Recommendation? Solid and Durable Folding Knives

[Snoow]

Blade HQ has the HK Axis knife...http://www.bladehq.com/item--HK-AXIS-Knife-Folder-Sand-G-10-3--27094
I can vouch for it being a great knife.

Cold Steel and Buck are getting their share of love, but there are some other options that might be just as durable and more friendly for one-handed use. Many would offer better fit/finish/materials.

The WE Knife 701 series is a beast of a knife and really nicely done. Comes in right at your budget point. Probably a better made knife than either the CS or Buck you're looking at currently.

Here's another WE, the Thraex. It's brand new so I've never had a chance to handle one but it looks absolutely awesome!

There's a whole series of Kershaw Emersons that are solid knives that land at a really cheap price.

Kizer has a lot of options under $100 that are sturdy, well built knives in both frame and liner lock.

The stainless Spyderco Endura avoids the FRN scales but brings the incredible ergonomics and awesome thumb hole of a Spydie.

I haven't used it but the RealSteel Flying Shark looks like a beast of a knife.

Some iteration of Cold Steel seems like the obvious answer, but the best thing about Cold Steel, the Triad Lock, can often be the worst thing. I've had good Triads and bad Triads. Some are real thumb busters. I wouldn't really consider any of them easy and convenient for one-handed deployment, so there are always trade-offs.

I think a lot of people overplay the lock strength of a folding knife. I suppose it's nice to have the "strongest" lock in the business, but if the second strongest lock fails on you, you're probably not using your folder the right way.

Anyway, have fun. Whatever you buy will end up being the knife you use to open the next knife you buy.

Thanks for all the recommendations! The pictures really help I think my new favorite is the Realsteal Flying stark! Reall nice lines and look to it. Thanks for spending the time to add pictures and all I really appreciate it

 

[Snoow]

Hackenslash:

I interpreted the OP's post as saying he wanted no plastic, meaning only metal and no G10 or the like.

Snoow:

FYI, there is one little part of the construction in the Code 4 that is plastic. The pivot has washers that are made of nylon, teflon, or some kind of plastic. If this is a problem they can be replaced for real cheap with phosphor bronze.

---Is the handle really slick?
Yes, but as mentioned before by me and others it is something that can be fixed, if you don't like it, with some tape.

---Can it be easily opened and closed with one hand?
After break-in, definitely yes

---What is one thing you love about this knife?
It is built like a tank

---What do you hate about this knife?
The slippery handles

Thanks for letting me know. Seems like the only problem you could find is a fixable one, so thats good. Thanks again!

 

[Snoow]

I have a cold steel recon tanto. It is hard to close one hand than most others. I just got a kizer vanguard sovereign. It is really smooth opening. It locks up well at about 40 percent. I have seen some of their titanium models on sale for your price. Kizer vanguard series are the budget model. Made with g10 and vg10 steel.

Cool little knife with a very unique handle. I like it, although again not a big fan of the plastic but I'll try and get it in hand. Thanks

 

[Hackenslash]

Hackenslash:

I interpreted the OP's post as saying he wanted no plastic, meaning only metal and no G10 or the like.

Ah, ok. I was thinking "no plastic" meant no FRN, GFN or Grivory. G10 has never felt like plastic to me.

 

[Snoow]

If a multitool with a 1" blade is illegal to carry, then how would you edc one of the recommend folders ?

Sneakily haha. I was just saying that to let you know that I need something that can be easily hidden deep in my pocket and that a fixed blade wouldn't work. The knife laws are really outdated and I dont think I would get to much trouble for carrying a small pocket knife.

 

[Snoow]

Ah, ok. I was thinking "no plastic" meant no FRN, GFN or Grivory. G10 has never felt like plastic to me.

Somehow I've never had a G10 knife and dont know much about them... I just thought they were glorified plastic lol. If g10 feels sturdy and wears well im fine with it

 

[dsalazar]

G10 is durable and resistant to chemicals. It's a layers of glass material soaked in a resin. It can have different feel. Cold steel has a rough texture while Spyderco is gripy but not rough. It can be polished smooth.

 

[Snoow]

G10 is durable and resistant to chemicals. It's a layers of glass material soaked in a resin. It can have different feel. Cold steel has a rough texture while Spyderco is gripy but not rough. It can be polished smooth.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Sneakily haha. I was just saying that to let you know that I need something that can be easily hidden deep in my pocket and that a fixed blade wouldn't work. The knife laws are really outdated and I dont think I would get to much trouble for carrying a small pocket knife.

