Quality folding knife advice needed

T

tnozh

Banned
Joined
Feb 4, 2005
Messages
245
Hi,

I would like to purchase a quality folding knife. All my other knives
so far have been fixed blades (with the exception of my Victorinox
Champion). Here is what I would be looking for:

I would need a knife I could carry in my pocket and on my belt (with a
clip), it should be flat (not "fat" like my, otherwise excellent,
Victorinox), it should have a strong blade (I would probably prefer one
with serrations, but this is not essential for me), either well coated
(with Teflon on Epoxy) or reasonably corrosion resistant (with only
basic maintenance). I should be able to open it rapidly with one hand,
but I do not mind closing it with two hands. It should lock itself
very securely. It should be capable of being both a good/sturdy
"general utility" knife as well as a decent to good weapon for
self-defence. In terms of blade material, I like titanium, but
high-quality steel would do just as well (I know *nothing* about
ceramics, but I am willing to look into it if you advice me to do do).
Last, but not least, I much rather buy a product from a manufacturer
who gives a lifetime guarantee on his products (like Ontario or
Victorinox) and who offers good support. Oh, and I almost forgot - I
like knives for their looks also - so I good-looking knife is certainly
something I would prefer.

I looked at Benchmade's ACFKs and their TSEK derivatives and all their
models have me confused (except that I do *not* like the idea of a
"mini-knife"): I don't even see the difference between their ACFKs and
the TSEKs. There are so many modlels of ACFKs out there that I really
would need some pointers for the best one (assuming there is one and
that Benchmark is the manufacturer I should consider).

Outside Benchmade, I looked at MissionKnives, these sure look great,
but they are way-way-waaaaaaay overpriced for my taste (I don't think a
knife should cost 400$ no matter how good it is).

Also, "Benchmade" and *Benchmark* both exist and that the
latter makes a knife called a "AG Russel Strike Force" which looks like
a direct competitor to Benchmade's ACFKs and TSEKs.

Could anyone compare/contrast these knives?

Lastly - another interesting knife I came along was the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1
- a modified Benchmade Griptilian - with a CPM S30V blade.

Its a little expensive though, going for 105$. Is this worth the price?

I would be very thankful for any pointers, URLs, advice, etc.

Cheers,

TN
 
You generally don't want titanium in a blade...it doesn't hold an edge well.
VG10, S30V, 154CM, Ats34, AUS10 and 440C are among the best stainless steels...

Spyderco and Benchmade are the way to go...
give us a size range and we'll be more specific.

meanwhile look at
www.spyderco.com (sorry I'm biased)

and keep in mind that they list the MSRP price, you can get most of therm for significantly less.. (search froogle)
 
Well first off welcome to BladeForums!

Now, on to your question. First off titanium doesn't really make all that great of a blade material, besides which I can't really think of anyone currently making a folder out of it. Titanium won't hold an edge like even the cheapest of cutlery steels, plus it is rather expesnive, which is why the Mission knives are so expensive. It does however work out great as a scale or handle material on a folder.

You say you want a locking folder, but what kind of like do you like? Liner lock? Frame Lock? Axis lock? Lockback? Compression Lock? etc. etc. Each has advantages and disadvantages so which one is best would partly be based on what your requirments are, and also on what feels and works best in your hand. If you are looking for something as slim s possible then a frame lock is a good candidate. Almost all modern day tactical folders will come with a clip.

Some manufacturers to consider would be Buck, Microtech, Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, and Al Mar. Check out One Stop Knife Shop, who supprts these forums, and look at the different knives available. See what you like, and if something isn't clear ask a question.

And now some questions for you. What do you plan to do with the knife? How much are you willing to spend?
 
I'll second Klattman on Spyderco and BM being the way to go. If you want around a 3in knife go with either a Spyderco Delica or Calypso Jr. In a 4in blade I'd go with an Endura. All of these (except the Calypso) are available in your choice of plain, serrated, or 50/50 edges. All come with VG-10 steel which is excellent (my favorite) and are thin, flat and very lightweight. All should be able to be purchased for under 50 dollars, and I would get one with FRN handles. The Delica/Endura allow ambidexterous tip-up carry, the Calypso tip down.

Though I prefer Spyderco BM is also good, the AFCK may be the best folder out there. As far as BM's go, the mini-afck and tsek are both discontinued, as is the full size TSEK. However if you want an approx. 4in BM the full size AFCK aka 806D2 is awsome, the reason there are many models on the net is that the AFCK has been produced for a while in different blade steels and with different lock, the handle has always been the same. The current production model 806D2 AFCK is available in either a plain or combo edge and has a blade of D2 tool steel with an axis lock. BTW the 806D2 is one hell of a knife. Also a great 4in BM is the modle 710 Mchenry and Williams axis lock. I wouldn't really recommend a smaller BM bc none of there smaller stuff is as good as a Delica or Calypso Jr.

If you want a very heavy duty folder with apporx. 4in blade check out Spyderco Chinook II, and Manix.

All of the above mentioned knives have a clip, very strog lock, can be opened with one hand (either hand) and are suitable for self defense. Hope this helps:)
 
tnozh,

I have two Ritter Grips on the way to me now, so I'd say that would be a good choice.

