Need help deciding which folder to buy

K

Kevin Deaton

Joined
May 7, 2000
Messages
121
I'm preparing to buy a new folder and have narrowed it down to the SERE 2000, Benchmade 710, Spyderco Wegner and Chinook. I know that there is a ton of info about all of these knives on this forum, but I was hoping someone that has handleda few of the above knives could give me some comparison info. I will be using the knife for a weakside daily carry to compliment a small Sebie that I carry in my left pocket. I wear Dockers most of the time and prefer a knife that sits pretty low to avoid attention. Fit and finish are of paramount importance to me as well as overall strength. Other knife suggestions are welcome, but I'm not looking to spend more than about $150.00.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
Don't make the mistake of over-looking the REKAT Carnivour, Carnivour Cub, or Pioneer II, as these are very STOUT folders.
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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
SERE 2000,--The Best of all of these as far as fit and finish goes. Excellent knife, very sharp. You couldn't ask for much more. With the clip it has, it will ride EXTREMELY low in the pocket. I didn't like though, so I took it off and put a landyard on it. The clip is kind of big, and I feel that it gets in the way.

Benchmade 710-- A good knife, but I prefer the 730 (NOT the red version), it's lighter and more ergonomic that the 710. They are both good Axis lock knives with Benchmade quality.

Spyderco Wegner--Do you want a drop point? Are you going to skin anything? I'd go with another spyderco model before this one (ie Viele). Although Drop points do have the advange of have very strong points, it's harder to do fine work with it.

and Chinook. I love this knife, but if you're not wearing jeans or have some other place to carry it, forget about it. It's just too heavy, and will be very uncomfortable in your pocket. NOT to mention it looks like somethink Crocadile Dundee would pick his teeth with. (that's what we call a toothpick in Australia)

"I will be using the knife for a weakside daily carry to compliment a small Sebie that I carry in my left pocket. I wear Dockers most of the time and prefer a knife that sits pretty low to avoid attention."
I think I've summed my choices nicely.

For you, I would recommend either the BM 730 (Ares) or the SERE. And the Wenger is a good choice too. My alternate recommendtion would be to check out an MOD tempest. Great knife!!! Or a mini-Socom.


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"Never let your morals get in the way of doing what's right" -Hari Seldon, Foundation, -Aasimov

[This message has been edited by Pergatory (edited 05-17-2001).]
 
Third vote for LCC or MT Socom (or Socom Elite)

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Marc
 
A appreciate the info so far. As for the MTs, I already have a Socom Elite and have owned a number of LCC DAs. One other knife I would like to throw into the mix is the Spyderco Military.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
Another big knife. As far a spydies go, i like the Military. Nice edge, great steel, and a LINER lock instead of the lockback.
 
Another big knife. As far a spydies go, i like the Military. Nice edge, great steel, and a LINER lock instead of the lockback.

If you want to try something a little smaller and lighter go for a William Henry Carbon Fiber spearpoint.

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Marc
 
You can get the 710 in M2, which is a great steel. And since this knife will be your weak side carry, it's more likely than your strong side knife to be used with either hand. The Axis locks are completely ambidextrous, which is more important to me in a weak side knife than a strong side knife. If you don't have any Axis locks you probably need one pretty badly
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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
Buy the SERE 2000. It is a great knife. A real user. It is tough an rugged. Mine has never failed. NEVER!!! You will not regret it.

I had a choice between the LCC and the SERE and, for me, I made the correct decision.
 
All four knives you mention have sound reputations.
The Chinook, however, may be too heavy for some daily carries. I've also heard in one test too, on a post here a ways back, that the blade developed noticable play with a relatively minor exercise. Everything else I heard has been good.
The Wegner, not one bad thing I've heard on this unit.
BM710, I own. Excellent all around knife, especially in M2 steel. BMs aren't for everyone, since there is a good chance you'll have to return it for some minor F&F issue,l and wait all over again. On mine, as everyone knows by now a thousand times over, the blade is not quite evenly aligned when closed. The problem appears minor, and is probably more common than we realize, even in other makes. Besides this, the knife is outstanding. It aint pretty, and you won't go WOW when you take it out of the box, but it is a USER, and will probably outlast most others.
I also have the SERE 2000. A few have complained of theirs not passing the spine whack test. This happens with most brands of liner lock on a new model, that you will get a lemon now and then. Let me tell you this: this knife ROCKS. Built like a bank vault, with perfect fit and finish. When you heft it out of the box, you won't believe you paid only $120 for it. $15 cheaper than my 710. The lock-up on my specimen is truly impressive, better than anything I've felt. It's an awesome 1-2 punch procedure: flick your wrist with the blade slightly opened, and the loudest "clack" (same with Wegner) tells you this thing is LOCKED. It now feels like a fixed blade as you try to wobble it. I hammered mine with some spine whacks, and not a budge. If you order this knife, and you get a good one, which I'm sure you will, you won't want to buy another knife for a while. I get the strong impression Al Mar made a great effort in addressing some early complaints. Mine, by the way, has the "SERE 2000" stamped on the blade, so I know it is a newer one.
 
