On the hunt for an ideal EDC/hiking folder.

Id say rat 1 or ultimate hunter...I carry a rat 1 I just sharpened on the sharp maker and it was hella easy to sharpen...tho I've heard REAL good things about the hunter and the xhp steel...that or the code 4 may be my next purchase.
 
I would suggest the Buck 110.
It is people friendly, not confused with a "weapon" by most - including most LEO's.
I've EDC'd one for almost a year now, and have NEVER had a problem, or even given a second glance when I take it out of the belt sheath. (note: I am not a "clean shaven good boy" in appearance.) I've carried it in all 48 of the lower states, plus D.C. and the NYC metro area. I've yet to have anyone, including a LEO say anything about my having it on my belt, or using it to cut something I needed to cut.

If you are concerned about it "only" having 420HC for the blade steel (S-30V is available from the Buck custom shop) don't be. Buck built a reputation on building a knife that is sharp and stays that way. No one has a better heat treat on 420HC than Buck. In the year I 've carried mine, I've cut plastic packing straps, cardboard (up to 3 inches thick) cargo door seals (I'm a truck driver; some loads get sealed) and other tough materials. I've yet to sharpen my 110, wich is still sharp enough to shave hair off my arm.
 
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Wow. Thank you all for the informative responses so far. Other forums (not knife related) I've seen tend to crucify new users for even asking a question.

Again I realize the ideal situation would be to buy a fixed blade and a folder, but I have a LOT of gear I need to purchase before my trip into the mountains and don't have the cash for two blades at present.

Also, admittedly I do think the Cold Steel selections I'm considering look "cool", but I'm much more interested in smart and functional design. The main reason I'm leaning towards that brand is because I'm told their triad locking system is among the industry's best, and the blades maintain their sharpness for a long time despite heavy abuse. Also their pricing is reasonable.

Thanks for giving me a bunch of different blades to check out guys. And keep the suggestions coming!
 
el gigantor said:
Wow. Thank you all for the informative responses so far. Other forums (not knife related) I've seen tend to crucify new users for even asking a question.

Again I realize the ideal situation would be to buy a fixed blade and a folder, but I have a LOT of gear I need to purchase before my trip into the mountains and don't have the cash for two blades at present.

Also, admittedly I do think the Cold Steel selections I'm considering look "cool", but I'm much more interested in smart and functional design. The main reason I'm leaning towards that brand is because I'm told their triad locking system is among the industry's best, and the blades maintain their sharpness for a long time despite heavy abuse. Also their pricing is reasonable.

Thanks for giving me a bunch of different blades to check out guys. And keep the suggestions coming!
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Check out the COLD STEEL sub-forum. Seems to be a lot of threads there concerning how to fix the tri-ad lock.
Personally, I do not trust liner locks or frame locks, no matter who made/makes them. I had a Gerber(?) liner lock fail many years ago. I've never tried a frame lock (don't care for the style of knives that use it). In the 40 plus years of owning and using a basic old fasioned Buck style lock back, from a reputable company (Buck, Schrade, Puma, and now Rough Rider) I have yet to have one fail. Of course I've never had call to stab a car or truck, or a concrete block ...
 
el gigantor said:
.... but I'm much more interested in smart and functional design.
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One knife.... get a Victorinox swiss army knife (sak) such as a pioneer, farmer, or tinker with plastic handles so they include the tooth pick and tweezers. Other recommendation as before is the Vic One-handed Trekker carried in your pack or on your belt in a pouch. you really don't have to do much cutting on the trail if you are carrying what you use. Other suggestion is a small leatherman multi-tool such as Pinnah suggested that includes a scissors for possible tent repairs or opening small packaging on the trail.

I EDC a large 111mm two layer sak personally and it does everything I need doing with a pocket knife. But the Delica is a great little knife.
 
I would say that cold steel make a comparable blade to most everyone else. not best, not worst, depending on which factory it came from and all that. They are big on marketing hype. The reality is that locks have to be pretty poor, and pushed pretty hard to fail. That isn't to say that they don't, but I don't base my choices on that, I base my useage on knowing a lock could fail. so I use smart. I think you will be best served by some of the cheaper options mentioned. as you say, you have a heap of gear to buy, and to be honest, as long as you are getting a reputable knife, it will do what you need it to do. take the extra and make sure you have a pack that fits, or good boots, as much as I love knives if it was the choice between a 40$ knife and 200$ boots, and a 200$ knife and 40$ boots, I'd spend on the boots. I hope that makes sense. Not trying to talk you out of what you want, you can always buy more knives later, but to be honest with the choices here, you'll find the limits of your other gear before you find the limits of your knife.
 
