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New member in need of advice!

V

Voland

Joined
Jun 3, 2006
Messages
2
Hi all, it's my first post on the forum and what I need is a good advice on a strong folder.

I'll be going abroad on a job related trip and will be spending some time in rugged wilderness, so I need a really strong, thick bladed folder.

I do have a pair of folders, but unfortunately they literally just don't cut it.

I have a Kershaw Leek and a Eickhorn Elishewitz-I.

Leek is just to small, and unfortunately Eickhorn turned out to be a novelty item rather then a quality blade.

What I really need is something like Spyderco Military/Paramilitary, but I just don't know what else is out there.

This is the review I found on the Spyderco;

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/paramilitary.html

I really don't care if opening is assisted or not, as long as the folder is of real world quality, and not a flashy trinket.

I'm looking for a straight classic blade and a common sense handle that I can grip comfortably when its wet or when wearing gloves.

Basically what I need is an all business no nonsense blade in the price range of around $100.

You guys know all about this stuff, and I'll really appreciate your advice.

Usually I prefer to personally "feel" things like this out, but with all of the trip prep I just don't have the time to drive around and hitting every knife/gun shop in the county.

Other then Spyderco Mil/Paramil, here are my quick google search options;

Cold Steel Recon 1
SOG SE14 Special Elite I
CRKT Wild Weasel
CRKT B.U.L.L. Folder

Still I would prefer something a bit more business then flash, so thanks again everybody!
 
Welcome to bladeforums! And thanks for making your post clear. Usually some of the newer memebers are vague on what they want.:)

Ok well i'll just make a list for you to take a look at it. Some of these knives will be like 115$ but i'll try and keep them around 100. Knives are in no particular order.

1. Spyderco Manix

2. Buck strider Tarani

3. Cold steel Voyager

4. Cold steel Ultimate hunter

5. SOG Spec elite

6. Spyderco endura

7. SOG x-ray Vision

8. Benchmade Stryker

9. Benchmade 710

10. Benchmade mini-skirmish

Remember those are in no specific order and anyone of those knives will meet w/e needs you have.:)
 
Nice work Rededge77.
:D

I really don't care if opening is assisted or not, as long as the folder is of real world quality, and not a flashy trinket.
Click to expand...

I would then suggest that either spyderco or benchmade is your target.

I am very biased but will name the two that i would go for, and you can weigh it from there.

Benchmade 710, in any steel flavour, or the Spyderco manix.

Either one will be a sheer terror on damn near any media that needs multiplying.

Happy cuttings.

WR
 
Thanks a lot guys, I'm glad to be here and I really appreciate your help.

I took a look at your collective suggestions, and have just a few more questions.

I did find a review on the SOG X-Ray Vision. I'm not positive, but thinking rationally Tanto will most likely not work for me, since its sharpening will be more complicated then a straight blade, so correct me if I'm wrong here.

Another important aspect for me is the strength of the frame it self.

This review of the X-Ray showed that even with good blade strength, some frames will break when twisted or bent, and I can't have that.

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/vision.html

From your collective suggestions I'm looking at Spyderco manix, Benchmade 710, Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter Knife and SOG Spec-Elite II.

In this group which has the strongest frame/pivot/locking mechanism?

Since I have a long list of various gear to get for the trip, naturally I'm also looking at the price/value ratio.

With out knowing the real frame/pivot/lock strength, so far Between Manix and 710 I'll go with Manix. I found a Cold Steel UHK for $55, but I'm not sure what exactly "Thermorun handle" is. My guess plastic, and again, that just will not do for me. Same as with SOGs "Zytel Handle".

Manix vs. 710, handle/pivot/lock strength?

Again I'll rely on your advice here guys.

In any case it looks like I'll be making some calls to find out which shops carry these models so I can feel them out personally, and naturally your further advice will help me to save a trip or to.

Thanks again.
 
The Mini Manix would be a good choice. It is a strong as a bank vault and cuts like the blazes.
 
Here are a few that would recommend:

Benchmade 550 or 551 Griptilian
Benchmade 520 (but it will cost more than $100.00 dollars)
Spyderco D'Allara Drop-point
Cabela's Alaskan Guide Buck 110
Ontario-Randall RAT-1 folder
CRKT Carson M21-04

All of these are great bargains IMO.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
The Ontario/Hossom retribution is a knife that is really made to be extra tough.
There are others, of course........
 
Spyderco Manix, Mini-manix, Para Military, Adventura are some that I would recommend.
 
For way less than $100 you can get a BUCK SBMF 889 (in black, tan or OD handle) which is all business and tough as nails... heck you can get two!!! but I recommend instead getting a multitool or a SAK with the additional $$$.
 
Manix vs. 710, handle/pivot/lock strength?
Click to expand...

Both are exceptionally good knives.

Both have a very good lock.

Both are backed a by a no non-sense warranty that is second to none.

Last thought, the 710 comes with a slight recurve blade, this is requires a little more concentration to sharpen then a normal perfectly straight edge, but is very easy with something like Spyderco's sharpmaker set up.

Want a no non-sense knife, just about anything from either of these two companies will not let you down.

I'll now sit on sidelines and see what the choice and decision comes down to.

Best advice, get both sell the one you dont like as much or keep as a back up, if you can afford to.

Peace

WR

WR
 
I prefer the Benchmade 710.

The Spyderco Manix, or Spyderco Paramilitary are very strong users also, you won't regret either one.

BTW Welcome to the forum.
 
I would suggest a Spyderco Manix or Mini-Manix. They are both big beefy knives, that are wicked sharp.
 
Caveat: I'm not a knife "expert." I'm actually quite new to this.

Of the four you mention, I think I'd choose the SOG SE14 Special Elite I. Don't care for the coated blade on the Cold Steel, the CRKT Wild Weasel is too "tactical looking" for me (for EDC in unknown/various situations) and the CRKT BULL has "only" 420J2 steel.

In that size/class of knives, you might also like to consider the Spyderco Endura 4 (3-3/4" blade of VG-10, lock-back) or Delica 4 (3" blade of VG-10, lock-back), or a Benchmade 551 Griptilian (3-1/2" blade of 154CM steel, Axis-Lock) or 556 Mini-Griptilian (3" blade of 154CM, Axis-Lock). The Spyderco blades I think lend themselves best to one-handed opening, with their large holes. The Benchmades are perhaps a bit less astonishing to non-knife people around you, as the blade profiles are a bit more "traditional" looking.

I chose the Spyderco Delica 4 as my first "real" EDC pocket knife. But I'm certainly I'll end-up with a Grip or Mini-Grip some day before too long. (Tho my next folder will likely be a Kershaw Scallion, because I like the way their AO works.)
 
Maybe I will sound dumb, but are you really sure you want (need) just and only folder?
I mean, why not get fixed blade AND folder?
You can get e.g. steel framelock Camillus CUDA EDC ($25) or Benchmade Monochrome ($30) and Coldsteel SRK (around $60) in carbon steel (if you don't mind plastic handle), or Fallkniven F1 (around $80) if you prefer stainless.
For $90 you can get Ranger RD6 (RD7 for $100) if you want a heavy duty fixed blade.
 
Hossom Retribution II from Cumberland Knifeworks will fill your every need and not much over a hundred with shipping.
 
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