View Full Version : Folder...Help!
I've been a very good boy lately, and managed to curb my spending...So now I'm going to treat myself to a decent folder. I have a budget of £60, which is 5 times the amount I spend on the opinel No.8's I use all the time.
As I have never puchased a folding knife other than the Opinels, I would appreciate a bit of help. Preferably it should be strong, drop point, and not flashy or gimmicky. My own tastes are with the more traditional, although I have seen the Gerber Harsey Air Ranger, and like the look of it.
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Why dont you treat yourself to a good fixed blade. I dont really do folders apart from a leatherman. I have two bark river knives in the post a highland and mini-canadian. Both have had good reviews. Or the lapp puukko (i have one and it is superb). Or you could save up a bit more and but a Woodlore micarta :wink:
Jake
I already have a few good fixed blades.... I carry a 1.5" penknife in my pocket all the time, but would like a larger folder that I can keep in the daypack I use everyday for work and play...talking of Bark River, I'm looking forward to hearing about yours when it arrives, I may just get one myself :-)
I can highly, highly recommend a benchmade mini-griptillian. The axis lock is just about unbreakable and definitely the strongest I've evers seen. It's a 3" bladed knife, drop point, one handed opener, no play in the blade, flat ground, razor sharp, good steel and discreet.
http://www.benchmadestore.com/BEN/site/product.cfm?id=BM555
The Spyderco Penknife should be avalible next month.
Can't remeber what price point it's at. But it was collaborated on over at British Blades, and it looks be be a mighty fine knife, legal EDC too!
steven andrews
03-05-2004, 09:50
The Opinel is trustworthy but I second the Griptilian. The Benchmade Griptilian family are a great buy.
Look at the full sized 551 and "mini" 556. They have 440C steel which is a good quality stainless. The axis lock is very secure too.
There is a new model that has excellent S30V steel, called the 552 RSK
http://www.equipped.com/rsk_mk1.htm
The 552 is a bit over your £60 budget though....
Martyn beat me to it. The mini griptilian is an excellent choice for an outdoors folder imo. You might also look at something from the Kabar/Dozier line and Fallkniven has a new lockback out that everyone is raving about. My favorite is a Benchmade BM 721 but they are more expensive and no longer in production.
seem's like theres a fair amount of agreement on the Griptillian then...I'll have a phone round tommorow, and see if I can get one in the UK. I would prefer the mini model, but the one shown on BKCG appears to be part serrated, and looking at thier prices, I'm sure I can get it cheaper ...Any ideas?
I'm sure I can get it cheaper ...Any ideas?
Yes,
http://www.outdoorsuppliesuk.com/benchmade/benchmademenu.html
£46 quid.
Email JHoe for availability though. I dont think he'll have em in stock and your wait time might be up to 3 weeks.
Thanks everyone, especially Martyn for that link. I'll be sending them an e-mail tonight...at that price I can also afford another Opinel :lol:
Powderburn
03-05-2004, 19:23
Hoodoo would be shocked and disappointed if I didn't throw my hat in the ring for the Griptilian. I have a 550 and 556, and both rock the house. Still can't decide which size and blade shape I like best.
My 550 is coming up on her third birthday in a couple months and she still hasn't touched a stone, only a strop, but is still hair-popping sharp. I carry her everywhere everyday. BM does an excellent job on 440C, which is underrated by way too many people.
A word of warning though. The griptillian is one of the cheaper knives that Benchmade make, and the handle is made of black, textured plastic. It's one of those tough do anything to it plastics, but plastic nonetheless. Some people might not like that. It's a really superb little knife, but if the plastic handle is just not acceptable, look at something else in the benchmade linup. Pretty much all the knives in the benchmade collection are outstanding, but something with a more traditional handle material will probably cost you more. Personally, I have no problems with the handle and find the knife to be excellent in just about every way. The spine is even ground square, making it one of the best knives I own for getting sparks from a firesteel.
I personally cant abiode the serrated or "combo" edge models (from any manufacturer).
Powderburn
03-05-2004, 19:42
Good point about the plastic handle, Martyn. It's tough as nails (dropped mine countless times on concrete, etc.), but sure seems flimsy the first time you pick one up. :wink: If you want something a little more traditional or aesthetically pleasing, you'll have to pay more.
