What is your Favorite Folding Knife company ?

[22-rimfire]

I have folding knives from a number of the companies you list; I don't really have a favorite. I like folders in the 3.0"-3.25" with a max about 3.5". Some of my recent acquired ones that I like a lot are Benchmade Mini Presidio II, Boker Urban Trapper, Steel Will Mini Cutjack in M390. Spyderco knives are very dependable in terms of quality and the Native 5 is a great intro to their line.

I almost always have a Vic SAK in my pocket and if I only have one knife on me, it's likely the SAK.

 

[PatrickP08]

definitely Spyderco.
GEC for traditional knives...

 

[SteelJunkee]

Thanks for all your insight, I have looked at the Spydey and honestly don't like them because of the blade design, do they have some models without that hole in the blade ? ZT are super overpriced in Canada. I looked the CRKT Snap Lock Folding Pocket Knife, I really like the look But I wonder if it is practical in real life then my eyes got to the Benchmade 551 Griptilian Plain Edge, that looks like something for me. what do you think, anyone owns one ?

 

[BilboBaggins]

Thanks for all your insight, I have looked at the Spydey and honestly don't like them because of the blade design, do they have some models without that hole in the blade ? ZT are super overpriced in Canada. I looked the CRKT Snap Lock Folding Pocket Knife, I really like the look But I wonder if it is practical in real life then my eyes got to the Benchmade 551 Griptilian Plain Edge, that looks like something for me. what do you think, anyone owns one ?

The spydiehole always looks weird until you try it. It’s their trademark, so you won’t readily find Spydercos without it.

That being said, the Benchmade Grip is a fantastic knife and is widely recommended and appreciated. It is also fun as hell to play with. I don’t think you would be disappointed if you go that route.

 

[SteelJunkee]

The spydiehole always looks weird until you try it. It’s their trademark, so you won’t readily find Spydercos without it.

That being said, the Benchmade Grip is a fantastic knife and is widely recommended and appreciated. It is also fun as hell to play with. I don’t think you would be disappointed if you go that route.

It's already in my cart at the moment I think it looks great and the price is not prohibitive.

 

[JPD1998]

I currently own knives from every brand on the poll, and many others.
The first knife that I paid over $100 was an Axis lock Benchmade and the quality compared to the low cost knives I owned at the time, blew me away.

 

[pinnah]

Thanks for all your insight, I have looked at the Spydey and honestly don't like them because of the blade design, do they have some models without that hole in the blade ? ZT are super overpriced in Canada. I looked the CRKT Snap Lock Folding Pocket Knife, I really like the look But I wonder if it is practical in real life then my eyes got to the Benchmade 551 Griptilian Plain Edge, that looks like something for me. what do you think, anyone owns one ?

I don't have your hands and don't face your daily tasks. I also don't have your aesthetic sensibilities. I have my own hands, my own needs, and my own tastes.

I found that for myself, nobody could give me any insight on what I would find useful, comfortable and pleasing. I had to mess around buying more knives than I could count, and carrying them for a period of time. To my surprise, many knives that looked great felt like crap in my hand. Some that felt great in hand turned out to suck in use.

In my experience, there is really no good shortcut for individual experience.

I can tell you that the Buck 110 (aluminum frame) and Opinel 9 Inox are my hands down favorite EDC knives and that I prefer rear pocket carry to any of the alternatives. I can also tell you that I reach for one or the other based on different anticipated tasks for that day.

Most importantly, I can tell you that none of that has any bearing on what you'll end up liking.

Things you might consider...

Find a store near you or a knife show that stocks knives and handle as many as you can. Let your tastes guide you.

Spend money on inexpensive used knives to develop a taste and feel for different grinds, steels, blade shapes, lock types. Give away or resell the ones that don't work for you.

Read up on the philosophy and histories of the various makers. You may find that you have tastes to a particular brand because you think they stand for something you resonate with. Or you may be repulsed <cough>cold steel<cough>.

 

[Planterz]

Perhaps not specifically the maker of my favorite knife or knives (some, but not all), but my favorite company is Spyderco. They're innovative, experimental, bold, and above all honorable.

 

[22-rimfire]

It's already in my cart at the moment I think it looks great and the price is not prohibitive.

I think that (Benchmade 551 Griptilian Plain Edge) is a good place to start. I avoided Benchmade knives for years because I could not justify the price. I did the same thing with Spyderco knives because I didn't care for the blade shape on many of them and the hole. But with Spyderco, you get used to them pretty easily. The Benchmade axis lock is one of my favorite locks now and the dominant reason I will buy a Benchmade knife now even if I squirm a little on the price.

With Spyderco, folks generally recommend the Delica or Endura as the intro to the line. But I think the Native 5 is more representative of their higher end knives. It is just so smooth, but not outrageous in price.

I don't have your hands and don't face your daily tasks. I also don't have your aesthetic sensibilities. I have my own hands, my own needs, and my own tastes....

In my experience, there is really no good shortcut for individual experience.

There is no real substitute for experience and it's YOUR experience and not some one else's. A few years ago, the rage was Kabar Becker BK-2's (fixed blade) and I bought one. After the initial oooh's and aaws... wore off, I had no use for the thing regardless of what people said about it. Same goes with some folders.

 

[SteelJunkee]

Loll I don't think that it can be called experience but I inherited 100's of folding knives and guess what. Not Even a single one was not a crappy Chinese, Pakistani or Korean, no not true I found a couple good ones. A buck 110 clone made in china that is quite good and a Normark big Suede, couple of SAKs and an Opinel no9, the rest where complete crap, I have almost given all of them because they have all the symptoms of cheap manufacturing all the way. and I put the rest in every garage sales I do and they are still there so it tells a lot about their quality.