I would highly rek'mnd any of Spydies, however, in a category such as this, I would seriously rek'mnd your taking a look at REKAT line of folders.

Now, I HATE REKAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! I will say that they did get a thumb stud out to me for free a few weeks back, and that I appreciated THAT, but over the years, they have NEVER helped me with problems with the knives of theirs I have owned.

However, I own, carry, and LOVE my REKAT Pioneer II in Tanto setup and all black. The knife is medium sized in length, while being one of the WIDEST pieces I own. It is made very well, although a little loc-tite and epoxy did help it out a bit. The ATS-34 is awesomely sharp, and this baby TAKES A BEATING!!!

I have DOZENS of MT's, Spydies, BM's, CS's, Livesay's, Greco's, and Elishewitz's...I look to my REKAT Pioneer II as my primary EDC knife 95% of the time.

Order one and see for yourself...you will NOT be disappointed.

Steve in NYC (Soon...Waterford, Ct.)

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What we do today in life...echoes in eternity...
Every man dies...not every man lives...
 
Hey Kevin,

Working here at 1SKS I can carry about anything I want. I carry a BM-940 weak side (rides light and low) and a large Sabenza strong side. I love the 940. Also might look into a Mini-Socom. They are discontinued, but we still have a few left here at 1SKS, and the price is right.

[This message has been edited by Suds (edited 05-18-2001).]
 
Tough decision. All of the knives you mention are excellent. They are also pretty large. I prefer knives in this size, but aren't sure how they would be for weak side carry.

It is no secret that I am a big Wegner fan. This knife is very comfortable, very strong, and very versatile. I choose the Wegner over my Sebnza almost every day. The downside to the Wegner for weak side carry is that the clip isnt reversable. This would still be my choice though and carry the Sebenza on the weak side
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The 710. Another one of my favorites. It has an awesome locking system and is truly ambedextrious. This could be an advantage for weak side carry. Good luck trying to find one in M2 right now as they are scarce. Hopefully Benchmade will make another run soon. There is a NIB first production run in M2 on the for sale, individual forum though.

The Chinook. Big and strong. I personally did not like the point so upswept. I know it is awesome for back cuts, but I prefer my point a little lower for everyday use. It is also very heavy. Of the knives you mention this would be my last choice for weak side carry.

The S2K. Another awesome knife. I really like the VG-10 steel. The clip is reversable and makes for very deep pocket carry. Th lockup on mine is excellent.

I believe of the knives you mention, and if I were going to use it for weakside carry I would get the 710. Or get the Wegner and make it your EDC.
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Dennis Bible

....Almost here, The Leading Edge....
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com
 
Well it look like I need one of each. Let me clarify "weak side carry" for me. I am a lefty that can use both hands very well. I actually throw and shoot right handed, but for fine precision work I go to my left hand. This is why I prefer a larger blade on my right side (weak side). I owned a 710 a while back, but never actually got around to carrying it. I liked the way it felt and the new aluminum handle varity is looking good. The SERE 2000 looks like a no lose way to go. I may end up buying both the SERE 2000 and 710. Thanks for all of the information.

Kevin
 
Since you mentioned that you'd wish to remain low profile i'd suggest the wegner. Not as intimidating as the Chinook and not as tactical as the sere2k. Then again you can't help but smile at the satisfying THUNK the chinook makes when opening it.

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It hurts to be on the cutting edge.
 
I assumed you meant low profile while carrying. If that is the case, I believe the S2K rides lower than the Wegner. In as much as you have what I and many others believe to me the best production folder in its size, the small Seb, I would assume that you are looking for something bigger and perhaps, though you didn't mention it, more tactical. I am just assuming that you want your other knife to be what the Seb isn't.

I have a SERE2K and really like the knife. It passes the spine wack test and locks up solid. The FnF is excellant and VG-10 suits me just fine. However, with chinos you may find it a tad heavy. I usally carry mine with jeans and leave it at home when wearing lighter duty pants.

Just my $.02.
 
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