Let's Talk About Folders/Pocket Knives

Texas Star · #**101** 07-24-2013, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkc

One of my SAK's saw blades saved the day, years ago, when while camping in the Florida Keys on some tiny uninhabited sand-spit island, we went exploring in our vessel, a tiny one-design Penguin class sailboat. I can't recall the particulars, but there was rudder failure (much less complicated on a boat of this size than on a Carnival line cruise ship, but serious nonetheless). I think that the bolt around which the tiller pivoted in its vertical axis had worked loose and fallen overboard. This would have been a race-losing catastrophe in an around-the -buoys race, but would have been an even worse disaster if we hadn't been able to get back to camp, and eventually back to the mainland.

I perceived that we could "fix" this problem by wedging the tiller into the "socket" at the rudder "stock", if we could find a bit of wood of sufficient size to wedge into the space behind the tiller's tilting arc. But, alas, there wasn't any wood at hand, apart from some red-barked mangroves, which don't produce any substantial limbs, only many small branches. At last, I found a short segment of branch of sufficient size for the task, but too short to be gnawed away by a knife blade, but the narrow kerf cut of the tiny saw blade saved enough wood to serve the purpose... A wedge was made, steering was restored, the day and the trip were salvaged, we lived to tell about it, all thanks to the tiny SAK saw. It ain't much of a saw, but it's way better that no saw at all in exigent circumstances...

You really ought to send that account to Victorinox. They might use it in an ad or send you a nice acknowledgement or something. PM me for their address.

BlackAgnes · #**102** 07-24-2013, 09:10 PM

I've carried a knife every day since I was a kid--I even had my wife sew a special leg pocket into my flight suit and I carried my Spyderco Wayne Goddard there for years.

Lately, although I still love the Goddard knife (I have a few put away, 'cause they don't make 'em anymore), I carry a 0350 Zero Tolerance folder which I have taken the belt sander to and removed the rear notches and generally softened the profile so that it doesn't eat up my pockets.

I think that as a heavy duty tool, the ZT series is hard to beat.

Gibb's rule #9, as I recall!

photobiker · #**103** 07-24-2013, 10:10 PM

I'm with Rags on the SOG. I carry a SOG Flash Tango. It's what I saw, it's what I liked and it's what I bought.
All of the above mentioned knifes are good. Our decisions are based on what is appealing to us. If it's sharp, durable and appealing what more do you need. They all do the same thing, cut stuff.

Alnamvet68 · #**104** 07-25-2013, 02:04 AM

3dots · #**105** 07-25-2013, 09:14 AM

I don't whittle, cut open boxes, open cans or loosen screws. I carry my 11" Frank B., although illegal, for last resort SD. Obviously lightning fast and is solid as a rock.

shouldazagged · #**106** 07-25-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3dots

I don't whittle, cut open boxes, open cans or loosen screws. I carry my 11" Frank B., although illegal, for last resort SD. Obviously lightning fast and is solid as a rock.

With a CCW license it would be legal in Kentucky. I don't own one of those, but I like our laws.

RonJ · #**107** 07-25-2013, 04:47 PM

Hey Zagged, I believe it was you who said I'd appreciate a Spyderco once I handled one. I had complained that they were ugly.
Well I had some money burning a hole in my pocket so I decided to take the plunge. I bought new Endura. It does feel and handle very well. Very sharp right out of the box. A little bigger than I imagined. With a little practice I can open it almost as fast as my Leek. My only disappointment is that it is made in Japan. The only other foreign knife I own is a Browning.
It's still ugly, but it's starting to grow on me.

