New Guy Seeks Tough Folder

E

Eager

Joined
Oct 9, 2002
Messages
337
I'm thinking about a Greco folder as a tough thick bladed folder. Anybody have one. What's the 8670 steel like? It doesn't appear to be stainless? Any comments on corrosion. The handle is what, coated steel? Any other alternatives as a tough folder under $80 with a 3 to 3.5" blade?

By the way. I'm new here. I've been lurking for a while and enjoying the info. I've frequented several of the gun boards for a couple years now, but have recently decided I need some more knives. :D
WhispFolder1_300X225.png
 
Well, if we're just throwing out suggestions I'd say a VG-10 Spyderco Police because I'm obsessed with that right now. It can be had on EBAY for about $80.

Then again Spydies are an acquired taste, and the Police is over 4 inches (let alone 3.5) and some people don't like the slickness of stainless steel handles (although some grip tape solves that problem). There's always the Endura.

BUT I bet you're going to get many people saying the flavor of the month -- Benchmade Griptillian: Way less than $80, 440c steel (not to be confused with the inferior 440a), steel liners, and most importantly...AXIS LOCK.

FTC

P.S. Oops. Almost forgot the SOG X-Ray if you want something a bit more unique looking in design.
 
8670 isn't stainless, but it seems to be a good steel. I have a Greco MST IV Flat Grind and I have myself and a friend of my using it to chop a couple of blows on a piece of board about 1/4" thick. It did no damage.
My friend was going to bring it to Air Cadet Survival Camp, but somehow his bosses didn't allow him to use it at the camp and it got left behind. I personally would like to see how well it would hold up to the weather (it was raining like hell) and some serious beating.
 
If you are really looking for a thick, tough folder, look no further than either the Spyderco Chinook, or the even thicker-bladed SOG Tomcat. Either one of those folders can "take it".
 
CUDA MAXX for production, Any Darrel Ralph or Strider for custom.
 
Originally posted by Eager
I'm thinking about a Greco folder as a tough thick bladed folder. Anybody have one. What's the 8670 steel like? It doesn't appear to be stainless? Any comments on corrosion. The handle is what, coated steel? Any other alternatives as a tough folder under $80 with a 3 to 3.5" blade?
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The Greco sure is an excellent choice, it´s hard to get a custom at a price point that low. I don´t have a Greco myself (yet) but from what I´ve heard, they are what they´re supposed to be: very tough. Don´t expect perfect fit or finish, though.

Carbon steels in general have several advantages over most stainless steels. They take a very fine edge and can hold it for quite a long time. If you regularly wipe it down with WD-40 or something and don´t intend on using it in salt-water environments, it should hold up fine.
 
Eager, welcome to Bladeforums!

I've got two of John Greco's Birds of Prey folders, the hawksbill Raptor and the droppoint Falcon. They are almost absurdly tough. These knives are the ultimate in "beaters" because you don't have to worry about them closing up on you or dulling or bending or breaking. Forget corrosion: simple maintenance will do fine.

I carry one or the other on a walk in the woods, chopping at anything handy, just for fun, and to clear thorns and vines away from the trail. They get gunked up from the dirt and plant sap. That gray coating holds up very well. The edge lasts. I touch them up on my Sharpmaker. I've been thinning the edge on the Falcon for less brute force and more general use, eventually. It is slow going :)

The only drawback is the stiffness. They are two-hand openers when you get them, but working on the pivot (lubrication, flexing) will loosen them to the point of one-handing them. Actually, I removed the thumbstud from my Falcon, because I open it two-handed anyway, and I prefer the minimalist profile.

The lock is a monster. You will have to work on that, but it's not hard: just bend it out, slowly, gently! until it moves more readily. Both of mine can be unlocked with one hand now, although my thumb complains. :rolleyes:
 
I like your choice of the Greco line
& have to agree with Esav Benjamin in this regard ; while I've never handled one just by the picture(s) I've seen they seem servicable enough. Glockman99 makes a good point on the Spyderco "Chinook" &
SOG "Tomcat" as well. In any respect, it's your call. As for me it would be the "Chinook".;)

AET ;) (ATE on the Spyderco.com "home" forum ;))
 
I've been eyeing the Greco Raptor for a few days now. I like the hawkbill blade shape and the framelock. If I got one, I'd like to customize it with a pocket clip (tip up) and some sort of surface texture (stippling, not engraving). I also like the service kit and the scale kit!

