Which folder for outdoors use? Which grind is best?

J

J1427

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Sep 2, 2013
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Hey guys. So I have a skyline right now, and maybe it's just me but it seems to 'weak' for outdoors use. I'm thinking something like a PM2, military, mule or recon 1 would be better. What do you guys think? Looking at these knives lead me to reconsider which blade grind is best. I always thought that hollow ground knives were weaker because there is less metal directly behind the edge, but that FFG we're better slicers. But after googling a comparison quickly, it seems that people's opinions differ on this. What do you guys think? What's better for wood work, food prep, cutting rope etc? And a bonus question: which of these four has the 'strongest' lock (ie what would e the least likely to fail under use? Thanks in advance guys!
 
Oh and I'm only looking at folders for now. I know fixed blades would be better/stronger.
 
Of those, I've had at one time or another the pm2, military, and recon. They all have extremely strong locks. They won't break. Depending on the blade shape of the recon, they are all flat grind. Flat grind is fine. For cardboard and stuff I like hollow grinds, but flat grinds work great for outdoor stuff.

For making a decision, I would consider handle ergonomics, lock engagement/disengagement style (how easy it is to open/close for you), and edge retention vs. Sharpening ease.

For me, the para main grip area was too small for comfortable use. The military was comfortable, but I like more of a finger guard. The recon is pretty comfortable. The recon doesn't have liners, if you do a lot of twisting or sideways movement (and by a lot I mean like sticking it in a tree and using it as a step) it may be more likely to break. The para and military will have s30v (the standard models) while the recon has aus8. S30v is great, it holds a working edge forever, and cuts great, is tough, but may chip and isn't super easy to sharpen if the edge gets ruined. Aus8 will hold an edge well (cold steel does great), but noticeably shorter than s30v, and is less corrosion resistant, but way easier to sharpen.

I'd try to hold each and just go with the one that feels like what you like.
 
Pm2 has the strongest lock and provably the best slicer out of the bunch you listed. The military is a awesome slicer but the shorter Blade on the pm2 would be better for wood work. The skyline is a good slicer and awsome pocket knife, but the scales are just a little to thin for me. the pm2 ergos are way better.
 
the recon one might have just as strong of a lock at the pm2. I personally just never really like lock back folders. Actually I never really like anything cold steel has to offer usually. And that's just personal opinion on designs and feel if there knives. nothing really wrong with cold steel.
I absolutely love the compression lock in the pm2
 
As long as you're just doing normal(not batoning) cutting tasks it doesn't really matter. For carving I personally like scandi ground knives. Enzo Birk makes a real nice Scandi folder(Enzo Birk 75) and it makes quick work of wood. It's a liner lock.

If you plan on using the tip a bunch for drilling or digging into wood a saber grind would provide more tip strength. I picked up a Benchmade Adamas in this category and it is a BEAST of a folder. Axis lock

Your PM2 is gonna be a good slicer for food. That wouldn't be a real high priority for me as all the knives could slice food(just not as pretty as the FFG).

So I guess you have to decide what in particular you're going to be using the knife for. Everything is a trade off. As you said before a fixed blade would be best. Hell, it wouldn't add that much weight to throw a Mora in your pack or on your belt.

If you wanted a more rugged edge I suppose you could convex whatever you choose. It's easier to sharpen IMO too. All you need is a good piece of leather and some sandpaper. The leather would provide you a soft backing for the sandpaper to convex and then double as a strop.
 
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ALLHSS said:
The recon doesn't have liners, if you do a lot of twisting or sideways movement (and by a lot I mean like sticking it in a tree and using it as a step)
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I would never suggest using a FOLDER as a step pounded into a tree. I wouldn't even trust just any fix blade for that! That would be cool to see if the pm2 or recon 1 could handle that. I really highly doubt it though!
 
stinkyspice said:
I would never suggest using a FOLDER as a step pounded into a tree. I wouldn't even trust just any fix blade for that! That would be cool to see if the pm2 or recon 1 could handle that. I really highly doubt it though!
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Yeah, that was my point. You would have to abuse the recon for the lack of liners to matter.
 
Just talked about this in another thread about backpacking knives. The folders I've used over the years are one like a Buck 112, Delica 4, Caly 3, mini-Ritter... all in the 2.75 to 3" blade range. They've worked well and done everything I've needed. If I used the FB I brought along (and I always carry one), it's because I wanted to, not because it was a better choice.

I like flat ground blades and I'd trust either an AXIS lock or a compression lock to be more than dependable enough for anything I'm likely to do. As far as edge profile, with the small sharpening kit I carry it doesn't matter whether it's a traditionally beveled edge or a convex edge, both will be pretty easy to maintain.
 