Now I need a Benchmade folder for my collection and then I'm done.

shouldazagged · #**108** 07-25-2013, 06:20 PM

Thought you'd like it, Ron. Wish I had the money right now to buy one myself.

mr-mom · #**109** 07-25-2013, 06:35 PM

I own and have carried at least one of every brand you have listed in the poll. My favorite daily pocket carry is a Mini Buck. Small, light, carries a great edge, does what i need most often, durable, easy to loose or misplace. On my third one, after TSA got my last one.
Dave

Linejudgemick · #**110** 07-25-2013, 06:47 PM

I have a few folding knives, starting with a tiny Victorinox SAK on my key ring to a large Ontario RAT 1 I use at the lake. I have a couple Bucks and have always been a fan of their hunting knives. I've got a SOG Twitch that I like, but it is pretty small. Then I did it... I bought a Benchmade with an Axis lock and I'm now officially a fan of their knives. The Mini-Presidio Ultra USA Shooting team version is the only one I have so far, but there will be more.

51plymouth · #**111** 07-26-2013, 11:26 AM

I have carried this Craftsman for 20 years. Sears replaced 2 like it that got damaged. I also have a Kershaw Onion 1620H3 that I used on the job to open boxes, a very good work knife.

finesse_r · #**112** 07-26-2013, 12:58 PM

I have many more pocket knives than guns, and a great variety of styles and brand names, and I carry different ones for different uses. Gerber gets more carry time than most, but for me the main thing is to have one of them with me as on this place they are an important tool and get used for all sorts of duty. I like a stainless steel blade in 440 c steel or better, with a strong handle. Other than that I am not too choosy.

Unfortunately, many places like Washington D. C., and some federal buildings, have outlawed them, which is mind boggling to me, since I have carried a pocket knife daily since I was 8 or 9 years old. We used to play with them at recess in grade school.

Keys, pocket knife, wallet, and most of the time handgun are with me anytime I leave the house. I sometimes walk out in the fenced in area of the back yard or out on the porch without a handgun. LOL

shouldazagged · #**113** 07-26-2013, 01:57 PM

Always have two knives on me, a Swiss Army job (the one they actually used to issue to the troops) for the tools, and a regular pocketknife for cutting. I don't step out my door to let the dog pee without the knives, my cell phone, and my carry gun.

I just ordered a SOG Flash II off eBay. A tad smaller than the Spyderco Endura I wanted, but more practical for my manner of living. I had one before and gave it to my son. It was a decent little knife for the money, 3.5" assisted-opening blade, very light and strong.

Swissman · #**114** 07-28-2013, 09:45 AM

Of course my personel SAK is still with me. But it was now 2 or 3 years ago, when I found a homepage of an online-knifedealer. I found there a MCUSTA
Damascus-folder which I presented here back then. In between I stacked up
some very special ones. I am still a fan of the MCUSTA's but now the handmade-bug ran over me. I can really say that the Citadel-Knives are very
highclass and shaaaarp. .:: Knives Citadel ::.

The other ones I really like, are the Laguiole-style, made in a region of France.

Here's an excerpt of my collection.

..and yesterday in the Swiss-Mountains. The Deimos Art rode at my hip in it's leathersheat with a flap.

click the pics to see them fullsize...

Swissman

Cyrano · #**115** 07-28-2013, 11:42 PM

Swissman: Pretty knives!!! I like Laguioles, too, and yours are very nice. My knife for daily carry is a Fontenille-Pataud (Gilles) with antler grips and a 75mm blade.

Steely Dan · #**116** 08-21-2013, 07:03 PM

Kershaw Ken Onion 1660 Leek

Great in side of front pocket in jeans using the clip or simply dropped in a pocket.

Speed Safe opening is hard to beat.

samuelrp · #**117** 08-21-2013, 07:56 PM

Latest aquisition. Luckily a one hand opener since I just had shoulder surgery.

Hack · #**118** 08-21-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -rags-

SOG

X2............

brucev · #**119** 08-22-2013, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alnamvet68

This thread is to focus on pocket/folding knives only. No need to talk about your grand daddy's USMC KaBar, or your handed down in the family for the last 300 years Bowie knife...just folders. Now, I have a few folders, from very, very old Boy Scout knife from the 50's, a couple of Swiss Army "tacti-cools", and a dozen or so Schrade pocket knives that were made in Walden, NY when my uncle worked there in the 1950'. Anyway, what brands are your favorite, and why, and what separates each brand from each other insofar as quality, price, value, where it's made, etc?

