OT: Folders (again)

Tyrkon Lawson

Tyrkon Lawson

Joined
Oct 31, 2003
Messages
8,583
Alright, I just spent the last 30 minutes trying to find the various discussions we have had here on suggested folders. I think the last big one was started by VTW. But all my attempts using the "search" feature results in either a blank page or a "no matches" message.:grumpy: So forgive me for asking this.:o

So until the Busse folder shows up for public consumption: What are the most reliable folders in terms of locking mechanisms? I hear a lot about Benchmade's "Axis Lock". Then the Striders, Sabenzas, Emersons, Spyderco, and ZTs seem popular. I live in Los Angeles county CA and it appears that the safest EDC blade for me to carry is a folder due to current knife laws. But I have always been afraid of "lock failure". Now I won't be treating my folder the same way I treat my INFI. ;) It will be for general light use cutting rope, opening boxes, etc... But I'd like it to be able to handle some tougher chores if called upon.

I am not worried about price range but would like to keep it production. So not $1,000 folders. But $400 for a Sabenza is doable. Tough under $200 for a BM is o.k. too. :)

So, what do you guys think. Thanks. :)
​
 
I suggest the Chris Reeve Sebenza. I personally like the large, but there is also a small version available.
 
lunde: I have never held a Sabenza ( well I might have at our last So Cal get together) but I didn't get to use it. The Sabenza's lock looks beefy and trust worthy. I like that. But they don't seem to have a front guard or area where your index finger is sucked in for a secure purchase. I do see ridges or some sort of grip there. Does that provide a secure purchase? I am thinking for thrusts. Thanks.
 
Axis locks are probably the strongest design out there. A well made frame-lock probably comes in second, maybe even about the same. Liner-locks are said to be weak by some, but I've always had good success with them - no failures. The only locks I've had fail are cheap lockbacks, which is to be expected. The good ones have never let me down.

This is just from what I've gathered over the years, through use and reading the experiences of others. Also, I don't use my folders to the extreme, although I've had a few tips snap from doing things I shouldn't have been doing. :D
 
i would use nothing but a strider, chris reeve, hinderer, anso, munroe design, cnc bladewerkz, or warren thomas. look to be spending well over most busses on the secondary market for the lot of those. the strider and chris reeves are the only production folders i would even consider, all the rest are more custom makers and cost alot more.
 
I have a BM 705 and 710. The Axis locks are first rate. I still like good old-fashioned lockbacks and currently carry a Spyderco Caly III with this lock. Also a fan of the Buck 110. Just a tank of a knife for the money. I have owned a Sebenza but sold it as I'm just not a fan of metal handled knives. It did have the best liner-style lock I've seen (though I suppose it's technically a "frame lock"). If I were to try another Sebbie, I'd get one with the micarta inlays.
 
zdp mini cyclone from kershaw- its 150 and worth that and then some-

next would be a custom-there is a model 2 obenof(sp) in the for sale area at a great price-

a hinderer if you can find one(no you cant have mine)
trisak at yunaknives does a real heavy duty folder also(you not getting mine either)

the best knife for the dollar imho is the zdp mini
 
Tyrkon Lawson, I found a 4 page thread started by Book'em, AND VTW's thread, the links are below. :thumbup: MY personal recommendation, and probably the last folder I'll buy until the BUSSE folder, is a Hinderer XM-18. Tough & solid, these are ready for duty (The XM-18 is the bottom knife, the top is a Hinderer Firetac Extreme:
Hinderers_Front.jpg


What Folders do other Busse fans carry, by Book'em,

I Need Advice....., by ValleyTinWorks


:D:thumbup:
 
How big a knife are you looking for? I love my ZT300, it is beefy, solid lock, good grip with the textured titanium lock side and the textured G10 opposite side, plus it is an assisted knife. You can find them barely used for $200 - $240. Other than that, you can get a used small or large Sebenza for $250 - $275, for some reason though, I can't seem to keep them, I have bought and sold maybe ten of them.
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
lunde: I have never held a Sabenza ( well I might have at our last So Cal get together) but I didn't get to use it. The Sabenza's lock looks beefy and trust worthy. I like that. But they don't seem to have a front guard or area where your index finger is sucked in for a secure purchase. I do see ridges or some sort of grip there. Does that provide a secure purchase? I am thinking for thrusts. Thanks.
Click to expand...

