tactical folder ideas

O

old man guts

Joined
Feb 25, 2009
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I want to buy a tactical folding knife. At least 3.5 inch blade. Light weight would be great. Which is best, auto or assisted opening? Any ideas would be appreciated. I am new in the tactical folder market. Price Range up to $300 or so.
 
Benchmade 710d2 or 950 Rift (both are Axis locks which sort of defeats the purpose of an assisted opener).
Google these...they're common.

DDR Max Q1a http://www.darrelralph.com/ddr_knives_production_2006_maxxq-first.htm (also not assisted, but they open like butter and lightning fast).

ZT 0350 which should be out in April. This one is assisted opening, but has a slightly shorter than 3.5 inch blade. 3 1/4 inch blade. Pics here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=614919

EDIT: As far as autos are concerned, does your state even allow automatics?
Autos: Benchmade AFO II (comes in tanto if you like), Al Mar Sere, Bradley Large Alias, Lone Wolf Lobo or Harsey D2, Microtech Socom Elite, MOD Blackhawk MPAK

The list goes on, but I'll stop here.
 
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For a little more than $300 you could get a Large Chris Reeve Sebenza if the blade is long enough for you. Benchmade has several fine folders like the 940 which is around 3.5, 710, 950. Kershaw and Spyderco also have several nice folders. You need to handle a few different ones before you decide if you can get to a place that sells knives like these. All of these companies have some good ones to choose from. Good Luck!! Kevin :D You may want to check out the Spyderco Police 3 !
 
Do NOT get all-metal knives if you work with anything slippery, etc. and frankly, folders are really very much a compromise if you really intend to use these for self-defense. VERY few folders are ideal for that purpose in any way or form, no matter how "tactical-looking" they may be.

If by tactical folders you mean - tactically styled - check below:

For lightweight (i..e ~3-4 oz.) avoid Zero Tolerance. Great knives, but definitely on the heavy size. IIRC, the Spyderco Manix and Chinook - both superb prod. lockback folders, are also pretty heavy. If about 7-9 oz. and their size is okay with you, do consider them.

Choices: - do check the reviews here and on youtube
Spyderco Military or Para-Military (pretty much the EASIEST to open no matter what, gloves, very lightweight, etc) and lock up nicely. The Police 3 or Rookie are other good choices. The Military and Police have about 4 inch blades though. All of them are designed to cut and slice well, as well as having somewhat thin tips for precision work. I personally think the P'kal is the best choice if you like edge-in methods for actual SD.
Benchmade 710 - very slim, decent locking system, VERY smooth. Recurve can annoy some during sharpening. Others from BM include the 520 and 610 and HK 14205. Some find the detent on Axis-lock folders to be too loose, but you will PROBABLY mostly use your knives for utility tasks, these are great for their low-profile open and closed, and very smooth, rapid opening.

Kershaw: Offset, Skyline, Tyrade, and Blur come to mind. The Skyline is probably the small utility folder you never knew you had to have ;). Consider the OD-1, Zing, and Groove as well. The PackRat looks like a winner, though I haven't handled it yet.

Personally:
Military and Para-Military are pretty much the peak of the middle-line production folders for utility - lightweight, great blade design/geometry, handle ergos, and decent locks. They do lose a lot in terms of style, slimness (especially closed), and being "tacticool". If style and slimness is a bit more of a priority for you, then Benchmades and Kershaws are definitely brands you want to look at - great style, quality, etc. - but usually not quite the cutters that most Spydercos are ;). That said, there are some very nice designs from both companies.
That said, I carry my cheapies more than my Sebbies, my Caly 3 ZDP, etc. Kershaw Skyline and Spyderco Tenacious have worked great for me, good grip, decent liner-lock, and nice action with enough detent that I don't have to worry even if dropped. Others include my Boker CLB Trance, M-Type, Hyper, and occasionally, the Direkt. In most environments, I carry a Keycom and a Subcom F.
 
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the hk 14*** series from benchmade are amazing knives, very heavy duty. ive put my 14200 (the rubber handled one) through hell and its still perfect as the day i bought it
 
You don't need to spend $300 on a good knife.

The Spyderco Military is the most blade per oz. I've ever seen in a folding knife, each time I open it I can't believe how light it is. It's so light because it has a skeletonized steel frame inside of the mostly G10 handle. The handle allows you a full grip with some sticking out the bottom of your hand. It locks up very tightly, better than any other liner lock I've tried. It also has a finger choil if you want to choke up on it.

My second choice for a 4" folder is the Emerson Super CQC-7. The regular '7 felt like a toothpick to me, but the Super '7 is perfect. It does have a chisel grind, if that bothers you. I like the Super '7 because the handle is basically rectangular, allowing you any grip you want and always feeling the same. It's textured G10, so no worries about slipping, and it's very wide and flat so it can't twist in the hand.

For $300 you can get one of each.
 
old man guts said:
I want to buy a tactical folding knife. At least 3.5 inch blade. Light weight would be great. Which is best, auto or assisted opening? Any ideas would be appreciated. I am new in the tactical folder market. Price Range up to $300 or so.
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i would have to recommend a waved emerson. they are practically indestructable and open faster than any automatic or assisted ever could without legal consequences
 
14205 BM HK
Auto axis models
Tyrade
0350 in a month or so...
Anything from the ZT/kershaw line
 
old man guts said:
I want to buy a tactical folding knife. At least 3.5 inch blade. Light weight would be great. Which is best, auto or assisted opening? Any ideas would be appreciated. I am new in the tactical folder market. Price Range up to $300 or so.
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Best Tactical folder so far MOD Mark I. If you ar talking about fighting with it against other person, not about tactical look or worship. From other hand for fight it is hard to consider any folding 3.5" knife as a weapon. It may be better then nothing, some may be better then other, but no one can compete real weapon which suppose give you clear advantage against your enemy. All this tactical term is just strange, it may be called strategic intercontinental as well...