I will list only 9 of the most popular brands on the poll, and just check OTHER with your choice.

My favorite brand knife is Benchmade. There are of course many find knives on the market. But I like Benchmade... specifically the Benchmade Auto-Benchmite and the Benchmade 5000. I also have a Hen & Rooster (Bertram Cutlery) that I gave to my father. After his death it was returned to me. Very fine knife.

Alnamvet68 · #**120** 08-22-2013, 08:54 AM

Alnamvet68 · #**121** 08-22-2013, 02:00 PM

Here's an ESEE-3 Prototype folder....

this is it's current fixed brother....

shouldazagged · #**122** 08-22-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshwheeling

Last few days I have been carrying a Schrade Old Timer, 3 blades, I think it's a trapper.

With three blades it's probably a stockman. Your description of it, though, sure doesn't sound like one of the good old Schrades made in this country. If it were American made that would likely be stamped on the tang of the main blade.

If it was made here it must have been either a factory second (and I've never seen one in many years of using Schrades) or was thrown together right at the end before the company went under. Quality control kind of went to hell at the very last.

BLACKHAWKNJ · #**123** 08-22-2013, 03:54 PM

I have been carrying a Buck 110 lately mainly because the belt loop on the sheath of my Sears folder broke. Also wear a Leatherman tool.

thomasinaz · #**124** 08-22-2013, 11:17 PM

Microtech UDT is my pocket knife when off work. At work it's a Microtech Scarab. So I picked other.....

Waywatcher · #**125** 08-22-2013, 11:23 PM

Emerson. The wave feature is amazingly fast--faster than a switchblade. I've even used this one as a can opener on one occasion.

Ranger514 · #**126** 08-22-2013, 11:53 PM

While I have a number of special use folders, my 30-plus year edc has been a Victorianox Spartan simply because it comes in handy for tightening screws, opening cans, stripping wire, and cutting cord. It's just a handy and practical tool.

doublesharp · #**127** 08-23-2013, 12:06 AM

These are all work knives that I carried while running a fruit stand except for the skinny blade fruit sampling knife. I also liked LB7 Shrades and I've got a cool buck 112 modified into a switchblade and for just working, trimming lettuce, celery, corn etc a Case XX Sodbuster felt good in hand.

.

This Benchmade or Kershaw is what I carry now.

shouldazagged · #**128** 08-23-2013, 12:30 AM

Nice working knives. I like the Case Sodbuster. Very practical and sturdy, good shape for efficient cutting.

I'm also very fond of the carbon steel Opinels. Used to have a Number 8 with a drop point blade, kind of unusual in this country at the time I bought it. Mostly sold in France.

The Opinels are very light, pretty sturdy, with a fairly fail-proof lock and 1090 steel. Good work knives and very inexpensive.

mkk41 · #**129** 08-23-2013, 07:05 PM

What? No vote for SMITH & WESSON?

OK , so it's made in China!

Big deal! What ain't?

They are a decent knife , very well designed and made. Nice thumb stud and liner lock for safe and easy one hand operation. I'll even call it ergonomic!

They're inexpensive (I've gotten 'em for as low as $10) but not cheap. If ya gotta forfeit it because ya went somewhere ya ain't supposed to take a knife , ya ain't out much.
I've got at least one of each variety. Black/silver , plain/half serrated blade. Even bought a few of the POW/MIA editions as presents for my Vet friends.
They take a decent edge and hold it for most chores. 440c blades test low-mid 60s (C) on the Rockwell well hardness tester at work. I've been packing one or another for over 15yrs and it's done everything I'd use a pocketknife for.

I darn near do carry mine 24-7!

w-30dreamin · #**130** 08-23-2013, 07:56 PM

I switch up between these 2 Kershaw's for daily carry.They seem like they hold their edges better than some other brands I have.Made in the USA.