You handled my Small Sebenza at our get together.....you'll definitely get to use it next time :p...I think we were all a little preoccupied with all the INFI at the time!!!

The Sebenza locking mechanism: The frame lock, is pretty much the beefiest lock you'll find (other than some customs). It's thicker than the Strider Frame Locks when you look at the cut outs.....and there's less to break than the Axis lock. I personally don't know which is stronger as I haven't seen either break, but I would think the frame lock is stronger....The two locking mechanisms I go with are axis and frame. I've had quite a few folders and those were always my favorites.

I'd say if you've got the extra cash....get a Sebenza, you can't go wrong with the small OR large....Classic OR Regular. The classic has a little cutout for your index finger...you won't be slipping and the Regular has the groves cut into the front and the lockbar. I'd say the Regular is the most secure grip, but the Classic is the most aestheticly pleasing and the most comfortable. The classic is also easier to close. The other difference is that the Regular has slightly more belly and less of a tip than the Classic while the classic has a very acute tip.

It's all personal preferance when it comes to choosing between the two knives and different styles. I like the Large because there's not much it can't do, but the small isn't far behind and you can't even feel it in your pocket :thumbup:

With Benchmade, the Mini Ruckus is a great deal for a titanum frame lock with s30v....the 710D2 is a great large axis folder, the 707/705 are both great smaller versions (with different style blades) of the 710, and you just can't go wrong with a Griptillian which I've gotten for as low as $50 off Evilbay.
 
As a folder collector I can add my 2 cts:

I've had or handled nearly all production folders high end (Sebbies, ZT's Striders, Microtechs, MOD's etc) and also low end (CRKT, Nieto, Opinel, etc) and everything inbetween.

Allthough I appreciate the workmanship in a higher end folder, a functional knife doesn't have to be that rediculously priced.

I'd say don't spend too much on a folder and save up for a Busse:D

If you like Spyderco go for a Chinook or (mini) Manix (back-lock).
If you're more of a Benchmade man go for the Griptilian (axis lock).

If you want something much cheaper that is just as good go for a Trance or Subcom from Böker. It's a CLB design knife (CLB stands for Chad Los Banos the designer of the knife). Great guy and he understands knifedesign.

My own edc is the Chinook II hollow grind from Spyderco and a Trance as back-up.

Good luck hunting!!!
 
I haven't stopped carrying my Spyderco Zdp-189 Caly 3 since I got it. The Spyderco Manix is another beautiful knife., but might be too big for California. I love the axis lock, but most Benchmade knives are over priced and uncomfortable. I think Sal Glesser is a master of ergonomics. I held a Sebenza and it wasn't very comfortable in my hand. Let it be known that Sal Glesser (founder of Spyderco) made pocket knives what they are today.
 
Jaxx said:
Tyrkon Lawson, I found a 4 page thread started by Book'em, AND VTW's thread, the links are below. :thumbup: MY personal recommendation, and probably the last folder I'll buy until the BUSSE folder, is a Hinderer XM-18. Tough & solid, these are ready for duty (The XM-18 is the bottom knife, the top is a Hinderer Firetac Extreme:
Hinderers_Front.jpg


What Folders do other Busse fans carry, by Book'em,

I Need Advice....., by ValleyTinWorks


:D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

That's been my conclusion as well, brother. Sadly, just try finding an XM-18!!

Mr. Hinderer says he'll be sending some out 'any time now' to some of his favorite retailers. You can find their links on Hinderer's web-page.

The XM-18 is very desirable...and there just aren't enough to go around.
 
