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Which is the absolute highest quality integral framelock knife at this time?

L

Ligament

Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
11
Many years ago I purchased a Scott Cook Lochsa in s90v. It is one of my only knifes. I use it. I wanted a 3-4" very high quality blade, with an integral (one piece) folding handle.

I now see that since I was on the market, a few other makers have released their own integral frame lock; Rassenti, GTC, Estrella (Lochsa copy).

Do any of the new designs surpass the Lochsa in overall quality and durability?
 
Let me start by saying that I have no personal experience. In the past couple of days, this thread brought up the Estrella: Yay Estrella Thread!

The OP happens to have a few friends that have both the Lochsa and the Estrella, and goes on to say:

Big_E said:
...two of three of my friends that owned both, prefer the Estrella.
Click to expand...
 
I know the Lochsa is highly rated by owners and I've handled one and was thoroughly impressed with it's exceptional quality...a custom maker could match that quality, but IMO I don't think it can really get better as it's reached almost a 'ceiling'...there really is no criticism regarding the build.

With that said, I personally think the steel options are rather limited, as I don't see CPM-S30V as all that special of a steel (especially if it is hardened to the same point as a S30 Sebenza) and I see CPM-S90V as having some major disadvantages for a general usage EDC. My personal take, but I would personally like to see a knife like that available in something like Elmax, XHP, S35VN (@ 60-61 HRC) or other steels that carry balanced properties, notable toughness, and with a little more ease of upkeep. Given the wait for the folder is long no matter what, I think having some flexibility on steel would be a plus for many buyers.

A folder like the George Project VECP opens the door to CTS-XHP, which I think is really underrated given how practical its properties are for a folding knife one carries and uses in all kinds of scenarios. While I've not handled one, owners give it equally good feedback as many of the more expensive titanium frame lock knives...and that is the next ti frame lock I am personally ordering.

Take my opinion as just that. I personally don't like exotic steels that excel like crazy in one or a few categories, but at the sacrifice others, and at a price premium that IMHO simply isn't justified in many cases as the price premium can increase the cost of the knife 200% or more of its cost with base steel...
 
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