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

[Colorodo]

Manix 2 CPM 4V

 

[ShannonSteelLabs]

I would reccomend a spydercoCaribbean. It's a large knife and designed for that use.
LC200N nitrogen stainless is no joke. Excellent steel.

Personally I would use a fixed blade in LC200N. I make a model that could be modified for your needs.
Apex EDC
Standard is 3.5 inch blade 4.25 inch handle.
But I can build to suit larger size requirements.
Z-Finit = LC200N. same steel. Just different name. Same manufacturer.

 

[115Italian]

Spyderco military Spyderco manix xl Cold steel recon 1

 

[James Y]

If you already have a fixed blade for harder use, folder for more precise use...for a folder, I like the Spyderco Caribbean. It's in LC200N steel. 'Leaf' blade for pointier tip, or in sheepsfoot blade. The handle is substantial.

Jim

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

With a budget of 230 dollars I would buy a range of tools rather than just one locking folder.

A bahco laplander
A fillet knife, can be also used as your kitchen knife.
Fiskars X7 hatchet
Those 3 you could buy for less than 80 dollars

Personally I would leave out the BK2 as it's too thick and wide for effective wood carving and not particularly long enough for easy batoning and poor at chopping. If you had a light hatchet you wouldn't need a small tank of a fixed blade.

I would spend the remaining 150 dollars on a multi tool and a capable stainless woods/hunting fixed blade.

 

[RayseM]

I, 2nd suggestion by reppans Post # 37 - COLD STEEL SR1 TRI-AD 4" blade - 9-3/8 OAL - so a big handle. Locking folder with one hand opening. Rugged and affordable.

Just a thought.

Ray

 

[NG VI]

I don't really love Cold Steel, but I feel like whatever you choose, the sadly named Broken Skull should be considered as a second knife. It's long, light, strong, you might be able to track it down in CTS-XHP instead of S35VN, it's inexpensive and therefore replaceable should things go squirrely while using it, and it's a nice slim clip point. The Manix2 Lightweight is another big, strong, light knife with a great blade that would be a good knife to leave in a jacket or backpack.

But for the main attraction I would look at the Bradford Guardian 4/4.5 whatever.

 

[Blacplastik]

Yes

 

[Blacplastik]

Well if I was in your shoes and had a fixed blade on me. I would be looking at a leather man. All you need in a good package.
But if you just want a folding knife Benchmade

 

[rswanson]

Unless I missed some pertinent information in my brief scan of the initial post and responses, I'm not sure why you're looking for a folder. The tasks and environment sound like a job for a fixed blade.

Stay away from Benchmade knives with Axis Locks. Salt corrosion will destroy the omega springs.

I would buy a Morakiv Kansbol in Sanvik steel and a Buck 110 in 420c and call it a day. This might not be the sexy, knifeknut option but it sounds to me like you're possibly going to trash these tools so I'd go cheap/dependable. With your budget, you can buy replacements and never notice any fiscal pain.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a Benchmade Mini Presidio II which I think is quite robust in its construction with about a 3.25" blade nestled into a ~4" handle. Pair that with a reliable fixed blade that you are comfortable with. I would not take the BK-2. Stick a SAK into your carry bag/pack as a backup with tools and perhaps your favorite pliers based multi-tool.

 

[Mick_1KRR]

Recon 1
Adamas
Military

In that order since you want an all round robust knife, Recon cannot be beaten in it's price/weight range.

 

[Comeuppance]

Manix 2 CPM 4V

I clicked on this thread and this was both what I had in mind and the first post I saw.

100% this. CPM 4V can cut cables without rolling an edge. Given the amount of fiber-reinforced materials anyone in construction is likely to need to cut, it is the absolute best choice.

 

[allenC]

I recommend the Spyderco Keating Chinook.

 

[PontiacGTFO]

You guys are awesome! I was away from the computer for a couple days, and I see a bunch more great input was posted in my absence.

I decided on the Cold Steel SR-1 (tanto). Andrew Demko is the man, and this knife is perfectly overbuilt for my purposes. As one person mentioned, the idea was to get a knife I can carry and will be able to handle various scenarios when it's the only tool I've got on me. The website I use for my outdoor gear is offering a good deal on it for Black Friday to boot! The Ultimate Hunter was next in the running, but it's just a bit too small for my meaty paws. I should also mention, I'll be carrying my Victorinox Swisstool on this journey, so my multi-tool needs will be covered when it's on-hand. Although I already own a Becker BK-2, I'm starting to rethink it's practicality. A small Fiskars hatchet might be the ticket going forward.

Again, thanks for the replies. I've re-read the whole thread a few times, and you've given me lots to think about. Have a fun weekend everyone.

 

[reppans]

Great choice, that's my new EDC/woods knife.

Don't be afraid to take a file/dremel/sandpaper to it smooth it out some... there's some rough/sharp edges/surfaces, and especially the G10 under the clip (remove clip first) if you want to preserve your pants. I kind of like the ability to fine tune the tactile feel to my tastes.

 

[gadgetgeek]

I see you've got your choices pretty settled, but I'll add my thoughts for anyone else following along and thinking along the same lines.
I'd be leaning towards a lighter folder. Since the BK2 will handle the bigger tasks. I've not spent much time at all in the BC old-growth, but from what I do know, chopping and battening will be much more limited to pretty small stuff anyway, and its not like you will be building a house with just the BK2. I like the idea of a solid leatherman, like the Wave or 300 for any time I'm doing anything sort of semi-urban building/work/fun. That will likely see more use than a dedicated folder, at least on the job-site (swisstool is also a great choice). I'd go for a folder that also can handle your food prep/fishing/ or a smaller fixed for that purpose (easier to clean).
As for BK2 vs. hatchet, personal taste. I don't think either will really have a solid advantage where you are going, personal technique will make a bigger difference than the tool.
As much as its kinda a dumb idea, as in not terribly practical, summer in bear country, a fixed blade will be a better idea than almost anything else if it comes to that. So the BK still has a place I think. But to each their own.

 

[bdmicarta]

There are lots that would work including Benchmade Adamas or Contego, Spyderco Manix 2 XL, Cold Steel Recon, ZT 0561. For construction and EDC I use my Manix 2 in M4 steel, but for outdoors use I would probably prefer something larger. However you are getting to the point where a fixed blade knife would be a better choice if you are allowed to carry one.

 

[The Grendels]

As someone who also has unusually large paws, I completely understand your views on ergonomics. They had a hard time finding gloves that fit me for my first aid course and I'm certain many people don't realize how lucky they are that I never became a proctologist. A round handled fixed blade is ideal for the bush, something like a Puukko or the Esee 4HM. I really don't like the way the flat handled fixed blades feel in my hand when I'm using them.

Two Benchmade knives that I really like how they fill my hand are the Griptilion and Adamas. I also love the feel of the Crooked River but it's almost too pretty to use.

Zero Tolerance are known for their overbuilt tank knives, but most of them will fill out my hand nicely. A lot of them will be at the upper range or out of your budget, but they make a lot of very fine blades.

The robust Cold Steel knives that were designed by Andrew Demko are also worth considering: American Lawman and AK-47. Both of them and the longtime flagship Cold Steel Recon 1 are now being made with CPM-S35VN steel.

 

[kobold]

edit: oops, missed the part saying you are already good for a fixie.

I would also like to suggest a fixed blade. I really like these new models from Condor:

Or how about something traditional, matching the environment, such as a leuku-puukko combo in a suitable steel?

A folder would be useful as a backup to these. Maybe a Military or Manix 2 in S110V?