Folding knife suggestions ?

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Billy-o

Native
Apr 19, 2018
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Nah, I just live in Canada at the moment. I'm UK. Ghosts and assumptions being the main issue here. My point was to ask why you are circulating rumours, speculations and hypotheses along with your thoughts of the notions, views and opinions of others about what is and isn't legal rather than sticking to what is factual about the matter. It really don't help.

In Canada, carry what you like. But be a clown and suffer under the foolish person laws. Same as in most of the US ... except many big cities there have more or less zero carry. Chicago and NY, for instance, are much more closely regulated than anywhere in the UK. Chicago, you can carry a locker but the blade has to be under 2". if you think there is a violence problem in the UK, take a look at the annual stats just for Chicago.
 
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GuestD

Need to contact Admin...
Feb 10, 2019
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Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. The one that appeals the most is the TBS Boar,
tbs-boar-folding-pocket-knife-curly-birch-perfect-every-day-carry-knife-mk-ii-mod-29736-p.jpg

I think I'll give it a go.
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,438
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W.Sussex
I’m not getting into legal or paralegal matters when someone has made a simple request for a U.K. legal folding knife. That should be the point of the thread, and nobody has suggested any knife illegal at present under UK law. There is this, and it’s a bit scaremongering and reactionary in my opinion, but it contains the link to all the relevant information.

For some reason the link to the discussion takes me to the forum homepage.

https://bushcraftuk.com/community/i...ne-handed-folders-made-illegal-to-own.147247/
 

GuestD

Need to contact Admin...
Feb 10, 2019
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I’m not getting into legal or paralegal matters when someone has made a simple request for a U.K. legal folding knife. That should be the point of the thread, and nobody has suggested any knife illegal at present under UK law. There is this, and it’s a bit scaremongering and reactionary in my opinion, but it contains the link to all the relevant information.

For some reason the link to the discussion takes me to the forum homepage.

https://bushcraftuk.com/community/i...ne-handed-folders-made-illegal-to-own.147247/

Thank you.
 

Billy-o

Native
Apr 19, 2018
1,981
975
Canada
I'd like to apologise for my tone, Deekin. I hope you'll accept.

I am outside the country for a while and watching it fall apart through bits of misinformation. You caught my misplaced anger and I am old enough to be able to not do that anymore.
 
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C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
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Oct 6, 2003
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I think you are probably making a good choice on the TBS Boar. I haven't handled one, but it looks like it ticks boxes for a woods knife, although I don't know what the spring will be like, for your finger safety requirement.

The following are not meant to change your mind, more for background info on alternatives.


I have:

Boker Tech1 - excellent EDC, take it to the office, around town, etc. Slim enough not to look "big" and threatening, also comfortable, easy to sharpen (12C27), good clip and good spring, not super stiff, but firm. Nice to carry in that the back corner of the blade spine is rounded and flows into the handle, no big sharp corner to wear your pocket away. Would I want it as a woods knife, not quite, mainly that it is a little slim and short in the handle. It is good though, and at sub-£30...excellent value.

Boker Slack - I reground this to be UK EDC legal. Great steel (VG10), very firm spring for closing, but with a notch system so it isn't a nail breaker to open. The major failing is that the handle is REALLY slim! So slim that you would quickly get fatigue if you tried to carve with it. The handle is also not very deep/tall, again, making it hard to grip. No clip, no nail nick, exposed blade corner.

Spyderco UKPK S110V - FRN handle, very light, very sharp, ground at a better wood cutting angle than the Bokers, one handed opening, discreet pocket clip, would be a good camping/hiking knife. Used to have the S30V/G10 version and like it, but found the razor edge didn't stay on that steel well. Using the finger choil pretty much eliminates the chance of it closing on your finger. Would I want this as a woods knife, again, not quite, mainly that the handle is too thin, although it has good depth and is pretty comfortable, up to carving pressure. Looks bigger, looks more "stabby" than the Bokers.

Spyderco PITS Blue - Titanium and N690Co. If you wanted a UK legal EDC for hunting, this would be fantastic. That was what it was designed for, and the shape of blade and handle really suit the slicing grips used for skinning. A lot less comfy for a full carving grip, and the blade shape is a bit deep. It is a big knife, despite the 3" blade length. VERY safe to use in a full grip, similar to a friction folder, hand pressure increases force needed to cause blade closure. Not lock-back strength, but firmer than most slip joints that are not nail breakers. Also, very easy to clean out with an open back and all metal frame. Is expensive.

Viper Dan2 - N690Co blade, best hand filling handle of any mentioned. Although it is a "friction folder" the detent system gives almost as much resistance as some slip joints. If you have your thumb on the tang, you will have to try really hard to get it to close on you, but the tang is short, so a full fist hammer grip doesn't do anything much to help keep the blade open. I only got this a few days ago, so have not had much chance to try it. Its another big knife, with a fair bit of heft.

Enzo PK70 - S30V, mine is a kit which I have yet to complete. I think they may have discontinued making the non-locking versions, which is a shame since they were/are very high quality, good spring/notch system, easy to open, and the handles were big enough to be comfortable for carving. Only downside was that they had a lot of corners, hard on pockets, and I am not such a fan of S30V.