Karnivore · #**131** 08-25-2013, 10:03 PM

Everyday carry knives for me, Benchmade all the way:

The first is a Benchmade AFCK I have had forever. It is pictured with my 3" 36 that is a favorite carry gun. The AFCK is absolutely the best folder I own, large, light and sharp. Fits my hand like a glove. Hope to find a good deal on another one day since they are out of production for a while now.

Second is my Benchmade Elishewitz posing with my carry Kimber .45. It is lightning fast to open or close. Great steel, stays sharp with minimal effort from me.

Also, a group photo of some other Benchmades. Do not carry them much, but they are a joy to own. The Mel Pardue, 3rd from the bottom, has skinned a few deer over the years.

I do not cut boxes, wood, plastics or anything else with these knives. They are mostly for self defense, if a situation was to go that far south and I still had options. Have been known to eat a steak or cut up grilled sausage using one of them.

Oh, the one at the bottom is a Benchmade Bedlam Auto. It opens with authority, is razor sharp but it is really a boat anchor, it is so heavy. One of those knives I just thought I had to have, but I actually open a lot of mail with it. Yeah, a $200.00 letter opener.

Engieman · #**132** 08-26-2013, 06:47 AM

Not exactly a folder....or a pocket knife....but this one not only punctures and cuts, you can make 'em EXPLODE via the CO2 cartridge in the handle. Much cooler than my Swiss Army Knife. Check out the video:

WASP Injection Systems, Inc. - WASP Injection Knife

Could prove invaluable should you encounter attack squirrels, armadillos and such.

Oh, and I'm a huge fan of Spyderco and Benchmade

Cooter Brown · #**133** 08-26-2013, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Nice working knives. I like the Case Sodbuster. Very practical and sturdy, good shape for efficient cutting.

I'm also very fond of the carbon steel Opinels. Used to have a Number 8 with a drop point blade, kind of unusual in this country at the time I bought it. Mostly sold in France.

The Opinels are very light, pretty sturdy, with a fairly fail-proof lock and 1090 steel. Good work knives and very inexpensive.

I've got an Opinel folder and a paring knife made by them, both carbon steel. Great knifes, as it were. Or at least I used to think so until a few days ago.

I was sitting on the couch eating a peach after dinner. This for me has always been a fairly harmless diversion.

I was using the Opinel paring knife to cut up the peach. When I was done with the peach I put the knife on the arm of the couch.

Some time later I wanted to turn on the TV and couldn't find the remote. The sleuths among you know where this is going. I jammed my hand in between the arm of the couch and the cushion and what I found was definitely NOT the remote.

That paring knife sliced into my left little and ring fingers, taking the ring finger to the bone. I got blood all over my favorite pants, my Macbook, the floor, and I scared the hell out of my dog because he doesn't like it when I jump around screaming single syllable Anglo Saxon oaths in tones appropriate for a little girl.

So to hell with Opinel and the frogs that make 'em.

I never claimed to be rational.

eddie234 · #**134** 08-26-2013, 09:27 AM

This is my work knife.

shouldazagged · #**135** 08-26-2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engieman

Not exactly a folder....or a pocket knife....but this one not only punctures and cuts, you can make 'em EXPLODE via the CO2 cartridge in the handle. Much cooler than my Swiss Army Knife. Check out the video:

WASP Injection Systems, Inc. - WASP Injection Knife

That is one of the strangest things I've seen in a very long time. Disturbing.

Marshwheeling · #**136** 08-26-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engieman

Not exactly a folder....or a pocket knife....but this one not only punctures and cuts, you can make 'em EXPLODE via the CO2 cartridge in the handle. Much cooler than my Swiss Army Knife. Check out the video:

WASP Injection Systems, Inc. - WASP Injection Knife

Could prove invaluable should you encounter attack squirrels, armadillos and such.

