The best Tactical/Combat folder for under $250.00 is???

L

lcplcookba

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Jan 8, 2008
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I have the Applegate/fairbane, recon 1,crkt m-21,ka-bar mule and numerous fixed blade. My first love is the folder though. But as you all probably realize, the search for that elusive crown jewel of the collection, has escaped me. I want a knife that is certain, not to fail in lockup and design, should ever the unfortunate circumstances warrant its use, arise.
 
Just received an Emerson CQC12 yesterday and it is more than I expected. Fit and finish are equal with Strider, but cost $200 less.
 
Price doesn't have to be a determining factor here. A tactical knife needs these characterisrics:

1. Good blade configuration. Spear-point, tanto, drop-point, plus edge preference (V-grind v. chisel grind), are all viable choices, as is blade finish (matte, black or polished);

2. Blade material. Although premium steel is great for edge retention, it's not necessary for tactical use. Neither are gimmack steels like San Mai;

3. Lock. There are many reliable locks, but some are stronger than others. I recommend the axis locks or the lock backs.

4. Handle. This includes material, configuration and strength. A good tactical handle should offer a good grip that prevents the hand from sliding over the blade if it hits a solid target. It also should not conduct heat or cold and it should be "grippible" even in a gloved hand;

5. Blade length. This is the weak link in many tactical knives. I can't believe how small some of these knives are. One reason I like Cold Steel knives is that 5- and 6-inch folders are available.

6. Finally, speed of opening. A tactical knife should be sharp and quickly deployed.

All things considered, I like the Cold Steel Recon 1, primarily because of its fine serrations. And if the Recon 1 were made in a 5-inch black blade, it would replace the 5-inch Gunsite I carry now.
 
Yeah, discontinued, discontinued. Why not just buy a good knife that you can depend on? The 0300 series is best value for a FRAMELOCK
 
I'd say Applegate, ZT 300 has a very strong lock, but the blade is not so good for "combat"

take a look

IMG_4570.jpg
 
kinda depends on whether you are thinking primarily self-defense/"fighting" knife vs "combat" folder. Either way you want a strong lock, but the blade steel quality is more important for hardy combat use (cutting, chopping, scraping, prying) than it is for a designated fighting knife that is only to be used against attackers. Also, if the knife is truly intended as a pig-sticker one of the primary considerations would be that it is extremely pointy, whereas if intended for hard use there are not really any vital requirements concerning the blade shape. Plus if the knife is intended for SD more than for work, the ability to quickly present the blade without the need for fine motor control is imperative -- therefore a waved blade is probably preferable. Actually, for SD a waved Spyderco Endura is probably an excellent choice, and reasonably priced as well! Although that freaking Dalton dagger in the above pic has a whole lot more poetry to it . . . wow!
 
I think that SD is probably going to be one of the very last things for which you would use a "combat folder". More than likely it is going to be used for utility chores, much like they are used in the civilian world. I would imagine that the military chores for which it might be used could be more rugged than perhaps for what you or I might use our folders. With that in mind I would say that the ZT series of knives would fit the bill just fine. That could be the ZT0300 series, ZT0200, or the ZT0500, with it's sealed lock and pivots. Of course I'm choosing from the knives I own and am intimately familiar and would also include the BM 610 Rukus, and Bladetech Rijbak.
 
I don’t know that it falls under the category of tactical folder of not (A.G. Russell has it listed as such in their catalog) but my first choice after using and I mean getting it dirty, using it all kinds of camp chores is the Ontario Hossom Retribution I. If you have medium sized to smaller hands then I would choose the Retribution II. I use to have an EDC rotation of the Benchmade Skirmish 630BK and the Full sized Spyderco Manix (both are wonderful knives) but once I bought the Retribution it became the knife I kept picking up and using. It fits your hand as if it were custom made for you and after all the use I have given this knife it opens and closes as smooth as the day I bought it and with no play whatsoever.

If you search on Knifeforums under Bark River for Hossom Retribution you will see that the owner of Bark River, Mike Stewart said that the Retribution was the best hard use folder that he has used or something VERY close to that. I even spoke to Mr. Stewart on the phone about something unrelated and mentioned that I had read what he had to say and agreed completely. He told me on the phone that the loves the Retribution but it doesn’t get enough press because it doesn’t look tactical enough for some people. He went on to say that some of these so called tactical knives are never even used to cut paper or people would find that they are uncomfortable to use for any length of time.


I found Mike Stewarts quote on the Retribution 1: (http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php?p=385792#post385792)

That is the Best large rugged folder I have ever had in my hands.

I am very opinionated about rugged use knives and this one will allow hours of hard use without giving you cramped hands --hot spots or Blisters.

You cannot say that about most other large Folders in this Class.

The knife is short on bullshit and long on performance.

Mike
 
250? make that $300 and go for the new production Burke Fugitive at Blade.
 
Allex said:
I'd say Applegate, ZT 300 has a very strong lock, but the blade is not so good for "combat"

take a look

IMG_4570.jpg
Click to expand...

Allex, how much time do you actually have in the field, (active duty)??
For one thing your Dalton would most likely be confiscated by your First Shirt or Commander about 5 minutes after you got of the plane, (your first shake down Insp.) That's unless your attached to a FOB.
Comparing Gerbers to a ZT anything, well thats not even worth bothering to respond to. AR, AKA ,CSM Ret.
 
CQC8, 13 or 11 gets my vote.

The ZT stuff looks good too, but I prefer the 200 over the 300.

I don't think you have to spend that much. There's plenty of good stuff for under $200.
 
@ AR fan
Well, Dalton is for my personal collection and, as you know, it was designed for stabbing. You can cut a rope with DA, but a tree branch not so easy.Same for Nemesis ( even worse because the blade is very thick ). Applegate folder cuts well for this kind of blade and has some serrations. I'd say that is pretty good and not expensive. The auto Gerber was a pleasant surprice. S30V blade, aluminium handle with steel liners, glass breaker and no blade play and "Made in USA".I'd recommend to handle one. Yes, ZT 300 is very good, but anyway, not all Gerbers are "junk" :)
 
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