Yeah, even so, I love the knife though. In many ways, I prefer it to my considerably more expensive sebenza...
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17 4
If Benchmade did a model with a ssuperior handle material, I'd probably go for it. The new version with the S30V steel looks good. The 3.4 inch blade is a little on the large side for my tastes, but I could be tempted.
I'm sure I'll get used to it...the strength and comfort in use is what I look for, it's one of the reasons I have stuck with Opinels for so long. The axis lock is new to me, but from what I have read it works well. 440c may actually be a bonus on this knife for me. I have a 2 month gap between jobs this summer, and plan to walk the south west coast path...I'm bound to get it soaked in seawater at least a few times, which would be tougher on a carbon blade.
...the 440c makes for a good food prep knife too. Peeling spuds, onions, boning meat, whatever - right useful little knife. :-D
The axis lock works extremely well. The best I've personally seen, including the sebenza.
The ergonomics of it are superb, allowing a really wide and comfortable range of grips.
Looking at your pic makes me think it's probably the right choice for me. The 'swell' on the handle looks as if it will fit nice and comfy in my paws...cheers :uu:
I'd also recommend the Fallkniven U2 folder.
I took a look at the U2, and it does appear to be a good, solid hard worker. I already use a Fallkniven f2 for sea angling and its an excellent knife, so I dont doubt the overall quality.
My reservation was the steel. I dont know anyone with any experience of the powder steel they use, and without a few independent opinions, decided to stick with the more well known steels.
If the U2 is your choice of folder a,nd as good as thier fixed baldes, I would appreciate hearing your opinion of it's performance, as I'm sure others would be. :-)
steven andrews
03-05-2004, 23:06
I have bought most of my knives from NewGraham.com
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6292/folders.jpg
$5.95 shipping to UK! (on one knife) and you'll have it within 10 days.
http://www.newgraham.com/benchmad28.htm
I took a look at the U2, and it does appear to be a good, solid hard worker. I already use a Fallkniven f2 for sea angling and its an excellent knife, so I dont doubt the overall quality.
My reservation was the steel. I dont know anyone with any experience of the powder steel they use, and without a few independent opinions, decided to stick with the more well known steels.
If the U2 is your choice of folder a,nd as good as thier fixed baldes, I would appreciate hearing your opinion of it's performance, as I'm sure others would be. :-)
I've had one for a while now, it's an excellent 'no frills' working knife. It holds a razor sharp edge very well, i've only ever had to run it lightly down a ceramic rod to bring it back to biting sharp. Very light weight too. Reveiws over on british blades have all been very favourable. Those benchmades look good too though. Choices, choices...
I have bought most of my knives from NewGraham.com
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6292/folders.jpg
$5.95 shipping to UK! (on one knife) and you'll have it within 10 days.
http://www.newgraham.com/benchmad28.htm
Hi steven
what's the spydie above the CR sebenza?
steven andrews
04-05-2004, 16:16
Familne,
It's a Spyderco Carbon Fibre Delica, plain edge.
try www.buckknives.com some good
I was in my local shop yesterday and was looking at the EKA folding lock knife. looked very nice. danzo over on BB had the same knife I think. a very nice wooden handle. I could get a pic of it on wednesday if you want as I'm going back to pick up my lock knife (nieto spanish 440C blade A1 handle the pic is on some thread) the EKA is £39 in there. I didn't like the feel of the buck folders I've played with but they were at the cheeper end so I couldn't comment on ther more expensive products. the CRKT bladelock looks nice to me which is £40 from ODS thats AUS6 steel
The General
08-06-2004, 22:28
My vote in that price range would be the Spyderco Calypso Jnr model knife.
For a little more the Benchmade 806 is rather good... :lol:
ChrisKavanaugh
09-06-2004, 01:54
Fallkniven's little U2 folder is an incredible knife. It comes with an edge that is not only extremely sharp, but very durable. It has double fingernail slits, a firm lockup and requires no lubricants. Handle is very comfortable. I even managed a decent quantity of sparks off my metal match and it makes nice feather sticks. It is also a perfect fit inside a BCB survival tin. Alas, my G/F fell in love with it. Now I have to buy two.
