Need your recommendations for good folder

longbow50

longbow50

Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
3,291
I've owned a couple of lockbacks and a bunch of old folders but have never owned a linerlock. I hear they are stronger than the lockbacks and I would like your recommendations on a good one for under $50.00.
 
I think you're going to find that most here will tell you that a lock-back is generally a stronger lock. I am with the majority on this. Liner locks can be good or bad depending on who makes them. Some are very reliable and others are awful. Liner locks are usually easier to make reliable for the factory-produced knife.

In your price range, take a look at the various offerings from CRKT. Most of their liner locks are of good quality and they feature the secondary LAWKS locking system.
 
I have seen both liner locks and back locks executed on very different levels – from awesome to pitiful. CRKT folders equiped with LAWKS make a lot of sense in this price range

If you would like to see one of the best liner locks ever made take a look onto SPYDERCO Military. It doesn’t match your specified price limit but it is real paragon of liner locks.
 
I would agree that the CRKT knives are a good choice. A little less known but a great knife is made by Delta Z. If you go to their web page they have some closeouts for about the price you want to spend.

I bought on one their tanto blades and it came razor sharp, and the fit and finish was AWSOME, great knives esp. at the closeout price. Their web page is: www.deltaz-knives.com :cool:
 
Looking for a good deal on a linerlock??
Look at CRKT, they have really good quality control on their knives even though the manufacturing is done in Taiwan.

I suggest the Apache. Good steel in ATS-34, spear point blade which can be used as a tactical knife or utility, long aluminum handle with grooves in the middle making it very comfortable in your hand. Although it doesn't have the LAWKS system, I still think it is one of the best liners. If your looking for a tactical or hunting, get the apache limited edition, its coated black so that it doesn't reflect light.
 
While not exactly a liner lock, the Camillus EDC is a great knife for the money. It comes with a 154CM blade for $50. It is actually a frame lock knife, but as the frame is rather thin it is actually close to some of the better liner locks, and the principle of operation is basically the same.
 
I agree with the others about CRKT. You get an awesome amount of pieces to choose from in the under $50.00 range. MANY now come with the awesome LAWKS safety.
I'll also suggest you check out the Timberline/Worden folder. 3.9" AUS-8A blade, deep finger choil and mine came OOB sharp enough to perform surgery. It has quite a bit of heft too. The back portion of the handle is generous enough to execute a mean whack(!) if you feel the need to dent something. This is one helluva lotta folder for around $35.00-$40.00. My sample has a liner lock that is very well executed. It has a tight lock-up and passes the dreaded spine whack test. You should try to hold one before laying down the money tho, because the grip and heft have to be tried first IMO.
 
i think that in general stanless steel liner locks are better than their Ti counter parts. I feel that Columbia river (CRKT)makes a very good liner lock, i just dont really like their knives.

What are you going to use your knife for?

Try to find a good close out price on an OutDoor Edge Apogee.
 
Thanks for the responses so far. As far as what I'll use the knife for, I carry an old military issue camillus utility folder and I wanted to update, so anything that locks would probably be an improvment lol. I actually like the old knife and it will still be available if I need it, but it's time for a change. Use is everything from cutting automotive hose to cutting up cardboard and fingers.

Actually, I plan on getting two knives and I may go with two different makes. The other will be joining a pilots knife in a survival pack that I'm putting together for my wife to keep in her vehicle. That way she has a well equipped kit with her when she's on the road.

I've checked out the CRKT knives and there are a few that I like. I do like a blade with some heft to it and I like them wide as well so if I have to go to another style of folder to get it, that's probably what I'll do. I'm real new to the types of knives I'm seeing so I'm glad I found this place and can lean on the expertise of you guys to help me out.

Thanks
Mike
 
I am not much of an expert, but I can tell you what I like.

I have bought from the exchange forum and in/ under that price, I have picked up:

Benchmade Leopard Cub- great knife, people friendly.
Spyderco Goddard- lockback, but a great knife.
Benchmade Mini Stryker- Great knife
Spyderco Delica- lockback
Camillus EDC- framelock


New in that range:
CRKT Crawford Kasper Folder
CRKT MIRAGES- well under your set price


I like them all:D
 
I personally like a liner/frame/and even the axis lock over the traditional lockback. But that's just me. But, ask yourself why all of the heavy duty, don't care what they look like just cut a 50 gallon drum up and still shave type of knive use a liner lock or one of it's variiations all the time. Take a look at Strider Knives and tell me they won't perform better than any Buck 110. But again, that's just me.

