Recommendations for a hunter style folder for under $100

OccamsBlade

OccamsBlade

Jim Dobbler
Joined
Jan 23, 2014
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So I'm looking for a traditional folder. Something along the lines of A.G. Russell's lockback folding hunter http://agrussell.com/knife/5097. For under $100.

Unfortunately I've had bad luck with this particular knife from them. Which really sucks because it's EXACTLY the knife I wanted, and at the right price. It's the perfect size for me and looks gorgeous. Unfortunately I'm about to send back the 3rd one they've sent me. Every one had a noticeable issue with blade play, vertical and side to side...not having a tight lockup. It's the first knife I've bought from them. I'm sure I'm just having bad luck, because the vast majority of the reviews I've read are extremely positive. I just don't want to waste any more of their time, and come off as nitpicky.

Anyway, I'd really appreciate any recommendations of knives as close as possible to this one for around $100. That's if there are any. So far I've only found similar knives (hunter style/size) costing well over $100. Not ready to pay that much for a folder quite yet.
 
I'll state the obvious one here....what are your thoughts about the Buck 110? It's the the classic American "folding hunter."

Check out the 110 exclusives from SKBlades (Silver Knight Blades) when you get a chance if you're so inclined. They have flat grind 110s in D2 steel w/ cocobolo scales and in 154cm steel w/ orange g10 scales. They may have other variants as well. I forget, LOL. Anyway, they're right at the top end of your budget, and look pretty sharp ;)

Good luck in your search!
 
Yea I'll have to second the buck 110. It has no vertical blade play, the slightest horizontal blade play (some people have 0 blade play, others note a slight blade play horizontally.) but their backlock is fantastic. The steel is 420 Hc and is super easy to sharpen, the clip point makes piercing very easy, which is nice if you're cleaning game, and most of all, it's very comfortable any way you decide to hold it. Can't go wrong. You can customize your own and swap out the 420 hc for s30v
 
rick melear said:
Buck 110 sat the standard
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell QC on these has gone to hell. I bought two on clearance at Walmart a couple years ago and they were awful. Super stiff, gritty action, gaps between the scales and bolsters, and the edge grind was off about 10 degrees from one side to the other.
 
For something with a little more modern look, but rock solid lockup and great multi-purpose blade shape.... check out the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter. The current version is in xhp and a bit higher price. I think you could probably find some of the older aus8 for bargain pricing if you are good with that steel. I'll see if I can find a pic.

Sorry about the lousy pic, but it's what I had on hand.


2vaz9fs.jpg


Or you could go traditional non-locking with something like this Boker folding hunter. The German made models can be had for in your price range, and the Chinese made maybe even less. Note, if the shield says Solingen, it's German. If it says Germany, its Chinese made.

2cgd4b7.jpg


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Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
 
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All great suggestions. Thanks!

I have the Buck 110 clip point. A classic. Had that thing forever. A drop point with stag might be an option though at some point. Oh, and it seems I forgot to mention I got the stag version on the A.G. Russell. I really like the thickness of it.

The Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter looks nice. I have the Lawman on my to buy list. Been looking at Bokers, like the Titan. That's almost $300. I'm leaning towards the more traditional for now, as I have mostly more modern/tactical folders.

Well, I was out in the garage drinking a beer and fondling the knife. I just decided the minor blade play wasn't enough to pass this one up. As it meets all the other criteria I was looking for. I mean a little blade play in a folder isn't uncommon. At least that's what I hear. I've been pretty lucky I guess, and only have a couple out of the dozen or so folders that had some blade play out of the box.

But keep the suggestions coming. I'm always open for suggestions and looking at knives I've haven't seen yet.
 
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Oh, man. That Cold Steel Mackinac is pretty nice. Only seen it on Amazon so far, for around $140. From the reviews it looks like they could be had for around $50 at one point. The only thing is it looks like it has fake stag...but I have some laying around and could probably replace it with some real stag. Also has tri-loc. Heard it's rock solid.

On a side note, anyone have a Le Thiers and recommend them?

EDIT: Just found one with a nail nick on Amazon for around $50. The only reviews below 5 stars is because the lock up is too stiff and difficult to close. LOL!
 
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A few suggestions for you to consider.... AG Russell has come out with another lockback folder that looks very appealing. This one has a clip. I got the email yesterday on this knife. Link https://agrussell.com/knife/5758 (2) LionSteel small Opera runs in your price range and is a good knife in D2. (3) GEC #42 would be excellent. (4) Queen Mountain Man. Great knife. Basically you are looking at prices pushing $100 in most cases.
 
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Don't have the Le Thiers par Chambriard locking folder (it's on my dream list) but do have a slipjoint that is an excellent blade. It's in stag, and is the larger of the 2 models. That Swedish steel they use takes a great edge, and holds it well (similar to a harder 440C, almost like VG10 in my experience).
 
Hmmm... Schrade offered a couple.

The SC 504 seems pretty close-ish.

The 51 OT "Big Timer" looks to be stylishly similar as well.

I'd get the USA made versions of these, which will send you hunting on auction sites.
 
OccamsBlade said:
Oh, man. That Cold Steel Mackinac is pretty nice. Only seen it on Amazon so far, for around $140. From the reviews it looks like they could be had for around $50 at one point. The only thing is it looks like it has fake stag...but I have some laying around and could probably replace it with some real stag. Also has tri-loc. Heard it's rock solid.

On a side note, anyone have a Le Thiers and recommend them?

EDIT: Just found one with a nail nick on Amazon for around $50. The only reviews below 5 stars is because the lock up is too stiff and difficult to close. LOL!
Click to expand...

Keep an eye on the exchange. I got my MH a while back for like $40. Once Cold Steel discontinued them, I had Sketchen replace the Delrin scales with high polished black G10. There was one like mine, with Sketchen scales for sale on the exchange (albeit a thumb stud version) for like $80 or something.


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Yeah, that cocobolo gents hunter is on my list of A.G. Russells to get. I'll definitely give it another try at some point.

My knife to get list is slowly growing, hehe.
 
Case copperlock is a good one, it's a good deal lighter than the 110.
Take a look at great eastern cutlery, they make some really high quality stuff that's pretty close to your price range.
 
Yeah, the Boker Tree Brand with stag is a beaut...but $300:( They have some smaller ones that look more like the 110.

Saw those Crooked Rivers on the A.G Russell site awhile back. Those are very sexy. I'm gearing up to make my own blades and need more tools in the shop, so trying to keep within budget. But someday I'll invest in a nicer folder like that
 
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