But Honestly I have never played with a higher-end folder in my life so I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it.
And I see that there are beautiful scales upgrade out there for the 551, that is very interesting.

 

[GermanyChris]

If I were going to spend Griptilian money I'd just get a PM2, less than PM2/Grip money I'd get a Code 4.

 

[mushka]

If the victorinox sak had been a choice, that's what I'd have chosen. But I do like my little Buck 303. Just not as much as my huntsman.

 

[RBid]

The 551 Griptilian is underrated on Bladeforums. It’s an objectively great user. It has a light, yet hand filling handle, combined with a blade that’s thick enough to be strong, thin enough to cut very well. 154CM steel is good stuff. I have one which has served me well, it served my buddy great as a long term loaner, and I bought one for my brother which he is beating on and loving.

 

[SteelJunkee]

The 551 Griptilian is underrated on Bladeforums. It’s an objectively great user. It has a light, yet hand filling handle, combined with a blade that’s thick enough to be strong, thin enough to cut very well. 154CM steel is good stuff. I have one which has served me well, it served my buddy great as a long term loaner, and I bought one for my brother which he is beating on and loving.

You convinced me, I ordered the 551 Griptilian Plain Edge, Satin Finish Blade, Black Handle.

 

[RBid]

You convinced me, I ordered the 551 Griptilian Plain Edge, Satin Finish Blade, Black Handle.

That’s the one I have, same one I bought for my brother.

Stupid things happen to our brains in this community. The more we learn about all of it, the more likely we become to disconnect from our ability to recognize what really matters in a user. Months from now, depending on your evolution, you may think you need a .19” thick M390 blade to cut bananas. Or, you may think you need an ESEE 4 on your belt for a two mile “hike” (stroll).

As you’re in this, I encourage you to constantly ask yourself, “does that shit really matter (and in which context), or is it preference?” Preference is a fine reason to buy, but watch out for subjectivity trying to pass for objectivity.

 

[SteelJunkee]

That’s the one I have, same one I bought for my brother.

Stupid things happen to our brains in this community. The more we learn about all of it, the more likely we become to disconnect from our ability to recognize what really matters in a user. Months from now, depending on your evolution, you may think you need a .19” thick M390 blade to cut bananas. Or, you may think you need an ESEE 4 on your belt for a two mile “hike” (stroll).

As you’re in this, I encourage you to constantly ask yourself, “does that shit really matter (and in which context), or is it preference?” Preference is a fine reason to buy, but watch out for subjectivity trying to pass for objectivity.

Like I was saying in a previous post I'm not getting into collecting I just want a better knife to replace the sub-par one I have and I believe that it has a good form factor and versatility packed with a price that seem fair. I rarely abuse a folder because I have a fixed blade for that and I want to have it shaving sharp compared to my fixed blade that I only keep at working edge level. It should come in next week

 

[Jesse B.]

I ordered the 551 Griptilian Plain Edge, Satin Finish Blade, Black Handle.

Good choice.
I know the train has sailed, but out of curiosity did you consider the 551-1? (The cost may have been prohibitive.)

 

[22-rimfire]

I know the train has sailed, but out of curiosity did you consider the 551-1? (The cost may have been prohibitive.)

This train has sailed and if he hangs around here, there will be many other trains. We're really good enablers encouraging folks to but stuff even if they don't need it. The important aspect is that you "want it" and that's all that matters. Would love to hear your impressions after you receive the knife relative to your experience to this point.

 

[SteelJunkee]

Good choice.
I know the train has sailed, but out of curiosity did you consider the 551-1? (The cost may have been prohibitive.)

Yes I saw it, the main difference I noticed was the 511-1 steel is CPM-20CV and the handle is G10 and the 551 is 154CM and the handle is in Nylon, it was like 90$ more, I'm not sure for the steel but I'm pretty confident that G10 is a lot tougher than nylon but when I saw all the replacement scales available it didn't bother me because if they don't do I can get beautiful ones to replace them.

This train has sailed and if he hangs around here, there will be many other trains. We're really good enablers encouraging folks to but stuff even if they don't need it. The important aspect is that you "want it" and that's all that matters. Would love to hear your impressions after you receive the knife relative to your experience to this point.

Yes, I will gladly return to this tread and report on my experience. this is truly the first time I spend that much on a folder. It will certainly make me forget the Big Suede and the Opinel loll. I have read on the forum that some have complained that the Benchmade 154CM was dulling fast but it was in older posts, and from what I experience with the Tops BOB it should be excellent steel.

 

[SteelJunkee]

The Box came in early I ordered it from Blades Canada, they have had a couple complaints about tight axis and knives hard to open. Exactly what you want in Canada a knife that wont open too easily...

I want to thank all who participated in this tread your advises where welcome and helped me make my choice.

First impressions Everything is straight, there is no flaws in the scales, the blade and the construction is right. I would describe it shortly as a High quality yet affordable flipper, with a beautiful design and fluid action, (after adjustment). It is quite light weight, but still my pants go down faster in the bathroom with it . The satin finish and grind of the blade are well accomplished. The scales are very light and feel a bit cheap to the touch but their rigidity is irreproachable. The pocket clip is amazingly strong, the least I could say. The knife was shaving sharp out of the box and I decided that I would try the factory's edge before doing anything.

So it was a very good surprise and I'm very happy with the purchase at this point.

It is quite easy to get a hold how to use it, and I (shlick!) don't understand (Shlack!) why (Shlick!) Peoples (Shlack!) find them Fidgety ??? (Shlick!)... (Shlack!)... (Shlick!)... (Shlack!)... (Shlick!)... (Schlack!).....

I believe this is going to be a great and fun EDC knife.

(Shlick!)...