Small and light but tough folder?

[tsuba]

1) CS lawman (super lock and easy to sharp)
2) BM griptilian 550 (one hand closing... And you can use the zip tie trick as a wave feature)
3) )Spyderco Manix 2 (I think that a flat ground version will be available this year)

 

[chiral.grolim]

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 want something that I can re-sharpen with ease...

...under $70 or $80 bucks...

...I'm not really wanting an aus8 blade...
The buck 112 is good but definitely not a light folder and I want a clip...

The Buck ... is the absolute anthesis of light!

My apologies, i didn't realize that 5oz was considered 'heavy' given the listed uses Those Bucks (plain 420HC) are the one's I've used and seen used most among hunters, farmers, and outdoorsmen in general (all belt-wearing men, with the knife so carried) for precisely those tasks, and they had been so used for years/decades... The only spyderco I've seen used for general (including heavy) outdoors tasks was a manix (more expensive, heavier, and it looked pretty new) which I used as a weight-comparison. So that was just my experience regarding reliable use and longevity of a tool intended for such purposes. *shrug*
I'm sure a lot of these newer tools might be just what you are looking for (and I too prefer pocket-clips on edc folders, though my SAK has no clip). But i strongly caution against sacrificing strength/toughness for less weight if you really intend to use the knife as you suggest (esp. if on a regular basis)... And while Aus8 isn't considered elite (and I have no experience with it personally), some knives considered to be very tough (esp. for the price-point), including the CS American Lawman and Ontario Rat-1 (again, 5 oz knives), use it ...

Are you sure you intend to use the knife as you described, or am i overestimating the value of "toughness" in your tool needs?

If no one here has done so yet, I highly recommend both Jankerson1 and Bluntruth4u youtube reviews for your consideration :thumbup:

I hope you are satisfied with whatever choice you make!

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

Hey I have nothing against the good ole buck folders. That is my old man's knife of choice, and like I said, I want one myself. And my not wanting AUS8 isn't due to wanting an "elite" steel. I don't think 154CM and VG-10 are considered 'elite' in this 2011 world of zdp-189, m390, etc. But I also already have an AUS8 blade and I kind of want to try some new steels.

I'm really talking about those uses relative to what is reasonable to expect of a light, little folder. I don't expect a it to be able to split logs or take outrageous batoning or something. I actually probably would never have this knife in a situation where I foresaw hard use unless I also had a fixed blade on me (hence why I want it to be light ... I am already probably lugging my swamp rat along ... and that is heavier than the buck even, so I guess I got you beat in terms of weight ;-) ) I'm just looking for a light second fiddle really. If I am only taking a single knife and it is a folder, it would be my ZT 551.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Hey I have nothing against the good ole buck folders. That is my old man's knife of choice, and like I said, I want one myself. And my not wanting AUS8 isn't due to wanting an "elite" steel. I don't think 154CM and VG-10 are considered 'elite' in this 2011 world of zdp-189, m390, etc. But I also already have an AUS8 blade and I kind of want to try some new steels.

I'm really talking about those uses relative to what is reasonable to expect of a light, little folder. I don't expect a it to be able to split logs or take outrageous batoning or something. I actually probably would never have this knife in a situation where I foresaw hard use unless I also had a fixed blade on me (hence why I want it to be light ... I am already probably lugging my swamp rat along ... and that is heavier than the buck even, so I guess I got you beat in terms of weight ;-) ) I'm just looking for a light second fiddle really. If I am only taking a single knife and it is a folder, it would be my ZT 551.

:thumbup: Sweet, I gotcha now - I really was over-estimating your expectations of the knife. It sounds like you have way more experience with folders and steel-types than I do anyhow, and clearly you've got your head on straight with regard to what knife to use for what

The lightest folder I've got is a KaBar D2 Dozier Thorn (now discontinued), but I wouldn't recommend it for the uses you describe, it's a dress knife.

And Spyderco (among others) sure has a lot of light-weight offerings in all manner of steel-types. Good luck making the choice!

When did m390 come out??

 

[hoppingzombie]

DPX's Hest/F is pretty overbuilt for it's size. The blade is actually thicker than my SnG's. And has a very strong locking system. Only thing is it's D2... But it'll open bottles better than most knives.

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

DPX's Hest/F is pretty overbuilt for it's size. The blade is actually thicker than my SnG's. And has a very strong locking system. Only thing is it's D2... But it'll open bottles better than most knives.

Yeah, the HEST is way too big for what I want. If I lost my ZT 551, I might replace it with a HEST as fixed-blade-subsitute. But that is overkill if I am already carrying a fixed blade on a hike. That izula folder still hasn't come out, right?

 

[N4SIR]

Ritter grip IMO till izula folder

 

[Major Chord]

I don't own an Endura, but I do own both the Byrd Cara Cara and Cara Cara 2 in FRN (basically the economy model of the Endura). I love them both, and have found them to be good, strong designs. For $20...you can't go wrong, and if you want the extra perks of VG-10, and all American Construction, I think you would be well served by an Endura. I plan on picking up one myself sometime in the future.

 

[Liquidm1980]

i have both a griptilian and a delica. i prefer the feel on the benchmade. however i wear a suit to work and carry in my waist band and i found the delica more comfortable.

 

[cziv]

Spyderco Endura 4 :thumbup:

Spyderco Endura G-10 actually

Cold Steel large voyager (plain edge though)