New Folder- Which One?

J

Jeff Manney

Joined
May 3, 2001
Messages
56
I am seriously thinking about getting a new folder. I want to spend about $100 or less. Not too much more. To be discluded are the BM 710, Sere 2000, and CRKT M-16-04. I have those.
Although open to other suggestions, I am thinking of narrowing down my choices to 4 Spyderco models (by the way, I have a '97 Delica): Chinook, Wegner, Military, Starmate. Chinook is big, and I like big and heavy in a knife. But I have heard about the blade developing some play after minor tests. Any thoughts? I have heard nothing but good things about the Wegner, but does it have an allen wrench style or philips pivot pin for me to tighten if things get loose? Is the Military a good sturdy knife? Looks long and awkward. I love the looks of the Starmate, I think it is one of the coolest tacticals going. What are some honest opinions on this model from real users, because I haven't heard much about it?
I guess I would really respect the opinion of someone who owns and uses all 4. Other considerations do not matter, as far as "what are you using it for?" To me, if it has an edge, I like it.
I am big, though, on overall strength of knife, and tightness of lockup, as evidenced by my 710 and Sere 2000 choices. Thanks for your thoughtful responses.
 
The Wegner is a good knife - it deserves a close look. Personally, however, I would choose the Starmate. Almost every review written about it has been very positive, and I like it very much.
The Chinook is nice, but big and threatening looking. Very strong, for a lockback. I like everything about the military but the words "Military" across the blade. If the writing were smaller, I'd be ok with it.
You should also look at the BM AFCK. The original model can still be found for a good price. Also, the new model is actually cheaper than the old one.
Go for either the Wegner or the Starmate. You'll be happy with either one. (Or, even better, get both.)
-- Rob


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Me fail english? That's unpossible!
 
The Starmate is a good lightweight folder, but IMO the SERE is a better choice because it has double liners and a solid build. And the blade shapes are very similar.
 
I recently got a Wegner, and like it very much! I think it is very strongly built, even with only one liner. It is much more ergonomic than one might guess. The G-10 handle is quite grippy, came very sharp in the box. I strongly recommend it.

Don't have direct knowledge of the Starmate, but don't believe you could go wrong with it. You just never hear anything bad about it. It, of course, has the CPM440V steel.

Knife Outlet has the large Calypso on closeout for $70. That is an excellent knife. VG10 steel, I believe it is flat ground, reputedly one fantastic slicer.

The reason I mention that, is because Smoky Mountain Knife Works has the large CRKT APache on sale for $25. I think it a better bargain than the Mirage for $10. You could buy both these knives for right at your limit. I guarantee you you'd like the pair better than any single one!

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Asi es la vida

Bugs

[This message has been edited by Bugs3x (edited 06-09-2001).]
 
Yuk, production knives!
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I know... Who asked for my 2¢.


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Click Here, and Check Out Florida Custom Knives

BC... For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know... Semper Fi!
 
As a fellow Spydernut, the only one that appeals to me of those mentioned is the Starmate. I plain on obtaining one myself eventually. RKBA!
 
starmate is a good 1 - also the CRKT kaspers are a helluve deal for less than $50 - also www.newgraham.com still has some BM AFCK on closeout for $60 to $90 depending on the model - get 1 of these w/the D(?)2 steel, black blade for about $85, and ya definitly have something - also mike turber still has some REKAT SIFU's spec edition for $119 - also a helluva deal if it would be practical for you - but imho that BM w/the good steel is a helluva deal - my best bud got his via UPS thu, and he is happy happy happy about the quality he got for less than $100....


sifu
 
If you want heavy and solid and good blade steel and nice scales and clip, try the Micro Tech LCC, one tough knife and you should be able to score one for right around the 100-120 mark and it is well worth it! Very sharp knife and solid lock up with no wobble.....blade is ground so it slices very well, they do a good job there at MT!

G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...
 
Before you decide on ANYTHING else, do yourself a favor and at least look at a real live SERE. It is an excellent, excellent choice.
 
Of the 4 you mentioned, I own a Starmate and a Wegner, both half serrated.
I have used the Starmate and I think the only thing it really has going for it (besides the gorgeous looks) is the steel.
You can cut and cut and keep on cutting and it won't go dull.
The ergonomics aren't bad. I actually think it feels great in the hand, but the knife handle overall is too skinny for me. I wish they put in at least one full liner.
It would have been great if they had some phosphor bronze washers too instead of those skinny little pieces of plastic.

I haven't used my large Wegner.
The ergonomics are great. I think it's a very good knife and I can only think of one bad thing about it.
<strong>It's butt ugly.</strong>
Not to offend any Wegner fans, but the one reason I don't use this knife is because of it's looks. The lock-up is perfect, fit and finish is perfect, the action is smooth, it's a solid knife even though it has just one liner, the steel is great (though not CPM 440).
hehe...that's just my humble opinion.
I'd take a look at one in real life before you decide to buy it.
The Wegner's pivot is an allen screw and the clip is held on with philips screws.
The scales and backspacer are held together with pins, so you can't take it apart. That's something I don't like about knives. If I can't void the warrenty I don't like it.
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On a side note, if you want a new large half serrated Wegner, you can have mine for $90 shipped.
If you want a like-new Starmate i have one for $80 shipped.

