Most sturdy folder under $50?

T

Tristan_Bantam

Joined
Jul 29, 2003
Messages
27
In knife circles, I'm known as "Fixed-blade Jimmy". Well, not really, but you get the point. I haven't owned a serious folder in my entire life, apart from some crappy copy of the ubiquitious Swiss Army Knife. I usually use Puukko-style knives for most tasks but the really big ones, for which I drag out my 15" Himalayan Import Khukuri.

However, I would like to have a sturdy, reliable and tough folder, for those situations where carrying a fixed blade is impractical. Small enough to slip into the pocket, though probably on the large side as far as folders go -- I'm thinking about a 3 - 3.5 inch blade here. I'm partial to convex grinds, but that may be stretching my luck? Serrated edge is definitely a no-no. I wonder who would be considered the "Busse of the folder world"?

I can probably stretch my budget somewhat if you make a convincing case for your favourite folder within these general parameters.

Thanks for your advice, and I apologize for the jumbled nature of my request. (This is about as much sense and coherence I'm able to make after work...)
 
Since you are posting in the Traditional forum I assume you are not looking for a "tactical" type. For a strong traditional locking folder with 3 inch blade I sugest the Buck 112 Ranger, or for a larger blade the original Buck 110 (about 5 inches closed). These come standard in 420HC steel, the Buck 110 can be ordered directly from Buck in ATS34 OR BG42.

A search on Buck 110 on this forums should bring something like 100 threads, if you have the time you can see plenty of comments on this Clasic knife (and pictures too).
 
The Don has given you good advice.

Another, slightly lighter, often overlooked folder that might fit your needs.....the Case Copperlock (#31549L CV). The most utilitarian model, in my opinion, is the Yellow Delrin (easy to find) in Chrome Vanadium (easy to maintain the edge). It is 4 1/4" closed, with a 3" blade ( clip or wharncliff).

Each of these are a quality choice, under $50.00, as are the Buck knives.

Bill
 
Again, going under the assumption that you are looking for a traditional folder... my 100% whole-hearted recommendation would be the Queen Winterbottom cattle king stockman. This is my favorite stockman I own, it inspires a great deal of confidence in using it. I think it looks rather handsome too. You can't beat a stockman for it's variety in blades, and the bigger size of the cattle king just screams to be used hard.
 
The Copperlock is a nice knife but I do not consider it to be "tough" and it's not assembled as nicely as the Buck 110 or 112.

The 110 & 112 are the toughest and best folders for under $50.00. Heck they're only $30.00! There's the Schrade Bearpaw that's similar to the 110 but it's not as nicely finished.

I've had a 112 for over ten years and it's still alive and kicking!

Collecter
 
You might consider the non locking sodbuster pattern too. Kissing Crane's Brown Mule knives or the German Eye Brand sodbuster are very sturdy knives with quite strong backsprings. Both are carbon steel too.
 
Thanks for the advice, guys!

I ended up buying the folder that Helle Knives of Norway used to produce (I think the model is discontinued now).

3 inch SS blade, simple locking mechanism, birch handle (?).

hellefolder1.jpg


(larger picture)

It's a bit funny that it says HELLE NORWAY on the blade, followed by MADE IN SWEDEN. I doubt a "true Norwegian patriot" would use this knife... :D
 
That is a EKA knife made in Eskilstuna Sweden for helle. As a Ekamodell its still their most popular modell.
 
Norway was Swedish until 1905 and we want it back.

As far as it comes to folders We most often want it marked made in USA or Japan because of superior quality and for fixed blades I do them myself to awoid less than good workmanship. The blade is high carbon and comes from a good smidt.
 
Originally posted by NirreBosse
That is a EKA knife made in Eskilstuna Sweden for helle. As a Ekamodell its still their most popular modell.
Click to expand...

Ah, I didn't know that! So, my knife is really the EKA Masur, the only difference being that it has "Helle" stamped on the blade? Well, anyway, it's a good knife. I couldn't care less about its nationality. :)
 
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