Folding knives

[holo]

I got my Spyderco Lightweight Native 5 this weekend. This is a VERY light knife, but it is VERY durable. There is no wiggle in the lock. Once the blade is opened, there is no play. The shape and the size of the 3" S35VN blade is perfect for EDC. The blade was sharp but not razor sharp. I ran it through a carbonite sharpener 5-7x, then I ran it through a ceramic sharpener multiple times until the blade polished out evenly. Now it is razor sharp. I was able to shave the hair off of my arm and therefore I am very pleased. I cut some nylon belts, ropes, cardboard, and plastic bottles pretty easily once I got the cutting motion down. I really like this knife and will make it my EDC knife from now on.

(NOTE: Not my picture)

I love the Spyderco Native 5 great e.d.c.

 

[mustangman]

NDZ engraved Kershaw Cryo.

 

[S&W Fan]

For cooler/cold weekend days this ittle Italian made beauty accompanies me, gifted to me by the widow of a good friend. It's got "Just another day in the woods" imprinted on the left side of the blade. No idea who the maker is.

The rest of the time I have either a Benchmade or CRKT in my pocket.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

The tie breaker on knife size vs. Animal size is what are you using it for? Some body mentioned the Alaskan guide using a folder on everything.
That will work it you have a saw/ hatchet / ax to open the pelvis.
If you use your knife to cut through the pelvis, you need s big knife for a big animal.
Somebody mentioned Elmer's pattern knife was was given away in a magazine renewal ?? Offer, I think.
I think I had one. It's a short, wide, heavy bladed knife.
I think that I recall that Elmer discussed using his knife to break through an elk pelvis. So he wanted a heavy blade knife.

 

[Vir]

Here are a few of my folders. Nothing fancy but I like them all. In no specific order A few Bucks, Old Timers, SOG, Queensteel and Victorinox.

 

[Jessie]

I received my Benchmade Mini Barrage today and took some pics to compare with the Sog FlashII.
I'm really liking this new knife!
It's not much smaller, but enough to make a world of difference in my pocket.

 

[Jessie]

One more open

 

[Marshwheeling]

As a certified steelhead I carry slipjoints, framelocks, liner locks, backlocks, you name it. My daily carry at the moment and for the foreseeable future is a Chris Reeve Umnumzaan with a 3.675" blade clipped to my right front pocket.

Before this Umnum arrived earlier this month I could be found with a Spyderco, Buck, Benchmade, CRK Sebenza, Case, GEC, Kershaw or ZT in my pocket. At some point I'll probably move this latest one out of the rotation but for now I'm enjoying it too much.

I was in a local shop recently that carried Chris Reeve; I handled that one. There is some quality there. Still a little out of reach for me, but wow.

 

[Stirling]

I've switched from a Victorinox Ranger to an Explorer because I find I don't need the saws but after Texas Star commented on the value of the Paramilitary 2 I carry, I started looking at other options.

I'm thinking Spyderco Delica 4 or Endura 4 with their VG 10 blades or something inbetween, not sure exactly what. Maybe something with an S35V blade. That's where you gents come in!

Alternately maybe the slightly cheaper CRKT M16-14SFG or M21-14SFG. I'd much rather carry a slightly more economical brade than ruin or lose a really good one.

The reason I'm looking at these brands is because they're available here although I will happily explore any and all recommendations. Your insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bhayles]

Alternately maybe the slightly cheaper CRKT M16-14SFG or M21-14SFG. I'd much rather carry a slightly more economical brade than ruin or lose a really good one.

I HATEW Tanto style blades...jes' sayin'...

 

[F75gunslinger]

Keep in mind that depending on where you are and your laws, you can find decent deals on used stuff from time to time on the forums as well.i just bought a Spyderco Manix 2 used...just like new. Great knife at a little discount for being used. I'm not a big fan of serrated blades or combo blades unless I'm cutting a lot of rope or strapping. Once it gets dull it can be a pain to sharpen. I'd suggest Spyderco and Benchmade knives..they run from affordable to highly expensive, but they're built like tanks.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I have a pocket knife on me wherever it's legal. I use it as letter/package openers and occasionally to cut food.

