What do you look for in a folder?

A secure and comfortable grip! A decent lock. These things are more important for me then, say, the steel the blade is made of.

Even though I often carry a knife in the pocket of my jacket, a clip is useful when I’m not wearing a jacket.

The ability to open the knife with one hand is pretty important to me as well. I prefer the SpyderHole over thumb studs.

In general I have a preference for small, lightweight knives. 3 inch blade length, or slightly smaller.

Benchmade MiniGrip and Spyderco Delica are good examples of knives I like.

Rafael
 
As a general rule, I want it:

- thin, so it rides easily in the pocket
- long enough handle to fill the hand, and to keep it from jumping out of my pocket
- fast deployment, i.e., big Spydie hole
- tight lockup, no blade play


Just about every folder I carry these days is a Spyderco. Not because I am brand loyal, but Mr. Sal keeps making knives that I want to carry. Military, Delica and Endura, Stretch, etc.

I own everything from Sebenzas to ZT300 to Leeks to 110s. But its almost always a Spyderco in my pocket, based on the above factors.
 
Man there are so many aspects to consider, I don't know where to start.

-good lockup, and good means reliable! I can tolerate some blade play within limits
-good grip, that includes jimping for the thumb or at least some deep finger grooves, like e.g. the Benchmade 2550
-thinness is essential for pocket use, like a Delica e.g.. A thick handle is just uncomfortable (that's why I didn't carry a 551 Griptilian)
-good clip! preferably coated for nice sliding action ;) . Tip-up of course for fast deployment. High-riding ones are nice.
-fast deployment action (autos not considered)
-blade retention! That's why I hate linerlocks with crappy detent ball.
- and of course: size and weight. Shouldn't be much longer and heavier than let's say an Endura 4.

Now these are conditions for a folder to meet to find a way into my pocket.
To go into the collection or for home utility use, that's another story for me.
 
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RafaelHerschel said:
In general I have a preference for small, lightweight knives. 3 inch blade length, or slightly smaller.

Benchmade MiniGrip and Spyderco Delica are good examples of knives I like.

Rafael
Click to expand...
I also consider ~3inches of blade length a good size.
Yeah, the Delica is my go-to EDC. The Mini Grip, not so much. The handle is a bit too short for me. The Delica's is perfect imo.
 
- No too big neither too small, 3 to 4 inches blade.
- Must have locking blade
- Clip, so it rides in the pocket.
- One hand opening is a must.
- Fast deployment, usually Wave or big Spydie hole.
- Tight lockup, no blade play.
- Smooth opening action.
- Good grip, that includes jimping for the thumb, frn or g-10. Stainless steel or titanium handles... no thanks.
- Tip-up of course.
- Quality steel, AUS8A and up.
 
Utility is what I've come to value most in a knife. That's why even though I may add to it at times, the knife that I have with me regardless, even when staying around home is a SAK. I like other knives for specifc purposes, but for an EDC, all purpose knife I like a SAK.
 
You get that new knife in the mail and of course carry it for a while. Then you give her a break going back to knife "X". You then do this for every new knife you get but always going back to knife "X". For me the last few months knife "X" has been the Spyderco Sage 1. There is no attribute that doesn't make sense or is a waste of engineering/materials, etc..
Spyderco sure knows what they're doing.
 
i look for mainly good blade steel, functional design, good ergos, a good price, and the may it carries and the pocket clip design are very important to me as well
 
1) Spyderhole or similar opening pull
2) strong materials
3) how it fits my hand
4) secure lock
5) tip-up carry option

Oddly enough, blade steel isn't a huge consideration for me, even though i own a bunch of knives with exotic steels.
I'm afraid this isn't the best forum to confess that as long as it's as good as 440C I'm pretty happy with it, but that's the truth.
 
It differs with my moods. Some day nothing beats my Police 3 G-10, sometimes it's the Rukus. Grips, Blurs, Voyagers, big ones, slender ones, really expensive ones, but also really cheap ones.
The only thing they all have in common is, they're not fragile and they open easily and reliably. But I don't care about weight, size, fit.
Oh yeah, they need to be tip-up. :D
 
Good ergos
Thin profile
Tight lock-up,no play
Smooth action
FFG or High Hollow grind
3.25"-3.75" blade
Frame-lock or back(mid)lock
easy to take apart/clean
inconspicuous pocket clip/low ride
Tip-up clip
AUS-8 & up
 
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-Good steel with the blade.
-3.5" - 4" blade.
-Blade shape.
-Slim profile.
-Tight lock up.
-Comfortable handle.
-Must be strong and durable.
 
For me it should first and foremost:

LOOK GOOD.

If I don't like the looks, then I will rarely go to the next step, and that is assessing the usual properties (as listed above by others).
 
- Must not have plastic handles. Otherwise, I'm not too picky about handle materials.
- Wiggle-free lockup (up-and-down wiggle is especially annoying imho)
- 3.5" blade or less
- NO RECURVE.
- Must be comfortable to hold and use, in both a 'normal' grip and holding the knife with the edge turned toward my body (maybe not the best description, but a grip you might use to cut a loop of cord or something)
- One-hand opening isn't a huge deal for me, but I like to be able to close knives one-handed
- I like blades with a bit of curve to them. I don't like wharncliffe blades or sheepsfoot blades, except in gentlemans knives or the like.
 
powernoodle said:
As a general rule, I want it:

- thin, so it rides easily in the pocket
- long enough handle to fill the hand, and to keep it from jumping out of my pocket
- fast deployment, i.e., big Spydie hole
- tight lockup, no blade play
Click to expand...

I would tend to agree with this. I would add the following though:
-Ergonomics, must be comfortable when gripped.
-Handle scales should have some kind of texture to provide traction.
-Good blade steel. There are far too many excellent steels out there being used to settle for 440A or the 8Cr/9Cr (Alphabet Soup Chinese steels).
-American owned company/American made is always a big plus
 
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