Please recommend a pocket folder, blade 3.4"-3.8" for EDC

ZDHart

ZDHart

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
471
I'm starting to think about my next knife. For this one I want a pocket folder meeting these general requirements:

Blade: 3.4" to 3.8" or so
Steel: 154CM, S30V, D2, or similar grade
Weight: lighter somewhat preferred to heavier, but flexible
Thickness: slimmer somewhat preferred to thicker, but flexible
Lock: axis, ball bearing, frame, or liner
Use: light to medium duty, EDC for just an average suburban joe
Price: around $200 or LESS

What might your top suggestions be? Reasoning for your choice sure appreciated. Thank you.

I've been doing some homework and collecting data for awhile. Knives being considered are:

===========Blade=Wt.==Hndl=Open=Width==Lock==Steel==Handle
940 Osborne........3.4.....2.9.....4.5.....7.9.....0.41.....Axis.....S30V.....Alum
Blur....................3.4.....4.0.....4.5.....7.9...............Liner.....S30V.....Alum
Tenacious............3.4.....4.4.....4.4.....7.8...............Liner..8Cr13MoV...G10
Manix 2...............3.4.....5.1.....4.6.....8.1............Ball Brng...154CM...G10
G Bradley.............3.4.....5.5.....4.7.....8.1..............Liner........M4.....CFiber
Bone Collector......3.4.....5.6.....4.8.....8.2.....0.74.....Axis.....D2.....G10
550HG Griptilian ..3.5.....3.3.....4.6.....8.1.....0.64.....Axis.....154CM.....Noryl
930 Kulgera.........3.6.....3.0.....4.4.....8.0.....0.47.....Axis.....S30V.....G10
Alias I.................3.6.....4.1.....4.7.....8.6.....0.42.....Frm.....S30V.....Titn
950 Rift...............3.7.....4.8.....4.6.....8.3.....0.56.....Axis.....154CM.....G10
790 Subrosa.........3.8.....3.8.....4.6.....8.4.....0.41.....Frm.....S30V.....Titn
Junk Yard Dog 2....3.8.....5.2.....4.9.....8.6...............Liner.....13C26.....G10
Spec Bump...........3.8.....5.3.....4.9.....8.5...............Stud.....S30V.....G10

I know the 940 Osborne is a classic goodie that will get a lot of votes for sure. But I think I may want to go with just a tad beefier knife than the 940.

In slightly longer blades, going by specs alone, the Kulgera is looking really good for blade length, very light weight, short overall. Seems like it would be nice in the pocket. Alias I seems good as well, being fairly light weight for its size. The Bone Collector really appeals to me, but might it feel a tad too heavy in the pocket? The JYD2 and Spec Bump also look like they might feel a little heavy in the pocket? Perhaps?

One major factor that I can't determine from looking at the specs is how the knives feel and handle... for that, especially, I'm looking for your thoughts.
 
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Not sure on the specs, but also check out the combative edge m1

for the price it is a lot of knife.

Also, I love my BM940 for light EDC - I typically carry my 940 and an izula every day.
 
Looks like you've done your homework. Since you have the Alias 1 on there, go for that most definitely. IMO is better $ for $ than a Sebenza. Also, I'll beat FlaMtnBkr in recommending the Rift, as well.
 
I gotta go with the Rift here! I got it 3 months ago and it has left all my other folders collecting dust.

P1090345.jpg
 
emerson cqc-7A or B, mini commander, horseman or mini 15
benchmade large Ritter griptilian, 520 presidio, 615 mini rukus
spyderco Gayle Bradley, military if you can squeeze the size up a bit

the Gayle Bradley is a beastly folder, heavy and very rigid. if that's your thing, it's a great choice.
 
The Rift. Every knife nut should own one. It is not only my favorite Benchmade, but it is my favorite knife - period. I have to carry multiple knives just so my other knives get some carry time because a 950 never leaves my front right pocket.

Everyone needs to get one, you won't regret it.
 
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Of the knives you listed, for me, it would come down to a choice between the Junkyard Dog II and the Bradley.
 
Several votes for Rift and none for Kulgera... I would have expected the opposite as the Kulgera is much lighter, slimmer, has better steel? Has the Kulgera been not that well received?
 
I know what is wrong with the Kulgera. The obvious problem is that the lock bar does not project out of the handle far enough to work the knife with one digit. Don't buy one unless you try its peculiar undersized Axis lock. The less obvious problem is that the blade pivot screw is reduced in size relative to the 940/943. Bigger knife, smaller screw! Doesn't compute. I like the 943 better than the 940. Sharper point. I like the Ti and Carbon fiber handles on the 940/943, but they take the price above $200.
 
OK... many of you guys will probably get quite a chuckle out of this...

In the midst of this decision, I was perusing a Benchmade retailer's website and inadvertently came across a Benchmade knife which I had never seen nor heard of before... the Pika. I'm thinking most of you know all about them and may scoff at them as compared to the premium USA Benchmades which definitely command more respect around here. And the fact that they are H-D branded no doubt turns off some folks here as well. (I too would prefer the knife with Benchmade branding rather than HK or H-D branding, but oh well... on with the story.)

Anyway, I dropped by YouTube real quick to learn a little about this knife I'd never heard of before. Turns out the latest version of this knife got a very good reception among the "YouTube gang." The one I was looking at online is the most recent production with the G10 scales, 9Cr13 steel, blue titanium spine and was offered at $54. It seemed to me that this knife might be an "ok" buy on a decent quality 3.5" off-shore Benchmade... so guess what... yes, I had been drinking...:rolleyes:.... I impulsively hit the "BUY" button. :o

BMPikaG10.jpg


Well, it will arrive tomorrow or Monday so I'll be able to determine then how far adrift I went with this... I figured at least this $54 will buy me some more thinking time on which higher end 3.5" knife I will choose. And I like Spyder holes for opening anyway. So... if worse comes to worse... I can always gift it to someone ~or~ it can become a beater "glove box knife" on my... H-D Road Glide! :eek: ;)

Who knows... maybe I'll luck out and it'll turn out to be a pretty good knife for the money? Crazy, I guess.... I could'a had a Grip 550 for $14 more.:rolleyes: Guess this one is a learning experience for me to watch myself on the "Buy It" button.
 
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Anyone here know much about the Buck Vantage Pro? Specs look good.

Buck Vantage Pro... blade S30V 3.3" weight 4.2oz. closed: 4.4" open: 7.6" Liner lock Handle: G10 Price around $60 Made in the USA.

Someone in a knife shop recently told me that Buck were great knives at one time but that their new stuff isn't so great anymore. So does the Vantage Pro fall into the "not so great anymore" category? The materials look good, so is it the design, or the fit & finish, or customer service that has slipped?
 
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