Poll: What folder would you bet your life on?

I totally 100% absolutely agree with Corduroy
. SPYDERCO CIVILIAN is the ONLY folder I'll bet my life on....just saw James Keating instructional video and you'll swear by this amazing piece of cutlery

 
My first choice would an unpopular one I'm afraid, my MT clip point Socom. I tested the lock and trust it, I can't white knuckle a lock release. It feels very good in my hand, it's got a good guard IMO. And I can deploy it very fast and to me it's the best ambidextrious opening folder I know.
I also got my Sebenza on me, but since it is used daily I doesn't have the sharpest edge every day.

BTW, the folders only come into play if my feet can't run away and my CRK Shadow IV or RJ Martin Quickening has been magically transported out of my waistband.
wink.gif


[This message has been edited by Mr Blonde (edited 18 October 1999).]
 
Well, actually, I guess I do bet my life every day on the the ability of the one(s) that I leave the house with every morning to get me out of any trouble I encounter. Otherwise, I'd be carrying something else. Anyway, those vary, but regularly include my BM710 and my Spydie Native.

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Sometimes you're the windshield; sometimes you're the bug.
Outlaw_Dogboy


 
The Civilian and the Matriarch are excellent designs for the "slash and dash" philosophy.They pretty much give up the stabbing option though.Ideally,slash and dash is the best way to get out of this situation If your path is cut off or you are facing multiple assailants,the ability to stab may come in very handy.
For this reason,I like recurved blades such as the Commander or the Sifu.They are great slashers but still maintain an ability to stab if need be.Plus I have absolute confidence in their toughness And construction .Confidence keeps me from being tentative,which can surely lead to trouble.
David
AKTI#150
 
Now that I am out of the service, I will not run unless it is at gunpoint. I hate jogging so I hate sprinting even more. . . no slash & dash here.

Against Mutt and Jeff and one screwdriver, I almost agree with Jackyl and say take the screwdriver and jam it where the sun don't shine. However there are two assailants and one needs to be able to keep at bay/scare the bejezesus out of both simultaneously.

Picking the folder is difficult. My first instinct says REKAT Pocket Hobbit for the sheer terror factor and the sheer damage it could do, especially as a potentially two sided slasher. When I think speed of deployment I think BM AFCK in M2 with the Spydie Hole.

When I think, "Make them pay for trying it," I think of my Myerchin with the marlinspike. Why? Because the spike is pointy, dull, but solid enough to penetrate, THAT spike would hurt sumthin' terrible.

Pocket Hobbit is the best choice IMHO.

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Real artists ship--Steve Jobs

[This message has been edited by Oregon Duck (edited 20 October 1999).]
 
I'd go with my REKATS: Pocket Hobbit, dual Escalators or SIFU. I can get em out & ready within a nanosecond & I KNOW the rolling lock wouldn't fail me.

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Attila
 
If I can remember back to my days in NYC. A crimonologist would tell you that your best initial move would be to yell your head off (it puts time pressure on your assalent, clarifies the situation to any passer by). Unfortunately, this is usually a little out of character, so we move to plan "B" - running like hell, or Plan "C" fighting it out (I like Cord's suggestion about the civilian).

Another knife that deserves honorable mention is the SOG TomCat, with one of the heaviest blades and strongest lockback on the market, the knife features a well centered point, with a handle shape developed to permit a strong thrust, and enough weight to help you deliver a very heavy punch.
 
Well, I'm going to talk about a piece unmentioned so far.

First, I would only discuss folders I own. Today I got a Sifu, which became my third folder.

Of the two others, the Vaquero Grande was undoubtedly the better piece when open. It's an excellent fighter...lots of belly, strong lock, good ergos. Blade steel is mediocre, smoothness only modest even with mods to the lock.

But what I carried daily on WORK days (others it's fixed Outsider) was the AlMar Quicksilver V. AlMar calls it a 5.5 but it's really closer to 6", it's almost half an inch longer than the Sifu. It's a long skinny single-edge blade with 50/50 serrations in the usual pattern (plain near tip).

It's weakness is lock strength. Stabs should be soft-target only, it's mainly a slasher.

So why pack it?

'Cuz it's FAST. It's naturally fast opening being the largest production linerlock made, but more importantly the long straight thin profile closed means it can be drawn quickly from the right sheath. I build my own in leather using a single loop of Bungee at the mouth. The upshot is, I can draw and snap it open faster than most people can get a fixed-blade out.

In an "ambush" situation the extra speed is crucial. If you're in a mess where you're unsure about whether or not to draw, if you can draw fast you can hold off drawing until the legals/morals become more clear. That's what happened with that wacked "hammers and transvestites" mess I won't rehash here.

