Where to start in folders?!

M

MegaHelmet

Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
78
I used to be able to say that I was a hard core traditionalist and would never even buy a modern folder. But a changing life and career has changed what I want, and I what I need in a blade. I blame that Kershaw Doublecross....it's the gateway knife to folders. Heh.

Anyway, I don't feel any real compulsion to collect so I would like to *try* and do is get by with just buying one or two nice folders that fit my needs. I have been playing with those better quality chinese knockoffs. Seeing what I like and then modding whatever I didn't. It gave me a new found respect for makers of folders for sure.

Here's what I'm looking for:
-Budget: 200$ or less....more would take a lot of saving...
-Total length: around the size of a SAK, 93mm
-Ambidextrous one handed opening....and closing. Flipper's are nice, but not necessary.
-Lock type: as long as its a good reputation I trust it. Framelock is awesome, but a well done liner lock is great as well.
-Steel: I'm a bit of a steel snob. Better steel is always better.
-Blade shape: nothing hawkbilled or serrated. I hate serrations.
-Carry: must have a clip, must be tip up carry.
-Makers: I'm open to any brand or even a custom maker.
-Style: Clean lines and curves. The sebenza is an excellent example( I just can't afford it)

If it helps, here's how I like my knife setup. I'm a cook. I'm right handed, my traditional knife is in my right pocket to look at/play with during smoke breaks, small tasks etc. Small fixed utility/paring knife on my left bicep pocket for food related stuff. Folder clipped to left pocket. It gets the dirty jobs. Opening boxes. Hacking through layers of ice to reach those boxes. Light prying on metal equipment stuck together. Scraping stuff off metal. And all these jobs have in common is that I am usually holding it in my right hand when I see the need for the knife. So that's why it must be ambidextrous. My left hand gets its own knife all to itself.

Sorry if it is a bit longwinded...I'm trying to think my purchases through for a change.
 
I could not be happier with my Benchmade Rift (950). I find it beautiful to look at, fun to play with, I love the steel (154CM), you get Benchmade's forever sharp program, and it carries extremely well for me. I always carry my new knives from BF for a couple days in the right pocket, then always get the Rift back in as my "right hand man". I got mine LNIB for about 95, new at most places around 150. Pretty good price for a great knife. And it seems to fit the bill on almost everything you're looking for... Just my two cents :) I also love my Manix 2 for a lot of the same reasons.

EDIT: Oh dang, I actually read your post a bit better... I thought you wanted 93mm blade size, not overall :( This might be a bit big. I second a Kershaw Leek, lots of color/configurations. Kershawguy sells some blems at a great price here on the forums.

Rift.jpg
 
The size limits your options significantly; any chance you'd be able to carry a bigger knife? For smaller knives, though, take a look at the Kershaw Leek composite blade and Speedform 2, Bradley Alias, Spyderco Sage 2, and Benchmade 943 and Emissary. The Benchmades have ambidextrous pocket clips, but the others don't.
 
MegaHelmet said:
If it helps, here's how I like my knife setup. I'm a cook. I'm right handed, my traditional knife is in my right pocket to look at/play with during smoke breaks, small tasks etc. Small fixed utility/paring knife on my left bicep pocket for food related stuff. Folder clipped to left pocket. It gets the dirty jobs. Opening boxes. Hacking through layers of ice to reach those boxes. Light prying on metal equipment stuck together. Scraping stuff off metal. And all these jobs have in common is that I am usually holding it in my right hand when I see the need for the knife. So that's why it must be ambidextrous. My left hand gets its own knife all to itself.
Click to expand...
For the sorts of things you're mentioning -- especially the hacking through ice and prying -- it seems like a small, stout fixed blade could be a better fit. Would you be open to a neck knife or to a small fixed blade carried in your pocket or on your belt?
 
I would say Zero Tolerance 0350. It's a great blade to start with the Zero Tolerance brand. Great steel s30v, and it can take the abuse.

The blade length is 3.25 inches, handle is 4 5/8 inches, overall 8 inches (7 7/8 inches to be exact). I think a 3.25 blade is the perfect carry size, IMO.

If its too big, then I would say CRKT Mt. Shasta. This is my smallest EDC folder with clip I carry with a 2.25 inch blade and 3.25 inch handle, around 5 5/8 inches overall.
 
Wow. The Alias II in plain edge looks about perfect!

neuron: the chex pants I wear for work are the elastic type so I don't have a belt. Many times I have wished for a fixed blade, but there's not any great way for me to carry one. I never thought about a neck knife. I've never even owned one...hmm, I may also need to get one of those. For science.

Edit: I'm thinking I might need to make the ZT 0350 a pick. After seeing the pics, its apparently the knife my cruddy beater copied (or at least pretty close). And I like it...therefore it seems I would like a better version of the same thing.
 
Last edited:
Check out Sanrenmu (SRM) and Enlan series on exduct.com. For starter, decent knife & blade at affordable cost. This way, you can try out various design until you know what you need/want, then go upgrade to better quality / more expensive ones.
 
emerson folders are pretty awesome. a bit pricey but they do come up for resale. if you're not opposed to low-fi, i've been pretty happy with my sog spring tanto. it's nothing fancy, but a super-light pocket knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top