I really liked the Spyderco Para-military, but really don't care for the compression lock. The Spyderco Manix was in the running as well, because I prefer a lockback to the compression lock, but it was just too large for me to be an EDC. I also found the Micro-Tech UMS very interesting.

Good luck!
 
You may also want to check out the Rat Trap from Swamp Rat. www.swamprat.com

An excellent folder for the money, but may be above your price point at around $150. Well worth the $$$ though as is anything from the Swamp. The warranty can't be beat either, about the best there is.

If you feel $400 is too much for any knife regardless of how good it is, I'm not even going to mention the Sebenza or any Customs. LOL You'll learn. :-)))

Rob
 
If you don't mind spending a chunk of change, I strongly recommend the Microtech Amphibian. It comes in several flavors and one should fit your needs perfectly. It exudes quality and solidity.

You mentioned the A.G. Russell Strike Force. I like it a lot, but it's not exactly a quick opener. After a short break-in period it opens fairly smoothly but it will never rival a Benchmade Axis folder in that regard. I don't think they're made by Benchmark though - they have all the earmarks of being made in the same factory in Japan (Moki) that makes the considerably better and more expensive Al Mar SERE 2000... Say, that's another great knife to consider.
 
Several Benchmade offerings would suit you well , I also think highly of the Microtech Amphibian . As far as Benchmades go ,look at the 710 , the AFCK in D2 , the 520 Presidio , and the 730x Ares family . None of these would be bad choices . The Spyderco Paramilitary would be good , but dont buy site unseen . The Buck/Striders , and Buck Strider /Tarani police models are good , and fairly inexpensive .
 
Don't be put off by the "mini" in the name. The Benchmade AFCK-mini is a great knife. The blade is about 3" long which is a nice size for many people and falls below most length limitation laws. The only thing mini about the AFCK-mini is that it's a bit shorter than the original AFCK.
 
Hi everybody,

First, let me thank you for all your inputs! Second, and while I have certainly not make up my mind yet, I have to tell you that after reading a lot about the Benchmade "Doug Ritter RSK Mk1" I am seriously asking myself the question whether I can possibly get a better knife the the price (a Benchmade knife with a CPM S30V blade for 105$).

So let me put the question to you: is there a better deal out there in that price range? Is there any reason *not* to get this knife? Am I missing something here?

Again - many thanks in advance!

TN
 
tnozh said:
Hi everybody,

First, let me thank you for all your inputs! Second, and while I have certainly not make up my mind yet, I have to tell you that after reading a lot about the Benchmade "Doug Ritter RSK Mk1" I am seriously asking myself the question whether I can possibly get a better knife the the price (a Benchmade knife with a CPM S30V blade for 105$).

So let me put the question to you: is there a better deal out there in that price range? Is there any reason *not* to get this knife? Am I missing something here?

Again - many thanks in advance!

TN
Click to expand...

I would say that the spyderco paramilitary has a very good following, and at the same price.. G10 scales and S30V steel.
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=34

The para and the Ritter come up together as recommendatons all the time.

Enjoy the hunt.
 
I'll give you a reason not to get that Ritter. The BM 806D2 Axis. I have MOST (not all yet) of the Spyderco line and 6 BM's (including the 710, mini-AFCK, and 806D2 which would be the fullsize axis-lock AFCK). Let me begin by saying that I prefer Spyderco designs and overall Spyderco blows BM into the weeds. BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Out of all the knives I've ever used the BM 806D2 is the BEST and my favorite, that should tell ya something:). If you don't live in an area where a knife with a 3.9in blade or a locking mechanism is a problem the 806D2 is in a class by itself and is available for approx 120USD at on-line retailers. It has a very useful blade profile and D2 is very good steel, also it probably has the best handles of any folder on the planet. I also like the fact that the clip is ambidexterous tip-up or tip-down. Also, it's got HOLES (though not Spyderholes :( ) the Oval holes work great, not the mention and Axis can be easily flicked open. If you want a GREAT Utility/possible Self Defense knife the 806D2 is da bomb. Spyderco's Chinook II comes in a close second, if it had a ball-bearing lock (instead of lockback) it'd be no. 1 :)
 
tnozh said:
...Benchmade "Doug Ritter RSK Mk1" I am seriously asking myself the question whether I can possibly get a better knife the the price (a Benchmade knife with a CPM S30V blade for 105$)... is there a better deal out there in that price range?
Click to expand...
Check out the Wegner Pro-Hunter from Blade-Tech at the link below.

It is available for about $110 online, also sports a blade made from S30V steel, is quite sturdy due to its embedded-dual-steel-liners, and its shape makes it a comfortable knife to use in a variety of grips.
http://www.blade-tech.com/frontend?command=ProductMatrix&iProductId=5532

At first I didn't care for the look of the beast, thinking it bore too much resemblence to a swept-point persian fighting knife. Then I realized that was an optical illusion caused by the semi-pistol-grip shape of the handle and the angle between the blade and the handle. The blade is actually a semi-drop-point that lines up very nicely with the hand for utilitarian uses.