The VG is too "fat" for any type of horizontal belt rig like I prefer.

But now, it'll be the Sifu. Right now I'm doing pocket carry only because I work real close to home, but I've got a design in mind for a horizonal Sifu holder that'll be 90% as fast as the AlMar setup and will also be cross-compatible with a Mini Maglight, eliminating the need to slip the sheath off the belt at work.

In all cases, the intimidation value of a big blade cannot be understated.

As to "rip and run" gameplans: that's fine if you can physically run. I can't, medically. Not for long. So I'll always favor a "stand and fight" blade; that shouldn't be seen as criticism of the Civilian/hawkbill gameplan.

Jim
 
I have boxes and boxes of folding knives in my house, but if I have to have one to depend my life on then it would be the Mission MPF. I can not comment on the SIFU because mine has not arrived yet.
 
I'd have to say a BM710, then BM975, then a Spyderco Matriarch, and finally, a Spyderco Police.

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831
 
I have handled the Civilian and the El Vaquero. And ended up buying the Vaquero.

The Civilian is a nasty weapon. It probably inspires more fear in your attacker oweing to that hedious serrated harpie. The handle is also more natural than the Vaquero.

However, the Vaquero has a 0.5 inche longer blade. It slashes ALMOST as well. And thrust a whole lot better.

Problem with the Civilian is that you're not going anywhere with that point.
 
Numero Uno is Cold Steel Vaquero Grande:
2.Spyderco Military
3.Microtech SOCOM
4.Spyderco Tim Wegner
5.Benchmade Pinnacle
6.Endura (custom modified to be more Military
like). Would like to see which is a better
slasher Civilian VS Emerson Eagle (both fully
serated) Both not my cup of tea since you can't thrust with either, too limiting.


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"Okay suckers, you've taken your Best Shot!
Now it's MY TURN" Wolverine (X-Man)


 
I trust my BM975 for almost anything, but when it comes to my life, I only trust my legs as they are running at full speed.

Dark Nemesis

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All the knives in the world go round and round, round and round, round and round...DAMN, one of them took my wallet !!! :)


 
Well I would feel safe using my Crawford Carnivor, Crawford KFF, my Crawford Assasin my Sebenza, my Pocket Hobbit my Emerson Commander and my Gerber Lg Applegate.
I usually switch between my Assasin and Sebenza, and my Commander , Hobbit and AF folder.
 
1.Cold Steels VG
2.Commander
3.M2 AFCK



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~Keith~
"War to the knife and knife to the hilt"

 
Sorry Misque, I didn't read your whole post before responding. The CS VG I would choose
because of reach obviously, plus serations are a must with me. I think Bruce the SHARK in Jaws is the Poster Boy for Serrations!!!
Not really worried about lock strength, maybe I will change my mind when I can do
some serious testing of my knives. Besides I read somewhere that it's the side to side
(Or should I say lateral?) strength that is the real weakness of folders. This was in the
context of Lynn Thompson & another knife mfg.
deridding the whacking the backs of folders.
My question on the Civilian is what hapens when you've stabbed Mutt and then Jeff & his
screwdriver comes up behind you. Either because you were distracted with his buddy or
you did not know he had an accomplice? The first knife fight in the movie Exposure would be a good example. Hermes has to do a split second duck and reverse thrust to BG#2
stomach after being warned by Peter Coyotoe.
However with the CS VG I don't really like using it in the rev grip. Too much of the handle sticks out and it feels akward because of blade shape. But since my daily carry knife is usally around 3.5 inches I prefer a rev grips increased leverage (and especially if fighting defensively)I like my knives to feel good in both grips since I (no great finger dexterity here) probably would not have time to change grips, and foward does have advantages for
offense (ie: I charge them slash/stab and
keep running) I guess it like the YIN&YANG
symbol of keeping things in balance not favoring one thing too much because you will be sacrifcing something else. The ability to
adapt to the widest variety of situations is
the key IMHO.
Two new knives I would like
to add to my list, even though I have not handled either.
Outdoor Edge Impulse in black, serrated &
SIFU. Also I wish all my knives could be black, I like the look and would not like
Mutt Or Jeff to see my knife untill it's
too late if at all. I like the old line "the
hardest punch I ever felt was the one I never saw " I also would like to my keep my
knife from being seen by potential witness sheeple types, for possible legal reasons.


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"Okay suckers, you've taken your Best Shot!
Now it's MY TURN" Wolverine (X-Man)


 
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