I'm new to this forum, as I thought it was probably the best place to get the advice I seek. I'm looking to spend somewhere between $200-$300 on a new folding knife for myself for everyday carry & use. I've been carrying for 40 years, started with a "Buck", and have owned Spyderco, Gerber, etc. This time out, I want the toughest, best performer I can afford. I want to make the "step up". What is you guys recommendation for a folder that is durable, holds the best edge, good design, and comfortable?? I'm looking for clip point, plain edge, 4" blade, pocket clip. Any help out there?? I've had a "Microtech" SOCOM Elite reccomended to me, but those seem to be impossible to find??
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New to the forum, and seeking expert advice
- Thread starter oldfogey
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THE best performing, THE most comfortable, etc. are very subjective categories, and just spending more, doesn't necessarily get you a better performing tool. If you want to stay with a traditional clip point, this limits your selection a lot. It pretty much excludes any Spyderco knife, even though the first that come to my mind on the other criteria are Spydercos, the Manix and the ZDP Endura in particular and neither is going to cost you $200. To find better performing knifes will be difficult. Different, yes, better, I doubt it. So staying with remotely clip point shaped blades, I would suggest the 710 from Benchmade. It's recurved, but PE and it still doesn't cost $200. The $200-300 range is really a no-mans-land between the top of-the-shelf knives and the customs and Sebenzas. If you add another $50-100 you can buy a Sebenza (clip point!) which is not going to be any more functional than the better Spydercos and Benchmades, but it will be a significant step up in terms of fit&finish. To throw out a few more models: the Ontario Retribution (has no pocket clip), the up and coming sprint run JYD from Kershaw in laminated ZDP (or was it SG2? Doesn't really matter, top end steel either way) blade and Ti handle (not a clip point), the CF ZDP Stretch from Spyderco. All of these are less than $200 . Oh, and the Buck Mayo TNT should be named, excellent knife, but no 4" blade, but sort of clip point and only a tad over $200.
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What are you going to be doing with the knife and what size blade are you looking for. Is it going to be used in an office environment, on a ranch or in a factory? All these things will help point us in the right direction.
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I think HoB pretty much nailed it. I've been trying for ages to decide what the "best" folder is but it's VERY, VERY subjective and depends on a whole pile of variables.
Lately I've come to the conclusion that, for my purposes, the small Sebenza really does cover it all. Very versatile blade, tough, top end of the range for fit and finish and not too far away from your price range. In fact, you might even find a good one going for sale here on the forum. I prefer the small Sebbie but you might also want to consider it's big brother if a slightly larger knife is what you prefer.
You're going to get a lot of suggestions I suspect but, like I say, personal preference is going to play a big part here.
Lately I've come to the conclusion that, for my purposes, the small Sebenza really does cover it all. Very versatile blade, tough, top end of the range for fit and finish and not too far away from your price range. In fact, you might even find a good one going for sale here on the forum. I prefer the small Sebbie but you might also want to consider it's big brother if a slightly larger knife is what you prefer.
You're going to get a lot of suggestions I suspect but, like I say, personal preference is going to play a big part here.
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The Benchmade 710D2!
For a big folder, it is surprisingly comfortable to carry, 3.9" modified clip-point blade and D2 steel which holds it's edge very well.
Thanks for the direction fellas. I'm going to be using the knife in everyday life. As I said in my post, I've carried for 40 years, and used it in hunting, fishing, farm, factory, cut wire, opened cans, you name it, my poor knife has done it. I'm now disabled, don't get out in the boonies like I used to, but I still want a knife that will hold up to the worst I can give it, and ask for more. 4 inch blade.
I did a "Google" search for "Benchmade Knives", and what I come up with for the "Model 710" is the "McHenry & Williams" Model 710 with D2 tool steel blade. Is that the one, if so, I like the look of that knife, and that's about what I have in mind. If not, looks like there is plenty on that website that I will like.
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Nice knife you've got there TLC. I've got one of his brothers, the 806 D2, also a nice knife but a bit larger than I normally prefer to carry so, unfortunately, it tends to spend most of it's time in the cupboard.
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As we said, personal preference plays a BIG part.
Yes, Benchmade make some nice knives and you'll probably appreciate the axis lock.
The Emerson CQC12 frame lock seems to fit most of your specs. Right price and blade lenght. Emersons have a reputation for being rugged. I like frame locks.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=EM12CSF
Rich
There shouldn't be any ruffled feathers, everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Nothing wrong with that. Functionally they are among the best knives out there, but if it doesn't appeal to you, that's the end of that.
