The best combat folder? What do you recommend?

hotwriter

hotwriter

Joined
Jun 7, 2004
Messages
173
What do I mean by best? For a while I used an Emerson Mach 1, which is a hybrid utility combat knife similar to the Commander but with a bit less belly in the blade. Works beautifully. That will soon be posted for sale here. Brand new.

Then I used a Benchmade 802D Axis Lock, surely the most elegant production combat folder, with its quasi-Persian sinuousness and, of course, the tenacity of the Benchmade Axis Lock. That too will soon be posted for sale here. Also brand new.

I'm looking to move up to the next level. I purchased a Strider SnG 5th Gen from another bladeforum member, but the knife neither opened smoothly nor closed at all, which Strider is looking into. But even so, the G-10 scales didn't feel sufficiently weighty to counterbalance the weight of the blade, making the knife somewhat blade-heavy.

So, even though I'm I huge fan of Strider fixed-blade knives (I own five), I'm a little reticent to purchase another Strider folder siight unseen. If I'm going to be spending $350, $400, or more for a folder, the fact that it needs to function flawlessly should go without saying. I not only expect it to function flawlessly, but expect every other aspect of its manufacture to be perfect.

So, what's left? I see that Chris Reeve large Sebenzas are immensely popular. These don't strike me as combat knives, but what do I know? What is it about Sebenzas that set them apart?

And what other Sebenza-quality choices in a combat folder exist?
 
What do you mean by "combat?" The most straightforward interpretation, I suppose, would be a knife designed primarily to wound or kill humans - but the more military types around here would argue that the best combat knife is the one that cuts paracord the easiest...

For "use me as a crowbar and toss me in the trunk" functionality, many forumites endorse the Extrema Ratio folders. Others would probably say that the Sebenza is a better choice because it's more functional as a knife. Others would claim (depending on your definition of "combat knife," of course) that the Spyderco Civilian is a better choice because it's designed from the ground up to do nothing other than leave large gashes in other people.

Out of curiosity, you mention that the knives you used previously (the Emerson and the Benchmade) are brand new. Did you carry them to see if they were right for you? Cut with them a few times? Maybe your perfect carry is already in your possession?
 
With training: one I can think of right now are the big Cuda Maxx folding knives.

Without training: Spyderco Civilian... slash wildly and run!
 
emerson specwar CQC8 w/a zero bevel grind blade is pretty good, high $$ though, in production stuff a cuda maxx or a BM skirmish is also good, spyderco ti (or SS) ATR too, or the extrema ratio folders are all pretty darned good too. really there are tons of candidates imho, just depends on what ya want, what ya like, and sometimes what ya got.
 
You could try the Spyderco Gunting. It is a dedicated folder for MBC (Martial Blade Craft) - more details at www.cssdsc.com
If you want a more versatile folder, which can be used for MBC as well as for outdoors, camping aso. there is also the Spyderco Chinook, Manix or Lil'T.
If you just look for a dedicated SD tool (something you can use even if you don't know much about MBC), there is the Spyderco Civilian.
And you won't have to pay 200 - 300 $ for a quality folder, none of those gets over 130$
 
It looks like you've already tried some of the best. If you detail the qualities you're looking for in this ideal knife, we might be able to help come up with a match.
 
If you have small to medium hands, check out the Combat Elite Rapid Response Folder, and the Tactical Elite if you have larger hands.
That Emerson HD-7 looks great, too, if you like a chisel ground tanto blade.
I also suggest you give a better description of your used knives than "brand new" when you post them for sale here.
 
strider SMF/SNG...if combat = military-type abuse - opening ammo boxes, prying lids off, digging the ground etc etc
 
Well if Strider folders are in your price range then how about a blade by Kit Carson like the model 4 or maybe that guy with the stabilizer bars, Rick Hindererer.
I am interpretting "combat" to mean you want a reliable folder that is big enough to do lots of work including possible SD and strong enough to hold up with little to no maintenance.
 
Having gone throught the "bullet proof" phase of collecting, I've tried everything from Striders to Extrema Ratio on the production side, and almost every big name custom makers "beefy" option & more.

