**What is a good large 4.5" folder that is $30???

R

rogue_spear

Joined
Oct 17, 2000
Messages
598
I am looking for a large 4.5" (nothing under 4") folder that is $30-$45. Please post recommendations. I will be carrying it everyday. I want a large inexpensive folder because I lost my expensive large folder that I use to always carry. Please post urls on any deals on the web. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by rogue_spear (edited 02-13-2001).]
 
I'd reccomend you browse through www.crkt.com . They have soem great knives for fairly low prices. I'm not sure about that size range though.
Another thought is a Gerber Gator or EZ-out in ATS34. I've heard good and bad things said bout both of them but the general consensus seems to be that their good knives for the money. Both have Kraton handles with Zytel frames that are pretty tough and offer a really comfortable, secure grip. You'll have to buy these 2 online. The ones that most stores carry are the same model knife but have 440A for the bladesteel. Its a big step down in performance and a small step down in price. Check out the one stop knife shop here on the forums, and www.discountknives.com . www.nwcutlery.com has a pretty big selection too.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.
 
WHAT WAS I THINKING ?
I forgot to mention the spyderco Delica 98 and Endura 98. They've got zytel handles and ATS55 blades. I'd say they're the best buys you can get in terms of $ to performance. I carried a Delica for a little over 2 years and its still one of my favorite knives. Check them out on the same sites I listed above.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.
 
Over 4.5" narrows down the choices dramatically.

I guess Cold Steel makes some ok folders at that length. www.coldsteel.com

?? You do realize that, if you must use for self defense, that 4" is pretty much the maximum legal maximum in the USA? Some states limit to much shorter blades.
 
All I have to say is good luck. At that price point and size, you'll be hard pressed to find anything. You might be able to find a used Cold Steel Vaquero, but short of that, the Sifu only comes to mind and that is way out of the $30 price range.

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Dave

My collection
 
I highly doubt you'll find any sort of mega-folder for that kind of money.

Perhaps if you were to look through the Smokey Mountain Knife Works site (sorry, don't know the URL offhand) or maybe from the home shopping knife guys...
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Firebat

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Name's Ash......Housewares.
 
if its a traditional folder youre looking for similar to the buck hunting folders... go to sears and buy the craftsman version of it. its just like a buck, has a nice leather sheath... and it has the craftsman warranty... i beleve its 4 15/16 " so it fits your length. if you break it, you never have to buy another. as a workin knife its great.... and to top it off its 29.99
 
I can't say anything about the craftsman knife available at sears, but as far as I know, there is no large folder of any decent quality available for $30 or under. If you want a good folder of any size (& I mean GOOD), then plan to spend at least $50.
 
When you mention 4.5", are you referring to blade length or overall length? You might want to check and make sure that what you are carrying is legal. You will be in the s**t if you ever have to use the knife defensively, and the thing is illegal. Here in Arkansas, the blade of the knife must be under 3.5" to be legal.
 
I agree with the other.... you'll have to up the price to about $50 to $60 to allow entry levels from Spyderco, CRKT, Cold Steel and Gerber.
 
The Zytel handled M-16 04 from CRKT can be had for about $35 off of the internet. It's just a hair under your 4" minimum, and I can tell you after handling one, it is in no way a small knife. Look at them at onestopknifeshop.com
 
I'm not sure how much they cost, but doesn't Opinel make some large folders?

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
Um, fellows... while I agree that $30 is very limiting, it can be done and done good. For instance it doesn't quite fit the size criteria, but the CRKT Mirage is currently being sold by SMKW for $9.99. Plus I've heard good things about Gigand knives, though I don't know if they have one that big either. What I'm saying, rogue_spear, is look around thorougly, and you will find what you want.
 
I carry the gerber ez-out. Mine has worked fine. I tried the notorious spline whack test and it passed. Then after cleaning it I tried it again and much to my surprize it failed. Thats when I realized that when I whached the handle it pushed on the lock releasing it. Holding the handle and whaching the spine did not make it fail. I never heard of these tests till I found this board so maybe I'm not doing it right. I also rarely use the gerber, it's just for self defense if I ever need it. I don't want to have to sharpen those serrations. The ats variety comes in a smooth edge, that's the one I would get if I was going to do it over.
 
If you want a 4.5" for that price range, you are wasting your time. There are NO knives that I know of sold by respectable knife-makers featuring that size.

My recommendation is to get a CRKT KFF large. It has a 3.9" blade, but it feels much bigger in the hand, especially given that it weighs a beefy 7.4 ounces. It is not an uncomfortable carry, and it actually rides very low in the pocket. Designed as a pure fighting knife, but I'm sure it will do it's share of utility chores very well despite its AUS-6 blade (hey what do you expect for $30-$40?). Quality is excellent.

Good luck!

-Flood
 
I agree with flood CRKT Kasper is the way to go. I picked one up at a gun show for $35 or $45. It's not 4 1/2 inches but it is an excellent knife.
 
HEY!!!! A 4" Magna (Outdoor Edge) w/ Zytel scales is definately, the biggest, best cheapest!!!! AUS 8 steel is pretty strong, and the prices start at $40 if you're lucky, if you're not lucky, you'll find it for $50
 
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