The reason I recommend it over the Ritter Griptilian you mentioned from Benchmade is that the Ritter Grip (like all Griptilians & Mini-Griptilians) has a handle cross-section that is oval and "fat". While that roundness of handle makes it a nice hand-filling knife in use, it makes it a bulky carry in the pocket. The Wegner Pro-Hunter OTOH has flat G-10 scales and carries very flat in the pocket.

Review of the Blade-Tech Wegner Pro-Hunter:
http://www.folders-r-us.org/test_prohunter.htm

You can find other reviews of the Wegner Pro-Hunter by searching here on BFC.

(edit to add) The recommendation above for the Benchmade 806D2 is another good blade in the approximate $100 range. But the almost-four-inch blade length may be enough to get you trouble, depending on whether there are carry limits where you live (and whether you follow them ;) ). I have the 806D2 and like it, but it (and other folders from BM, Cold Steel, S&W, etc) fell out of the EDC rotation once I got the Wegner Pro-Hunter. At first I pocketed the Pro-Hunter on a tentative "I'll see how I like it" basis, but quickly came to carry it as my folder of choice.
 
Good morning friends,

Again - thanks for all the pointers, links and comments. I have followed them up and I came up with two really "newbie" questions:

1) Holes: what's the big deal about the holes in the blades? surely this is not a weight issue, because considering the sizes & weights of the kives in question that cannot be so important (not to mention that in this case, titanium would be the only game in town..). As a newbie, it seems to me that a hole in anything only *weakens* its structural integrity. I am sure that I must be mistaken, but I don't see why.

2) Laws: I am an immigrant from Europe living in the USA and I plan to use my knife in the following states: New York and Florida. Where can I find out what the laws about knives in these two states are. I looked up Florida statutes and I found out that, unless I missed something, they say nothing about knife-sizes or types (except for banning blade-shooting knives like what the Russian special ops have - do Floridian lawmakers fear a Spetsnaz invasion?), but in the section on "concealed weapons" they include "knives" without saying what kind. After this, I did not even try to find out what the laws in New York are. But I figure, in a country with the NRA and plenty of handguns and rifles (and sometimes automatic weapons), the knife laws cannot possibly too tough on pocket-sized *knives*. Right?


Honestly, I have to tell you that I really do not feel like violating any Federal or local law. Between my "legal alien" status and the kind of stuff which goes on in the local jails, I really feel that I want to stay out of trouble (although, frankly, *all* the contacts which I had with the local cops give me the feeling that they are very reasonable, rational and generally "good guys" which do a great job and don't go around looking for making silly arrests).

Lastly, coming back to the issue of blades, how do S30V steel and G10 composite Stainless steel compare?

Thanks a lot for your inputs. Have a great week-end!

TN
 
In NY for the most part you are allowed to carry a knife with a blade under 4" and it must be concelaed. No autos in NY for the most part either, although there are some exceptions in different counties, I wouldn't use an auto as an EDC. As for Florida I am ont real sure, but I would think that it would be pretty close to NY law. Any reasonable knife, as long as you are not doing anything illegal, won't get you into trouble.

S30V is a steel, and G10 is a fiberglass handle material. Two completely different things, so you can't really compare them. Though within their own category both are good materials for a user knife. I would stay away from any knife that lists it's steel as just "stainless", which would most likely mean some cheap scrap steel. Many knives however will have G10 scales over stainless liners which is a fine construction, but still has nothing to do with the blade itself.
 
Just from reading the fact that you want a sturdy thin knife, the Spyderco Endura is a great choice. Not too big, available with serrations. They are cheaper than the Benchmade, are very sturdy, and can be useful in defending yourself, if you know what you are doing :D .
 
ErikD said:
S30V is a steel, and G10 is a fiberglass handle material. Two completely different things, so you can't really compare them.
Click to expand...

I looked up the webpage which got me confused and realized that ... I needed more caffeine this morning! Of course these are different things, somehow I got the impression that G10 was also a blade-material.

Sorry - that was silly of me.

TN

(bowing my head in shame and leaving to get a caffeine high...)
 
tnozh said:
Good morning friends,

Again - thanks for all the pointers, links and comments. I have followed them up and I came up with two really "newbie" questions:

1) Holes: what's the big deal about the holes in the blades? surely this is not a weight issue, because considering the sizes & weights of the kives in question that cannot be so important (not to mention that in this case, titanium would be the only game in town..). As a newbie, it seems to me that a hole in anything only *weakens* its structural integrity. I am sure that I must be mistaken, but I don't see why.
Click to expand...

The hole in the blade is in the thickest part of the blade near the spine and really doesn't affect structural integrity much. What it DOES do, it allow you to open the blade one-handed, with your thumb in the hole. A thumbSTUD works the same way, but your thumb presses against the stud to open.

Spyderco owns the trademark for the _round_ hole. Other companies have licensed it and some use different shaped holes to avoid licensing.

ThumbSTUD or thumbHole, depends on how they fit your hand. I like the hole becasue I don't like a stud getting in the way of cutting AND I like the way they fit my hand better.

State laws are quirky, and we have a forum with threads and links to help you find the laws for your state.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=735
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top