Suggestions? Folder in Abe-l, 14c28n, or Nitro-v.

the kershaw leek is 14c28n - and a perfect candidate, really nice wharn blade shape

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The Ruike folders in 14c28n are advertised at 58-60 rockwell, and are great performers in my experience. Excellent value as well

Setting the bar at 60 hardness seems a bit arbitrary; I'd be surprised if you were dissappointed in how they perform based on what you thought was too soft.

If I were you, I would find a design you liked in one of the steels mentioned and I think there would be a very good chance you will be happy with it.
 
DocJD said:
Toughness is more important than many seem to realize .

In real life use, toughness may save your blade from serious damage or destruction .

Extreme edge retention / hardness will only reduce frequency of sharpening , at best . Overrated IMO .
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I'm in the camp of tough and easy to sharpen is just fine by me.

AEBL at 61-62 is still silly tough and holds an edge nearly as well as 440c/ats34/cpm154. Nearly matches it when run at the 61-62 as compared to the 58-60 most makers put out the normal stainless steels at.

I have two customs at the higher hardness and they are still a joy to sharpen!

I am not anti high wear resistance steel. But I don't turn up my nose at lower wear resistance and higher toughness steels.


I am also a big fan of com3v, which gives the best of both worlds. Super tough and great edge retention.
 
chalby said:
The Ruike folders in 14c28n are advertised at 58-60 rockwell, and are great performers in my experience. Excellent value as well

Setting the bar at 60 hardness seems a bit arbitrary; I'd be surprised if you were dissappointed in how they perform based on what you thought was too soft.

If I were you, I would find a design you liked in one of the steels mentioned and I think there would be a very good chance you will be happy with it.
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I had one Ruike in 14c28n, that I paid around $30 for. That thing was incredible especially in that price range.
 
I like 14c28n and 12c27n
They are good steels that can be found in not too expensive knives

depending on the budget and quality you are expecting I would recommend to have a look at:

southern grind. They are expensive but the bad monkey is a full size folder that comes with some options on the blade shapes and that is well built.

I am not a fan of the Kershaw leek or bare knuckle but they are good knives.

Finch knife has just released the Cimarron that seems to be a good knife

Real steel has the G3, Metamorph and H7 and Ruike has quite a lot of models too

I have the ruike p801.
It is a great knife. The steel is good and the action with the flipper and the thumb studs is superb.
It comes with a deep carry clip.
My only complain is the material of the presentation side scale. But for the price it is acceptable :)
I
 
isn't the p801 just stainless steel scales?

curious about your complaint, did they just mess up the beadblasting or whatever?
 
It comes in a little over $100 but the Millit/Schwarz/Drop Perpetua comes in Nitro-V. Made in USA and one of the first, post-Patent uses of an axis style lock.

They’ve come out with a V.2 of this knife that addresses some of the complaints about the clip and lock access.
 
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I didn't know of this one... I like it except for that horrible wavy jimping, or whatever the intention is, it looks very annoying to me
 
I like 14c28n and 12c27n
They are good steels that can be found in not too expensive knives

depending on the budget and quality you are expecting I would recommend to have a look at:

southern grind. They are expensive but the bad monkey is a full size folder that comes with some options on the blade shapes and that is well built.

I am not a fan of the Kershaw leek or bare knuckle but they are good knives.

Finch knife has just released the Cimarron that seems to be a good knife

Real steel has the G3, Metamorph and H7 and Ruike has quite a lot of models too
 
Lots of selections in the steels you mentioned.

When I want tough as nails, simple to sharpen, corrosion resistant and super affordable I look to 420HC.

Take a look at Buck's 840 Sprint Select Flipper. Made in the USA, fantastic warranty... around the price of a couple rounds of brews.

The Southern Grind Bad Monkey is awesome. I'm sure you would find it worth the cash.

I don't own a Civivi, but I like this one:
CIVIVI Knives C2024B Riffle Flipper Knife 3.46" 14C28N Stonewashed Drop Point Blade, Olive Micarta Handles - KnifeCenter

Or hit up @jstn and talk about that Bareknuckle he's got.
 
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Mountaindog said:
Everyone here has been very helpful in the past, so I thought I would try again.

I have been searching for a new EDC. I have carried a Benchmade in N690 for many years. It has a partially serrated edge, which has suited my needs. However, my job/needs/wants have changed and I no longer want the serrations.

Most of you are far more knowledgeable than I, but my experience is that I prefer a blade thats easier to touch up.

I have a fillet knife with a very fine blade/edge made out of spring steel temperd hard and its a dream. It holds its edge well enough (way better than most), doesn't chip on bone and strops back easily. This experience combine with reading on knifesteelnerds has made me really want to try a folder in tough steel thats ground fine with a rockwell over 60. Something in the Abe-l family or another carbon steel (5160 or maybe 52100).

I'm seeing knives in 14c28n that are cheap and knives in Nitro-v that are several hundred, but not as many in the middle. I dont want to spend any more than I have to, but I dont want to deal with quality control issues. I know that finding a production knife over 60 hrc is a tall order...but...suggestions?

I prefer a 3"ish lock blade and I would love to try a flipper, but I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!
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I have a Chinese flipper that was in a trade bundle I don't use. It's not a spectacular knife but it is 14c28n. Ruike something or other, I'm too lazy to look up the model number right now. 3.5" blade, big handle that is a bit blocky.

Free if you want it, just email me at the address in my sig. It's not exactly what you're looking for but it ticks a few boxes, will help you get a feel for what you like and don't like, and it gets it out of my knife storage area.

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bikerector said:
I have a Chinese flipper that was in a trade bundle I don't use. It's not a spectacular knife but it is 14c28n. Ruike something or other, I'm too lazy to look up the model number right now. 3.5" blade, big handle that is a bit blocky.

Free if you want it, just email me at the address in my sig. It's not exactly what you're looking for but it ticks a few boxes, will help you get a feel for what you like and don't like, and it gets it out of my knife storage area.
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Email sent. Thanks!
 
Mountaindog said:
They look nice! Humm...They would be more tempting with a high flat grind...
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When it comes to Southern Grind, I prefer the Spider Monkey to the Bad Monkey. It's slightly cheaper smaller, with a 3.25" blade, and it has contoured scales instead of the slab scales on the Bad Monkey. It has a high flat grind and comes to a nice thin edge with S35VN steel. Based on your initial post I think you'd like the Spider Monkey better too.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Check out Manly knives. I have their Wasp in 12C27, around 60 HRC, holds a fantastic edge and easy to touch up. They offer a variety of models and steel choices for very reasonable prices.
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The Manly Wasp in 14c28n is on my want list for a slip joint. Looking at their website, their new City lockback might be the closest I have seen to filling my immediate needs/wants. I have seen varying reports about the rockwell of their knives. I dont see a rockwell listed on their website. Everything I have read about Manly is positive. Maybe I will shoot them an email and see what they say. Anyone have first hand experience with their 14c28n?
 
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