If you are really looking for some good knife - it is a different story. Best lightweight will be Spuderco Military and you may have a chance to get really good one with CPM S90V. But it is excellent cutter-slicer and will not suitable for hard hits through the closes and bones, which you need in a fight. Blade is too thin and handle has not enough guard and it was not designed for this.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Strider SMF is my vote, yes its a bit pricier but you will be well served for many many years to come; something that you can't say about lesser knives.
 
From other hand for fight it is hard to consider any folding 3.5" knife as a weapon
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If you believe the "Official Story" Of 9/11 they slit peoples throats with $2 box cutters to gain control of planes to turn them into missiles. I think the Box Cutter blade is about .75 inch?

It's about 2 inches or less to your heart so 3.5 is more then enough.

You Jugular and carotid artery is Just under the Skin. Not enough to really measure, if you are mad you can see them pulse, so 3.5 is way more then enough for that. Same with Eyes, Just under lids if closed.

All tendons inside and outside of hands are just under skin so 3.5 will disable hand with 1 easy cut. same with tendons and muscles on legs and arms.

The Key to "Tactical" is Knowing what you're doing with your tool.
 
I took a entire weekend knife self defense, offensive course, and the instructor used, and as we where all handed and trained with the Boker Subcom. That is Very small knife. Can't hardly stab with it. but Cutting is devistating with even the smallest blade. I chose after the class to get the Boker Subcom "Claw" Model, I feel it cuts deeper and easier, and Well Under 3.5.

Also Look at Fred Perrin From France and his Whole Idea of the la Griff, and now Emersons La Griff. It's 1.9 inches. I would not want to be on receiving end of aggressor with La griff in hand.

OP- If you Have $300 to spend you can get 2 or 3 cheaper self defense knives like Benchmade, Spyderco or Emerson, or One Knife in the $300 range and be it your "Knife for Life" quality. Check www.bladeart.com or Arizona Custom Knives. they have many many Nice Folding self defense knives. and Arizona Custom has catogories to go through like "Tactical Folder" "Production folders" and so on. You should spend a lot of time and research if you want to spend all on one knife. You have many great choices.
 
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The Spyderco Military is the most blade per oz. I've ever seen in a folding knife, each time I open it I can't believe how light it is. It's so light because it has a skeletonized steel frame inside of the mostly G10 handle. The handle allows you a full grip with some sticking out the bottom of your hand. It locks up very tightly, better than any other liner lock I've tried. It also has a finger choil if you want to choke up on it.

My second choice for a 4" folder is the Emerson Super CQC-7. The regular '7 felt like a toothpick to me, but the Super '7 is perfect. It does have a chisel grind, if that bothers you. I like the Super '7 because the handle is basically rectangular, allowing you any grip you want and always feeling the same. It's textured G10, so no worries about slipping, and it's very wide and flat so it can't twist in the hand.

For $300 you can get one of each.
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Yes Get 1 Military, 1 Super CQC-7 and maybe Lagriff for neck wear and you will be full of knives. Or Take a Lot of time and research if you want to spend all on one knife. But if you make right choice in one knife you will be happy.
 
I would say buy the best knife that you CAN afford. QUALITY over quantity.
 
The Spyderco Military is the most blade per oz. I've ever seen in a folding knife, each time I open it I can't believe how light it is. It's so light because it has a skeletonized steel frame inside of the mostly G10 handle. The handle allows you a full grip with some sticking out the bottom of your hand. It locks up very tightly, better than any other liner lock I've tried. It also has a finger choil if you want to choke up on it.

My second choice for a 4" folder is the Emerson Super CQC-7. The regular '7 felt like a toothpick to me, but the Super '7 is perfect. It does have a chisel grind, if that bothers you. I like the Super '7 because the handle is basically rectangular, allowing you any grip you want and always feeling the same. It's textured G10, so no worries about slipping, and it's very wide and flat so it can't twist in the hand.

For $300 you can get one of each.
Reply With Quote
Click to expand...

Yes Get 1 Military, 1 Super CQC-7 and maybe Lagriff for neck wear and you will be full of knives. Or Take a Lot of time and research if you want to spend all on one knife. But if you make right choice in one knife you will be happy.
 
Hammerhead7050 said:
the Boker Subcom. That is Very small knife. Can't hardly stab with it. but Cutting is devistating with even the smallest blade.

Also Look at Fred Perrin From France and his Whole Idea of the la Griff, and now Emersons La Griff.
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I guess it is a matter of what a weapon is in difference to an self defense knife.

To me, a weapon is made to at least kill the other.

A self defense knife is made to prevent or defend agaibst an attack and get me out of the situation.

It is the difference between what a knife can do and what it is intended and able to do.
 
If you know what you are doing - everything may be turned into the weapon. This however does not make knife a weapon as well as screwdriver and hummer etc. Because in this case weapon is you not whatever you use. Knife is not weapon - it does not give you clear advantage over stronger opponent as weapon suppose to do. Drawing knife without knowing how to use it bring you much more trouble.

If you really need selfdefense and this is not abstract fears which teenagers facing real world usually have. Get boxing - it gives you good idea what fight is and then you will decide for yourself which knife to choose.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
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