The General
09-06-2004, 02:21
Fallkniven's little U2 folder is an incredible knife. It comes with an edge that is not only extremely sharp, but very durable. It has double fingernail slits, a firm lockup and requires no lubricants. Handle is very comfortable. I even managed a decent quantity of sparks off my metal match and it makes nice feather sticks. It is also a perfect fit inside a BCB survival tin. Alas, my G/F fell in love with it. Now I have to buy two. She was stalked and the guy made a grab for her. The fallkniven U2 was allready in her hand. He lost half an ear and his cheek was flayed to his sinus, where the doctors removed my U2 from the bone. I never got it back.
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Really? 8-)
I was about to make a comment about carrying a knife for self defense braking the law, then noticed your in the USA. did the police over there have any issue with what she did?
C_Claycomb
09-06-2004, 09:38
Sorry in advance if everyone already knows about the Spyderco/BB knife
Spyderco have worked with BB and come up with a variation of the slipjoint, it is more possitively held in the open position than a standard non-locking knife, but can easily be opened with one hand via the thumb hole. I was abit sceptical about this design, but got to look at the prototype in the US and am sold on it now. I think they said VG10 blade and G10 scales. No pricing info as yet, the only numbers they would quote were very general ball park figures in dollars, so probably won't corespond to what we pay here. Design looks a lot like the third knife down in the picture above.
I know that locking knives are the best bet for user safety, and if you are out in the wilds there is no problem in carrying them. However, if you can only stretch to one knife, having the option to carry it without worry every day might be nice.
Keith_Beef
09-06-2004, 09:38
How about an Alain Descy model D6 manufactured by Berthier.
Solid lock mechanism, and snakewood handle for 78 Euros (so around £50 - £60). The description at Pierre Courty's site just says "stainless steel", but I know that it is available with a D2 blade (I know, it's a D6 with a D2 blade :rolleyes: )
http://couteaux-courty.com/cgi-bin/wv2k/./panier.cgi?langue=eng&database =base&action=view_product&prod uctID=1455&category=97
Or you can have it in olive wood, brown ebony or violetwood.
Keith.
danzomekahiro
09-06-2004, 14:41
I was in my local shop yesterday and was looking at the EKA folding lock knife. looked very nice. danzo over on BB had the same knife I think. a very nice wooden handle. I could get a pic of it on wednesday if you want as I'm going back to pick up my lock knife (nieto spanish 440C blade A1 handle the pic is on some thread) the EKA is £39 in there.
Hi folks
I'd agree with Andy on this one. If you want a wooden handled locking folder the EKAs are very good indeed. Very sharp Sandvik steel and a good lock. The Masur birch model comes with an elkskin belt pouch/sheath and a leather lanyard.
I just sold the one I had as it really is a knife that needs to be used and with a new baby I don't get out as much to use it properly!
:-D
If Andy says they are in the shop for £39 I better not say how much I let it go for over on BB!
:cry:
Danzo
Well I'm not a knife nut (I mean that in the nicest way guys) so my tastes are more practicle (and inexpensive) I use a Swiss Army Hunter - which has a locking blade, and a good little saw blade. I also use a leatherman Wave - but with the wave I always feel the handles arent solid enough for anything to hard.
this mich be a bit late, but here goes. have a look at http://www.equipped.com/pp/pic1344.htm and here's all about it http://www.equipped.com/rsk_mk1.htm its about $100, based on the griptillian but with s30v steel instead.
steve
hmm picture didn't work, oh well, its on the web page in anycase
sc
ChrisKavanaugh
09-06-2004, 16:44
Stuart Pmed me that my U2 story might cause difficulties for the website and edited it. I understand. For the two inquiries let me state that folding and sheath knives under 2.5" are perfectly legal to carry in California. MyG/F took the knife after I gave her a Chagall print and she couldn't get the shipping tube open. Her fingernails look longer than that little knife, but are much more delicate and probably cost more :lol: . She was rammed from behind on a side street by this guy who had bothered her in a shopping center. She had called 911, our emergency # on the cell and locked the doors. He smashed the window and was dragging her out when she used the little U2 as a last defence. There was never any issue with the police over the knife. I can reach into my tool kit and come up with far more deadly whitworth spanners. Spydercos are comon emergency carry by many police here. Several were asking about that little folder.
