Most indestructible folder you can think of to take on infantry deployment?

STR said:
First things first thanks for your service.

My advice is as follows. Buy ya three Large Voyager Triad locks by Cold Steel, and one multi tool (I'd go with a Vic with all the fixin's ) and still not spend what the Strider or Emerson would cost you. I like the Strider fine don't get me wrong but you don't want to spend that kind of money for a sandbox knife. I'd take one Voyager with me and beat the snot out of it. If you do that and lose it you have a back up and big deal its a cheap knife and when you get home you have a new one to play with all over again with no sad stories to tell about the $400 folder laying somewhere in the middle of god knows where!

The Recon 1 will pretty much fit the bill also and even though more expensive than the Voyager series you could likely still buy three or more and its still far cheaper than just one of some of the other knives suggested. And the CS are tougher knives! Honestly I have absolutely no issues with the edge holding of these blades Cold Steel sells. I read a lot of people complaining about the AUS8 but none hold water to me. I don't know how much better you could ask than a stone washed professional looking blade that sharpens back up to biting sharp in five seconds combined with a lock so strong you could practically hammer the thing into a tree so deep you couldn't even extract it to get your knife back! For the kind of uses these category of knives see the AUS8 is actually among the better choices. By the time you actually use the knife most steels, regardless of what it is are going to be somewhat sharp with nicks and the vague semblance of the edge it was for most guys and when its like that once the edge is rounded some by use and digging in dirt, sand, and punching open ration cans I'm sorry but AUS8 works just fine!

The other choices are fine to look at and own, I own some of them but honestly you are going to the sandbox. Get a beater you don't have to worry about that you can trust. Doesn't get much more reliable or strong than a Triad locker!

STR
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+1 Great advice! Of course I did have to chuckle at "ration cans", that's old school right there!:D
 
the cold steel ak 47 is phenominal piece for what you pay. you get an impact tool/ skull cracker butt, 3 3/4" aus8 blade, very light g10 handles, pocket stud that lets you deploy easily blade up or down, and cold steels legendary triad lock. had mine for a while now and swear by it. for a fixed blade, i'd recommend the sog seal team elite; impact tool, back rasping, and again, aus 9=8 steel. these really do take a hell of a beating :)
 
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I've got a CS American Lawman also and between that and my HEST 2.0 folder there is no comparison. I love the tri-ad lock on the CS and I feel it is the best but AUS8 compared to D2...I'll take D2. The HEST Blade is also substantially thicker and also like the grind and the simply fact that if I do break my HEST that is covered under warranty!!! So the lifetime warranty includes breakage by you...even if it is your fault!

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Someone mentioned the Hogue...another TANK! But the HEST is 1/2 the cost with the best warranty!
 
How many of those HEST folders have needed service though? That's not a good thing for the real world. It's more of a novelty item and more expensive than the Hogue folders, not half the price.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Someone mentioned the Hogue...another TANK! But the HEST is 1/2 the cost with the best warranty!
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Wait, really? That's a hell of a deal. I got my Hogue for around 120$. If you can get a HEST folder for 60$ SIGN ME UP, I'd love to know where I can get in on that deal.
 
Didnt read all posts, but since you are active military, you should be able to get a Hinderer XM-18 direct from Hinderer for a good price ($375 I think). Think of it as if strider and CRK had a baby... Strider toughness with CRK fit and finish, and overall quality.

I just ordered an XM-24 and I am stoked about it!

EDIT: Just saw the other post about hinderer, so I second that. Definitely worth it. Rick designed it to be tough as nails. It is designed to be abused.
 
Don't know how many of the folks here have been deployed to combat, but don't take anything you can't afford to (a) lose and (b) beat the hell out of. You are gonna do things with that knife you would NEVER do with a nice one. Keep your nice ones at the house. Take a multitool and maybe a cheapee small folder to use. Most tasks will require using a fixed blade (field/bayonet) or a small one for splinters, 550 cord, strings etc. It's a different world, far removed from playstation and TV wars.
 