Esav, what are your opinions of my plans? Realistic or a waste? I'm wondering if the "toothpaste trick" would hasten the "break-in" and if a larger thumb stud or piece could help with the openings?

Karl
 
I have the Greco Falcon. The 8670 steel is a carbon steel--a German tool steel. Not stainless, but it is no problem with reasonable care. The folder is a beast in terms of overall ruggedness. It needs to be broken in when you first get it and even then, it is no quick-opener. It will, however, chop other folders to smithereens if you were so inclined.

These were on sale for $50 a few months ago and are now available for $75.

Check out: www.cqcknives.com
 
Try CRKT!

They have some really good looking and sturdy knives (like M16, and krawford/Kasper).
Krawford/Kasper model has thicker liners and is probably really sturdy.
In non fixed blade Knives the smaler, wider and thiker the blade is the sturdier the knife becomes.
I don´t know Greco's knives
 
SERE 2000

Somewhat over your price point, but for a one-time investment it is worth it.
 
Karl, the Raptor will support that sort of customizing. I like it the way it is, one of the few knives I can drop in a pocket or a pack and not worry about gunking it up. The finish is almost indestructible. It is already lightly textured, not slick. Someone posted a pic of the knife with the kit scales attached, and they looked good. Of course, once you've done that, you may want to make other replacement scales, too.

I don't know what the toothpaste trick is, but just working the pivot with any good lubricant will loosen that up. The thumb stud is big enough, if somewhat industrial for human flesh to press too hard on :) The lock is the problem. You really do have to bend it back a bit. Or carry a pry bar around to close it.

You could probably integrate a pocket clip into the rear spacer. By the way, mine both came with the nicest sheath I've ever seen. It's vertical or horizontal, and gusseted. Very classy, the label says EDC Products. I use them for other stuff since the knives don't need them!

Just another quick note on the strength of this blade: with 3/16" stock at 3.5" tip-to-bolster, only the last 1.25" tapers to the very sharp point, as seen from above.
 
Hey Eager,
Welcome aboard.
I personally would recommend a Buck/Strider.
And I just happen to know of a great one for sale in BG-42.
Email me if you're interested.
Lenny
 
Originally posted by Lenny
And I just happen to know of a great one for sale in BG-42.
Click to expand...

:D

Well, he's right. The Buck/Strider is also in the unbelievably tough category. Like the Greco, it's hard to dull the edge. But it is almost as thick as both of my Grecos side by side.

(If the BG-42 Buck is a good price, grab it anyway and get a Greco later!)
 
Too late! I bought it! :D I ordered a Greco FLAT GROUND WHISPER FOLDER. This is the post that pushed me over the edge. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=228903 I want something I can play with a little bit. Also, as Esav Benyamin so aptly says:
They are almost absurdly tough. These knives are the ultimate in "beaters" because you don't have to worry about them closing up on you or dulling or bending or breaking. Forget corrosion: simple maintenance will do fine.
Click to expand...
Yes. I want a good beater. A "farm knife" if you will. I need something that looks a litte ugly or "industrial" from the start so I won't be afraid to really use it, e.g. for digging in the dirt. The two Spydercos I got years ago still look pristeen 'cause they'er too pretty to use. The knife I use the most for "farm" type work is a old Kabar with one scale missing. A Buck Strider was my first choice. But the 4" is too big for carry, and I think the 3" would be too small for what I have in mind. On the down side, the shipping and handling from CQC (the Greco on-line dealer) was $18 for one knife, :rolleyes: which cuts into what at first seems like very fair price. Here's another photo:
WhispFolder1.png
 
Received it today along with a $8 refund check. Shipping and handling is only $10, which is fair since it was sent by some USPS express service that only took 2-3 days. It is everything I wanted. It's excellent. Opens well with one hand and is not hard to close. Very tough. Exactly what I wanted. I recommend this. Is more than what I expected since it opens and closes perfectly out of the box. :D
 
Hello Eager,

I still stand by everything I said about the Raptor. It is a truly geat knife, with a ton of character. It would be difficult, nay, near impossible to break this knife in day to day use.

I can't think of better value for money, anywhere! Enjoy your new blade.

Regards
 
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