Schrade Oldtimer Stockman - 1095 steel, takes an okay edge, doesn't hold for long. Nice enough "classic" pocket knife, but I want something better both for EDC and for woods.



Stuff I have handled:
Ben Orford The Nomad - O-1 and G10 friction folder. Thus far, this is the best UK legal EDC woods-knife I have handled. Very comfortable, good safe use in a full grip with a long enough blade tang. Very good design. For me, if it was in stainless steel, it would be perfect.

Hinderer XM Slippy - cool looking, good steel, not a strong spring, really uncomfortable handle. A great disappointment.

Queen Cutlery D2 Sodbuster - Queen are no more, but this was a good knife. Not super safe, and required a full edge regrind to get it cutting, but good steel and a useful shape.

Manly Wasp - S90V blade, and G10. Very thin edge, great slicer, not something I would want for heavy outdoor use. The one my friend had suffered a back spring failure, broke clean through. Main purpose is getting the premium steel into an inexpensive package.



Things that look interesting:
Lion Steel Best Man - M390 steel, titanium and micarta.

TBS Boar folder



All things considered, it seems that knives that are designed for EDC may be good for that, but generally fall down somewhat when transferred to woods-knives. Knives that are designed for use in the woods may be a bit bulkier than what most want for EDC. There is a big difference in using a knife to open the mail, cut string and slice lunch apples, and using it to carve spoons, feather sticks and make hearth board divots. The knives that I thought had the greatest potential for woods work were designed with that use in mind.


Be sure to let us know how you get on with whatever you wind up buying :D

Chris
 
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GuestD

Need to contact Admin...
Feb 10, 2019
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All things considered, it seems that knives that are designed for EDC may be good for that, but generally fall down somewhat when transferred to woods-knives. Knives that are designed for use in the woods may be a bit bulkier than what most want for EDC. There is a big difference in using a knife to open the mail, cut string and slice lunch apples, and using it to carve spoons, feather sticks and make hearth board divots. The knives that I thought had the greatest potential for woods work were designed with that use in mind.


Be sure to let us know how you get on with whatever you wind up buying :D

There is an absolutely mind boggling array of choice out there, and any folder is going to be a bit of a compromise. I specifically wanted a single blade with a traditional look, so the TBS fits the bill, and it's at a price not to be too precious, or too much to lose.
The top knife is a Boker, and my favourite and most used for the last two decades, very tactile and holds an edge.
large.IMG_20190512_101045384.jpg.78546796bf8b46c67e0e19d7c3ab96ae.jpg
 

Mesquite

It is what it is.
Mar 5, 2008
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I think you are probably making a good choice on the TBS Boar. I haven't handled one, but it looks like it ticks boxes for a woods knife, although I don't know what the spring will be like, for your finger safety requirement.

If you fancy having a play with one Chris see me at the moot :)
 

C_Claycomb

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Oct 6, 2003
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If you fancy having a play with one Chris see me at the moot :)
Right...you are on! ;) I have been looking for a UK legal woods folder for a while. Would have ordered an Orford if it was stainless. I know folk like O-1 for bushcraft, but I feel that a blade that folds, that has nooks and narrow gaps that moisture can get into and be slow to dry, or that is as likely to cut fruit as it is sticks, is better if it doesn't rust too readily.
 
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Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
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Plus 1 for the boar folder, although, beware! They are in the process of bringing out a 2 bladed version, looks lovely and still UK legal.

The Wildcat just appeared in my email inbox, and it’s a tidy little knife in its prototype form. Be nice if it stays one blade full convex and one scandi grind. The question will be, is the closed blade going to interfere in use?

2-F965499-DE0-E-45-A4-954-B-271-F8-B538-B0-F.jpg


0-DC18-ABB-74-EF-4-DCA-B807-927504-AC9422.jpg
 

Billy-o

Native
Apr 19, 2018
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Canada
Coo

The thing with all folders with more than one blade is will the other(s) be in the way. That looks pretty symmetrical one way and the other

Wish it was O1

I wonder, have they (do they) do the single blade version in just the convex option?
 
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santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
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Florida
Right...you are on! ;) I have been looking for a UK legal woods folder for a while. Would have ordered an Orford if it was stainless. I know folk like O-1 for bushcraft, but I feel that a blade that folds, that has nooks and narrow gaps that moisture can get into and be slow to dry, or that is as likely to cut fruit as it is sticks, is better if it doesn't rust too readily.
To be fair, most knives don’t rust too readily if they’re used regularly. Salt air environments are an exception.
 
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Snufkin

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Oct 13, 2004
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The Wildcat just appeared in my email inbox, and it’s a tidy little knife in its prototype form. Be nice if it stays one blade full convex and one scandi grind. The question will be, is the closed blade going to interfere in use?

2-F965499-DE0-E-45-A4-954-B-271-F8-B538-B0-F.jpg


0-DC18-ABB-74-EF-4-DCA-B807-927504-AC9422.jpg
Interesting but I'd prefer a single bladed boar with a convex or flat grind. I keep considering reprofiling one of mine.
 

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