folding "survival" knife suggestions

[pipspeak]

I finally decided to get a beefier knife than the various Swiss-style tools I've traditionally used for outdoor/travel (not for EDC) and *think* I've narrowed down my choices down (but I'm sure you will all throw additional ideas out).

Some key requirements:

- needs to be a fairly thick blade and rigid liner that will withstand considerable lateral pressure, since in my time I've managed to break many a Swiss-army blade.
- ideally should be a steel that holds its edge well (will take it traveling for weeks/months at a time potentially with no sharpening tool) and is fairly corrosion resistant (I live in humid coastal CA)
- As easy to open and close with one hand as possible with a blade between 3" and 3.5"
- price up to about $130

I've been looking at S30V and 154CM steel-bladed knives and had my eye on the Benchmade 552/RSK1 (great looking knife but concerned with lateral flex and blade strength) and several Spyderco knives, including the paramilitary2 and Manix (not the best for one-handed operation?). Also looked at the Kershaw Blur S30V (but am wary of the locking system). Any others I should consider?

 

[The Sun]

check out the Benchmade/HK 14205. fit's all of your criteria nicely and is an excellent Mike $nody design.

:wave:

also take a look at the ZT 0200, great knife as well!

both are 154CM which is a great steel and compares well with S30V. i actually prefer it over S30V for an EDC user knife....but that's just my opinion!

 

[pipspeak]

check out the Benchmade/HK 14205. fit's all of your criteria nicely and is an excellent Mike $nody design.

also take a look at the ZT 0200, great knife as well!

both are 154CM which is a great steel and compares well with S30V. i actually prefer it over S30V for an EDC user knife....but that's just my opinion!

Does the 14205 has a full-length liner? The photos on the BM site suggest it does. The ZT200 looks great but blade is a tad too long.

 

[The Sun]

yes it has full liners....both do. The blade on the 14205 is nice and thick too for a knife that size, right around .156" a little better than 4mm. it's one of the best production folders out there IMO. great value for the money!

here's a pic of the full liners (kinda):

 

[Jasonthephoneboy]

Any knife with the "AXIS" lock is a strong knife. I really like them, even though sometimes they can become loose.

Cold steel makes knives with their "Tri-Ad" locks. These are extremely strong locks, and are simple rocker designs. However I don't much care for the design of most of their knives.

Benchmade would be the way to go IMHO, because they make beautiful knives, and most of their blades are under 4" They are good quality too.

For you I would say the benchmade. I personally carry a Cold steel pocket bushman, but in Ca. you would get into heaps of trouble for that blade.

 

[The Sun]

I finally decided to get a beefier knife than the various Swiss-style tools I've traditionally used for outdoor/travel (not for EDC) and *think* I've narrowed down my choices down (but I'm sure you will all throw additional ideas out).

Some key requirements:

- needs to be a fairly thick blade and rigid liner that will withstand considerable lateral pressure, since in my time I've managed to break many a Swiss-army blade.
- ideally should be a steel that holds its edge well (will take it traveling for weeks/months at a time potentially with no sharpening tool) and is fairly corrosion resistant (I live in humid coastal CA)
- As easy to open and close with one hand as possible with a blade between 3" and 3.5"
- price up to about $130

I've been looking at S30V and 154CM steel-bladed knives and had my eye on the Benchmade 552/RSK1 (great looking knife but concerned with lateral flex and blade strength) and several Spyderco knives, including the paramilitary2 and Manix (not the best for one-handed operation?). Also looked at the Kershaw Blur S30V (but am wary of the locking system). Any others I should consider?

PM sent

 

[carrot]

Spyderco tends not to make thick bladed knives. Their knives are designed to have the best cutting performance possible.

You want an ESEE HEST F.

 

[entoptics]

I tend to prefer tough steel over edge/corrosion.

A $10 pocket stone = reasonably sharp forever.

Modern steel alloys are amazing, but no blade can take hard knocks and stay sharp.

I'd rather have a chip/break resistant blade in a "hard use" scenario.

2 cents of course.

 

[workingmids]

Might want to check out the Benchmade Griptilian series, specifically the H20 model; light and sturdy; well under $102 if you shop. Equipped.org has a good overview of folding pocket knife attributes. I've beat the snot out of these knives and they seem indifferent. Just my .02$
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_list.aspx?keyword=griptilian

 

[Blue72]

why bother with a tough folder. Even the toughest folder could not handle batoning over and over again. Get afixed blade like the rat Izula or a Bark River.

If you must have a folder, you might as well pick up another swiss army or multi tool with a saw

 

[adamjh3]

why bother with a tough folder. Even the toughest folder could not handle batoning over and over again. Get afixed blade like the rat Izula or a Bark River.

If you must have a folder, you might as well pick up another swiss army or multi tool with a saw

Batoning can be done with any knife if you use proper form and technique, and any knife will eventually break if you have poor form and technique.

However, I do heartily agree with you on purchasing a fixed blade for a "survival" (bushcraft) knife. I also second getting a Bark River knife, the Aurora, perhaps. The convex edge will hold for a great while and is very easy to strop back to hair-popping sharp.

The very term "survival" implies you will be in a situation where help could be a ways away and you need to depend on your equipment to last, so why take an already broken knife with you into that situation?

 

[Dnva]

This looks like something you might want to consider waiting for.

http://www.eseeknives.com/hest_folder.htm

 

[guyg]

I'd look at another SAK with the features you need.And I would add a Buck 110 in either s30v 0r 154cm. I believe Cabellas has one and Bass Pro has the other. The only thing u give up is the one hand option and the 110 is Ca legal.And You are under budget.And with the extra $$ you can get a nice sharpener.

 

[dano]

california has no folder laws except autos and possession on school grounds. Not sure the purpose of threads like these. Seems like a suggestion for the best "Improper" tool for the job.