When I carry a pocket knife it's usually one of these Delicas:

My goal is to eventually get one of each color.

On the rare occasion the 3" blade is not allowed but a smaller blade is I have this Spyderco Chicago:

I eventually plan to get a similar-sized lockback Spyderco so they'll all have the same operating mechanism.

I also usually have a multitool on me, a Leatherman Juice CS4, though I'm thinking of replacing it with a Style PS. I have a larger Leatherman Fuse that I keep in my backpack.

 

[Stirling]

I can legally carry a 100mm long blade which is just short of 4 inches. I do work in hostile environments but don't carry a pistol because of the restrictive laws and because carrying a handgun in said environments make you a target. Tough choices...

 

[Texas Star]

I can legally carry a 100mm long blade which is just short of 4 inches. I do work in hostile environments but don't carry a pistol because of the restrictive laws and because carrying a handgun in said environments make you a target. Tough choices...

If you can carry a fixed blade while camping or hiking, look at the Puma Hunter's Pal or the Fallkniven F-1. Fallkniven also makes the lockblade U-2, with a blade short enough to let it be carried in many Euro countries with tough knife laws.

My Spyderco Delica is by the computer today, and the blade measures 3 and an 8th inches. It's the smallest knife I'd want to use for defensive needs, but the U-2 will also do some nasty slicing if need be. It's extremely sharp. Be advised that if you have to use it on an animal, a man in Texas who used one (Delica or similar Spyderco) on a cougar wasn't able to stab deeply enough to achieve lethal wounds, but the cat attacking his young son did flee after sustaining some wounds. I'd try to cut the throat of any sizable opponent or go for the femoral artery in the leg. Some people don't think about how lethal that is.

On a croc, you'd probably have to stab it in the eye to achieve penetration and a serious wound. I know of a case where that happened, after a man there came to the rescue of another angler.

Of course, most Swiss Army knives will meet the size limit. And they will seem logical candidates if you tell a cop that the knife is for general utility use.

Can you carry a longer knife while hunting?

Do you encounter dogs or baboons? I knew a woman in Simonstown (Simons Town?) who had trouble with near urban baboons trying to get into her house. I know they attack people, and have really dangerous teeth. That's not especially far from Cape Town. Is there still a naval base there?

Isn't carjacking a big problem in most South African cities?

Oh: if the Benchmade Model 705 is available there and the blade is short enough, it'd be a prime choice. I have the same basic knife in the larger size, Model 710, with about a four-inch blade. I love it, and if I had the money just now would buy a 705 for days when I might need a smaller knife to meet local laws. I think the blade length is about three inches. See Post No. 69 here for a photo.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Alternately maybe the slightly cheaper CRKT M16-14SFG or M21-14SFG. I'd much rather carry a slightly more economical brade than ruin or lose a really good one.

I have the M21-14SFG. I'm not wild about it, as it is not a very good camp knife, although I did open a coconut with it once. However, if you need a blade that looks intimidating and has some defensive capability, it might suit your purposes.

The blade has a double guard, one side of which works as a flipper. The other side can sometimes be persuaded to catch on your pocket and open the blade Emerson-style as it comes out.

For a pocket knife, it's big.

 

[Stirling]

I have the M21-14SFG. I'm not wild about it, as it is not a very good camp knife, although I did open a coconut with it once. However, if you need a blade that looks intimidating and has some defensive capability, it might suit your purposes.

The blade has a double guard, one side of which works as a flipper. The other side can sometimes be persuaded to catch on your pocket and open the blade Emerson-style as it comes out.

For a pocket knife, it's big.

Thank you for your insights. I agree that they look intimidating and have some defensive capability hence my thinking. Not sure about the weight but I do carry a Spyderco Paramilitary II.