If Andy says they are in the shop for £39 I better not say how much I let it go for over on BB!
:cry:
Danzo
you can get a few models from Heinnie Haynes starting at about £20 and going to a bit over £40 (for the one with a holster).
how do you say Heinnie Haynes anyway?
ditchfield
09-06-2004, 19:02
I was in my local shop yesterday and was looking at the EKA folding lock knife. looked very nice. danzo over on BB had the same knife I think. a very nice wooden handle. I could get a pic of it on wednesday if you want as I'm going back to pick up my lock knife (nieto spanish 440C blade A1 handle the pic is on some thread) the EKA is £39 in there.
Hi folks
I'd agree with Andy on this one. If you want a wooden handled locking folder the EKAs are very good indeed. Very sharp Sandvik steel and a good lock. The Masur birch model comes with an elkskin belt pouch/sheath and a leather lanyard.
I just sold the one I had as it really is a knife that needs to be used and with a new baby I don't get out as much to use it properly!
:-D
If Andy says they are in the shop for £39 I better not say how much I let it go for over on BB!
:cry:
Danzo
I have this knife and often everyday carry it. It's lovely, as is the elkskin sheath. I bought mine of Bagherra for around £30 I think.
steven andrews
09-06-2004, 20:44
I just ordered a "Ritter Grip" Benchmade 552 RSK.
This S30V knife is quite a bit more expensive than the standard 440C version - but I couldn't help myself....
My 556 Mini Grip needs a big brother!!
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2308/rsk_mk1.jpg
The General
09-06-2004, 22:27
Sorry in advance if everyone already knows about the Spyderco/BB knife
Spyderco have worked with BB and come up with a variation of the slipjoint, it is more possitively held in the open position than a standard non-locking knife, but can easily be opened with one hand via the thumb hole. I was abit sceptical about this design, but got to look at the prototype in the US and am sold on it now. I think they said VG10 blade and G10 scales. No pricing info as yet, the only numbers they would quote were very general ball park figures in dollars, so probably won't corespond to what we pay here. Design looks a lot like the third knife down in the picture above.
I know that locking knives are the best bet for user safety, and if you are out in the wilds there is no problem in carrying them. However, if you can only stretch to one knife, having the option to carry it without worry every day might be nice.
The steel is S30V and it is a superb little knife, suprisingly the lack of a blade lock did not bother me either. The design of this knife on several levels did not make me worry about the lack of a lock. I spent quite some time talking with Sal at IWA about this little gem and to its credit a lot of interest has been expressed both in Europe and in the US.
That Griptillian is the nearest thing to a copy of the Sebenza I have seen since the 750. Looks amazing value though!
ChrisKavanaugh
03-07-2004, 04:30
I just received a RSK today from Doug. My present dedicated 'survival knives' consist of a Fallkniven F1 and U2 stashed in my pocket survival kit. My personal taste in knives is in traditional materials. Part of this is a revulsion to the Chuck Norris school of manhood for security guards with their black 'tactical' knives. But I first settled on the F1. It met all my needs for a dedicated survival knife. It is low maintenance, robust ( edge retention, sufficient strength for heavy use) and off the shelf. The U2 was a personally determined step up from razorblades or scalpels. It's wickedly sharp, has a locking blade and holds an incredible edge. It's also very robust compared to many other small folders in this size. The RSK is nearly as large as my F1 . This is not a 'gentleman's folder' or SAK class folder like the U2. I took it out for a quick test; feathersticks, sparking a metal match, food prep on a whole chicken and several vegetables, cutting an old seatbelt , manila line with excellent performance. The true, one handed ambidextrous opening and secure axis lock are big plusses. So, what I have are 3 superb knives rounding out a serious kit emphasizing emergency survival use.
Thanks for the review on the RSK. It looks like a very good knife.
That Griptillian is the nearest thing to a copy of the Sebenza I have seen since the 750. Looks amazing value though!
Doug Ritter is a big fan of the Sebenza. His etched model is shown below the new one on his website:
http://www.equipped.org/
The RSK has got to be a contender. I can't say much about it at the moment because I'm reviewing it for an article but it's slicing ability is amazing. I think I may be retiring my edc BM 721 for this puppy (and that's saying something!). :-D