Recommend a good everyday folder

P

pickering

Joined
Sep 27, 2006
Messages
72
Hey, I'm looking for a new folder for everyday carry. I want something with a useful blade shape for general work and that makes sharpening fairly easy. With apologies to the tactical crowd, although those knives have the strength I'm looking for, their blade designs aren't useful for most general purpose work. I don't want something for self-defense, in other words. My needs are general outdoor use, cleaning game, anything that might come up while hunting, fishing, etc., and cutting packing bands and such at the machine shop where I work. I have considered an Al Mar SERE 2000 and a couple of the Benchmades and Spydercos, although some of the Benchmades seem a bit fragile for my needs. I did like the looks of the Rukus 610, but it seems that Benchmade has discontinued it. My budget is about $150, give or take. What are your suggestions, and why? Thanks.
 
If you want big then the Spyderco Military, If you want smaller then the Spyderco Para-Military. Their light, strong, great blade steel and have an awesome blade shape. Theur the bets knives for the price.
 
keygenkid said:
If you want big then the Spyderco Military, If you want smaller then the Spyderco Para-Military. Their light, strong, great blade steel and have an awesome blade shape. Theur the bets knives for the price.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the Military is one that I am considering.
 
Have you considered an Extreme hogue drop point while it is classed as tactical the single edged drop point blade can and will do just about everything a folder needs to do. Excellent edge retention and tough as nails.
A bit over your budget at about $165.
Had mine for a while never without it.
 
Aussie collectoe said:
Have you considered an Extreme hogue drop point while it is classed as tactical the single edged drop point blade can and will do just about everything a folder needs to do. Excellent edge retention and tough as nails.
A bit over your budget at about $165.
Had mine for a while never without it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all welcoming me to forum. I frankly had never heard of this brand, don't know a thing about it, but I just looked at this knife and it looks like it would be along the lines of what I'm in the market for. Can't say I know anything about the rep of this brand, though. While I'm at it, leading the pack for me right now is the SERE 2000; anyone care to comment on this one?
 
+1 on the Hogue EX01 drop point, been EDC-ing the 4" with the black G-Mascus handle for the last couple of months... you can spend more, but you'll be hard pressed to get better.

/dusty
 
I am a hardcore bow hunter and flyfisherman and have used a Strider SMF drop point for everything you mentioned. The Strider SNG or SMF would be perfect. Light weight and tougher than any other folder. My cheap runner up is a ZT 0350. It's heavier and the blade is fatter but it still is pretty portable.
 
mystro said:
I am a hardcore bow hunter and flyfisherman and have used a Strider SMF drop point for everything you mentioned. The Strider SNG or SMF would be perfect. Light weight and tougher than any other folder. My cheap runner up is a ZT 0350. It's heavier and the blade is fatter but it still is pretty portable.
Click to expand...

A little more than $150.
 
Just curious which Benchmade you consider fragile and maybe what aspect makes it so? Not trying to nit pick just figuring out what you like. Benchmade are usually pretty strong and the AXIS lock is one of the strongest on the market. You can't really go wrong with Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaw. Pick a size and design you like and you should get a nice knife.

I like the Benchmade Rift and the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, or a Sprint run FFG Manix 2 are a couple of my favorites.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Just curious which Benchmade you consider fragile and maybe what aspect makes it so? Not trying to nit pick just figuring out what you like. Benchmade are usually pretty strong and the AXIS lock is one of the strongest on the market. You can't really go wrong with Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaw. Pick a size and design you like and you should get a nice knife.

I like the Benchmade Rift and the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, or a Sprint run FFG Manix 2 are a couple of my favorites.
Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong, I like Benchmades and once carried and Osborne folder (can't remember the model) daily. But they have really slim blades and an almost delicate feel to them; I snapped the tip off the one I had (not prying things, either). I do like the looks of the 710, has a nice useful blade shape to it. Also, I have one of the Buck Striders, and it is kind of bulky and uncomfortable to carry in pocket; as mentioned, the price is way out of line to me. For that kind of money, I'd go ahead and get one of Daniel Winkler's field knives and then some beater folder! Thanks.
 
You know, you might try also a $30 Buck 110 with nylon sheath from Wal-mart. Its a classic, will last forever, has a cult-like following (with good reason), and no one has ever used the word "fragile" to describe it. It will handle your game, your machine shop, and everything in between. Guaranteed. And if for some reason you don't like it, keep it in your car. Just something to consider.
 
jackman2 said:
A little more than $150.
Click to expand...

Yea sorry about that. Then the ZT 0350 is looking about perfect. You can find them new for $100.00 if you look around.
The Benchmade Rift would just make your budget and it is a great edc with a perfect blade shape for field dressing.

ZT0350stonecombo.jpg


RaptorRift.jpg
 
mystro said:
Yea sorry about that. Then the ZT 0350 is looking about perfect. You can find them new for $100.00 if you look around.
The Benchmade Rift would just make your budget and it is a great edc with a perfect blade shape for field dressing.

ZT0350stonecombo.jpg


RaptorRift.jpg
Click to expand...

The ZT looks strong, indeed, but it has the same blade shape as the Emerson Commander, which I love the looks of, but I've owned an Emerson and don't like the funky, sharpen one edge only thing. The commander blade shape doesn't look all that great for general work, like cleaning squirrels (my goodness I love to hunt them!) and such, but I've not tried one so I could be wrong about that. The Rift looks like it would suit me better as a general purpose knife.
 
powernoodle said:
You know, you might try also a $30 Buck 110 with nylon sheath from Wal-mart. Its a classic, will last forever, has a cult-like following (with good reason), and no one has ever used the word "fragile" to describe it. It will handle your game, your machine shop, and everything in between. Guaranteed. And if for some reason you don't like it, keep it in your car. Just something to consider.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with a Buck, but I've found them to have a tendency to chip at the edge.
 
I would second the rift. Although I don't personally own one my close friend does and I have messed around with it plenty. The 154cm blade will be great for your tasks and the open back design will be easy to clean after field dressing. I have the rukus you mentioned and I love it. If you could find a good deal on one it could be a great choice.
 
Spyderco Manix2 is a good all-arounder... maybe a tad big for some but sturdy without being obtrusive. It's easy to sharpen. That said -- you mentioned cleaning game, so it may be a bit messy with the additional parts in the locking mechanism -- something to consider. Maybe a frame-lock like a Sage2 would suit ya. Clean, simple, bullet-proof.

Good luck in the hunt -- half the fun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top