Best folding knife

[English Mike]

I'm after a really good quality locking folder, with a blade in the 2.5" - 3.5" range.
UK stuff is crap these days, due to the demise of Sheffield as a bastion of specialist steel manufacture.
The knife would be used for everything from opening packaging to cutting fish bait(but NOT as a defensive tool - honestly:wink: ).
A corrosion resistant blade is necessary, due to its use whilst sea fishing & a price below $100.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

TIA

[tigerfans2]

I "think" Spyderco sells "penknives", you might want to contact them.

[DOCLOVE]

Yes a Spiderco with a stainless blade would work.I just dont like sharpening stainless serrated blades.I use to old Buck 110.As long as you are using it evry day it will work very well.It will tarnish though.They sharpen very easy to a shaving edge use them a bit hit them on leather and they shave again.Like I said they tarnish but work.

[firefuzz]

Columbia River makes really good knives especially for the price.

Try a web search for CRKT knives.

Rob

[Beepy]

I have one of these (http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/414/233) I live close to the new buck factory and they were having a huge close-out sale.... so I got it cheap. I have never seen a folder made as rugged at this one, or as sharp...

I would try this one (http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/472/233) as it is the same knife with a diffrent steel used and a coating (it would work better for the non-corrosive properties) the coating doesn't allow the stippling on the back half of the blade ( I have not figured out a really good reason for it anyway) Plus its way cheaper

I have seen the first one on ebay cheap, but not the second one as they are brand new. I do live right near the factory, I drive past it every friday!! Plus the factory store usually sells them cheaper (I just don't know how much cheaper)

[W.E.G.]

I have a terrible hankering for one of these.
http://nicnac.net/en-us/dept_140.html

[W.E.G.]

I really do like the pointy automatics.

But I usually carry a Cold Steel folding knife with the zytel handle.

The "Voyager" series.
Rugged, inexpensive, and cool-looking
http://www.botac.com/colsteelvoys.html

[RichM]

Picked up a Benchmade 707SBK (http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=707) from New Grahm knives (http://www.newgraham.com/benchmad29.htm) a couple of weeks ago as an everyday carry. I like it alot. Good steel and good reputation. Cost was just a hair over 100.

[fastprofessor]

Originally posted by W.E.G.
I really do like the pointy automatics.

But I usually carry a Cold Steel folding knife with the zytel handle.

The "Voyager" series.
Rugged, inexpensive, and cool-looking
http://www.botac.com/colsteelvoys.html

I second the voyager. I used to carry one all the time until I switched to a microtech auto.

[English Mike]

Thanks for all the input, both here & via PM.

I'll check out the suggestions (apart from Gary's first one, which is a little too "single purpose" & a little too illegal here in cottonwool land:wink: ).

Cheers

Mike

[tigerfans2]

Are locking folders still of questionable legality "over there" ?

[moonbat60]

Hey guys !

To me, the best folding knives are made by SOG. They are of great design, I own a Flash 2 and a new SOG Trident.

I like their assisted opening, which deploys the blade very fast. The locking mechanism is very sturdy.

My Flash 2 is with me for over one year now, and I would buy another one. The next SOG I'm looking at is the Seal revolver.

:fal:

Pete

[Goju]

I'll 2nd what Rich M suggested, as well as mentioning the Benchmade Ares 732.
154cm stainless should work well for you in that environment. And Benchmade Axis locks are just better than liner locks, IMHO.

Also, great bang for the buck folders are the special Benchmade / Cabelas Griptilian and Mini-Griptilian with D2 blades. Although D2 is not stainless, it is considered semi stainless (11-12% ish chromium content), and you can get these blades with the black coating, for added wear resistance.

[Andy the Aussie]

Plain old Buck 110 is a heard all round knife to beat...:beer:

[CZ-75a]

Second the BM Griptilian suggestion, but I doubt its feasible to do Cabelas in the UK, so go with the 440C models.

[English Mike]

tigerfans2
Locking knives are OK over here up to a 2.5" blade, or more if you can show "good reason" for carrying it, such as a filleting knife whilst fishing. The law is a load of balls.

CZ75a
We can buy from Cabelas but they screw us on carriage & put the true value on the parcel, so we get hit with Tax & Import Duty by the Gov't & a "collection fee" from the bloody Post Office.