I don't know many stronger than the Triad lock Recon 1. Also, if you lose it so what, and you can sharpen it on the underside of a coffee mug. Try that with s30v steel. Be safe!!
 
Nevermind confused the Hogue with something else...They are G10 Handles...no titanium...and so on. I like them but not for $130 (Cheapest I could find).

I have not heard of any issues with the HEST 2.0 Folder either. Mine was tight when I got it but I was in the first run. It has gotten better and smoother. Clip is my only gripe. But I have beatin it to DEATH.
 
i would go with a fixie...like a bark river bravo necker...i know, you asked about a folder, but i cant bet my life on em...

-dilla
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Nevermind confused the Hogue with something else...They are G10 Handles...no titanium...and so on. I like them but not for $130 (Cheapest I could find).

I have not heard of any issues with the HEST 2.0 Folder either. Mine was tight when I got it but I was in the first run. It has gotten better and smoother. Clip is my only gripe. But I have beatin it to DEATH.
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Hope it is more than the "torture test" video in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/875306-DPx-HEST-2.0-Folding-Knife-Review-amp-Videos-(PIC-HEAVY)-H.E.S.T-TrueKnifeReviews :yawn:

The main thing is that there are tons of popular folder models sold in much, much larger numbers (which are often less than half the price of the HEST) and you don't hear of issues with them. It's not really good for recommending to people who are going to use it outside of hobby/playtime or collector fondling - there is no good reliability record.

It's like when the newest, coolest rip-off of the Glock pistol design comes out every few years- it might work perfect for one or two people out in their backyard in the first couple weeks of release but that is far from being considered a proven design and service ready.
 
Another vote for ZT and cold steel! I picked up a zt0200 used (but like new) blem for $95... It locks up tighter than my regular 0200ST (serrated). :thumbup:

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Only pic of my pair of 0200's so far...

The 0350 is a great knife as well, it's smaller and more punchy feeling than the 0200 which is a beast. I love my 0350WW with stone washed blade.

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Good luck on your decision!
 
you can get 5 cold steel recon 1 for $300 lol...only downside is it uses aus8 steel...
ZT and emerson knives are pretty damn tough too....for the ease of cleaning, i will go for emersons.
 
Zt 0551 the elmax steel is a lot tougher then the s30 on the 0300 and it wont drop your pants to the floor if you forget a belt wich in the military is as bad as treason, I know but just sayin :D
 
Don't get a fighting knife or anything "designed" like that. Keep it simple and it'll reward you when you really need it. You don't have to understand all the "whys" and "why nots". Just trust the heritage.

I've been using knives in the wilderness since I was a kid and I've owned all kinds of tricked-out blades, but they never work as well as the types of designs that have been around for ages; and with so for a reason. Honestly, don't just get one knife. When I was a conscript in the Coastal Rangers (Finland) I had a M95 Sissipuukko (Gen 1, awesome blade) and a Gerber Gator (not so great). The Sissipuukko never failed. The Gator didn't either, but it was partially serrated, so it wasn't of much use in the boonies. Best grinds for bushcraft are Scandi- and Convex grinds, but these take some skill to maintain.
Regular v-grinds last longer and take less skill to maintain, but don't cut as well.

For a folder, I'd say a Spyderco Para Military 2 for around 100 Bux, but a good ol' handmade fixed Scandi will never let you down (50-60 Bux) and it's sharp as hell. Check out how to use one safely, as there is no finger guard and it should be used with that in mind at all times. You can't abuse the Para Military 2, but a folder is a cutting tool, not a pry-bar or mini-machete. The Sissipuukko though, can be used as such, within reason.

Whatever you're choice, keep it simple and get either a high-end carbon steel (like 1095), which won't break so easily and is easily maintained; or just go all-in and get a super steel. Good luck and stay safe over there!
 
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