I'm thinking of having a knife or two brought over from the USA in friends baggage but I'm concerned about the risk of losing them in transit. Shipping them here invites too much customs attention, IF I get it!

 

[Stirling]

If you can carry a fixed blade while camping or hiking, look at the Puma Hunter's Pal or the Fallkniven F-1. Fallkniven also makes the lockblade U-2, with a blade short enough to let it be carried in many Euro countries with tough knife laws.

My Spyderco Delica is by the computer today, and the blade measures 3 and an 8th inches. It's the smallest knife I'd want to use for defensive needs, but the U-2 will also do some nasty slicing if need be. It's extremely sharp. Be advised that if you have to use it on an animal, a man in Texas who used one (Delica or similar Spyderco) on a cougar wasn't able to stab deeply enough to achieve lethal wounds, but the cat attacking his young son did flee after sustaining some wounds. I'd try to cut the throat of any sizable opponent or go for the femoral artery in the leg. Some people don't think about how lethal that is.

On a croc, you'd probably have to stab it in the eye to achieve penetration and a serious wound. I know of a case where that happened, after a man there came to the rescue of another angler.

Of course, most Swiss Army knives will meet the size limit. And they will seem logical candidates if you tell a cop that the knife is for general utility use.

Can you carry a longer knife while hunting?

Do you encounter dogs or baboons? I knew a woman in Simonstown (Simons Town?) who had trouble with near urban baboons trying to get into her house. I know they attack people, and have really dangerous teeth. That's not especially far from Cape Town. Is there still a naval base there?

Isn't carjacking a big problem in most South African cities?

Oh: if the Benchmade Model 705 is available there and the blade is short enough, it'd be a prime choice. I have the same basic knife in the larger size, Model 710, with about a four-inch blade. I love it, and if I had the money just now would buy a 705 for days when I might need a smaller knife to meet local laws. I think the blade length is about three inches. See Post No. 69 here for a photo.

Texas Star I would think hunters in particular would carry what they needed in the field. I'm not partial to carrying a fixed blade knife although I have considered one in the car. A friend of mine travels by train and carries a fixed blade while another has a huge bowie in his car boot (trunk).

The knives I'm considering getting are the CRKTs or Spyderco Delica / Endura with combo blades for defensive purposes. For utility purposes my SAK collection continues to grow. I've also picked up an old Leatherman PST II and Super Tool.

Simonstown is a pleasant destination along the False Bay coast and one I like visiting. There is an active naval base where SAs new Corvettes and Submarines operate from.

And yes, baboons are an issue, they're very clever and break into dirt bins and houses regularly and easily unless measures are taken to secure your assets. They are very dangerous canny animals not to be trifled with, particularly in close combat. That said, you cannot shoot them. Paint ball guns seem the best solution.

Hijacking of cars is an issue and I recently lost of friend in Johannesburg. He was kidnapped and beaten to death. He didn't give up his bank card or home details so protecting his family. Terrible. Here laws seem to protect the criminal, not the law abiding. There's even an issue if you shoot an intruder in your home.

Having said all of the above crime is not all pervasive and South Africa, and Cape Town in particular is a great place to live.

Cape Town Tourism, the official website for Cape Town, South Africa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

 

[don5]

I have carried a pocket knife every day for over 40 years. I have carried the Case stockman in the picture since 1998. I retired it for the Boker.

There is something about the Boker that I really like. It fits my hand perfect. I could not put it down after I picked it up for the first time last year. It is in my pocket every day. It is easy to sharpen and it really holds an edge. It is a nice knife.

I carry nothing fancy, just something that works!

 

[Stirling]

I've switched from a Victorinox Ranger to an Explorer because I find I don't need the saws but after Texas Star commented on the value of the Paramilitary 2 I carry, I started looking at other options.

I'm thinking Spyderco Delica 4 or Endura 4 with their VG 10 blades or something inbetween, not sure exactly what. Maybe something with an S35V blade. That's where you gents come in!

