Still looking for a good folder...

Midget

Midget

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Jun 1, 2002
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I'm still on the lookout for a good, sturdy folder. Basically, I'm after an Extrema Ratio Fulcrum that's lighter and less butt-ugly. Ideas?
 
How about a Lonewolf Harsey Tactical Folder

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Or maybe a Atropos folder from Mercworx??


threefates_06.jpg
 
My first choice would be the Spyderco Calypso Jr., Then the Spyderco Native III, then the Camillus EDC. All these of excellent quality an lightweight.
 
the new BM ambush is pretty sturdy, & cheap! It's no Extrema Ratio, but for $50 you can buy it & beat the holy crap out of it without any pangs of guilt.
 
Originally posted by fishface5
It's no Extrema Ratio, but for $50 you can buy it & beat the holy crap out of it without any pangs of guilt.
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Yeah, but once you've destroyed your 7th and realize that you could've had a Nemesis or an MPC from Extrema Ratio for that money and they'd suffer only a few scratches on the testudo finish, you'd feel worse.

:D

Midget,

If you want something as sturdy as an Extrema Ratio, you're going to have to buy an Extrema Ratio. I'll second the recommendation of the Chinook II and nominate Benchmade's 806D2 and 520, but I don't think any are as sturdy as an Extrema Ratio folder. Close, but.... nah.

Get yourself a Nemesis or M.P.C. and never look back.
 
If your budget is below $100, you may want to consider the Greco Falcon. That is one tough folder. It may not be pretty but it will do almost anything you want it to do.
 
Buck/Strider spearpoint!

I have the tanto, LOVE IT! What a great tool, and such a solid lock-up. I want a spear point to go with my tanto. Must... have... spearpoint...
 
I know liner-locks are frequently poo-pooed here, but I still might as well recommend the Microtech LCC in S30V or S90V. Ti carbonitride finish is very durable if you want a coating. The lockup is solid, unlike my Chinook, though you may not be able to apply 800+lb of folding pressure if that's what you're into. Then again, maybe you could. Steel liners, nice heft, good carry options with included sheath, excellent fit and finish. Blade seems to be just as thick as the Chinook but with more useful geometry. Just a thought.
 
Yea, I think I'm going with the Native III. Basically, I'm after a native III with a blade that's twice as thick. But I guess I can't win them all.

I've put a lot of consideration into the ER line. For a long time I was all set up and ready to buy the fulcrum IID, but they are entirely too heavy, it's just not applicable for my situation. Here's what turns me off about the ER fulcrum line:

*Heavy. I only carry a folder when I'm in workout clothes (jogging, lifting) or on my pajamas when i sleep, or as a backup in my BDUs. I clip the knife about 4 o'clock in the waistband of my pants. So, if I'm wearing running clothes, having that 8oz. block bouncing up and down on my elastic waistband windpants is not practical. I don't carry a folder as EDC- I wear dockers just about every day, so I have a fixed blade on my belt at 4 o'clock.

*Metal handles. Metal handles are cold to the touch and slippery. If I'm wearing BDU's, the folder will be clipped to the right front pocket (my fixed blade on my LBE). A michigan winter will chill down a metal handle in a hurry. If the handles were textured, I wouldn't worry about grip as much. But as they look, they are smooth with a generous finger choil. I like the choil, but traction is preferred.

*@ss-ugly. I mean, aesthetics don't really mean too much to me... But... it's like they purposefully made those things ugly as sin. The nemesis isn't bad looking, but it's too big. Illegal for me to carry within city limits.

So... Yea.

Also, I dunno anything about ER customer service. Strider is cool cause they got an unconditional warrantee. Spyderco is cool because they offer lifetime sharpening. I don't demand an unconditional warrantee, but if it's a 230+ folder, complimentary sharpening would be nice.

Anyhow, thanks guys.
 
ER USA's service is first rate. I broke the screw in the thumbstuds of my Nemesis (the thumbstuds act as a stop pin when the knife is closed. The studs have a lip that slides into the knife so that there is no stress on the screw that holds them together. I managed to twist too tightly going the wrong way with my pliers and allen wrench (it was on very tight and I thought twisting tighter would help in loosening. I know. I'm dumb) and Frank Miller from Extrema Ratio USA hooked me up as fast as first class mail could go.

The handles are smooth and made of some type of aluminum, but they're very secure. Wearing my winter gloves, I'm able to grip my Nemesis from my left-front pocket and Brownie-pop it open.

If they weigh too much, they weigh too much. Can't change that.

If you think they're ugly, you need laser eye surgery. Can't change that either. <grin/>

For a beefy folder that won't pants you while you're active, I know the 806D2 from Benchmade is good. Stayed on my pants during all of the bobbing and weaving in boxing class and my waistband stayed up, so I know that the 806D2 is sweatpants safe. Lighter ones are presumably safer in that manner.

Edited to add:

The smooth aluminum handle on my ER Nemesis is a lot more secure than my G10 handled Benchmade 710. OTOH, the 806D2 is more secure than the ER Nemesis.
 
Originally posted by Midget


Also, I dunno anything about ER customer service. Strider is cool cause they got an unconditional warrantee. Spyderco is cool because they offer lifetime sharpening. I don't demand an unconditional warrantee, but if it's a 230+ folder, complimentary sharpening would be nice.

Anyhow, thanks guys.
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I didn't know spyderco offered lifetime sharpening. I thought only Benchmade had the Lifesharp service.

Spyderco is one top class company. Now that i've got my SERE2k the Military needs to be bought!
Damn it i wish i had a job.
 
Heck yea! I've sent numerous spydercos back in for sharpening, and almost every time, it was brought back to me with factory edge. VERY sharp. In two cases, the tip was damaged a bit, and spyderco brought it back to a delightful point. Great stuff.
 
So, does anyone know about any other ER services? I understand that Mr. Miller is a great guy and would probably be willing to help you out with parts and etc. But how about sharpening? Would he be able to do it, with ER's being foreign blades and such?
 
Originally posted by Midget
... with ER's being foreign blades and such?
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Foreign blades? They're Italian!

Italians aren't foreigners, are they? :)

Get a Sharpmaker and you won't have to worry about sending knives in for sharpening!
 
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