As for what specific knife to buy? I would sugest going to any knife site like 1SKS , Knife Center, or any number of reputable web site that everyone could chime in about, and take a look at the various brands in you price range and pick something you like. None of the big sites carry fakes and every thing in the $50 range will be of near eaqual quality.

Have fun looking at all the sites and knives that you will find and don't cut your finger too bad.



PS I like CRKT, Benchmade (but you will have a hard time finding a $50 one), can't go wrong with a Buck, Camillus, Ka-Bar has a couple in your range, the $20 Kershaw Vapor @ WalMart is my new favorite, Leatherman (everybody needs at least one), Outdoor Edge, and SpyderCo will get a lot of votes. There are a lot more, but finding them is half the fun.
 
I have to agree with logan5 on his picks. I have also recently acquired the Kershaw Vapor and it is an exceptionally good frame lock for only $20! The liner locks I carry are a Kershaw Ken Onion BlackOut ($55.00 online @ Oso Grande.com, you can also mail order or call in) and the Scallion (though it has about a three insh blade on it. If you ever look into Locking Back knives the Spyderco Endura gets my number 1! vote, plus it is between $50-$60 depending where you shop.
My all time favorite, though, is the Spyderco Merlin. Yes it is a lock-back, but the hawk-bill blade makes up for anything you don't like about it.
 
Thanks for all the good advice. When I get over to Walmart, I'll have to check out that Vapor. At $20.00, it's my kind of knife. The wife showed me a catalog that we received in the mail and they had the CRKT large Point Guard for $31.99 and the large Lightfoot Urban Shark for $26.99 so she is going to order up both of them. Mostly because she likes the way they look, lol. She gets first dibs and I'll take the other one.:D
 
I'll give a cupie doll to anyone who can show me ANY liner-lock stronger than the lockback of my Spydie Chinook...
 
if i've said it once i've said it 1000 times - save an extra $20 or so and go to www.newgraham.com and get a BM 800 ( i think they are running out, but still have a few) AFCK for $70 and ya have a MUCH better knife than a CRKT/etc, w/a very reliable liner lock too

ya will never regret it if ya do i promise, the AFCK is an all time classic imho, and 3X the knife of any CRKT made imho

also check the knives for sale forum at BF and buy a slightly used/LNIB one, i got a BM 910 stryker a while back for $60 shipped, and a stryker 910 chisel edge(kinda unusual, most are V-grind) for $70, both absolutely LNIB, have gotten a lot of older BM knives (ie 625/650/800/910/etc, all LNIB)for $50 to $60 or so, a GREAT deal- last week saw a 905 mini stryker in about 98% condition for $40!! ya cant beat that w/a kershaw vapor/CRKT this or that , not imho

FWIW

greg

PS =- mike at new graham should give me a commision on AFCK's lol
 
I'm a lockback guy, but I have to give credit to Delta-Z. They are a lesser known brand, but the one I owned was flawless, sharp, and rock solid. I only traded it because the wood handle was too nice for me.
 
I agree the BM 800 is a great knife. I have one of the KOTMs and love it. It is worth the extra $.

I also don't mind buying BM second hand. You can still use the lifesharp service.

In honesty, I would have been upset with the first heavy scratch on the black coating of my 910. But, I paid much less and it arrived with scratches already inflicted. My mindset... "oh, you are going to work newbie"
 
Skip the liner lock, move right to a Spyderco Compression Lock. Pick up a Spyderco Vesuvius. A small bit over $50.00, but well worth it.


Blades
 
Originally posted by longbow50
The wife showed me a catalog that we received in the mail and they had the CRKT large Point Guard for $31.99 and the large Lightfoot Urban Shark for $26.99 so she is going to order up both of them.
Click to expand...
I don't think they'd disappoint.
I have the Urban Shark, although it doesn't have the LAWKs it's still holds up pretty well (I've spine-wacked mine, it held up) It's quite a nice blade.
IMO you'll be better off with BM or Spyderco because the material used are superior, but I still have my CRKTs and I'm still loving them ;)
 
Ended up buying the CRKT Apache II with the ATS-34 spearpoint blade. Good price and will still allow me to buy another knife and stay around the $50.00 range for both.

Went to Wally world and they were out of the Kershaw Vapor and since it's a 25 mile drive to the place, I figure I can buy online for less lol.
 
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