Which one of these folders?

Fletcher Knives

Fletcher Knives

STEEL BREATHING BLADE MAESTRO
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Aug 30, 2007
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So I've decided to get a new folder for camping and work. It needs to be sturdy for both jobs. Normally I wouldn't choose a knife with serrations for camping, but everyday at work I'm having to cut through straps and tiedowns and things like that, so on this knife, the partially serrated blade is going to be a plus. Also, I wanted something that had somewhat of a handguard, either created in the blade or the handle even if its only slightly. It's common here at the shop to be working with a little oil or grease or chain lube on your hands so something to keep you from slipping up onto the blade is a big plus. After looking around at all the normal knife places, these are the two that look best suited for the job. I also considered the CRKT M16 with the double thump thingies, but these two look a little beefier and I want it to be a large folder. I know these two are on two sides of the cost range, but these are the two that fit the riquirements best so far. They are the Boker Armed Forces Tanto Folder II and the Remington Premier Tactical Zulu II Tanto Military. I'd like to know if any of you guys have had any experience with either of these and what you think of them. Also, if you have any suggestions that meet my requirements and are in that $35-$130 range, let me know. Just keep in mind they have to be big, partially serrated, and with some sort of handguard on both sides. I know the Zulu is a straight blade, but it's blade material and grip makes up for it.

Thanks guys.

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Lot of people swear by them but not me, I hate tanto blade shapes. After owning several, I personally don't believe they are very good except for their designed purpose, stabbing penetration. In anything but self defense I think they are seriously lacking, they are also very hard to sharpen with the freehand methods I use.

My suggestion for you would either be a leatherman surge, has both plain and serrated blades blus loads of other useful tools. It does not have a guard but the handle portion that the other tools are stored in is large enough to keep a firm grip. The second knife for what you described would be a Victorinox one hand trekker, very nice and useful knife.

Another thing to keep in mind, any contact you have with an LEO either of the two knives you picked out would probably be thought of as a weapon not a tool. I know that this is not right but unfortunately in the world we live in it is the truth. Chris
 
runningboar said:
Lot of people swear by them but not me, I hate tanto blade shapes. After owning several, I personally don't believe they are very good except for their designed purpose, stabbing penetration. In anything but self defense I think they are seriously lacking, they are also very hard to sharpen with the freehand methods I use.

My suggestion for you would either be a leatherman surge, has both plain and serrated blades blus loads of other useful tools. It does not have a guard but the handle portion that the other tools are stored in is large enough to keep a firm grip. The second knife for what you described would be a Victorinox one hand trekker, very nice and useful knife.

Another thing to keep in mind, any contact you have with an LEO either of the two knives you picked out would probably be thought of as a weapon not a tool. I know that this is not right but unfortunately in the world we live in it is the truth. Chris
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I actually have a Leatherman Charge TTi and it works great for most of the stuff but it's just no as comfortable in my hand. I find that with the latex gloves on, the multitool and vic style knives just don't feel right. Another guy that works here has the Boker in the smaller version and it was great.

As for the bobbies, The only places I would be traveling with this knife are usually going to be work and home, and lucky for me most of the leos around here come in my shop all the time and I work on their bikes so I know them well. Most of the police around here are very cool. I've only had one instance when I was stopped by a leo I didn't know and when he called my info in i heard another one come over the radio and say "I know him. He's a good guy. Ask him when my fork seals will be done and if he's going to come out to the Vortex with us tonight." lol
 
Outdoors Fanatic said:
Why not a Spyderco or a Benchmade?
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Both of these are good companies and I have checked them out. I just couldn't find anything from them that REALLY fit the needs. i have a Spyderco folder now and I run into the same slippy problem i run into with all the others. Having those guards there like on the Boker gave my hand something to go against and made working the knife much easier. If you can find one that maybe I have overlooked that has guards, throw it up here. I'll definitely consider it.
 
Sounds good, A good relationship with local law enforcement is always a good thing. :thumbup:

It sounds as though you have tried several things and have pretty much figured out the best tool for what your doing. I have no experience with the knives you listed but know how much I dislike tantos.

Another poster mentioned BM and spyderco, I own both and they are dang good knives but from the sound of the things you will put the knife through I don't think I would spend that much money.

I think I would look at some of the CRKTs or even the lowly Gerber Gator, both are solid built and durable and if you tip one just throw it away and buy another. Chris
 
I would say by what I have owned, the CRKT M16-14, a benchmade griptilian, or a SOG Vulcan.

All three have some sort of finger guard, the Vulcan and CRKT having really good ones. The vulcan is going to be the most expensive, but on ebay it's in your price range.

The CRKT is about $60-$70

The Griptilian is about $80

The SOG Vulcan is about $100

Hope this helps, J.
 
Thanks guys. he more I think about it, the more I stray away from the more expensive knives. Like Running Boar said, the knid of stuff I put them through is more than likely going to snap anything eventually, so maybe it's better to get something a little less expensive Like the Boker or CRKT so when I screw it up I can just chuck it and grab another one.
 
I had an m16 it was a good solid knife....can hadle heavy things for a folder I ended up giving it away a little to tactical for me...I know it's not serrated but for the price of approx 25 bucks at walmart...it'd be hard to beat a good ole americna made buck 110 big great for heavy work..easy to replace more than at home in the woods...and while bigenout to arrouse sheeple it still has classic appeal that makes appear less threatening than a tac folder.
 