[tigerfans2]

alternately:

http://www.queencutlery.com/stagbone2.html

non-locking Queen brand, D2 steel, check the one with the fold away guard, it might look a little mean to a bobby or bobette though

[cliff52]

I know you said locking, but I must mention my favorite - the Case Sodbuster, or Sodbuster Jr. I just like the looks, and the quality is very good. Available everywhere and slips in / out of your pocket easily.

[bnz42]

It is hard to go wrong with anything made by Benchmade. My favorite is the AFCK.

[William Davidson]

I have an AFCK by Benchmade in my pocket right now. I have carried it for 12 years. I have never owned a better knife. I recently gave out some CRKT knives as gifts. They are outstanding knives. WD

[daemon]

Cold steel Recon 1. well anything by cold steel or by SOG actualy. Kershaws are nice also.

[Valknut]

I used to carry a Cold Steel Voyager ...
my wife has it in her pistol bag.
Now I carry a Spyderco Native - I like the grip, it's a flash to open and it's small enough to drop down into my pocket for times that require discretion.
Blade is 3 in., with 2.5 in. cutting edge.

[TXscout]

The best sport utility folder, for the money, IMHO, is the Benchmade Griptilian.

This is my favorite, though:

http://tinypic.com/igfevk.jpg

[Right Side Up @ 1000 MPH]

I bought one of those knives that TXscout has shown on his recomendation, and I like it A LOT!

It's an SOCFK Emerson.

[Jon Frum]

A good Swiss Army knife? $10 or so.

[fastprofessor]

I've carried the tanto style blades before, but IMHO a good clip point or saber point has much more utility for an everyday knife. The tanto style blades just don't have enough belly to em.

[TXscout]

Originally posted by fastprofessor
I've carried the tanto style blades before, but IMHO a good clip point or saber point has much more utility for an everyday knife. The tanto style blades just don't have enough belly to em.

That's why I am keen on the BM Griptilian.....probably the best all around/multipurpose blade. And it's heavy duty

ETA: I think the modified sheepsfoot is the best offering, IMHO.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=550

[fastprofessor]

Originally posted by TXscout


That's why I am keen on the BM Griptilian.....probably the best all around/multipurpose blade. And it's heavy duty

ETA: I think the modified sheepsfoot is the best offering, IMHO.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=550


Yeah that's a nice compromise between belly and good penetrator. I prefer the saber point (or spear point) like on the microtech UDT/UMS knives, which is what I carry.
It has more of a belly which is what I want in a carry knife but it is mainly personal preference. It serves me well for my daily needs so I guess that's why I carry it.


http://www.1sks.com/images/microtech/mt-ums-sts.jpg \

[CZ-75a]

Originally posted by TXscout


That's why I am keen on the BM Griptilian.....probably the best all around/multipurpose blade. And it's heavy duty

ETA: I think the modified sheepsfoot is the best offering, IMHO.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=550


I'm really happy w/ my 550.

[AKGUY]

I carry a Kershaw, Ken Onion as my work knife. It is VERY sharp right out of the box, it will shave. I've gotten two as safety awards for the last couple years. I think they are around 35 to $40. They are "assited opening", dang near a switch blade!! It has a black finish on the blade, not sure of corrosion resistance but I haven't had any problems.

[Batman]

I can't say enough about Cold Steel. I carry one daily and have for over two years. Excellent.

[TXscout]

I also like this Emerson Hard Wear knife, the Endeavor A2PS. It seems to be a good value, although I haven't handled one yet.

http://www.emersonknives.com/pics/Hard_Wear/Endeavor_A2PS.jpg

[neonnoodle]

Whatever you end up with, do a little test first to see the strength of the lock. Hold the knife against a door frame or other strong stucture and with your finger clear and good gloves on just in case, hit the knife towards the door frame so as to force it closed and see if it will withstand the pressure and not snap closed.
My favorites are Benchmades due to their constuction and locking mechanism that is bulletproof.

[Farmer from Hell]

Another one here with a Benchmade AFCK riding in my pocket constantly.

I WECSOG'd mine up like this.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770/eye-afck-full.jpg

See here (http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770/kasperafck.html) for details.

I really like it because it fits my hand and points perfectly when Im holding it. That may be importent when your gutting fish and stuff:wink:

FfH

[m82a1fella]

The king of all folders. Chris Reeve Sebenza is be far the best that I can think of.

