommend these knives:

Chris Reeve, Sebenza - The folder by which all others are compared to.

Benchmade, Skirmish - kinda like a mini-Sebenza (titanium handle, S30V) and with a curved blade.

Kershaw, Spec Bump - Really cool knife. Great materials and useful blade design (depending on usage) and made of S30V (blade, great steel, often considered second best for blade retention) and G-10 handle (grippy, light, strong). This knife has an assisted opening that is one of the best systems available.

Kershaw, Leek (series) - You can buy the ZDP-189 (blade steel, considered best for blade retention) and titanium handles. This is what I carry and I love it. It's SOOOOOO thin you don't even notice it while being carried. Not for heavy use. Also has the assisted opening that the Spec Bump has... very good.

Benchmade, Model 530 - Solid knife with Axis Lock (one of strongest locks - ever!). Can be had with 440C or 154CM blade steel (I'd opt for 440C for better blade retention). Almost as thin as a Leek, but longer blade. This will be my next purchase.

Kershaw, Leek - Random Leek is reverse tanto and S30V, and the other "lesser" Leeks have 440A or the new Sandvik steel but are a lot cheaper.

CRKT, M16 series - Get the non-zytel handle version, but the metal aluminum handled like my "M16-13M" model has served me well in the military and it - along with my ZDP-189 Leek - is my EDCs and this knife will take great abuse and for the price you can dish it out all you want and not feel bad. It has an extra locking mechanism that makes it almost a fixed blade. AUS8 steel nothing to brag about, but it is better than 440A, etc...

All these would be great Every Day Carrys (EDC) but depending on use... your choice. If you need a very beefy folder - Benchmade Rukus or Mini-Rukus...

My .02, hope it helped...
Ryan
 
znode - LOL!! LMAO!!! :D :p



BM Skirmish is a lot of knife for little $$....!!!
Quality materials (S30V, titanium) and tough!
 
znode said:
The site search engine sucks. Use google with "site:bladeforums.com" in the beginning of your search query to search more effectively.
Click to expand...

Good post. Great idea.
 
Welcome to the Forums. I've being carrying a small Sebenza for over a year and it's a great knife, but it still doesn't perform any better than my Spydercos(take your pick, they ALL perform better). Try not to get caught up in the mindset that more $$$=better performance. Not always true. Sure, the higher-end knives might hold up better over the long haul(that's what I'm trying to see right now), but given the prices, that should be a given. I'd look into getting something from Spyderco, Benchmade, or Kershaw first. Then, if you feel you'd like to go up in price, you'll know from experience if the added price is justified as you'll have a point to judge from. Good luck.
 
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