Another point about the sebenza is it will be easy to find and they can do a complete refurbish at a good price in a short time...if ever needed that is. It is also very easy to break down for cleaning. Can't think of a stronger lock.

For a much better and slightly bigger grip go with the Micarta inlays. For me the plain small is to thin without them.

IMG_1815.jpg
 
a few ti framelocks for you too look at-far left-zdp mini-far right bradley alias2
top-bottom-strider pt , yuna hard 2 , matsuoka , 3" all ti xm18 , camillus dominator


knivesagain.jpg
 
OldPhysics said:
That's been my conclusion as well, brother. Sadly, just try finding an XM-18!!

Mr. Hinderer says he'll be sending some out 'any time now' to some of his favorite retailers. You can find their links on Hinderer's web-page.

The XM-18 is very desirable...and there just aren't enough to go around.
Click to expand...

Give the hype some time to die down, and he should open up orders again. But you'd better be ready to get one in when he does! :D
 
I have only held a Hinderer xm-18 and I’d love to own one, it was a tank and looks great too.

I have a Sebenza and it is a very nice knife but it is $400+.

To me Spyderco makes the best bang for the buck folders and the very strong ones are the Manix and Chinook, but I don’t like the Chinook’s blade shape. The Para Military is also a great knife and has the compression lock which I like the function of better than the back lock. The new Caly III is a bit smaller but feels great in my hand and has plenty of blade.

The Benchmade 710 is also a fine knife at about $110.00. But in my opinion the only Benchmade that competes with the Spydercos (value wise) is often over looked; it is the Presidio. If you said I had to go into the back country and take a folder that is the one (that I own) that I’d take. In fact like the Presidio best of all the folders that I own and is the last one I’d give up. I have one made for the Euro market so it has a shorter blade but the US market ones should be even better with about and extra ¼ of blade.

If you want to PM me your mailing address and pay for shipping I’ll send you all of these to look at (except for the Para I sold mine). You may want to pass on one of the Sebenzas as they will drive up the insurance cost on the shipping. I’m leaving on a trip Tuesday morning so maybe I’d get them sent out before I go.

Here is a photo: from top to bottom with some Busses content for reference..

BM 710
Busse LMRS
BM Presidio
Spyderco CF Military
Busse AD
Chinook
Busse AD
Manix
Mini Manix
Ocelot (I like this blade shape)
Caly III
Game Warden
LG Sebenza
Sm Sebenza

folders.jpg
 
Tony, you had me sold on the Presidio until I saw it was an aluminum handle. Just not my cup of tea. Won a Pardue BM 720 with Axis lock once. Just never could get used to the metal handles and finally sold it.

What do you think of that Ocelot besides liking the blade shape? I like the G-10 scales and the high (low-ride) clip. Blade shape has the look of the old Wegner or Wegner Jr. Also, how do they get those tracks on there? :confused:

Ocelot.jpg
 
Guyon said:
Tony, you had me sold on the Presidio until I saw it was an aluminum handle. Just not my cup of tea. Won a Pardue BM 720 with Axis lock once. Just never could get used to the metal handles and finally sold it.

What do you think of that Ocelot besides liking the blade shape? I like the G-10 scales and the high (low-ride) clip. Blade shape has the look of the old Wegner or Wegner Jr. Also, how do they get those tracks on there? :confused:
Click to expand...


These things are so personal that you just never know. Me, I love the aluminum as I has a lot of bite when I hold it with cold hands or gloves.

The Ocelot is just so right as to size as well 7.5 inches overall and the blade just over 3. I also like the fit in my hand. Some knives just fit your hand better than others.... this one was made for my hand.

The paw prints are cut into the slabs and although they add grip it is not very functional as they fill up with junk, food, blood etc etc. May guys fill them in with epoxy or something.
If you ever want to look at these I can send them to you. You should really try the Presidio, at least to see the blade shape. To me it is that perfect drop point shape that we have talked about. I have seen guys send off their Presidios to have carbon or G-10 inlayed. I nearly bought one of those used.
 
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