Recommendation? Stronger pocket knife 4 to 5 inches? (Fieldcraft? Fox Deimos?)

C

cyberjim

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Dec 12, 2021
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I've been on a farm more than in the city lately and the lockup on my Spyderco Endura is starting to get some play. I'm guessing it's from all the post notching and fire starting. I try to carry a fixed blade and keep a hatchet with me but I forget them both 80 percent of the time. I never mean to work the Endura the way I do, but I've been doing it constantly.

I really like the look of the blade on the TOPS fieldcraft but I need a folder to open fast and easy--I often use Emerson wave or "waveable" knives. Looking at the fieldcraft it doesn't appear like something I can mindlessly open. I find the handle really unattractive but it uses standoffs so it should be easy to clean. I also like that it is made in the USA. Appearance is last on the list of priorities anyway.

The wood and steel Fox Deimos Looks amazing to me and although a flipper isn't as fast as a wave, they do have a satisfying feeling and when I used to carry a flipper it was a pretty mindless open. I am usually happy with Italian made products. The main problem with this option is the solid back will make it harder to clean (especially in the field). I also wish there wasn't a recurve on the blade.

My Emerson Journeyman seemed to do the job pretty well before I swapped it out for the Endura for city use. Unfortunately once it went in the duffle bag 3 of the handle screws worked their way out and went missing. A little stronger and a little longer would work better for me anyway.

Would the Deimos be as strong or stronger than the Emerson?

Can the TOPS fieldcraft be easily flicked open?

Is there another folder that is made in...how do I say this without breaking the "No Politics rule"? The USA, Canada, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland kind of idea.

Is there another folder I should also be considering? *Automatics are prohibited where I am.
 
Cold steel literally triad lock anything. I don't know if you need to go 4 Max for this specific job.

That way you could get the budget steels budget handles but still have a knife that flicks open and will pretty much stay open. In pretty much any blade shape you want.

And yes you can say not made in china. Without breaking the no politics rule.

Something like a voyager maybe.

 
Consider a Grippie: light, incredible tough (FRN grips), variety of steels available, easy opening with the Axis lock. Spyderco would be another place to look for light, tough, easy opening folders with a variety of steels and reliable locking mechanisms.
 
Cold steel SR1 is another great knife in S35vn, with a choice of Tanto or Clip point. The blades 3/16's thick and sharp as can be.
 
Thanks for all the help so far everyone.

I should have also mentioned that I prefer the characteristics of 154CM and VG10. I'm assuming I'd also like 690. I hate S30V and have a knee jerk reaction against many of the "premium" steels. High carbon or spring steel could work. Tough-ish to Tough, easy to sharpen, and able to easily take a really sharp edge are more important to me than edge retention.

The feel of cutting with a lot of the powdered/super steels is also less pleasurable for me. I know people love them, but to me they just feel weird. Weird when cutting and really weird when sharpening. I have a few blades in the desk drawer that are made of those kind of steels that I have been thinking of giving to nieces and nephews. More expensive but I just don't like the way they feel in use.

Weight is not an issue as it may remind me to put my Endura back in my pocket when I head for the city.

DocJD, thanks for the recommendation of the Snaggletooth. That looks like something I would put on a handful of my knives.

As well as China I also like to avoid Taiwan, Vietnam, Pakistan, etc., etc. Can I say anywhere I may not like where the money is going or how the workers are likely treated?

Philippines CAN be OK but it takes me more research into the background of the manufacturing company for the brand.
 
I'd probably combine a small but tough fixed blade with a multi-tool. I like my Leatherman Surge, right up until I use the wire cutters more than a couple times. The Victorinox Spirit Plus are what I've sent up to the ranch and they're much appreciated, as the wire cutters are better and it comes with a ratchet set. Other farmhands and ranchers are pretty cooled out by them too.

There are a ton of decent fixed blades, but you don't really need a monster blade for a farm, where it can sometimes get in the way. Something like a Boker Plus Pry Pro, White River M1 Pro Backpacker, ESEE Izula II, or any number of similar knives would be a good choice, because they're small enough that you don't notice them until you need them.

The two folders I find myself getting the most use out of in the woodlot yard and garden are my Spyderco Police 4 and my Benchmade Griptilion, because sliciness matters.
 
Cold Steel’s AUS10 is comparable to VG10, and I like their heat treatment more than Spyderco’s. It’s found on many models including the Voyagers and 4 Max Scout. The locks are much more robust and self adjusting than the back lock of the Endura. You might be happy with a large or XL Voyager with a Snaggletooth wave.
 
Get a Cold Steel. the Voyager is inexpensive and very similar to 154cm. It's lightwieght FRN like the Endura, and the lock is indestructible. Sounds perfect for your needs and desires.
 
cyberjim said:
Thanks for all the help so far everyone.

