You probably want to be careful with the metal types, considering where you are. Stick with brass and stainless steel, avoid aluminum for any part of it. In dry areas, aluminum is fine for housings, and can make for lightweight cases, but if you are in a very humid area, and especially around the ocean, aluminum, when in contact with steel, will be rapidly reduced to powder through galvanic corrosion.
I own a Victorinox Swiss Knife. I use it when I go camping or hiking. I don't carry it on my otherwise.
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The manufacturers that are best to go with are Emerson and Benchmade when considering functionality over cost. Many will gravitate towards Spyderco mainly because of their price point and innovations such as the pocket clip and hole in the blade. At one time Spyderco was all that I would carry until I saw the light with both Emerson and Benchmade.
Here are some thoughts when considering purchasing a folder.
Quality of the locking mechanism plus location of the release for the lock is more important than how sharp the folder is. I own 300 to 400 folders with price ranges between 20 through 800 dollars and can say for a fact that all of these folders will cut well. Going back to locks, I have specific test which all folders of mine go through which determines if the knife is simply a collector’s item or working tool.
I spoke of the position for the lock, look at the Spyderco Police lock http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=2 which is exposed which allows for the lock to be disengaged by accident. A really good locking system is the Benchmade axis lock http://www.benchmade.com/about_knive...mechanisms.asp which is one of my favorite locks. Emerson Knife Company uses the same lock on most of their folders and can testify that they are close to fail safe as the Benchmade axis locking system.
An important consideration is the pocket clip. On most quality folders, their clips all work well but many vary the position of the clip, which could make a difference in how they hook to a pocket. My classic example is to take an Emerson Commander, Benchmade Griptilian or perhaps a Spyderco Endura and clip them into men’s front pockets then try the same folder on woman’s pants. All these folders will fit well into men’s pockets but not woman’s pockets because most women’s pockets are shallow. Of course, to get around this a female can cut the bottom out of her pocket which allows the folder to sit correctly. Another thing on locks, myself as well as any competent edge weapons instructor will tell you that in a defensive situation you want the blade (allows) facing towards the attacker. Some believe the reverse and I could write an entire post simply of the merits of edge orientation. Best to say that the idea mainly came from various sources from some Philippine arts and military taught techniques. Since I do not want to stomp on them I will leave it at that.
As there are battles between VB and C, .45 ACP vs 9mm so are there battles between serrated edge, plain edge and combo edge folders. If you look at police officers, they are more likely to have combo edge folders than civilians because they have a need for serrations as utilitarian usage. The same could be said about civilians but civilians are much better off with plain edge if for no other reason they are easier to maintain.
Since I teach edge weapon courses to civilian, police and military, I am able to obtain a unique perspective of what works for each of them. Since the majority of members here are civilian, I suggest staying with the top name brand companies. A wise choice is to select a folder that does not spark attention as in its appearance. Who needs a five-inch folder with skull and cross bones on it? I tell all of my students that if asked by LEO “why are you carrying XYY folder?” is to say for daily use chores but with the skull and cross bones (or similar) that is almost impossible to pull off.
My EDC (Every Day Carry), one Emerson full-size Commander, one Bram Frank LLC (Lapu-Lapu-Corto) clipped to my pants which is mirrored on my left ankle carried in a semi-auto ankle magazine carrier system.
Since you mentioned Cold Steel I can say they make decent edge tools especially their swords and a good assortment of canes for tactical usage. If you do enough research on this company you will find dirt which is why I steer clear of this company except for their swords and tactical canes.
Something to consider if you are purchasing a folder that might be for self-defense is to purchase a drone/trainer and if you have the dollars get a backup in the event you lose yours or the company stops producing that model. It has happened to me. Examples, Benchmade AFCK model (ended up spending 600 dollars for two of them), Spyderco Massad Ayoob folder and Bram Frank’s Spyderco Gunting (now reincarnated as a LLC (Lapu-Lapu-Corto). Any ways food for thought on purchasing two.
