Recommendation? Outdoors/construction/edc blade. One knife to rule them all!

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PontiacGTFO

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Nov 19, 2018
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Hello all! Long time lurker who finally has a question I need help with. All input is welcome and appreciated!

In a few months I'll be moving as far west and about as far north as possible on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. I'll be volunteering with a group of like-minded individuals, helping to build yurts and zero energy homes. I'll also be spending as much time as I can in old growth rainforest, brushing up on my bushcrafting skills. Some of the locals rely heavily on fishing for sustenance, so I imagine I'll find myself on a boat in the Pacific Ocean from time to time as well.

I need a hard-use folder. Something that can stand up to the rigors of what I described. A robust locking system, and steel that holds a nice edge and isn't ridiculous to re-sharpen. Low-maintenance would be great too. Despite the fact I'll be contending with salt water and lots of rain, I'm not married to the idea the blade must be H-1 (or something equally rust proof). Knives are tools, and this one is going to get a thorough beating, but I also believe in "the right tool for the job". No batoning or stabbing through a car door, as I have a Becker BK2 for that. ;)

I have MASSIVE hands (3XL), so if the blade is somewhere around 4 inches, that's pretty ideal for me. I'm Canadian, but I know most of you aren't, so after the conversion my budget is roughly $230 USD. I don't have any folders I'd consider tough enough for this chapter of my life. I know that 3 is 2 and 2 is 1, and a few knives I have would make a decent backup though.

I have experience with Spyderco, Cold Steel, and Steel Will mainly, and I've been looking at Benchmade recently. Also, this knife sort of just snuck up on me:

https://delta2alpha.com/shop/h2sierra/

I'm probably forgetting some important details, but that's all I've got for now. Help me find my new go-to blade. Any comments or questions; shoot!
 
NOTE: I'm not a Spyderco fanboy, but a Spyderco in H1 or (?)L200N makes sense in this case 100%.

If it does not have to be a folder get the Spyderco serrated edge Paramilitary 2.

If it needs to be a folder look at the Spyderco Salt Series.

There are other companies that make knives that deal with salt, but they are not cheap.
 
Since you have already been looking at Spyderco, Cold Steel, and Benchmade, I won't mention anything they offer, although they do have some models that could suit your purposes.

Another brand that comes to mind is Zero Tolerance. The 562 comes in 20CV or S35VN, and is a beefy knife, albeit with a blade a little shorter than your preference (3.5"). The 640 has a 3.75" 20CV blade and could be a contender, and the 850 also has a 3.75" 20CV blade.
 
Benchmade Presidio II or Contego. Some folks might say the axis lock isn't that robust, but they've always worked well for me. Alternatively, the Manix2 XL might do the trick for you.
 
Sir, If I was going into the situation you find your self in ,a folder would be the last knife I would take. Going into the wild with a folder as your primary can and will come back and bite you.
Your budget will buy all types of fixed blades that are far more serviceable "in the bush ". Imho
 
Probably over budget and it's very big for pocket carry , but very durable (if you insist on a folder ):

 
Airborne 1 said:
Sir, If I was going into the situation you find your self in ,a folder would be the last knife I would take. Going into the wild with a folder as your primary can and will come back and bite you.
Your budget will buy all types of fixed blades that are far more serviceable "in the bush ". Imho
Click to expand...

^^^^This is exactly what I am thinking. You can get an Spyderco Aqua Salt serrated in H1 for USD$100 and a literal handful of stainless Mora’s for well under your budget. I can’t think of any situation you won’t be able to handle easily. Plus the handles are great for your giant paws.
 
Smaug said:
I'd probably go with a Cold Steel Recon 1 and a camp axe. Pocket the rest.
Click to expand...
For this budget, he could also add a decent fixed blade. But with a hatchet or camp axe to boot, is it really necessary?

That comment that a folder "can and will fail you" is pure keyboard commando. Just don't use it as a prybar and you'll be fine. Use the hatchet/axe as a prybar instead. ;)
 
Thanks for the responses so far guys. A few points:

-I've actually got a Spyderco Pacific Salt. It's a sweet blade but it's not as overbuilt and confidence-inspiring as what I had in mind..
-I'll take a closer look at ZT. For whatever reason, I never think about that brand, although I do like their designs.
-I've definitely heard mixed things about the axis lock. The Crooked River and Contego look sweet though.
-Buck 110 is a classic, but I'm looking for one-handed opening. I should have mentioned that in OP.
-That Real Steel looks killer!
-I used to own a Cold Steel Recon 1 in Aus-8. If I can source one in CTS-XHP we might have something here!
-As far as fixed vs folder is concerned, I mentioned I'm bringing my Becker BK2 with me.
-I love the 4Max, and all of Andrew Demko's designs. Too rich for my blood though.
-A friend of mine just picked up an Emerson blade recently and absolutely HATED it. Apparently the quality control was skipped completely.
-I've been considering the Spydie Military for more than a week now.
-That Adamas looks like an absolute BEAST!!
 
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