"Outdoors" folder or auto

J-man_the_jet

J-man_the_jet

Joined
Jan 24, 2003
Messages
2,110
A folder or an auto, you don't have to worry about getting muck in, or worry about being exposed to rain without having to wipe it with a tuf-cloth. One that has decent slicing and skinning ability, but can also whittle etc. Handle materiel is also another one. Looking mainly at G10, but aluminum is okay. I have a Buck 110 and love it to death, as my main "outdoors folder". I'm also looking to keep this above 3.5" but under 4".

Spyderco Military (own in CE, want PE too)
BM 710
BM 806 (has an almost clip style blade)
BM 550/551
Chris Reeve Large Sebenza
Microtech Halo II
Ruger all weather (less known auto... looks fugly, mixed reviews, but I sorta like it)
Microtech UMS
 
I wouldn't want to use an axis lock or auto folder for messy jobs. Sure, they'll still function, but I don't like the thought of having fish guts jammed into the omega spring cavity. I'd go for a smallish fixed blade, but if you have to stay with folders, I'd choose a framelock because they have less holes and cavities to collect muck.
 
How about the Blade-tech Pro Hunter? G-10 scales, built like the Military, but has dual nested liners instead of just one. S30V steel. Awesome knife, outdoors or otherwise.
 
I have been using that inexpensive All Weather Companion. Truth be told, it was what I was looking for during the sloppy winter, and it just happens to be an auto. (During my silly teenage years, I carried stilettos, so the 'gadget factor' is over for me. The knife is the knife, and the opening mechanism does not improve a crappy design).

I've explained to my friends how impervious this thinng is to rain and snow, and that it's a 60 Rc ATS-34, to boot. It is a 'very sharp' +23 degrees, and I hope it goes 'spooky' by the third touch up.

If I had to clean it from field dressing, the sprayer in the sink would probably do the job. There's little worry of rust, the handle is all nylon.

Sometimes a trusted friend needs a knife, or has a really cheap, as in 'cheap' knife. I can give him a knife like this and never look back. I can find another one someplace, it's a true tool.
 
like alphaalpha-i'd consider "cleanup" especially with skinning; the axis lock is difficult. military is great but blade style makes it a difficult skinner. sere2000 accomplishes both skinning & easy cleanup. I carry the sere but am nervous about losing it in the bush so its usually buried in my pack. the last 2 years i have carried a fixed blade cold steel master hunter along with the folder. great resilient stout hunter and you can purchase a factory second for approx.$45.00-economical peace of mind for potential loss or field abuse.
 
If you're a 110 fan why not get an auto conversion. Only down side is you can open them manually. If you are set on an auto, I'd suggest a dual action. Nice to have that "fail-safe" opening. One of the Microtechs would do nicely. The Diskin/Valotton or the Timberline Valotton are both D/A's under $140.

Dayuhan
 
Originally posted by dayuhan13
If you're a 110 fan why not get an auto conversion. Only down side is you can open them manually. If you are set on an auto, I'd suggest a dual action. Nice to have that "fail-safe" opening. One of the Microtechs would do nicely. The Diskin/Valotton or the Timberline Valotton are both D/A's under $140.

Dayuhan
Click to expand...

I'm not a big hughe 110 fan, but I do have an eye and fondness for them been thinking of the auto conversions. But the D/A is one I haven't been thinking of. The LCC D/A would make a good one. But then again, I'm on a budget too.

And guys about my previous thing on handle materials, go all out on em' :)
 
I don't want to fall into the trap of always recommending the same knife for everything. However... :D ...you should consider the Camillus Maxx Bowie. It is big, tough, reliable, versatile, easy to clean, and just about too simple for anything to go wrong.

If you want something more along the lines of an auto you can go for the Maxx's cousin, the Camillus Aftermath. The ROBO assisted opener gives you most advantages of an auto.

For what it's worth, I carried a Maxx every day for more than a year until the Aftermath came out and replaced it. I have yet to find a fault with either.

--Bob Q
 
Benchmade 5000. Ambidextrous, easy cleanup with a sink sprayer or a good swish in the stream. I,ve never had any issues with stuff getting stuck in the omega spring cavities. YMMV.
 
If you like the 110 then you should check out AG Russell's Strike Force. G-10 scales, aluminum integral frame, VG-10 blade, thinly ground. It's the best of the 110 "clones", better than the 110 IMO.

I carry a Benchmade 720 a lot for hunting and have cleaned dozens of squirrel with it, have had zero problems. The blade profile is also perfectly suited for skinning/cleaning game. G-10 or Aluminum scales - I would go for G-10.

I would go with a lockback or Axis personally, the Axis is a pretty open design so it cleans up easily enough after each trip...
 
Well, you can't go wrong with a Sebenza. If you want to keep the price down, the Buck 560 would be a good choice. A.G. Russell's strike force looks like it would serve well too.

Paul
 
Sebenza would be a great choice. Open design will not collect the "muck" plus it is designed to be user serviceable, which means if it does get "muck" all over it, you can take it apart when you get a chance to clean it. Plus it's an incredibly durable folder with a great blade shape. That would deffinetly be my choice if you can afford it.

I don't have any experience with the others, but I think I'd look at the Military as my next option.
 
I was thinking about the same thing last week, when I handled a Spydee Chinook( old model) Can´t be any tougher I think. Tank of a knife. Strong backlock. Like a 110 on steroids. If it was a folder for the outdoors that´ll be my choice. However the Maxx Bowie looks damn appealing too. Probaly easier to clean too. If you want to avoid folders alltogether, a Swamprat Bandicoot could be prime choice, from what I´ve read - haven´t handled them tho.

Matthias
 
The BM 710HS or 806D2 would be great the 550 Grip is also a great outdoors user most likely one of the best alround user abuser that BM has made in the last little while. Good enought to do just about anything cheap enough not to cause major mental break downs should you loose it.

Since you can get the 551 in D2 from a third party that is an option to consider.
 
I highly recommend you take a look at the Almar NOMAD,It is now my folder for outdoors and is perfect for cleaning game and to whittle.

It has a thumb ramp and choil that help in choking up real close to the tip for fine/delicate cutting.Its not a big folder so it doesnt feel like its in the way.

VG-10 with G10 scales and stainless liners is hard to beat,Plus its razor sharp with a nice flat grind.......Its my favorite folder:D
 
If you like the 110, you could go to PCKS and take your pick of handle materials and steel.

You might also consider the large, locking SAKs - Locksmith, TrailMaster, and Centurian. I have a Locksmith and think very highly of it for outdoor chores and woodcraft. I have never cleaned game with it though. It might work for small game and filleting fish.
 
I've got a Spyderco Wegner that was built for skinning and is plenty sturdy for general outdoor use. Though discontinued, can probably be found on forums and I believe is now available from another well respected company in S30V steel (help me out guys on the current maker). I believe the blade's around 3 5/8".
 
Got the answer. Blade Tech now makes the Wegner design. It's called the Wegner Pro Hunter, and those who own it only have good things to say about it. It's a folder made for dressing animals in the most demanding of circumstances.
 
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