A quick thought on sharpening your folder or folders. The geometry makes a difference so if you used one technique on all your knifes you may very well mess them up. Metals used can dictate how to sharpen a knife too. I use to hand sharpen all my knifes but for the past 10 years take them to a local knife maker where he sharpens them by hand on a belt machine designed for sharpening edge tools. At two bucks for knife I can sharpen a who bunch and always satisfied.
Lastly your environment determines the care of your choice in folders which ranges from humidity to how dirty you get it. My ankle carry folders are cleaned every other day because of dirt while my right ankle backup firearm is clean every day as firearms are more prone to contaminates than knifes are but you need to consider these things.
BTW Fix blades are a much better choice than folders if you local laws permit them.
The following is from my web site which are my top suggestions for folders. If not for price point the Spyderco’s would be eliminated.
It's illegal to carry knives over here. Where Americans have a lot of gun crime, we have a lot of knife crime.
Although, at least the uk can change.
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It must be hard sorting out true utilitarian knives. So many appear to be made merely for ornamental/collectible purposes.
I sure don't need any fat-bladed "folder" and find that a classic jack knife works fine, I suppose you'd call mine a largish "whittler" by today's nomenclature. It's almost 10 years old though, no idea who made it but I can tell you it isn't coated, chromed, or anything fancy. Looks like it says S30V stainless.
Normally, I just carry a Leatherman multitool. The blade is used only for gutting fish, cutting apples, and other such culinary and work related activities. My only goal there is to remember to clean the blade between gutting fish and cutting apples...unless the apples are for somebody else. The other tools have other uses, of course. Very useful to have around.
For hiking I carry a knife that is small, lightweight, and would not impress KI. It cuts rope, opens any nasty plastic container that resists other means of entry, cuts fishing line, cuts fish, and that's about it. The goal of that knife was something super light, fairly sharp, and somewhat useable.
You must have big pockets. I'm sure the samurai's of old must have preferred the kevlar swords.
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It's illegal to carry knives over here. Where Americans have a lot of gun crime, we have a lot of knife crime.
Its only illegal if you don't have good explanation for carrying it. I.e. if you are carrying a knife in the middle of a street in a busy city, miles away from the country then you'll probably be prosecuted. If you are carrying one in the forest while camping then you will probably be fine; especially as there isn't much of a police presence there.
Its only illegal if you don't have good explanation for carrying it. I.e. if you are carrying a knife in the middle of a street in a busy city, miles away from the country then you'll probably be prosecuted. If you are carrying one in the forest while camping then you will probably be fine; especially as there isn't much of a police presence there.
I assuming you are in the UK as well
In my County, the law states as long as it isnt concealed, can fold, and doesn't have an assisted opening device (meaning, you have to use your thumb to open it all the way), then you are allowed to carry. meaning.... if you wanted to carry a sword around, as long as your are able to fold it shut, its legal.
In my County, the law states as long as it isnt concealed, can fold, and doesn't have an assisted opening device (meaning, you have to use your thumb to open it all the way), then you are allowed to carry. meaning.... if you wanted to carry a sword around, as long as your are able to fold it shut, its legal.
Interesting in that there are no blanket laws in the USA like that. For instance, in Oregon the basic law is no concealed Bali-song, dirk or dagger. Nice that Oregon allows automatics altough Washington State to our North does not permit autos which is why many from Washington State will travel South to purchase them. Of course to our South the land of strict laws many folders are not permitted.
Its only illegal if you don't have good explanation for carrying it. I.e. if you are carrying a knife in the middle of a street in a busy city, miles away from the country then you'll probably be prosecuted. If you are carrying one in the forest while camping then you will probably be fine; especially as there isn't much of a police presence there.
I assuming you are in the UK as well
I am indeed.
While that's certainly the letter of the law, a good explanation can be very subjective. It's not one that I would want to put to the test by carrying a knife to go camping - just in case.
But a camping knife could save your life. Especially if you are attacked by bears.
Pepper spray would be a better investment in this case, than a camping knife.
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Pepper spray would be a better investment in this case, than a camping knife.
One of the many problems with pepper spray or OC is that many times there is cross contamination in the you spray and the wind brings it back on yourself. Another issue is that many can quickly overcome the effects. If anyone is considering carrying pepper spray or OC then learn all you can about it. Next, they have expiration dates and best to not exceed it. Practice with it from drawing to firing it. Buy two, practice with one as in using it and also with a partner spray yourself to understand the effects (it is not that bad especially if you decontaminate yourself immediately afterwards).