Yes, that is the 710 I meant and TLC has shown in the picture. In terms of functionality, it is hard to beat by just spending more money. The G-10 is very durable and has good grip, the locking mechanism is among the best (some would argue THE best) in the market, undoubtably among the very strongest locking designs and D2 steel is a trusted good edge holder. Not the newest nor the most fine grained steel but one with many followers. The 710 is definitely a contemporary classic. Unfortunately the 806 isn't available anymore.
Oh, and welcome to the forums
Yes, that is the 710 I meant and TLC has shown in the picture. In terms of functionality, it is hard to beat by just spending more money. The G-10 is very durable and has good grip, the locking mechanism is among the best (some would argue THE best) in the market, undoubtably among the very strongest locking designs and D2 steel is a trusted good edge holder. Not the newest nor the most fine grained steel but one with many followers. The 710 is definitely a contemporary classic. Unfortunately the 806 isn't available anymore.
Oh, and welcome to the forums
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Extrema Ratio MPC or Nemesis
http://www.extremaratioknivesdivision.eu/inglese/military/heavy_duty_folders.htm
Greco Whisper (only 3 1/4")
http://www.grecoknives.com/whisper_folder.htm
these are beasts, 3/16" & 1/4" thick.
http://www.extremaratioknivesdivision.eu/inglese/military/heavy_duty_folders.htm
Greco Whisper (only 3 1/4")
http://www.grecoknives.com/whisper_folder.htm
these are beasts, 3/16" & 1/4" thick.
I would also take a look at the Benchmade full sized Rukus, model 610. Gives you a 4.25" blade with the Axis lock that is one of the strongest locks available. For a change you can also get another pair of the optional grips so that yours can be different from most others! Had UPS not screwed up today, 3rd time they have, I would've had my 610BK and silver twill G-10 grips, but there is always Monday!
Btw take a look at www.newgraham.com or www.knifecenter.com as both offer the optional grips
Btw take a look at www.newgraham.com or www.knifecenter.com as both offer the optional grips
I've had a couple of Bokers but not the Turbine.
I'm not sure if The Knife Center has the right name on the 3.5", plain steel blade, folder listed in the link below. They call it the Gemini and I thought it was the Infinity. Anyway, I've had this Boker for several years. It is one of the few liner locks I like. I use it for all kinds of jobs. I like it a lot and it's less than $50. I don't carry it but I use it at home frequently.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BO90
I'm not sure if The Knife Center has the right name on the 3.5", plain steel blade, folder listed in the link below. They call it the Gemini and I thought it was the Infinity. Anyway, I've had this Boker for several years. It is one of the few liner locks I like. I use it for all kinds of jobs. I like it a lot and it's less than $50. I don't carry it but I use it at home frequently.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BO90
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Emersons have chisel grind blades, which I've found to be a real pain in the patute to both cut with and sharpen. I think a good Benchmade with an axis lock would be a good choice. I'm not much one for Spydercos, nor do I like bumpy serrations that tear. I've become quite fond of Cold Steel's Voyager series and, after several years, decided I like the 5-inch plain blade the best, though they make a decent 4-incher as well.
I like blades that are tough and can be grossly misused and abused in emergency situations. One thing that ticks me off is that many knife manufacturers limit the size of their folders to under four inches. Spyderco loves making spoon-sized blades in various configurations and while that's okay for some applications, there is a market for larger folders.
For utility and beauty, I love the Benchmade H&K 14205 (below). If they made them in 4-inch+ size, I'd own several. Ditto with Spyderco's popular Native. Only Cold Steel seems to realize there's a market for larger blades in folders. Its 4-inch Recon 1 also comes highly recommended.
Whatever you end up with, good luck!
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This is a beauty, but it comes in somewhat shorter than four inches.
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I like blades that are tough and can be grossly misused and abused in emergency situations. One thing that ticks me off is that many knife manufacturers limit the size of their folders to under four inches. Spyderco loves making spoon-sized blades in various configurations and while that's okay for some applications, there is a market for larger folders.
For utility and beauty, I love the Benchmade H&K 14205 (below). If they made them in 4-inch+ size, I'd own several. Ditto with Spyderco's popular Native. Only Cold Steel seems to realize there's a market for larger blades in folders. Its 4-inch Recon 1 also comes highly recommended.
Whatever you end up with, good luck!
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This is a beauty, but it comes in somewhat shorter than four inches.
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