Most versatile folder?

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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What, in your opinion, is your most versatile folder?

By versatile, I mean, there's no particular environment it doesn't like--for instance, carbon blades might not appreciate salt water, and axis locks might not like the beach (and Striders might not enjoy formal occasions in dress). Furthermore, the knife must be small and comfortable enough to carry every day (part of being versatile...). The blade must be partially serrated. You'll want it to be grippy but not ugly or scary.
 
Partially serrated blades suck.
All or nothing for me.

If you want it to be impervious to salt water, that pretty much narrows it down to very few knives.
My choice would be a Boye Dendritic Cobalt boat knife.
 
Doesn't have to be impervious, just something you don't have to worry much about with a little caution.

Partially serrated doesn't suck in the least. People tell me that all the time, but I use the serrations on my M16 constantly for stuff straight edges just can't do. I do believe that saying fully serrated or full straight edge is more versatile than partially serrated is not a well thought out statement, which I've inferred here. For a lot of us, we just need the serrations to start the cut and rip the rest. I'd be okay with just two teeth 75% of the time because of this.
I'd like to note that you personally didn't say this stuff, but I just wanted to address some of the reasons I created the thread to include partial serrations.

I'm still counting partially serrated to include Spyderco's good system of giving two cm of the blade to straight edge and the other 85% to serrations. I rather like it.

Alas, the thread is not about partial serrations and their merit, but the versatile knives, so let's not get caught up in it. Suffice to say I demand at least some serrations to be present, even if there's only 2 cm of straight edge at the tip.

New condition: only production knives.
 
You already have a paramillie don't you?

Try the serrated version, I'll bet it's a winner.

My PE paramil goes with me everywhere. (almost, it stays out of the shower):p
 
Check out the Spyderco Salt series:

Salt I (my wife's current EDC)
Atlantic Salt (my personal favorite and current EDC)
Pacific Salt
 
Artfully Martial said:
Alas, the thread is not about partial serrations and their merit, but the versatile knives, so let's not get caught up in it. Suffice to say I demand at least some serrations to be present, even if there's only 2 cm of straight edge at the tip.

New condition: only production knives.
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Merit, or lack thereof. :rolleyes: I would never consider buying a part serrated folding knife. Suffice to say, you can't "demand" a feature that sucks.
 
You are welcome to not like partial serrations, Rat, but your opinion is no more correct than Artfully's. So keep in mind that partial serrations don't suck. You just don't like them. Big difference. Some people like them. No one is wrong. It's a matter of taste. Partial serrations are not a sucky feature, they do have merit, and people are not wrong to demand them.

For me, a *truely* versatile folder needs these things:

One hand opening
One hand closing
A ~3'' blade
A mostly honed edge with some serrations
A grippy handle
Good cutting performance
Good stain resistance

There are a lot of knives that fit this description. And a knife does not have to be versatile (i.e., it doesn't have to have all of these features) to be a good knife. There is a difference between a good versatile knife and a good specialized knife.
 
A SAK has to be the most versatile production folder, bar non. Sure, they aren't made of super steel but they will do lots more than cut, they are cheap, easy to carry, VERY sheeple friendly, well built and resist rust very well.

There are enough models to fit everybody's needs. You want a one hand opening knife with a partially serrated blade? Go for the OH-Trekker or OH-Fireman. You want a tough but compact tool? Get an Alox Farmer or Pioneer. Wenger also has some cool locking 85mm models and their bigger 120mm models rock.
 
allenC said:
Check out the Spyderco Salt series:

Salt I (my wife's current EDC)
Atlantic Salt (my personal favorite and current EDC)
Pacific Salt
Click to expand...

BINGO! You beat me to it.
 
Of all that I've ever owned the ones to me that are the most versatile and perhaps the most durable and maintainance free in all environments are my David Boye folder and my Salt knives from Spyderco.
 
Hmmmmmm, impervious to salt water? Then I would have to say my Mission MPF 1 all titanium knife; drop point blade and partially serrated.
 
SAK one hander. You may find that having the serrations up front is even nicer than what you are used to.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Partially serrated doesn't suck in the least. People tell me that all the time, but I use the serrations on my M16 constantly for stuff straight edges just can't do. I do believe that saying fully serrated or full straight edge is more versatile than partially serrated is not a well thought out statement, which I've inferred here. For a lot of us, we just need the serrations to start the cut and rip the rest. I'd be okay with just two teeth 75% of the time because of this.
.
Click to expand...