Dylside said:
Thanks guys. he more I think about it, the more I stray away from the more expensive knives. Like Running Boar said, the knid of stuff I put them through is more than likely going to snap anything eventually, so maybe it's better to get something a little less expensive Like the Boker or CRKT so when I screw it up I can just chuck it and grab another one.
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Well, then there is Byrd (Spyderco's budget line). A heck of lot of knife for ther money. Cheaper than CRKT, Boker and even Gerber, and they cut better to boot. Some models even come G10 handles for not much more than 30 bucks. That's a steal.
 
Try an FRN Byrd Cara Cara with partially serr. blade. The handle is SUPER grippy, and the shape itself is not very conducive to slips. It also has jimping on the spine as well.
I would also consider just putting a good toothy edge (220-320 grit) on a plain blade to slice rope, strapping, etc.
Very affordable, less than $20 most places. Here is a closeup so you can see the grip texture.
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/closeup.php?product=230
 
beckerhead said:
Try an FRN Byrd Cara Cara with partially serr. blade. The handle is SUPER grippy, and the shape itself is not very conducive to slips. It also has jimping on the spine as well.
I would also consider just putting a good toothy edge (220-320 grit) on a plain blade to slice rope, strapping, etc.
Very affordable, less than $20 most places. Here is a closeup so you can see the grip texture.
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/closeup.php?product=230
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The Cara Cara is already a classic. I also love the Crossbill CE, that thing cuts, cuts and then cut some more. Another ones to look out for is the Byrd Flight and the Raven.
 
Ok. So I bought 2 knives. One was the CRKT M21-14SF. After all of the looking I've done and reviews I've read, I decided on that one. Looks tough, fits all my requirements for this specific application, and is within the price range of when it breaks buying a new one. The other knife I bought was the Boker Armed Forces Tanto Folder II.

I had gotten to a point where I was more leaning toward the CRKT anyway. Then, I found a couple of threads about the Boker that made me laugh and ponder at great length. There were two threads, one of them actually in the Boker forum, where people were tearing the Armed Forces Folder apart. They mainly talked about how it was an obvious ripoff of not onlt the CRKT, but also the Strider knives. What was funny to me was that, for this particular application, the aspects that Boker combined from both knives are the things that i liked about each one. The strider style handle and blade of the CRKT. People really tore that knife up talking about how useless, ugly and crappy it was, though only a couple of people had actually had Bokers. Now while I agree that the knife is ugly as sin and that the design of the knife is almost useless for most situations normally presented, for my particular usage the DESIGN, not materials or craftsmanship, would actually be quite useful. While people really critisized the materials and construction of the knife, after reading the specs, I think the materials are fine. Construction could be the only flaw that wouldn't make it worth its cost. At this point i started wondering if it was as bad as everyone assumes and if it was truly not nearly worth the cost. What is there to do?... a Dylan Fletcher destruction test! I decided to buy one just to see what all it would put up with and make my own conclusions about the knife on it's own, not taking into consideration the certain blows to integrity and originality to Boker. I'm going to do a REALLY REAL GOOD evaluation of the knife for this board. Mainly just because i couldn't find decent info on it other than it's a ripoff knife from a couple of other designs. To test it, I'll first check it out for fit and finish and, under visual inspection, quality of construction. Then, I'll carry it with me and put it through daily mechanic and builder chores and maybe some slightly more intense work until it fails. Then we'll see if, even though its a colaberation knife without permission, it is worth the $30.

I'm very excited about the CRKT though. Even thought it won't be the subject of the "testing" you can bet I'll be finding out what it takes to kill one of those also, so expect two reviews.

Thanks for all the help in the meantime guys. I appreciate everyone's suggestions.

Just for the record, I'd like to state I DON'T LIKE TACTICAL KNIVES. The only reason i picked these was because of the design as it will help in the application I'm getting them for. If they were hot pink and super snot yellow, it wouldn't matter. I don't like that they're "tactical", but after some of the accidents I've had and the potential given the conditions, I'm willing to give these designs a try.
 
I promise if you check out a Buck Omni folding knife that you will love it. Its large,lightweight, Built like a tank, non slip grips and stays sharp. Oh and its only around 38.00 bucks at Walmart. It fits everything you want except it doesnt have serrated blades. I love that knife and i know you will to. Just try it. Hope I helped.
 
I hate waiting for things to come in the mail. I find myself doing things like waiting to take my lunch break until i know the mail has already run so i can go home and see if my knives and stuff have arrived. In doing so, I waste my lunchbreak on it because i can't do that AND get food. lol. Right now I'm waiting on sheaths from On-Scene, these two folders, patches from Edgar, and some various other things. Needless to say, I doubt I'll get to eat lunch at all this week.
 
I have both an M16 and M21, both are good solid knives that work well hold an edge and can re sharpen pretty easily. I have had to replace tha clips on both, the clip on the M21 is mot heavy enough for this large knife IMHO. I carried both for a few years and they saw alot of of work without any major damage, both tended to rust a bit especially around the pivot point.

If you really want a heavy kick ass knife look at the Spyderco Manix. It doesent have a "Guard" but the handle is really designed to prevent slippage, Since i bought one my other knives all of my other folders have been left in drawers or relagated to back up status.
 
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