Well any folder that's built like a tank and capable of harder camp use is going to be too big to edc without getting into trouble.
What you need to do is get yourself an 81mm Victorinox model to carry in your pocket, because it's a knife that is very unlikely to get you into trouble.
If you whip out some big modern folder you may very likely startle someone who knows it's illegal and call the cops, but if the knife in said situation was the world recognised simple of utility that is a red cellador Swiss army knife they probably wouldn't think twice.

If carrying an actual knife is illegal where you live it's best to if at all carry something non threatening.
You're better off getting a fixed blade for camp duty and an 81mm Victorinox for edc, because if you get one of these large modern folders that's also suitable as a camp knife chances are you'll be to worried about getting in trouble to even pull it out and use it for edc.

 

[Yonose]

Buck open season folder s30v, usually between $64-$70, very solid liner lock, comes with leather holster with vertical or horizontal carry option. Nice dymondwood scales

 

[PirateSeulb]

If the slippery issue of the Code 4 is an issue look into knives with FRN or G10 scales or know you will need to fix it with some type of grip tape.

 

[Snoow]

Well any folder that's built like a tank and capable of harder camp use is going to be too big to edc without getting into trouble.
What you need to do is get yourself an 81mm Victorinox model to carry in your pocket, because it's a knife that is very unlikely to get you into trouble.
If you whip out some big modern folder you may very likely startle someone who knows it's illegal and call the cops, but if the knife in said situation was the world recognised simple of utility that is a red cellador Swiss army knife they probably wouldn't think twice.

If carrying an actual knife is illegal where you live it's best to if at all carry something non threatening.
You're better off getting a fixed blade for camp duty and an 81mm Victorinox for edc, because if you get one of these large modern folders that's also suitable as a camp knife chances are you'll be to worried about getting in trouble to even pull it out and use it for edc.

Good point. I think I will take my chances though. I've heard stories that cops dont really care and the chances I get searched with the knife on me are pretty low.

 

[Snoow]

Buck open season folder s30v, usually between $64-$70, very solid liner lock, comes with leather holster with vertical or horizontal carry option. Nice dymondwood scales

I like it... but no pocket clip.

 

[palonej]

If you really can't swing the extra cash for the Crooked River, absolutely amazing knife, check out the HK Axis. Best one hand operation of all the knives recommended. By far!!
Good luck!
Joe

Thanks for all the recommendations! The pictures really help I think my new favorite is the Realsteal Flying stark! Reall nice lines and look to it. Thanks for spending the time to add pictures and all I really appreciate it

 

[Yonose]

I like it... but no pocket clip.

It has a pocket clip as well

 

[Yonose]

I like it... but no pocket clip.

It's the model 547, integral finger guard, the pocket clip is on the left side(same side as the liner lock mechanism) so it would be tip up carry only. I didn't mention it's so concealable with the horizontal belt sheath/holster

 

[Snoow]

It's the model 547, integral finger guard, the pocket clip is on the left side(same side as the liner lock mechanism) so it would be tip up carry only. I didn't mention it's so concealable with the horizontal belt sheath/holster

Oh cool! Guess i should have looked a bit harder. I'll reconsider

 

[chucknduck]

Lots of good options already said. I would lean to the Buck Marksman, Cold Steel Finn Wolf or Spyderco Manix 2. The Manix 2 you can have it your way. Pick your price, scales, or blade steel. If you don't mind the frn scales, the Manix 2 exclusive with cts-xhp for under a hundred bucks is an unbelievable deal. Even the basic with BD1 is fantastic.

 

[Lapedog]

That WE 701 seems like an amazing knife for the price. All the WEs that I handled were absolutely gorgeous knives. China is able to make good and originally designed knives these days.

I love the Buck Marksman, I think it is such a cool knife and I believe the lock is designed by G & G Hawk. I don't know how strong it actually is though. honestly though if you want to baton with a folder then I think the Tri-Ad on Cold Steel knives are the only ones that it seems doable with. Personally I don't think any folder should be batonned with.

 

[Snoow]

That WE 701 seems like an amazing knife for the price. All the WEs that I handled were absolutely gorgeous knives. China is able to make good and originally designed knives these days.

I love the Buck Marksman, I think it is such a cool knife and I believe the lock is designed by G & G Hawk. I don't know how strong it actually is though. honestly though if you want to baton with a folder then I think the Tri-Ad on Cold Steel knives are the only ones that it seems doable with. Personally I don't think any folder should be batonned with.

I did some reading and the lock on the Marksman is called the "Strong Lock System" (What a name lol) They say it is the strongest lock out of any knife they have and can withstand up to 600 pounds of force.