The best folder I have found that has good cutting geometry paired with being extremely overbuilt is the original Spyderco Chinook. If you can get one I don't think you'll be disappointed, and at ~1/3 the price or more you stand to be amazed.

IMO the new design of the Chinook does not hold a candle in terms of "robustness", and it was not meant to.
 
cpirtle said:
IMO the new design of the Chinook does not hold a candle in terms of "robustness", and it was not meant to.
Click to expand...

Maybe not, Chad, but the new Chinook is still PLENTY beefy. :)
 
Danbo said:
Maybe not, Chad, but the new Chinook is still PLENTY beefy. :)
Click to expand...

How much heavier was the original Chinook? What constructions differences? I ask b/c I'm very interested in the Manix and have been told that the Chinook and Manix share the same frame/attributes...but come to think of it, I am not sure if the chinook 1 or 2 was mentioned. I even catch myself thinking Strider, but If I can get the durability/quality in Spyderco, I'd rather go that route.
Thanks,
Randy Kight
Richmond, VA
 
I just knifed a guy the other day with an Opinel.

Seriously, I don't think any of us will be seeing combat with a knife anytime soon, (fingers crossed). I'm a big Spyderco fan as well as a Buck fan. A Chinook or a Military are damned good knives. Another great knife is the fabled Buck 110 which has probably seen more duty use than any other "tactical" blade no matter what Emerson says.
 
Danbo said:
Maybe not, Chad, but the new Chinook is still PLENTY beefy. :)
Click to expand...

No doubt there!


jrk said:
How much heavier was the original Chinook?
Click to expand...

Some of the Spyderco afficianato's can probably be more in depth, and I'm going from memory, but I believe they thinned the liner material a bit and skeletonized them a little more. The blade is a bit thinner (about 1/32 or so, maybe 1/16) and ground to a more sleek profile. The Chinook II is also all/mostly screw construction where the Chinook is pinned.

Overall I believe they shaved about 2-3 oz from the weight.

The Manix is closer in line with the Chinook II.


Don't get me wrong, the new design is still a very robust knife, but I prefer the old style - it's just more of a tank.
 
cpirtle said:
No doubt there!




Some of the Spyderco afficianato's can probably be more in depth, and I'm going from memory, but I believe they thinned the liner material a bit and skeletonized them a little more. The blade is a bit thinner (about 1/32 or so, maybe 1/16) and ground to a more sleek profile. The Chinook II is also all/mostly screw construction where the Chinook is pinned.

Overall I believe they shaved about 2-3 oz from the weight.

The Manix is closer in line with the Chinook II.


Don't get me wrong, the new design is still a very robust knife, but I prefer the old style - it's just more of a tank.
Click to expand...


cpirtle,
Thanks for the info. Please forgive my ignorance. What do you mean by "pinned vs. screwed"? If my assumption is correct, I would think the screw would be higher quality...ie, the ability to tighten and disassemble. I'm also curious of "skeletonized liner". Does this mean the ss liner is thinner, or it has cutaways inside to lighten? I want a extremely overbuild knife. I'm wondering if the original chinook would be a better buy over the manix.

Thanks,
Randy
 
You're right, the Chinook is pinned together except for the pivot. The Chinook II has screws except for the thong hole liner (which is essentially a pin).

Strength wise pins will most likely be stronger but that's probably arguable. I like screws becase I can customize the knife with my own scales. For this discussion I think the differences are negligable, I was just pointing it out as one of the changes.

I believe the liners on the new models are thinner, and I know they have more cut-outs in them to make them lighter. So really the answer to your question is both.

Given your request for an extremely overbuilt knife the orig Chinook is definitely more overbuilt than the Manix. Not only is the blade thicker it does not have a high thin grind leaving more steel in the blade. The Manix will out cut the Chinook, but that does not sound like one of your requirements.
 
I bought a Benchmade Skirmish a few months ago and I love it. It is a titanium handle and feels like a real knife. Frame lock similar to the Sebenza. It is a big step up from the Emerson CQC-7 that I carried before. I'm thinking about upgrading to the Cuda Maxx 7.0.
 
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