Seeking a friction, thumbstud folder, stainless 3.5" blade...

xyrium

xyrium

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
292
Hello Folks,

I love my ZT0562s, the blade geometry, choice of steel, excellent ergos, and just plain fun to flip. However, I'm looking for a similar folder, but without bearings, and without a flipper. Naturally, the Hinderer XM18 in a non-flip slicer grind works, and if I find one in stonewashed finish (handle and blade), I'm in.

Until then, any other ideas?

Edit: $450 or less please.

Thanks!
Paul
 
Last edited:
xyrium said:
Hello Folks,

I love my ZT0562s, the blade geometry, choice of steel, excellent ergos, and just plain fun to flip. However, I'm looking for a similar folder, but without bearings, and without a flipper. Naturally, the Hinderer XM18 in a non-flip slicer grind works, and if I find one in stonewashed finish (handle and blade), I'm in.

Until then, any other ideas?

Edit: $450 or less please.

Thanks!
Paul
Click to expand...

Well aside from obvious ones like Striders I would recommend looking at the Grayman Satu, the Three Sisters Forge Beast or even some Pohl Force knives. Then you could look at the DPX HEST as well.
 
Thanks guys. Some interesting ideas here. I don't believe I have anything in Niolox other than perhaps a Victorinox SAK. What common USA steel could we compare that to?

BTW, I've looked at the Satu before, the blade shape becomes a problem for me though. I'm looking for a straight edge due to lack of sharpening skills. :(
 
xyrium said:
Thanks guys. Some interesting ideas here. I don't believe I have anything in Niolox other than perhaps a Victorinox SAK. What common USA steel could we compare that to?

BTW, I've looked at the Satu before, the blade shape becomes a problem for me though. I'm looking for a straight edge due to lack of sharpening skills. :(
Click to expand...
Niolox is not used in a SAK. They used "Inox" in their older knives, it is short for Inoxidable, or stainless in English.
 
Thanks Bill. Ahhh yes, Inox indeed.

I had no idea the Sebenza was friction, I thought it had bearings. Now I'll have to check the For Sale CRK forum! I remember not being tremendously interested in it, but seemed to like the Inkosi. Perhaps the Inkosi had the bearings.
 
Definitely under consideration. They don't seem to gather much fanfare, I suppose due to their somewhat dated choice of steel, 154cm. Not that it's a bad steel, it's just not sexy I suppose. That said, their site didn't advise what pivot type they used, but it that's a friction, the EX-01 is pretty solid.
 
xyrium said:
Thanks Bill. Ahhh yes, Inox indeed.

I had no idea the Sebenza was friction, I thought it had bearings. Now I'll have to check the For Sale CRK forum! I remember not being tremendously interested in it, but seemed to like the Inkosi. Perhaps the Inkosi had the bearings.
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Afaik, the only CRK with bearings was the Ti-Lock.
 
You may be able to find a Wayfarer second hand for your asking price. I am not definite of the pivot type.
 
Yeah, I believe the 247s all have bearings, and flippers. Grrr...

So far, the Inkosi has my attention, I can't even believe it.

The DPX and the Striders are also on my watch list, with Hogue bringing up the rear.

Thanks guys!
 
xyrium said:
Thanks Bill. Ahhh yes, Inox indeed.

I had no idea the Sebenza was friction, I thought it had bearings. Now I'll have to check the For Sale CRK forum! I remember not being tremendously interested in it, but seemed to like the Inkosi. Perhaps the Inkosi had the bearings.
Click to expand...

I think you might want to double check what your definition of "friction folder" is. Around here if you say friction folder they will think you are talking about a knife with no lock such as the Svord Peasant.

A knife that uses washers instead of bearings is just that, a knife on washers, not generally called a friction folder.

Btw I cannot recommend the Inkosi enough. That knife is lightyears ahead in fit and finish compared to the Striders or the Dpx Hest. Not that those aren't great knives in their own right, but they look like fashion knives compared to the Chris Reeve stuff imho.

Please look at the Three Sisters Forge Beast as well. It is a great knife of this catagory.

I believe some of the Hogue knives do not have bearings or washers, rather they have a "semi washer" milled directly into the liner/scale. I don't remember which models feature that though.
 
Whoops, you're absolutely correct. Thank you for that clarification!

What do you guys think of Pro Tech? The TR3 looks interesting.
 
xyrium said:
Whoops, you're absolutely correct. Thank you for that clarification!

What do you guys think of Pro Tech? The TR3 looks interesting.
Click to expand...

Pro tech is a great company from all accounts. I haven't owned one but I honestly have never even heard someone say something bad about protech, even as a joke.
 
@palonej
You have a TR3, don't you?
It seems as if this guy wants a knife that is right in your wheelhouse and would probably appreciate your input.
xyrium said:
Whoops, you're absolutely correct. Thank you for that clarification!

What do you guys think of Pro Tech? The TR3 looks interesting.
Click to expand...
 
xyrium said:
Whoops, you're absolutely correct. Thank you for that clarification!

What do you guys think of Pro Tech? The TR3 looks interesting.
Click to expand...

The TR-3 comes in two versions, auto and manual. The manual TR-3 (Intrepid) is a ti-handled framelock. It's fairly light, has an auto TR-3 style blade, and seems to be a well-designed and executed knife based on the one I had. F&F was excellent, the blade grind and bevels were even and well done, it came very sharp, and there was no blade play. The steel in mine was S35VN, IIRC. It wasn't their standard 154CM, anyway.

The TR-3 auto is a little different beast. It's a pushbutton auto with a button lock and no safety (if that matters to you). Their usual blade steel for the TR-3 is 154CM run at 59-60 or 59-61 Rockwell, IIRC. Their autos fire hard and lock up very solildly. Protech's auto F&F is excellent. Their aluminium handles are hard anodized, their autos are light for their size, and they're pretty slim and easy to carry in pocket. A big plus is Protech's CS. The time I used them it was fast, accurate, and friendly.
 
Geez, good info here guys, thanks for sharing your experience with PT, Dale!

BTW, Bill, that link to the CRK thread just confused me more than anything! LOL Sometimes, options are a curse! :)
 
xyrium said:
Geez, good info here guys, thanks for sharing your experience with PT, Dale!

BTW, Bill, that link to the CRK thread just confused me more than anything! LOL Sometimes, options are a curse! :)
Click to expand...

You should look at the following from CRK: large Sebenza 21, Large Inkosi and Umnumzaan.

Those knives are most in the style you are looking for.
 
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