which folder in the Rockies?

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fasteer

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Oct 25, 2009
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After failing to find a satisfactory way to carry a fixed blade on a dirt-bike, I’m leaning towards a large folder as a backwoods user and emergency knife.
These are a few quality folders in the 3-1/2” range that caught my eye & are available locally.
The combination number after the model is blade length/overall length (inches) and the price is ball-park Canadian retail.
I’ve had a Kershaw Blur & liked it; especially that it is available in red – makes it easier to find if dropped.
Have never laid hands on the others.
The E55 is astonishingly cheap compared to the Benchmade models, isn’t it?
Is Benchmade so much better than the Kershaw Blur?
Looking forward to your knowledgeable comments on these (or other) folders.
(Realize nobody has used the HEST yet)

Leatherman E55 3.10/7.60 154CM-SS, plain $45
Kershaw Blur 3.40/7.85 Sandvik 13C26-SS, plain, red & black Trac-Tec $70
Benchmade 580BK Barrage 3.40/8.35 154CM-SS plain, G10 scales $130
Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams 3.90/8.80 D2 plain, G10 scales $140
Benchmade 950-1 Rift 3.67/8.27 154CM-SS plain, black G10 scales $155
Benchmade 520 Presidio 3.42/8.25 154CM-SS plain, Aluminum scales $160
DPx HEST Folder 3.10/7.63 D2 plain, G10 scales, Ti frame $200
 
since you are a dirt biker i can only suggest the leatherman wave. tools on the multipurpose folder will probably prove to be most useful since you are on a motorized vehicle.---dennis
 
Hi Fasteer
If you want a tough knife try the Buck 110 its a rugged lockblade that is about half the cost of the knives you had listed.If you taste lean more towards a multi-tool try the Leatherman Wave or Blast.
If you are interested send me a PM. my prices are well below retail.
Thank you
Paul
 
I second the recommendation on the Leatherman, any model you chose. If you are worried about losing it, paint it red. i know it seems a little tacky, but it's better than losing it when you are out riding some where a few miles from nowhere.
 
I like the leatherman, and I'll throw anther in the mix - the Blade-Tech U.L.U. . VERY versatile with a lot of FB qualities as well. Plus, you can get on in bright orange, so another easy one to spot if it drops.

BTW, have you tried a quality leg rig for a fixed blade carry?
 
Big,locking,one hand opening SAK with a saw probably beat all those knives together (and it could have eye poking yellow "stay glo" handle too).
 
Gentlemen, thanks for the input.
I have several Leatherman tools & a Skeletool CX already rides in the bike's toolbag.
A usefull small blade there, I'm thinking something larger.
Fast, one-hand opening - even better if it can be done with gloves on; although that's a challenge.
A Silky Super Accel 210 covers saw duties (imagine cutting through a 10" fallen poplar with an SAK saw)
The 110 is nice, ULU is interesting, but they don't 'speak' to me.
Buck Folding Alpha Hunter ?
Leg-rig might freak out the guy at the gas station and Ranger Bob...
jiggybaw, do you have an SAK make/model in mind?
Have tried a Wenger Ranger 61, but found it really stiff to open and seemed "light-duty".
Keep it coming!
 
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The Benchmades are very good and stylish, but not twice as good as the Blur, IMO.

Two knives to consider in the 3.5" size are as follows:

Inexpensive: Ontario Rat-1 folder, about $30 and a great knife at a great price.

Expensive and worth it: Spyderco Paramilitary 2, about $100 and made in Colorado, to boot!
 
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There's a number of Kershaw's that would fit the bill, all reasonably priced. Blur, Leek, Zings, to name just a very few. Benchmade Grip or mini-Grip would work. Buck Vantage Avid, or Pro is a nice folder too. Someone mentioned the Buck 110, you can never go wrong there.

The ZT line has some good heavy duty offerings. I can only speak for the 0200 myself, which I love.:D

I'm sure the Spyderco guy's will ring in with some good choices too
 
Spyderco Endura4, Zt 0350, Bm grip, buck vantage pro, or any kershaws that were already mentioned.
 
fasteer said:
Fast, one-hand opening - even better if it can be done with gloves on; although that's a challenge.
Click to expand...

I have found that an opening hole is by far the most sure means of opening a knife with one hand and gloves on. barring that, a flipper. That said:

Any of the Spyderco Salt knives (nice large holes compared to the Endura or Delica) or a Kershaw with a flipper (Junkyard Dog 2 comes to mind.)

The Salt knives can be had with bright yellow handles, and are very easy to find if you drop it. The JYD 2 is the only Kershaw knife with a flipper that I have used with gloves on.
 
The Spyderco Manix 2 can be had with orange G-10 scales. Nice tough folder with a large spydie hole that can easily be used with gloves.......
 
Since the Rockies are BIG, you need a folder that is BIG. Ditch the 3.5"er and go with this 4.5"er, carried in a belt sheath. A belt sheath will probably be your best bet to carry and not lose your knife.

The Ontario Hossom Retribution 1 is a folder you can rely upon. Thick titanium liners (.100" thick), a N690C 4.5" long X .200" thick, and green micarta handles that were made to give you a grip on the knife like non other's.

Though I sound like an ad, I'm not, just think a lot of this knife as it was my carry along when I rode 4-wheelers all through the countryside.

Here's a stock pic;


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You should look at the Ontario RAT-1 folders. I love those things. Cheap (you can usually find them for around $20-30), and with that beautiful RAT blade.
 
I'm going to eliminate the Benchmades due to cost.
Need to lay hands on some Spyderco knives...
The comments about a flipper & gloves really got my attention, so I tried it with an old CRKT M1 & sure enough, works pretty well.
Wonder why I never knew that...
Which led me to a CRKT M21-G10 (M2104G); what do you guys think of this knife?
 
I would recommend either the cold steel ak 47, cold steel rajah, or the cold steel recon 1. They are all very reliable, have an almost indestructible tri ad locking mechanism, and they are well made!!!
 
Or try a Spyderco Endura with a full flat ground ZDP 189 blade. Super steel performance at a low price point.
 
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