Recommendations for Relative Newbie

S

SpookyDriver

Joined
Dec 10, 2010
Messages
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I just found this forum via Google search, so please excuse my ignorance with regards to blades. On my fifth birthday (which was several decades ago), my grandfather reached in his pocket and handed me a well-worn, two-blade Case pocket knife. He told me a man with a knife is infinitely more useful than a man without one. Since that day, I've made a point of always having a knife in my pocket...when possible. I still have that old Case, by the way.

For the last decade or so, my constant companion has been a CRK small Sebenza that was given to me by a former colleague who knew quite a bit about knives. It's accompanied me to a few different continents and has done everything I've asked of it. I can't really imagine a more competent or convenient general purpose knife.

However, I've occasionally had duties that required a heavier duty knife. I've got an old Ontario pilot knife that has done well with these jobs, but (for a variety of reasons) I'd like to find a good heavy-duty folder in the sub $250 range that can handle a lot of heavy use and last the rest of my life if I take care of it. Preferably 3.75" - 4" plain-edge blade and less than 5.5" closed. Weight isn't a concern since it will not be pocket carried very often.

Unfortunately, my old friend is no longer around to give me advice about this subject and I know very little about brands/quality. I appreciate any input or guidance you folks may be able to give.

Thanks in advance.

Since pictures seem to be popular on this forum, here is my trusty tool:
sseb1.jpg
 
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First, Welcome to our little community of blade enthusiasts! Have a seat, grab your favorite beverage, and read on :D

Second, you have been given a Sebenza? What a friend you had! :eek:

Third, Spyderco Military seems to fit your bill. If you liked the lock on your Seb, Spyderco makes them with the Reeve Integral Lock in titanium. I'm sure other will chime in with other options for you to consider.

Taken from the 2011 Spyderco catalog:
TitaniumMilitary2011.jpg
 
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There is also the zero tolerance 300 series, which have a frame lock as well, as well as a sturdier blade than most. Overall these knives are pretty much bomb proof. They come in Tan, Black, and Green, partially serrated or plain edge.

ZT0300ST.jpg
 
I'd second the Spyderco Military. Measuring mine now, it looks to be exactly 5.5" closed, and the blade from handle to tip is 4-1/16" and 3-3/4" from where the edge starts to the tip. I would suggest the G10 handle version instead of the Titanium version, however, as they are the same lock strength, same dimensions except the G10 version is like two ounces lighter (the G10 version is only an ounce more than your Sebenza, while the titanium version is twice its weight), the G10 is grippier (actually, I've never tried the fluted titanium version since it's not out yet), the G10 doesn't get cold like metal, and the G10 version is about half the price.

I'm about as bad as it gets when it comes to taking pictures, but since I have both, here's a quick snapshot of a Military next to a small Sebenza Insingo (same handle as your small Sebenza, but the blade is a different shape) for you to get an idea of the difference in size. If you'd like any other angles, please ask.

ZBGG6.jpg


P.S. Welcome to the forums!
 
While I love my Mili it is not in the same class of "hard use knives" like the ZT.
Especially if weight is not a concern.
 
I can vouch for the strength of the Tri-Ad lock the American Lawman uses. That thing will take a beating, I know from my Cold Steel AK-47.
 
i don't think the spyderco military is stronger than your sebenza, it's just light weight for a long blade, since you want something for heavy duty jobs, you may need something beefier than a military (since weight isn't a issue). why not just get a large sebenza?

i own some cold steel tri-ad lock knifes, to be honest, i feel very confident holding a tri-ad lock than a liner lock or frame lock, but the made quality may not meet your expectations since you've been using a CR sebenza for years, but they are cheaper knives (usually under $100).
 
well putting a price on blades makes one think there better off spending more. i dont know if the military is a right choice for you vs a large sebenza. though at 250 you wont find a sebenza. i have a problem with big thick blade folders, personally my experience is they dont cut well. depending on what your using it for. which would be helpful to know rather than have 30 people spout off about what they think you need because its there personal favorite. so id ask what is it going to be used for?
 
MarineAir said:
Hard use stuff of course! Haha
Click to expand...

well of course, but seen allot of peeps with no clue about what that means or why one knife might be better than another for a particular task. so its a term thats definition is always a moving target.
 
I don't feel the Military is any more hard use than your Sebenza. The Cold Steel is strong but not very refined and the lock is quite stiff so it's more of a two hand knife. The ZT301 has a recurve that I don't really like but I just got a ZT0551 that is really nice. There are about 800 more to be shipped so in a couple weeks they should be fairly easy to locate. I'm a big fan of the AXIS lock so maybe a large Griptilian, Rift, 14205, or Rukus/ mini Rukus would work for you although the latter is discontinued but shows up on the forums occasionally.
 
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I guess I should have clarified my definition of "heavy use." Basically, I mean the types of jobs that which really call for a tool other than a knife. You know...that tool you left in the truck or back in the shop. :)

Such as:

-Digging dried mud out of Bobcat tracks
-Prying molding away from old door/window jambs
-Scraping the crud out of that trailer hitch I just dropped
-Chopping those vines/branches that grew up around the gate I haven't used in a year or so

Basically, I'd like to find the folding equivalent of my pilot knife...if such a thing exists. Thick blade, good steel, strong lock.
 
May I suggest a mini pry bar on your key chain? Cheap and saves your nice knife. Countycomm.com has a good one I hear. I modified one from home depot for pocket carry. If you really want a knife then the cold steel might be the way to go as it is cheaper and I wouldn't feel bad about abusing it.

Edit: here is a link to a mini pry bar

http://www.countycomm.com/straightwidgybar.htm
 
ZT 0200 if you want something tough and fancy (superb fit and finish).

Cold Steel folder with a Tri Ad lock (Recon 1 or American Lawman) for something almost as tough at half the price.
 
in all honesty, i rekon you should be looking at a fixed blade rather than a folder given your specifications.

a Fallkniven F1 @ 4" blade would be ideal and will be stronger than any folding knife could ever dream of being.
 
honestly this isnt the type of work id put a $250 knife threw. something like a cs lawman recon1 and ak47 would fit the bill for me in a knife im going to use primarily to dig mud out of stuff. and i dont think id even want to do that to any knife i own regardless of how nice it is. might be better off with the mini prybar or a old screwdriver imo. im glad to see the ZT guys wanting there blades used in this manner, wtg lol yea ill go for a zt when i got some mud to scrape. geeze
 
Well, 99% of the time, the knife will be used as a knife. Occasionally, it will be asked to do more when I leave the big ass screwdriver in the truck and don't feel like walking back across 120 acres to grab the box.

Anyway, I appreciate the input. It looks like the ZT 0300 series fits the bill from what I've read so far. The price is certainly right, especially on the blemished models I've seen. Not sure how easy that recurve blade will be to sharpen, but I guess I can figure it out.
 
SpookyDriver said:
I'd like to find a good heavy-duty folder in the sub $250
that can handle a lot of heavy use and last the rest of my life
Preferably 3.75" - 4" plain-edge blade and less than 5.5" closed.
Click to expand...

First Choice: Benchmade Bob Lum's Onslaught, Plain Edge
bm741.2.jpg





Second Choice: Benchmade 950 Rift, G10 Scales
BM9501.jpg
 
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