A much better and cheaper option are tools such as Kubatons
One of the many problems with pepper spray or OC is that many times there is cross contamination in the you spray and the wind brings it back on yourself. Another issue is that many can quickly overcome the effects. If anyone is considering carrying pepper spray or OC then learn all you can about it. Next, they have expiration dates and best to not exceed it. Practice with it from drawing to firing it. Buy two, practice with one as in using it and also with a partner spray yourself to understand the effects (it is not that bad especially if you decontaminate yourself immediately afterwards).
A much better and cheaper option are tools such as Kubatons
Thanks, I'll pass on that. We are talking bears here.
Maybe that's a tool to face other humans.
I don't want any part of my body close to anywhere near a bear.
Everything that has a computer in will fail. Everything in your life, from a watch to a car to, you know, a radio, to an iPhone, it will fail if it has a computer in it. They should kill the people who made those things.- 'Woz' save a blobFileStreamDataTable To Text Filemy blog
Thanks, I'll pass on that. We are talking bears here.
Maybe that's a tool to face other humans.
I don't want any part of my body close to anywhere near a bear.
And I was talking humans in regards to the Kubaton. If I am in bear country rest assured there is a huge firearm with me
And I was talking humans in regards to the Kubaton. If I am in bear country rest assured there is a huge firearm with me
When I'm in bear country, there's nothing with me but my mind. For the lower 48, carry guns when hiking for use against the most dangerous animal out there: Other humans. If you are carrying one for any other reason you haven't properly evaluated the situation. After all, bears aren't the second most dangerous animal out there. That would be moose. Against either moose or bear you'd be lucky to be able to draw fast enough to even get a shot off.
Besides, if you are going to carry that much additional weight, you might as well allocate it for greater threats. So far, I have been hit by two falling rocks, narrowly missed by one falling tree, narrowly missed by lightning (at the bottom of a deep, narrow, valley, no less) and the greatest threat would be hypothermia. If you want to carry those extra pounds, put them into clothing.
When I'm in bear country, there's nothing with me but my mind. For the lower 48, carry guns when hiking for use against the most dangerous animal out there: Other humans. If you are carrying one for any other reason you haven't properly evaluated the situation. After all, bears aren't the second most dangerous animal out there. That would be moose. Against either moose or bear you'd be lucky to be able to draw fast enough to even get a shot off.
Besides, if you are going to carry that much additional weight, you might as well allocate it for greater threats. So far, I have been hit by two falling rocks, narrowly missed by one falling tree, narrowly missed by lightning (at the bottom of a deep, narrow, valley, no less) and the greatest threat would be hypothermia. If you want to carry those extra pounds, put them into clothing.
Never been in bear country.
I carry self-defense tools when a) working detail jobs (executive protection) b) personal protection c) when teaching civilian, military, secutity and LEO.
I have been in some interesting confrontations not with mother nature but with fellow man from fist to fist to shanks and firearms and rather have the extra weight than not.
You LIVE in bear country. I suppose they might not come into the city if you are in one of the larger ones, but they will show up in suburbs and in smaller cities. Very unlikely that they would be a problem, though.
I have been in some interesting confrontations not with mother nature but with fellow man from fist to fist to shanks and firearms and rather have the extra weight than not.
One thing that I have noted is that every person is a slave to their particular experience. Most law enforcement and security types carry guns backpacking. Most medical professionals carry outrageous first aid kits. People get highly tuned in to a particular threat. They aren't wrong, they are just overly responsive in that one area. Those things might be needed in any number of situations. It just comes down to the amount of weight you can, and are willing to, carry, and how you allocate those ounces to different needs. I have my own peculiarities in how I make that choice. There isn't any right or wrong to it. You're always throwing the dice, to some extent.
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Originally Posted by InvisibleDuncan
Make as many mistakes as you can as quickly as you can. We want to make sure that we make a great enough number of mistakes in a given amount of time so that we can be successful.
