Small and light but tough folder?

K

Kirk_Ferentz

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
589
I want a small, compact, and light folder that has a strong, reliable locking mechanism. Emphasis on strong locking mechanism.
I'm thinking a blade length of near 3 inches to about 3.75 inches, but will consider blades a little longer than 4 inches. I want to use it for just about anything that you would use a mid-sized folder for, including outdoors, hunting, camp chores, etc. So, I want a blade thick enough to take abuse, but thin enough to still be a good slicer.

I'd like it to have a middle of the road steel both because I don't want it to cost an arm and a leg and because I want something that I can re-sharpen with ease. I'm thinking 154CM or VG-10 (out of those two, it sounds like most ever so slightly prefer VG-10) or something similar.

I almost posted this in the Spyderco forum because I was thinking in terms of Spyderco VG-10 folders that run under $70 or $80 bucks (like the delica, endura, and stretch), but I'd like to hear any non-spyderco recs.

Thanks in advance!
 
buck vantage pro wouldnt be to bad, has a 3in blade, decent stock size but it is a hollow grind so good slicing, and s30v with a Paul Bos HT

around $70 most of the time
 
Sounds a lot like the Spyderco Manix 2, although it is on the heavier side (5.0oz).
 
I'd recommend the Benchmade Griptillian. It has as solid a lock up as any (very reliable) and is real simple to take apart to clean. It's 154CM and you can get them for a pretty good price and knifeworks.com (~$88 w/ shipping). If you're willing to dish out some extra money(~$128 w/ shipping) you might consider the Doug Ritter RSK MK1 since it's got a better blade steel (S30V) and better blade shape in my opinion, but like you said, you wanted a steel that is not so hard to sharpen. I own a Mini-griptillian and an endura FFG and would prefer the griptillian over the endura 95% of the time.
Hope this helped.
-Andrew
 
I'm a little apprehensive about the manix and the vantage pro ... I don't want to say they have a "weak" locking mechanism, but I wonder how either would compare to a good lock back for example. I have seen that spine whack test where the manix (or the manix 2 I should say) failed the test pretty poorly. And the vantage has a pretty thin liner lock doesn't it? I guess it is all relative though, for a bigger folder, I already have a tough frame lock. I'm not sure how the other types of mechanisms compare.

I was definitely thinking about the mini griptilian. It is bm's axis lock, right? Wasn't sure how that compared to other mechanisms in terms of strength.
 
the axis is really nice and durable

as to the linerlock on the pro it like you say a bit thin, but its held up quite well on mine after the abuse ive put it through
 
I second the suggestion of the Griptilian, which seems like it fits your criteria perfectly. The Spyderco Endura would also be a great choice. (I happen to prefer the Endura to the Grip, but they're both excellent knives, and both see a lot of time in my pocket.) The Valox and FRN handles on the Grip and Endura are very light and strong, but I know some people don't like the feel of them. So if you'd rather have something in G-10, check out the Benchmade Bone Collector or the Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

As for the Manix, the ball bearing lock is an excellent locking mechanism, so I wouldn't let that deter you. Where the Manix seems less than ideal given your criteria is not its locking mechanism but its size: it's hardly a "compact" or "light" folder compared to a lot of the others that have been suggested.
 
cziv said:
Spyderco Endura 4 :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Make it a Spyderco Endura 4, G-10 version then, still whomps on any suggeston so far IMHO! I don't have the FRN Endura but the G-10 and it's awesome. Little brother of a Police 3 G-10, cutting edge similar to a Military.

I bought both versions of the large grip and sold those little bladed knives with big old, hollow plastic, shovel handles. Please don't stone me. Hated 'em. :o
 
Kershaw RAM, Benchmade Griptilian, Spyderco Manix 2, Spyderco Para Military 2?
 
CS American Lawman is reasonable weight and size, but damn strong and cuts great. I have multiple >$300 folders and the Am. Lawman hangs right in there with em.
 
For those of you recommending the endura, how would the delica compare? (apart from the fact that it is smaller of course) I will throw the stretch in there too.
 
Last edited:
Kirk_Ferentz said:
For those of you recommending the endura, how would the delica compare? (apart from the fact that it is smaller of course) I will throw the stretch in there too.
Click to expand...
The Endura is my favorite of the three, but the Delica and Stretch are excellent knives as well. If you get the Delica, I'd suggest going with the saber-ground version rather than the FFG version. The latter is ground very thin, which makes it a phenomenal slicer, but I think the former would be more versatile and robust for your needs.
 
neuron said:
The Endura is my favorite of the three, but the Delica and Stretch are excellent knives as well. If you get the Delica, I'd suggest going with the saber-ground version rather than the FFG version. The latter is ground very thin, which makes it a phenomenal slicer, but I think the former would be more versatile and robust for your needs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the saber would better suit my needs. I'm guessing the saber is still a pretty good slicer.
 
The American Lawman is a great suggestion, though I wouldn't call it "small". A Para2 would be lighter, slimmer, and have better wear resistance(though it would also make it harder to sharpen).

I guess it depends on how much stabbing or prying you'll be doing. To be honest, a spine whack doesn't replicate any real-world applications unless you intend to cut with the spine. Even if you're using the tip to penetrate, a slow shove into the material can be used instead of a vicious and quick stab into something solid.
 
I have a kaBar Dozier that is very light, and seems pretty strong to me, although I haven't abused it. It takes a wicked edge, and for the price, you could get two or three.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top