Oh, and I'm a huge fan of Spyderco and Benchmade

Sounds like just the thing for a guy like Anton Chigurh.

Malysh · #**137** 10-25-2013, 08:42 AM

I am not a knife maven but I have several brands of high quality knives, fixed and folders.
My favorite folders are Microtech Socom Elites and Mini Socom Elites. I have 4 of these, two full size and two minis.

Here's one of mine with my HK USP CT 45 and a CCF suppressor, licensed in the US by the original mfg., B&T of Switzerland.

Stevens · #**138** 10-25-2013, 09:57 AM

The local Academy Sports now has several Buck knives Made in USA and at very reasonable prices! I've bought a couple they seem very good.
Steve W

WPWarhawk · #**139** 10-25-2013, 12:23 PM

I have some strong preferences in a pocketknife.

I do NOT like a serrated blade or partially serrated blades.

I do not like liner locks on knives, this must be a cheaper way to build a knife because nearly everything uses a liner lock these days.

I don't like metal pocket clips, seems like every time I use one I scratch something with it. The driver's side of my pickup doesn't like metal knife clips at all.

I like D2 steel, as a "semi stainless" it has adequate rust resistance, yet is still easy to sharpen like carbon steel.

I have a few favorite knives, the first two are compromises ...

For a very lightweight knife (dress clothes) with good steel I like the Kershaw Skyline. No clip, easy to open, but it's a liner lock.

For a rough use folder I like the SOG Auto Clip. Comes in three sizes, is cheap, has a nylon clip, but is made in China. Still a decent knife, with the traditional lockback.

But my favorite, and the one that I carry 99% of the time is the Benchmade Bone Collector. I love the auto lock system, it has D2 steel, rugged handles, the finger hole makes it easy to open one handed, and the clip is easily removed.

My first one was the large size, picked it up used and cheap. I liked it so well that when I learned it had a little brother, I bought one and have been carrying it ever since.

Malysh · #**140** 10-25-2013, 12:46 PM

I like the clean lines of your Kershaw.

Smoke · #**141** 10-25-2013, 12:50 PM

I have more use for a multi tool than a knife at work because part of my job involves replacing signs on the fence line. My wife picked up an Otis cleaning kit off Ebay 5 years back that had a Gerber multi tool, a small Gerber flashlight and a cleaning kit for an M16 for 20 bucks. Apparently the seller was ETSing and had swiped several of them from his unit supply room, the light alone was worth the 20 and I’ve been carrying both of them since.

Three years ago I got a hundred dollar bonus check at work for “saving” someone’s life (AKA performing basic first aid and calling an ambulance) anyway, I was in the market for a knife and ended up with a CRKT assisted opening folder that I carry for daily use paid for with the bonus bucks.

Free knives r

ck

shouldazagged · #**142** 10-25-2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevens

The local Academy Sports now has several Buck knives Made in USA and at very reasonable prices! I've bought a couple they seem very good.
Steve W

The Buck 110 folding hunter is the one that pretty much started it all. Still a good knife at a very reasonable price. The original Schrade versions of it, years ago, were good also.

I don't like serrated blades except for rescue knives. I had a Spyderco Rescue model that was stolen from my car, and the design made a lot of sense. Had a blunt point and the first inch (from the tip) very aggressively serrated for cutting seat belts or the clothing of injured or ill people. Need to get another one.

I have no desire for a knife with the American tanto point, which is very different from the traditional Japanese tanto, but YMMV as always. Looks cool, good for stabbing, but not the most efficient for cutting. My knives are cutting tools.

My favorite knife steel is 1095, followed by A2 and 52100. Don't like coated blades.

bikergal · #**143** 11-18-2013, 08:27 PM

I just purchased my first pocket knife. The Benchmade Mini Griptilian. I can't wait for it to get here. I really went back and forth between the normal size Griptilian and the Mini. In the end I wanted something comfortable to carry in my pocket and not take up too much room. I read reviews online for over a week and looked at them in a local store before making my decision what name brand to go with. I think I will be happy with my choice.

