Quality Folders, help please.

S

sting

Joined
Jan 22, 2003
Messages
5
Hi,

Im new here and not sure if this has been posted before but if it has then sorry. Also this seems to be the forum for custom made knives, is there a forum that has just general knives? If so i would be glad to have this topic removed and go to one of those sites.

Anyways, on to my question. I was wondering who made the most quality folding knives. Right now i really like the SOG Flash 2, because i really like the look, have heard they are a reputable brand, and they have the flash capability. I have read of other suck good brands as Gerber, Benchmade, and Emerson. They all seem to be extremely expensive. Pretty much what i want is a good quality knife that is under or at $100.00, Black, folder, well made, built to last, and has a blade of about 3.5". No less than 3" probably. I really like the flash or spring assisted opening feature but its not a must. It would seem that the more complicated the knife is the more problems the knives would have. Does anyone know about these SOG Flash 2 knives? Are they good or just a cheap thing that is fun to watch. Any help will be greatly appreciated. If you would like to talk in private my AIM is hornetftbl51. If you contact me on that i can give you my email as i don't want my email out in the public.

Thanks,

Sting.

This was also posted on knifeforums and ckd. Sorry if im annoying people with the same posts on different forums but im trying to get the most wide spread of information.
 
I just got a Benchmade 721 today...smoothest opening folder i've ever had...just pull on the axis lock and flick your wrist and it opens...almost like an auto...

i think they sell for about $110 at newgraham...

best folder i've had...before this i've only got a crap buck 110 folder...so this is a major improvement...hehe...

don't know about the sog...but totally recommend the benchmade...
i think you can get some other benchmades like the 705 for under $100...
 
Just like a car manufacture, just some models are better than others.

Custom knives are usually even much better than production knives, but most of the times custom knife prices exceed the 100 dollar price tag.

The SOG Flash II is a great knife for the money. My boy just bought his first knife (not his first, but the first he paid for) and got the SOG Flash II and loves it. I even got myself one to have along with his. Again, you have to way the price with the particular knife and judge for yourself.

Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, CRKT, SOG, Camillus, & Gerber, just to mention a few all have their great knives in their huge line of knives they produce, but it is really too hard to actually say what are the best folders, too many good ones out there now a days by all these manufactures and so many knife users have their own likes and dislikes regarding what knife they like the most.
 
if you want a good quality folder for under a hundred bucks you need to look at spyderco.

for ~50 dollars you can get a Delica or an Endura in vg-10 steel that is a great buy for the buck. They have tons of models and if you are looking for a small bladed knife they have a large selection all under 50 dollars (most ~30)

or you can get a Benchmade Griptillian for ~60 dollars which is also a very good knife and not that expensive.

If you really want to go cheap you can get a CRKT M-16, but I really feel like it is a step down from the other too, and it will still cost you ~40 dollars.

If you like the sog flash technology you might look at the Kershaw line of assisted-openers as well. the Leek and the Chive are are fairly cheap, and quite nice in most peoples opinion.

I personally own a spyderco native, a spyderco ladybug, a crkt m-16, and a kershaw chive. I find all knives to be excellent and none of them were very expensive.
 
Welcome to the forum, Sting!

For around $60, you can get a Benchmade Griptillian from www.newgraham.com or for $107, you can get a seriously good Benchmade from www.newgraham.com as well. Its model number is 806D2 and it is a marvel of modern engineering. From the D2 blade steel in a clip point style blade to the rugged, secure handle, to the strong and attractive axis lock, it's just too cool.

If $100 is your absolute upper limit, look into Spyderco. I've seen their Delica model in the new VG-10 steel for about $39 online and their rugged Native now comes in S30V steel (gets really sharp and stays really sharp for a really long time. Really.) for $64-84. Cold Steel has a good line of folders, too, but either get the Carbon V steel folders or the serrated AUS-8 folders or they'll dull real quick (ymmv).

If you need your SOG, get it and let us know how much you like it. Otherwise, I'd suggest the Benchmade 806D2, any of the Benchmade Griptillian series, or the Spyderco Native with S30V steel (the newer one).
 
One knife really stuck in my mind when I first read your post sting. That knife is a Kershaw Avalanche. It has a good sturdy build, speed-safe action, titanium liners, g-10 handles, and a 3.25" blade. It also has a pocket clip. I have always thought it to be the best of the Kershaw speed-safes. It seems to be the most robust of the group along with striking me as a knife that will last, and last, and last. Not sure of the cost, but expect it to be around $120.00, maybe a little less.
 