I have yet to find anything that I really needed a partially serrated edge for. A properly sharpened PE will do the job just as well if not better. Most of the guys (I'm not including you because I don't know you) I've heard make this statement don't know how to sharpen a knife so the serrated portion of their blade is the only thing that will still start a cut. I just find that paritial serrations cause snagging and ragged cuts w/ no real beneficial return.
 
I think a SAK of some sort would have to be the answer to the original question as well. Which SAK? Well, I have been on this quest for some time now, and each time that I think I've figured it out, I realize that I haven't. Is this frustrating? No way!!! This is the most enjoyable thing about it!! If we ever found the "perfect knife", then Bladeforums would have no reason to exist.

As an aside, ever notice that virtually all of the folders in the Brigade Quartermasters catalog are partially serrated? I assume that they've done their market research, and these things sell the best.

Some of you guys that are in the military now or have been recently: do most folks that buy their own knives get them in partially serrated?
 
It's just something up for discussion, I'm not actually looking to buy something here. Was playing with my para, and thinking, with a partially serrated edge, it might very well be that folder.

Didn't even think about the OH Trekker. Pretty good addition there. The Salts are very cool, though I would like to add, impervious to salt is not a requirement here, only that it has to be somewhat corrosion resistant. 440C would probably be of enough.

In regards to some comments on partially serrated edges:
I'd like to say that I can, in fact, demand a feature that "sucks" because I started the thread. You can start the same thing but with straight edge and talk about it there.

Your straight edges, no matter how sharp, cannot do what my partial serrations can, period, ever. I appreciate Hair's attempts at diplomacy, but I really feel we're not dealing with opinions here, that I could, in fact, empirically demonstrate the usefulness of a small serrated area (with a partial straight edge, naturally) versus either a lone straight or serrated edge.

And sure, you're definitely entitled to think whichever way you like, even when you're wrong, like in this instance.

I don't normally use explicit expressions of my feelings about someone's ideas, but in this instance, I can see it's warranted--after all, is the polite response the way to go when someone's telling me that *my* opinions "suck?"

If people want to discuss it further, why don't you start a thread just for serrations and we can debate it there. I really don't want my thread to get bogged down with off topic digressions that I will almost inevitably make (like this one--and am I long winded or what?).

And of course, if you are among the many people who simply "know you're right" and aren't going to be convinced no matter what evidence I show to the contrary, why not be candid and say plainly "I'm not going to agree with you, period" and we can just stop talking about it here.

No hard feelings though.

Now let's get back to versatile knives.
 
Artfully Martial said:
In regards to some comments on partially serrated edges:
I'd like to say that I can, in fact, demand a feature that "sucks" because I started the thread. You can start the same thing but with straight edge and talk about it there.

Your straight edges, no matter how sharp, cannot do what my partial serrations can, period, ever. I appreciate Hair's attempts at diplomacy, but I really feel we're not dealing with opinions here, that I could, in fact, empirically demonstrate the usefulness of a small serrated area (with a partial straight edge, naturally) versus either a lone straight or serrated edge.

And sure, you're definitely entitled to think whichever way you like, even when you're wrong, like in this instance.

I don't normally use explicit expressions of my feelings about someone's ideas, but in this instance, I can see it's warranted--after all, is the polite response the way to go when someone's telling me that *my* opinions "suck?"
Click to expand...

You cant "demand" anything. You can grind your teeth and whine about it, but that's about it. :rolleyes: If you want a thread to be "your" thread then start a blog and talk to yourself. I am not "wrong" I have a different opinion.

I guess you dont really know the definition of "discussion" do you?

I never said nobody has the right to like Partial serrations, that is your choice. I can cut anything with a plain edge, and I dont ever have a need to tear stuff at the beginning of my cut. Plain edges are my preference. They cut smoothly and cleanly.

Your straight edges, no matter how sharp, cannot do what my partial serrations can, period, ever.
Click to expand...

If you mean my plain edge doesnt tear stuff, waste half of the cutting edge, and look silly- you are correct.

I really feel we're not dealing with opinions here, that I could, in fact, empirically demonstrate the usefulness of a small serrated area (with a partial straight edge, naturally) versus either a lone straight or serrated edge.
Click to expand...

LOL!
 
The fact is, partial serrations sell well because most people suck at or simply do not sharpen their knives. a partially serrated edge will allow these people to "cut" longer with their dull knife.
 
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