Click me -----> 556 Mini-Griptilian® Product Detail

Squarebutt · #**144** 11-18-2013, 11:15 PM

I have a bunch, but I don't have any real expensive ones. There are at least a dozen SAK, smallest to largest, and I carried a Soldier on my key ring until it wore through the hole. Buck, Schrade and Case hunting knives and folders, couple of dive knives, multi-tools, fish fillet knives and some old Stockman-type folders from Case and Imperial. Working in construction I found that I needed a knife that could be opened, locked, unlocked and put away all with one hand. A mini-Buck in the nylon belt pouch did the job for a while, but for the last decade or more it's been a Spyderco clipped to my front pants pocket. Sadly I lost my original Delica. It's been replaced by an early model Endura that takes a licking and keeps on ticking. More blade than I really need, but a tough customer, and one that I can open with my arthritic paws more easily than I can similar knives with thumb studs.
Quite a collection of beautiful knives in this thread.

BillK01 · #**145** 11-18-2013, 11:21 PM

I like my Benchmade mini Griptilian 557. Black with black tanto blade w/serrated edge and black oxide clip.

I called Benchmade a month or so ago asking about replacing the standard painted clip which was chipping with the black oxide version. The girl asked for my address and sent me one for free.

Rick_A · #**146** 11-18-2013, 11:40 PM

I haven't purchased a new folder for myself in over fifteen years. There's been no need to.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38468288@N03/10094692836/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38468288@N03/10094692836/ by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

Marshwheeling · #**147** 11-19-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikergal

I just purchased my first pocket knife. The Benchmade Mini Griptilian. I can't wait for it to get here. I really went back and forth between the normal size Griptilian and the Mini. In the end I wanted something comfortable to carry in my pocket and not take up too much room. I read reviews online for over a week and looked at them in a local store before making my decision what name brand to go with. I think I will be happy with my choice.

Click me -----> 556 Mini-Griptilian® Product Detail

You can't go wrong with that knife. I gave one to my son for a birthday a couple of years ago, and it is now his most-carried folder. I have been lusting after one for myself.

A few years ago, I was looking for a high-quality folder for EDC, and I came up with the full-size Griptilian. My wife gave me one for Christmas, and it just may be the definitive, classic EDC knife, except there is no such thing. While I treasure the Grip, and carry it a lot, it started me on a path of looking at knives more closely, and I have bought a few more over the last few years. Knives may be even worse than guns in this respect, in no small part because a high-quality knife can be had for a fraction of the price of a decent gun. So you might find that your Mini-Grip marks not the end of a quest, but the beginning.

AirRepair2 · #**148** 11-19-2013, 01:18 AM

Make mine a Case! American Made!

bikergal · #**149** 11-19-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshwheeling

You can't go wrong with that knife. I gave one to my son for a birthday a couple of years ago, and it is now his most-carried folder. I have been lusting after one for myself.

A few years ago, I was looking for a high-quality folder for EDC, and I came up with the full-size Griptilian. My wife gave me one for Christmas, and it just may be the definitive, classic EDC knife, except there is no such thing. While I treasure the Grip, and carry it a lot, it started me on a path of looking at knives more closely, and I have bought a few more over the last few years. Knives may be even worse than guns in this respect, in no small part because a high-quality knife can be had for a fraction of the price of a decent gun. So you might find that your Mini-Grip marks not the end of a quest, but the beginning.

I am already eyeing up my next one. Laughs.

BubbaBlades · #**150** 11-19-2013, 09:54 AM

I find that pocket knives are like pocket guns, that is, one size/type does not work for all my needs. As a result, I carry various Buck, SwissArmy, Kershaw and Spyderco knives depending on my need or planned activity. When you ask about favorite folder/pocket knives, the brand that I would like (Randall Made Knives) does not make a folder.
That does not change the fact that my Favorite folder is the below one made with a Randall blade.

Mark