gadgetgeek said:
I would say that cold steel make a comparable blade to most everyone else. not best, not worst, depending on which factory it came from and all that. They are big on marketing hype. The reality is that locks have to be pretty poor, and pushed pretty hard to fail. That isn't to say that they don't, but I don't base my choices on that, I base my useage on knowing a lock could fail. so I use smart. I think you will be best served by some of the cheaper options mentioned. as you say, you have a heap of gear to buy, and to be honest, as long as you are getting a reputable knife, it will do what you need it to do. take the extra and make sure you have a pack that fits, or good boots, as much as I love knives if it was the choice between a 40$ knife and 200$ boots, and a 200$ knife and 40$ boots, I'd spend on the boots. I hope that makes sense. Not trying to talk you out of what you want, you can always buy more knives later, but to be honest with the choices here, you'll find the limits of your other gear before you find the limits of your knife.
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Sage advice.
 
I'm not a huge fan of Cold Steel but I would look into a Recon 1 in xhp. But if you don't want something that big I agree the Mora and Delica/Endura would be a solid choice
 
I to am a big endorser of the Spyderco Endura - great steel, relatively light weight, good useful length, easy to carry and importantly, IMHO, it is a one handed opener - an essential feature to me these days. It is plenty rugged. If too long go for the Delica.

And for what it's worth - in the woods I like my folder to be serrated but I also carry a fixed blade. The serrated is very useful for cutting woodsy things and lines. My woods Endura is a fully serrated stainless version. Having said that - I would not give up a plain edge knife in favor of a fully or partially serrated. If I could only carry one knife it would be plain edge.
 
el gigantor said:
Also, admittedly I do think the Cold Steel selections I'm considering look "cool", but I'm much more interested in smart and functional design. The main reason I'm leaning towards that brand is because I'm told their triad locking system is among the industry's best, and the blades maintain their sharpness for a long time despite heavy abuse. Also their pricing is reasonable.

Thanks for giving me a bunch of different blades to check out guys. And keep the suggestions coming!
Click to expand...

Some thoughts on few knives I own and which were suggested in this thread and are in your price range:

Even though Cold steel Recon 1 is advertised as a "tactical" blade, it makes for a very good utility knife. Sturdy, and can take moderate abuse if needed. Good ergos. Affordable too. AUS8 performs reasonably well, easy to sharpen, holds an edge adequately. Very unlikely for lock to fail. Mine went through 4 years of tough use and it looks like it could take another 10 and it probably will.

Buck 110. Can't go wrong with it if you don't mind classic design. In performance, Buck's 420HC is comparable to Cold Steel AUS8. My personal favorite. Just recently retired one after 33 years of moderate to heavy usage. USA made. Buck's for ever warranty.

Ontario RAT-1. Sweet and smooth. Nice AUS-8 FFG blade. Weak liner lock though. It will wear out. None of the RAT-1s lasted longer than a year of moderate to heavy usage. But hey, they're dirt cheap, so I'll continue buying them.

Boker Plus Titan Drop. Good looking knife, with titanium handles and 440C blade. Not the strongest lock, but OK. Developed blade play withing 6 months.

Spyderco Resilience. 4.25" of 8Cr13MoV. Not bad for what it is. Kinda in the same ballpark as RAT-1 (or any other affordable Spyederco) as far as wear and tear goes.

Ka-Bar MULE. Love the ergonomics (handle), AUS-8 blade is OK, but in every other aspect it's more of a pretender. Very weak lock, even on brand new knife. Can't recommend.

Victorinox Hunstman. Mine survived 23 years of use and is ready for another 23. You can't go wrong with any of the SAKs.
 
Saks are hard to beat. If one hand opening is a must go for the Endura, if you can afford it get a Military. After years of searching and many dollars spent the Military is the one i finally settled on. Would have saved myself alot of money if i would have bought one ten years ago.
Having said all that i carried a Buck 110 for over ten years in my youth and got along fine with it.

Jim
 
Very helpful. Thanks again everyone. I think I've narrowed my choices down based on multiple recommendations on certain blades. I'm going to re-read all the responses a few more times and do a little shopping.

Any more suggestions, fire away!
 
Ontario Rat-1 (folder) and Mora Companion (fixed), all doable on a budget and won't weigh you down either. Then you have the best of both worlds.
 
Two hands down on Victorinox OHO Plain Edge Trekker.

There is a reason why many military chose this knife to issue. Large dual-hand opening hole, a decent saw, liner and backspring(so in case of liner lock fail, you can still use it as a large reguar SAK), can and bottle opener, large flat head(double as light prying tool), phillips and awl. Consider its cost and performance, it's hard to beat this package as an outdoor folding knife/tool.
 
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