An outstanding knife for under $100.00 is one of the Colt folders. The are made in Germany and they sell for around $50.00. I think you would like them. 48harley
 
Kershaw avlanche, g-10 scales, stainless liners, cpm440v blade, speed safe, and you can get one for around $72-79.00. Ive carried one for over two years,makes a great edc. If you dont mind something slightly smaller, the camillus edc in 154cm is a good choice.
 
Emerson recently introduced the "Hard Wear" line of FRN handled folders that offer a lower cost alternative to his high end knives.

Sypderco's FRN handled knives, like the Delica, and the BM Griptilian series are also excellent, affordable knives that will provide years of service and outstanding performance.
 
The Benchmade AFCK routinely streets for well under $100.

This is a great knife. BM's been turning 'em out for -- what? -- six or seven years now I'll bet. There's a reason for that: they just keep selling. And there's a reason for that: it's a great knife for the price.
 
Thanks for all of the brands and models.

I personnaly really like the look of the SOG Flash 2, but i don't know much of its quality. I really don't need it to be an assisted knife, but i need it to be quality. I would als like it to have a black blade.

Thanks,

Sting
 
i go with the avalanche too
great knife, fun to open, and sharpens right up with a few passes of ceramic
 
Hey Sting,

I can vouch for both the quality and customer service that supports the SOG Flash (especially the aluminum model). As I mentioned on the other forum (or was it in email), the TiNi Aluminum Flash II has been my daily carry since October. It is a very sweet knife!

Since my words (as a prior SOG employee) might be taken as a bit biased on SOG topics, I might suggest that you make your inquiry into the Flash over in the SOG Forum. There are many SOG users there.

Attached is a picture of my TiNi Aluminum Flash II and SOG Vision.
 

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Sting, I own a SOG Flash II and I really like it. The assisted opening feature makes it all the more addictive.:D It is lightweight, quickly deployable and extremely sharp. The pocket clip design is very cool as well. It allows for secure and discreet pocket carry and can be reversed for right or left side carry. I've been wanting to upgrade to the aluminium handled Flash II which I feel is the better choice over the Zytel version. As far as it's quality? Master Obi-Ron can answer that! SOG knives are of superb quality and their designs are very modern, but functional. Since you seem to be leaning towards the Flash, get the aluminium SOG Flash II and you won't be disappointed. :) Check out more SOG stuff at www.sogknives.com

By the way, Ron that's a great pic!:cool:
 
Ron, I know this is a bit off topic... but if you feel up to sharing it, I'd like to know why you no longer work at SOG. Cutbacks perhaps? Or did you just decide to retire?

If you feel like answering my question but don't wanna do it on the boards, you can drop me a line at aromig@teclogic.com or if you have ICQ or AOL Instant Messanger you can find me 9948490, and AndRom6, respectively.

If you don't feel like answering the question, I totally understand, but I am curious, as you've been something of a reliable fixture around these boards for sometime...


Hmm... guess I should say something about SOG to get back on topic. My attitude on SOG is that generally SOG makes well-built, good-designs in relatively unextraordinary but get-the-job-done materials. My only other frustration with SOG is that so many of their knives are available only in Comboedge (Part serrated, part plain), but that really isn't SOG's fault, as their comboedges seem to yield much better sales overall. There are also some designs so sweet I really don't care that it's comboedge (one of these days I've GOT to get myself a Tsunami.)

Whew, enough of that.
 
Another vote for the Benchmade Axis 806D2. The black blade will get scratched with use, but it's such a good knife you won't care.

Johnny
 
Originally posted by YoungCutter
Ron, I know this is a bit off topic... but if you feel up to sharing it, I'd like to know why you no longer work at SOG. Cutbacks perhaps? Or did you just decide to retire?
Click to expand...
For those who've not yet seen it, HERE'S my Farewell! post to the SOG Forum.
 
If you're spending ~100, I'd recommend a Benchmade 710HS. Only slightly less desireable to me would be the 806D2. If <100, Benchmade Griptillian is hard to beat. I've had/have Emerson's, Spyderco's, and Buck's and like the Benchmades the best. Overall, the knifes are pretty equal, give a little here, take a little there based on personal preferences. But the Axis lock on the Benchmades blows the others away. Period.

I have no experience with the SOG's, and have bought an Al Mar Sere 2000 based on 100% positive feedback here on the forums but haven't recieved it yet.
 
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