Wimpy Folders

TEX

Joined
Apr 9, 1999
Messages
9
I have tried a number of the big name sub $100 folders with 440C blades, etc. None of them have held up edge wise, but I have an old (1955) boy scout knife that is not staninless and it holds an edge well. Any suggestions on good folders with REAL blades. I don't mind keeping one rust free, I just need to hold a superior edge in a real world.

TEX
 
How much do you want to spend? If you want to keep it under $100 have you checked out Kershaw or Spyderco? They make some knives that I have heard good things about, or you could also try the Camillus EDC in 154CM, for $50. It is a great value, and I plan on picking one up.

Of course what exactly you are looking for will influence if this is any help. What type of lock, how big a blade and what do you want to use the knife for?


Erik
 
How about a Kershaw Vapor???? 20 bucks at Walmart and a hella sturdy framelock. I just picked up another one this weekend!
Matt
 
if you don't want wimpy blades, check out the Camillius Maxx 5.5 .. Ti framelock and a D2 blade. 5.5 is the blade length, often called at as folding sword. Defenitely NOT a wimpy folder.

greetz and take care, bart.
 
Anything in ATS 34, ATS 55, 154 CM, D2, VG 10, or BG 42, they all hold an extremely sharp edge if properly heat treated, and most mid range production folders come in at least one of these steels.
 
Tex - Do you know what happened to the edge on your 440C knives? Did the edge roll over (you can feel it by running your finger along the side of the blade's edge), or did the blades chip out or rip, or did the edge just get dull? Different steels excel in different areas such as impact resistance and abrasion resistance. Telling us your most common cutting chores would also help.

There's a knife out there with your name on it. It's just a matter of making a good decision based on the knife's intended use.
 
The newer Spyderco knives made with VG-10 and CPM-440V steel are pretty darn good. I'm rather pleased with my Endura (VG-10) and pair of Chinooks (CPM-440V).
 
Esav Benyamin is right about the Greco folders. You won't find a tougher knife for $ 60 (includes shipping).

It's well made, by hand, by Greco right here in the USA.
 
Along with above mentioned stainless steels(and D2), the low Chromium carbon steels 1084, 1095, O-1, A-2, L-6, M-2, W-1, W-2, 5160 and 52100 are all pretty darn good at edge holding.

Carbon V and Infi are also rated highly in this area. So are the CPM steels, but you are more likely to find these steels on higher priced knives.

Though 440C is not the best at edge holding, it is not that bad either. What is it that you are doing with your knives that get them to dull so quickly?
 
I had an olde scout knife from Camillus that was great. It was high carbon steel and held a razor edge. As far as being wimpy, after I got my Strider folder (GB now, AR later), all other folders are wimpy.

As for cuttin, the above posts are correct. The newer steels, properly heat treated, are great cutters. I have little problem with cutting chores or sharpening.

Ed
 
I second the Greco. Grifon last week; Raptor next week. And more coming. My plan is to corner the market on Grecos so get in there now and grab what you can. We're talking VALUE; we're talking TOUGH. You won't be disappointed.
 
What about SOG? I'm going to get the Tomcat II in cocobolo as soon as I find a retailer. That is around $100, is very nice and unique looking and has quite the thick blade.
 
Originally posted by cockroachfarm
we're talking TOUGH.
I finally got my Raptor to open one handed by the thumb stud, but I still need two hands to release that lock :) And don't try it with sweaty hands, either.
 
Larry - The Tomcat's pivot is not adjustable. It doesn't really need to be. I have one of the original Tomcats (w/cocobolo scales, truly beautiful) and it has ZERO blade play in any direction.
 
I'll throw this in, Buck 110 from their custom shop,PCKS. You can pick your steel and if you pick a wood handle(they have several to choose from) you can stay at or under $100.
have fun, lots of choices..
guy
 
Thanks for all of the replys. You folks have given me a lot of leads that I can investigate. The folder I have (Benchmade) is primarily a defensive knive. I have a small utility knive that I use, and only use the Benchmade when I find myself without the other knife. Once I had to cut several pieces of electrical cord with it and the once razor sharp edge went straight to hell. I know it is not designed to cut copper, but the edge dulled a great deal more than I expected it to. It didn't really chip or fold over, it just got dull. It makes me uneasy about its defensive or emergency capabilities. I also don't mean to sound cheap, but I am one of those guys (lots of us) that if I buy a $200 super folder, I loose the damn thing in a week, but if I get $20 folder I can't lose it if I want to. A version of Murphy's law I suppose. Thanks again for the replies. I think I need to go shopping.

TEX
 
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