Need some advise on a Big Heavy duty production folder

Cosmic Superchunk

Cosmic Superchunk

Joined
Jan 28, 2001
Messages
3,709
I am considering the purchase of a heavy duty production folder with G-10 scales, blade length between 3 1/2 to 4 inches. I prefer tip up carry and blade style can vary as long as it is sharp. So far I've selected 3 possible options:

Buck Strider
Al Mare SERE 2000
Spyderco Chinook

I haven't had the chance to handle any of these specific models, so If anyone has owned or uses any of these, please give me your opinions on them. Other recommendations are also appreciated.
 
BM 710. Do a search here on BM 710 as there have been recent threads indicating that very many people here think it is one of the best knives out there for the buck. It also has the axis lock which is the only lock I would consider for tip up carry.
 
I have owned all three. The Buck is the beefiest, the Al Mar has some really great steel. Chinook is a nifty design. But for pure grunt, a BG-42 Strider gets my vote.
 
I would opt for the 710 in M2 if your looking in the 4" range. The Axis-lock is sweet and the overall design is more functional and utilitarian than any of the choices given IMO.

If you are looking in the 3 1/2" range, the Spyderco Wegner is quite a stout knife. While only a single liner is used, it has a very positive and strong lock. The full steel backspacer adds rigidity and strength. Also gives it the proper heft that I find appealing in a good folder. If you break this knife your doing something you shouldn't be doing. The blade is well suited for daily tasks and was hair-popping sharp out of the box. The G-10 handles are very comfortable and even have a soft, warm feeling to them. The knife also seems to be fairly sheeple friendly if that matters to you. A solid winner in my book.
 
I've heard by so many that the Buck Strider is just too damn wide.
It is not necessarily more rugged than the Sere, however, since the Sere happens to be shorter and heavier than the Buck. This says a lot about its construction, which is BUILT.

The Sere 2000 is an awesome knife. Buy it, you won't be disappointed. The 710s are awesome, too, but it sounds like you may not be looking for that type of pure utility folder.
 
i was infatuated with the buck strider,but never bought one. i did get to handle one at blade show,and was glad i didnt.

dont get me wrong. the knife is extremely well made,tough as hell,and buck quality (very good for the dollar,IMHO). the sheer size of the knife was what was dissapointing.

im gonna say go with the SERE. very high quality. good blade steel.tough as nails.
jeff randall wrote an article on it a few months ago in TK magazine (i think). take a look.
 
You might want to take a look at the REKAT Carnivour. These are VERY stout folders, with the G-10 scales that you want.:).
 
Look no farther than the Benchmade 710 can be had in D-2 steel another good one is Spyderco Military another heavy duty folder. :cool:
 
I have handled all three, and liked different things about each of them, but didn't buy any, because I already had a BM 710HS which is better than any of them in almost all respects, IMO. I think it's the best "total package" for the money out there.
I admired the Buck/Strider, but handling it reminded me of shooting a Desert Eagle (because both are cool, and both are way too big for my hands).
 
Thanks to all for your comments. I'm still torn between the Buck Strider and the Al Mar SERE 2000. I know the Strider is BIG and thick which is what I'm looking for, but I've heard the SERE is a hefty folder as well. Choices, choices choices.


th.octopuss.gif
"The man in the back has a question.."
 
Don't rule out the Emerson Commander. Tip up, good steel, and the WAVE! I think EKI has ironed out most of it's QC issues and you can find the Commander under $150 if you look.

Chris
 
I have them all except the 2000 and my choice is the Buck Strider. Heavy Duty to the max. Only down side is the blade needs to be reprofiled for maximum cutting efficency.
 
I can only speak for what I know and I'll speak up and throw a vote in for the SERE 2000. It's a tank. Period.

This knife should be exactly what you're looking for. Trust me.;)

--The Raptor--
 
El cid... can't you here these people telling you the knife you need -- The BM 710 M2HS. What do you have against Benchmade. This knife sounds like it is perfect for you. I won't go through all the specs, but they match up perfectly to everything you have been saying you are looking for.

But as you say choices...choices and yes there is a lot to pick from. Good luck and try to handle them before buying. Personally the 710 was too big for me, but I like smaller folders.

JT
 
I have a SERE 2000. I like this knife alot. It seems very rugged to me. I also have a BM 710 which, while a very refined knife, I am not sure it would prove to be as rugged as the SERE. I also have the Carnivore which Glockman mentioned. I think the Carnivore is a very rugged knife, but, have owned three REKAT's, and having had trouble with two of the three, I am concerned about their reliability.

Good luck with your purchase.
 
Here's another vote for the SERE. It's built like a tank with rock - solid lock up (liner lock not withstanding), but it's weight is quite reasonable (about 6 oz., I believe). I've heard good things about the Chinook, too, but have never handled one.
 
The buck strider is the absolute most rugged knife i've ever owned. Read my thread in the strider forums and see how much i've abused this thing, it has never failed me. If you want a serious heavy duty knife that you can use, get one.
 
The custom Strider AR and GB folders are 100 times tougher than the 3 your are considering but it is also about $375.00.
 
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