Need advice on a good factory made knife

flava

flava

Joined
Mar 3, 2000
Messages
2,785
Hi guys,

I'm mostly into handmade/custom knives and must confess I don't know very much about production blades. A coworker of mine knows I'm the knife dude in the company and came to me for advice. He's looking for either:

1. A good fixed blade, 6-8", for all around use while camping and such (no wood chopping involved).
2. A decent big locking folder (4" minimum) that he would use instead of that fixed blade, for the same purpose (not an EDC)

He doesn't want kraton/zytel scales or handle, micarta and wood are OK, he's partial about leather handles but could be persuaded (I showed him a SOG).
Steel preferably stainless other than 420 or 440, I could persuade him to go for carbon steel too.
His budget is under $200, preferably $100-$150. I told him that for that budget a fixed blade would be better, I don't know many big nice folders under $200.
He's a student and actually is working with us for free as a summer stage, so that's a lot of money for him.

I showed him so far pics of a Fallkniven A1 (he's not crazy about the handle ...), a SOG clip point fixed blade (he loves the blade, but the handle is leather) and the Ontario Hossom folder (he likes this one). I would appreciate more ideeas, thank you in advance.
 
I would go with the hossom folder from ontario for a folder. The thing is an absolute tank. For a fixed blade how about something in D2 like the rat line from ontario?
 
I agree he'll get better value in a fixed blade and if the folder isn't going to double as an EDC, go for a real knife. :)

Since he likes the Hossom, he can handle a big handle -- how about a Becker BK-7? He might even like some of the other Beckers, but I personally like the BK-7 as an intermediate model of the series, and got one myself.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I agree he'll get better value in a fixed blade and if the folder isn't going to double as an EDC, go for a real knife. :)

Since he likes the Hossom, he can handle a big handle -- how about a Becker BK-7? He might even like some of the other Beckers, but I personally like the BK-7 as an intermediate model of the series, and got one myself.
Click to expand...

Esav, I think he'll love the Becker. Thanks for pointing it out, as I don't know the company I would have never found it! :thumbup:
 
RedEdge77 said:
I would go with the hossom folder from ontario for a folder. The thing is an absolute tank. For a fixed blade how about something in D2 like the rat line from ontario?
Click to expand...

The RAT line fits the bill nicely too!
Cool, the options poll gets bigger!
 
You also might want to add the kabar short heavy bowie. They are almost a quarter inch thick with a rubbery handle. :thumbup:
 
Look to Ka-Bar or Ranger. Rangers are tough enough to do anything need be including chopping wood if need be and the price isnt bad at all especialy with all the coupons for them at brigadequartermaster. You can pick up Ka-Bars with leather or rubber handles on the cheap and have enough money left over for a very decent folder.Beckers too but the Camillus thing would make me leary.
 
Why would the Camillus thing would make you leary? Beckers have been around since before Camillus made them and I think they will be around even after.
 
Ranger knives get my vote. :)
RD6:
IMG_3150.jpg


Bark Rivers are nice too. And they have extremly wide choice of handles :)

(I think you should persuade him to go with carbon steel in fixed blade)

As a folder he can either get e.g. Byrd Cara Cara (under $20) or Spyderco Manix (around $100). (There was Camillus CUDA MAXX (5.5" blade) but IMHO they are gone now, http://www.camillusknives.com/cuda/cuda_2262.shtml#knife )

Also SOG Spec-elite (Pentagon-elite) are pretty big folders but bit expensive for AUS8 steel...
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Why would the Camillus thing would make you leary? Beckers have been around since before Camillus made them and I think they will be around even after.
Click to expand...

Because when companies close product quality goes to crap usually. I wouldnt want one of the last made camillus knives.Who knows how it will get made.
 
Consider a CS Recon Scout (7 1/2") or a CS SRK (6") and a SOG Spec Elite l (4") or a Elite ll (5"). You can save a chunk of change if you get it from a seller and not the manufacturer.
 
Thank you all guys,. :thumbup: :thumbup:
I forwarded your advice to my coworker, now it's up to him to decide. I guess he's getting the knife bug, poor guy ;)
 
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