I should have also mentioned that I prefer the characteristics of 154CM and VG10. I'm assuming I'd also like 690. I hate S30V and have a knee jerk reaction against many of the "premium" steels. High carbon or spring steel could work. Tough-ish to Tough, easy to sharpen, and able to easily take a really sharp edge are more important to me than edge retention.

The feel of cutting with a lot of the powdered/super steels is also less pleasurable for me. I know people love them, but to me they just feel weird. Weird when cutting and really weird when sharpening. I have a few blades in the desk drawer that are made of those kind of steels that I have been thinking of giving to nieces and nephews. More expensive but I just don't like the way they feel in use.

Weight is not an issue as it may remind me to put my Endura back in my pocket when I head for the city.

DocJD, thanks for the recommendation of the Snaggletooth. That looks like something I would put on a handful of my knives.

As well as China I also like to avoid Taiwan, Vietnam, Pakistan, etc., etc. Can I say anywhere I may not like where the money is going or how the workers are likely treated?

Philippines CAN be OK but it takes me more research into the background of the manufacturing company for the brand.
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You might look at the Spyderco Manix XL. Its made in the USA and survived construction work for almost 3 years before I wore the S30V blade out. After that I built a new blade out of carbon steel and I like it way better now. The new blade is 3.9 I think, so unfortunately its a little short. If your handy, its a super easy blade to duplicate though.

Cold steel is mostly made in China and Taiwan anymore, but they do make pretty good knives from my experience.

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Black Oak Bladeworks said:
You might look at the Spyderco Manix XL. Its made in the USA and survived construction work for almost 3 years before I wore the S30V blade out. After that I built a new blade out of carbon steel and I like it way better now. The new blade is 3.9 I think, so unfortunately its a little short. If your handy, its a super easy blade to duplicate though.

Cold steel is mostly made in China and Taiwan anymore, but they do make pretty good knives from my experience.

Attach files
Click to expand...
OP did state that they don’t like S30V, and the Tri-Ad locked knives recommended are all made in Taiwan. The quality is there in my experience. Also, I can’t think of any Cold Steel knives with Tri-Ad locks that are made in China off the top of my head. Some really inexpensive (sub $50) fixed blades, yeah.
 
jux t said:
OP did state that they don’t like S30V, and the Tri-Ad locked knives recommended are all made in Taiwan. The quality is there in my experience. Also, I can’t think of any Cold Steel knives with Tri-Ad locks that are made in China off the top of my head. Some really inexpensive (sub $50) fixed blades, yeah.
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Let me re phrase that to say I don't believe Cold Steel has many knife models currently made in places that would fit his criteria. But I do think they are good knives for the price and most including those recommended so far are made in Taiwan. The Op would prefer to avoid Taiwan as well though. I do believe several of the cheaper folding models are now made in China including a few of the cheaper Tri add lock models like the Double Safe Hunter and the Kiridashi. My understanding is that after Cold Steel was bought out they have shifted production of several models but I could be wrong on that. Its hard to keep up with everything.

I know he said he didn't like S30V and I can understand why. Large American made folders in older steels are not easy to find though. Which is why I recommended if he is handy its an easy blade to duplicate with basic tools and replace with what ever steel he wants. David Mary was also replacing several models of knife blades with custom options if he wants to pursue that as a possibility.

Check him out here. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/david-do-you-ever-reblade-folders.1771779/page-4
 
Black Oak Bladeworks said:
Let me re phrase that to say I don't believe Cold Steel has many knife models currently made in places that would fit his criteria. But I do think they are good knives for the price and most including those recommended so far are made in Taiwan. The Op would prefer to avoid Taiwan as well though. I do believe several of the cheaper folding models are now made in China including a few of the cheaper Tri add lock models like the Double Safe Hunter and the Kiridashi. My understanding is that after Cold Steel was bought out they have shifted production of several models but I could be wrong on that. Its hard to keep up with everything.

I know he said he didn't like S30V and I can understand why. Large American made folders in older steels are not easy to find though. Which is why I recommended if he is handy its an easy blade to duplicate with basic tools and replace with what ever steel he wants. David Mary was also replacing several models of knife blades with custom options if he wants to pursue that as a possibility.

Check him out here. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/david-do-you-ever-reblade-folders.1771779/page-4
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True, forgot about the kiridashi. It’s a little bit of a stretch to recommend buying a manix and making a replacement blade for the average knife user. However I am personally looking forward to when/if DM gets those Recon 1 blades made.
 
If you can get past being made in Taiwan, would definitely try Cold Steel with TriAd lock
 
jux t said:
True, forgot about the kiridashi. It’s a little bit of a stretch to recommend buying a manix and making a replacement blade for the average knife user. However I am personally looking forward to when/if DM gets those Recon 1 blades made.
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I agree its a stretch for many. I figured I would mention it and he can decide what to do with it or if he is even interested in pursing that option.
 
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