[Big Toe]

I just purchaced a Smith and wesson Urban Karambit and it is a great knife for the money. It helps to know how to use it properly.

http://www.selfdefence.com/new_knives/sw/karambit_knives.htm

[HawaiiFALer]

Originally posted by AKGUY
I carry a Kershaw, Ken Onion as my work knife. It is VERY sharp right out of the box, it will shave. I've gotten two as safety awards for the last couple years. I think they are around 35 to $40. They are "assited opening", dang near a switch blade!! It has a black finish on the blade, not sure of corrosion resistance but I haven't had any problems.
+1 on the Kershaw, Ken Onion series, any one of them. I keep one with me as a utility knife.

Also any Gerber folder to your liking. Many models to choose from. Excellent steel with great edge sharpness and holds an edge for a long time.

[Sentinel]

I say go the Cold Steel Voyager route.

I've had countless numbers of Spyderco's going back to their plastic clip days. I can sometimes live with the plain edge models due to their ease of touch-ups but they are a bit lightweight as a class (for me) for true overall use.

I've had many Cold Steel fixed blades over the last ten or twelve years, but just picked up my first Voyager folder about a year ago. I now own more than 10 of them, with multiples of the ones I couldn't live without. They are tough, sharp and have a great feel and proper weight about them.

Just try one!

[Slo cat]

I am another Kershaw Ken onion fan. The assisted opening is so close to automatic speed, yet is not technically an automatic. And I bought it NIB over on the Marketplace forum for $25 plus ship.

[MACV]

Benchmade Griptilion in D-2 steel (only available from Cabela's) or a new one made with 154CM steel.

[StarPD]

My EDC is a Microtech Ultratech 6. It's a D/A OTF with combo edge black boron carbide coated blade. Blade material is I think 154CM or it's equivalent. So far, after 4 years, it doesn't need sharpening, and nothing has even bruised the Boron Carbide finish. Of course, if auto knives are (illegally, BTW) prohbited in your State because you have a bunch of silly twits in your legislature, this knife is out. It's expensive though, around $400 or so, depending on specs and source. I have yet to EVER find a knife that is as all-around handy and effective as this one. I consider it to be the ultimate EDC. I carry it in a horizontal nylon belt pouch so that in my State (Arizona), it can't be legally considered a "concealed weapon", and is always handy for immediate use of necessary.

I also have among others, a Benchmade Elishewitz "Stryker" out the side auto, which has a modified Tanto blade that is superb for almost anything. The point, unlike most Tantos, is fairly long but extremely thick BEHIND the point, hence very strong. It has a VERY substantial solid black anodized almunimum handle that is strong enough to be used to break a car window, or even severely injure an assailant if used as a blunt object in the fist. This is the knife I carry when I think I may need something more rugged than even a Microtech, and and concerned about damaging, or worse yet, losing it.

I also have a few other Microtechs, including a HALO III and SOCOM. I find that Microtech knives are considerably smaller then for example Benchmade and most others knives, with the same blade length. The excellent hard anodized aircraft aluminum handles are just as strong as others, but also considerably thinner. so the Microtech is a more compact and lighter knife for a given blade length, while the Benchmade is an especially solid if slightly large knife that seems as if it could be used to punch holes in steel oil drums (like the Microtech HALO III can). But if you want something REALLY sturdy, yet easy to carry and maybe to conceal, the Microtech can't be beat.

I got rid of my SOG folding knives, as well as my Camillus and Gerbers. They just didn't have the strength to be used as an EDC, which would occasionally be called upon to do abusive tasks.

Ironically, my experience with knives has proven the same old principle I occasionally re-learn the hard way: "Every time I try to save money when I buy something, I screw myself". So now, I save my pennies, and buy the best. My fixed blades are both Randalls, my non-fixed blade knives are all Microtech plus the single excellent Benchmade auto "Stryker" (which I THINK may be out of production now).

That's not to say that there aren't other good knives on the market. Chris Reeves has an excellent reputation, and while I don't personally care for his designs, I'd trust one implicitly. There are others too. For a good education on knife quality, and who makes the best, hang around some of the knife forums for a while. They will give you a good feel for what's best.

"So, ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer cherce", and if your knife fails you when you need it most, just like with a gun, you can always remember you saved money, even if it cost you dearly......

Good luck.