I personally like my Microtech LCC more than the two spydercos I have. I also liked my BM 710 more, but i stupidly sold it
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.


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~Fumbler
the crazied knife weilding Sarah McLachlan fan =)
 
I would suggest a BM AFCK. They can be had real cheap at around $60 or $70, and you can't beat that for a knife with G-10 and ATS-34. Also, I think 1SKS.com has Microtech Mini-Socoms at around $100. Those look like a great deal.

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Small minds discuss people,
Average minds discuss events,
Great minds discuss ideas.
 
I like the 710 best overall, from the lock to the spear point blade w/ recurve.

I have 4 AFCK's, got one on trade, the other two very cheap... many good traits, balanced out in a knife also good for self defense. In the end, the 710 exceeds the AFCK in nearly every way that matters to me, however (I can't see using the pommel for pressure point submission holds myself, YMMV).

I also like the Starmate and Wegner a lot. Starmate for looks/feel & 440V, and Wegner for being a semi-skinner and of solid construction & good lockup, that rare (in folders) and super-utilitarian blade shape.

The Military is indeed unnecessarily long and the distal taper leaves the tip ground too thin for a "hard use" knife. The handle-to-blade ratio is a bit inefficient.

My SERE had a bad lock, failed the spine whack miserably and consistently, it's gone. You may get a good one, many have. Handle is a bit fat and heavy, liner & thumb stud have far too many sharp edges. Maybe I'll check out the SERE 2002 so to speak if they spend a bit more time fixing the design and on more machine time.

If you like Microtech's designs, their fit/finish is better than all the above. I dig the LCC very much.

Use the search engine with combinations of the knife names.... similar threads are scattered all over the past 2 years and many are in much greater depth.

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 06-10-2001).]
 
Don't make the mistake of over-looking the REKAT folders...Carnivour, Carnivour Cub, Pioneer II, or even the MONSTER Sifu.
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.

I have one of each (2 Sifu), and find them all to be excellent, heavy-duty folders!

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
<A HREF="mailto:glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com">glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com</A>
ICQ# 53675663
 
I have all mentioned knives and I have familiarized with them quite thoroughly. Here I'll try to point pluses and minuses of each very shortly.

Chinook
+ Very strong knife, I have heard in new edition it's totally ambidextrous.
- Too heavy for daily carry (for me) and with reference to cutting power, too scary looking, low utility usefulness. I also do not like probable defensive tool with so limited straight stabbing capability.

Wegner
+ The best handling comfort among all mentioned, quite versatile blade shape, very strong also though not as strong as Chinook.
- Shinny pocket clip and pretty decent amount of handle over pocket edge cause redundant attention, also a bit too heavy for daily carry in urban environment. I don't feel myself too comfortably with linerlocks designed for tip-up carry and large heavy blades. Opening hole might be somewhat bigger.

Military
+ Full flat ground blade makes it excellent cutter, I like tip-down carry mode over tip-up (especially for linerlocks), linerlock one of the best ever made, black pocket clip causes less attention, very light package especially taking into consideration its dimensions. Large opening hole, easy to operate even with gloved hands.
- Too large package for daily carry in urban environment, causes unwanted sensation when drawn. Handling comfort is somewhat lower than in case of Wegner but still more than acceptable. First I had some doubts about strength, rigidity and durability of single-liner supported handle. However 1,5 years of daily use as kitchen - around household - outdoors knife convinced me that it is strong enough for all tasks should be done using a knife, so in fact I can't to consider it as real minus.

Starmate
+ A lot of cutting power in lightweight package, dimensions acceptable for daily urban carry though still can cause sensation. If very, very bad luck would cause me to defend my life using the knife this straight handle - blade shape and very decent stabbing capability are exceptionally welcome.
- Hollow ground blade somewhat limits deep slicing accuracy (if you want to slick the cheese for ex.) Maybe it sounds silly for "knife fight amateurs" but I use my knives for food preparing much more frequently than for knife fighting
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Some improvements in clip and forefinger grove's area would be quite welcome also.
As to lock and single liner - exactly as in case of Military, this is no difference in internal construction.

Additionally, the difference in edge hold is not enough important issue here (for me) to influence the choice though CPM 440V (Chinook, Military and Starmate) holds the edge somewhat better than ATS-34 (Wegner). BTW, it is harder to resharpen also, something costs something, as usually at least.
The execution quality is also not an issue here, it is excellent for all mentioned knives.

Conclusions: the Military is my unquestioned favorite as "do all around household" knife, I frequently use it in kitchen and also going outdoors (in case if I consider the folder as adequate choice for situation). The Starmate is my daily carry choice quite frequently.
 
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