Victorinox Farmer.

Recommend whatever stout folder you want, I'd rather have the tools on a Vic Farmer when I head to the woods. Would you rather use the stout folder to whack through a piece of wood or a saw? Worry about the tip of your stout folder digging into wood, or use an awl? Not as cool as the stout folder option, but it's the better choice.
 
creature7 said:
As long as you're just doing normal(not batoning) cutting tasks it doesn't really matter. For carving I personally like scandi ground knives. Enzo Birk makes a real nice Scandi folder(Enzo Birk 75) and it makes quick work of wood. It's a liner lock.

If you plan on using the tip a bunch for drilling or digging into wood a saber grind would provide more tip strength. I picked up a Benchmade Adamas in this category and it is a BEAST of a folder. Axis lock

Your PM2 is gonna be a good slicer for food. That wouldn't be a real high priority for me as all the knives could slice food(just not as pretty as the FFG).

So I guess you have to decide what in particular you're going to be using the knife for. Everything is a trade off. As you said before a fixed blade would be best. Hell, it wouldn't add that much weight to throw a Mora in your pack or on your belt.

If you wanted a more rugged edge I suppose you could convex whatever you choose. It's easier to sharpen IMO too. All you need is a good piece of leather and some sandpaper. The leather would provide you a soft backing for the sandpaper to convex and then double as a strop.
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I second the Adamas or Recon 1 but Adamas much more. I do not consider spyderco folders heavy duty outdoor knives. Of coarse they can be but ones like military and manix i don't think could hold up to as much abuse as adamas. When i think spyderco i think great slicers/stabbers for self defense. The tuff looks like one that could take good abuse though besides that i'd tkae differnet options. Lionsteel M1, Benchmade Contego,Greyman Satu. Out of the two you mentioned though would go with the Spyderco Military or Recon 1. I've got recon 1's and the locks on them are outstanding. Complete lock up absolute zero blade. If they made Recon with other steel than aus 8 i think it would be very very popular knife more so than already is. Although i've put my recon to test and their aus 8 keeps an edge very well and when it gets dull just takes a couple swipes on a dmt fine diafold and will be back to shaving sharp.
 
J1427 said:
Hey guys. So I have a skyline right now, and maybe it's just me but it seems to 'weak' for outdoors use. I'm thinking something like a PM2, military, mule or recon 1 would be better. What do you guys think? Looking at these knives lead me to reconsider which blade grind is best. I always thought that hollow ground knives were weaker because there is less metal directly behind the edge, but that FFG we're better slicers. But after googling a comparison quickly, it seems that people's opinions differ on this. What do you guys think? What's better for wood work, food prep, cutting rope etc? And a bonus question: which of these four has the 'strongest' lock (ie what would e the least likely to fail under use? Thanks in advance guys!
Click to expand...

If you will use your knife a lot for wood work, food preparation and other light to medium cutting tasks, then you could also consider an Opinel. They are excellent slicers and lightweight. I use my Opinel 8 most of the time on camping/canoeing trips.
 
I use my zt 0350 allot in the woods tough as nails and the s30v gets scary sharp. Handle is comfortable for my medium sized paws but if you have very large hands it will be a little small in my opinion.
 
I'll second the Victorinox Farmer. Knife, saw, awl, can opener, drivers / pry tool. You could go with something like a one hand trekker if you want something more modern.
 
I've seen some crazy outdoor testing done both on the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 and the Benchmade Griptilian and both passed without breaking and being rendered useless, however if you want something with a grind specifically for outdoor use I know that usually people that do bushcraft like sandi grinds, and there is a folder called the Enzo Birk 75 and it's a scandi ground folder made of D2 steel, nice carbon fiber handles, deep carry clip, and a liner lock. I've always liked it bit never got around to getting it. I believe it's in the same range as the paramilitary at $110.00 check it out!ImageUploadedByTapatalk1397671275.257870.jpg
 
ALLHSS said:
Yeah, that was my point. You would have to abuse the recon for the lack of liners to matter.
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I'm usually a stickler about liners and tend to shy away from folders that lack liners, but my Recon 1 (tanto) is one of a few I'll make an exception for. I bought an Adamas as a hard-use folder, but wouldn't feel "under knifed" with the Recon 1 in its place.

Then again, I'm a fan of the CRKT Hammond Cruiser as a lower priced beater and would be willing to give it a whirl too.
 
My "walking in the woods" knives are an XL Voyager and a SAK (used to be a small Tinker, now a Bantam). I have a CS fixed blade Bushman I like but haven't used it outside yet.
 
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