Alternately maybe the slightly cheaper CRKT M16-14SFG or M21-14SFG. I'd much rather carry a slightly more economical brade than ruin or lose a really good one.

The reason I'm looking at these brands is because they're available here although I will happily explore any and all recommendations. Your insights would be greatly appreciated.

Just looking back some older knife threads and came across this one. I eventually did acquire the Spyderco Delica 4, Endura 4 and CRKT M21-14SFG. I carry the Endura but would prefer the M21. Unfortunately it is just over 1mm too long. Still tempted to carry it though...

 

[C J]

I have so many knives I don't even know where I keep all the boxes full of them. I grew up carrying Uncle Henry knives back when they were high quality. Then I went through my Buck phase. I keep my 110 by my favorite chair and it gets used for a whole lot of things. I have a 119 too that I keep in pristine shape because they were so revolutionary in the knife world. I still have unused Uncle Henry knives too.

But I have moved on to better knives now. I carry a Kershaw Blur which has Speedsafe which essentially opens the knife with just a slight flick of the thumb. It has never opened unintentionally either. But it's the steel used for the blade that sets this knife apart. It's S30V, which is about as hard as steel gets for the purposes of knife making. Some people use S40V knives but I can't imagine how they sharpen the things. It's a real chore to sharpen my S30V knife. But of course once you get it sharp it stays that way for months. It's as tough as they come. I've used that knife for so many things I can't imagine not having it with me at all times. I use it several times a day every day for everything from opening a can once in a great while to opening a letter. You just can't hurt the thing.

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Knife-Steel-Blade-SpeedSafe/dp/B0015ZXCT0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1503601939&sr=8-4&keywords=kershaw+blur[/ame]

Kershaw makes the same knife with lesser steel. Some of the other steel types actually make good knives. They sharpen easier and they get very sharp. But I have a knife I can use for a hammer if I decide I want to. I sometimes cut up cans just to remind me how tough the thing really is.

I grew up on a farm and you were lost without a knife. I've been carrying a knife so long I couldn't begin to say how long it's been since I didn't have one in my pocket. Sometimes I have 2 or 3 knives on me but that's getting rare because the Kershaw is making the need for other knives less and less all the time. They have a great grip and they are way tougher than nails. I could cut a nail in two easy with my knife. I may have to sharped the knife if I did that but it will do that jobl.

And the fast open technology makes one hand opening quick and safe. I may be holding onto something with one hand and I need to open my knife with the other hand so i don't lose my grip. Not a problem.

There are more expensive knves that are easier to put a super sharp edge on. But I can't imagine any knife holding an edge longer. And it does get very sharp once you learn how to get it that way. It isn't easy to sharpen it well. At least not until you learn how. Then it's not so bad.

The knife doubles as a SD knife too. It opens so quickly and the 3.4" blade would make anyone think twice about attacking me. Just that click in their face would make them think about it. It really does open quickly but it does it without a spring so it's legal in most states.

It's by far the best knife I've ever carried. I love Buck knives, Case knives and especially Uncle Henry knives (my father always bought them for us at Christmas). It is exactly what I want in a knife. If i do happen to break it the warranty would cover it. Even if it didn't the price is such that I could afford another one without breaking a sweat. I've checked out lots of Benchmade and Spydeco knives etc.. They certainly are nice but I don't think they would be as tough as my Kershaw. The thing is nearly indestructible and I've put that to the test many times. I've been carrying it a lot of years now. By now I would have worn out 2 or 3 Buck knives just to be honest. And this one doesn't have one bit of wear on it. The only way I know it's old is the grip has dirt in the rough area. I have carried this knife at least 10 years and it will last another 10 easily. i wore out a lot of good knives in far less time. I have never owned a really expensive knife so I don't know how they would hold up by comparison but I can't imagine them lasting longer. It's not that I can't afford more expensive knives. I just can't think of why I need one.

I went to a lot of knife boards getting advice on the best knife to carry. Almost every time this knife came up as one of the best. I know why they said that now.