The BEST Tactical Folder ???

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David

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I currently carry a Spyderco Endura as my so-called "tactical folder."

I think it's pretty good.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for other quality tactical folders for daily carry (i.e. high quality; fast to open; won't open in your pocket; safe to use, etc.)?

:uhoh: :what: :scrutiny:

Thanks...
 
In the 4" blade length class, I second that. It hardly matters if it's a D2 or M2 variant.

If you're in a state that allows bigger, the Cold Steel 6" range Zytel lockbacks are damned good (Voyager XL or Vaquero Grande, my slight pref is for the former). The BEST production folder today is the Camillus Max, as long as you ditch the clip and sheath it (or custom-mount the clip at the pommel versus pivot).

The REKAT Sifu has a credible claim to "best that ever was, period, end of discussion", at least, so long as you got a good one. There were a small number of lemons, and the lockwork was...rather weird. With the Axis lock instead of that Rolling Lock, the Sifu would be dominant today and REKAT would still be in biz. Grip ergonomics were just unmatched so long as it fits your hand.
 
?????Clip????

Hey Jim,
Just curious, and no animosity intended, why don't you like the clip, and its placement, on the CUDA MAXX 5.5?

The pocket clip is essential in most folks opinion for ease of carry, and Tip Down[or as some say pivot up] is needed for safety. Speed of presentation is in no way compromised, with reaction to stimuli to presentation[stabbing target], time of well under 1 second.

If there is a problem, or perceived problem, we would like to know about it.

BTW, thanks for the recommendation:D
 
Benchmade AFCK Axis. The best balance of "tacticality" and toughness I have ever encountered. However I am biased, as I live 40 miles from the factory and Benchmades are sold just about everywhere in Oregon.
 
Ah. Here's the issue with most Darrel Ralf (and Mission) Integral Locks.

In this lock, it gets stronger as you grip it. That's why it's stronger than the otherwise similar Linerlock. In the Chris Reeve Sebenza, the clip is at the pommel and it's not "in the way" of grip access to the lockwork.

Had Darrel mounted the clip asymetrically so that it was at the pivot but off-center and AWAY from the lock, it would have worked OK.

But nooooooooo. Darrel likes "pretty" knives. The Max was set up to be "symetrical" all the way. Plus he's into pivot-mount clips. The result: the clip gets in the way of access to lock. The lock isn't properly reinforced as the design calls for by it's inventor, Chris Reeve - some, ya, but not enough. Which means it's a plain linerlock which is not strong enough for a megafolder.

Darrel showed me blueprints before the thing ever shipped. I warned him. He didn't listen. There has been one injury to date that I'm aware of from a hard-used failure (not in combat, thank GOD) with the $500 handmade version.

So: either sheath it, or re-locate the clip. It's a huge design flaw.
 
Jim,

The Sebenza was originally designed without a clip at all.

Additionally, most Sebenza's usually have so much lock tension that quick opening isn't really possible and over extension of the lock (the accurate reason why most makers position the clip over the lock) also isn't an option.
Since they generally are quite stiff to operate, tip up carry is OK with the Sebenza. On a more flickable folder with a lighter detent, tip up carry isn't something I am much interested in after being cut several times with tip-up knives.

You may want to consider the Aftermath. Darrel's version came to me tapped for tip up and tip down carry.

I carry an Aftermath and a Cuda Maxx alot. They are both stronger than any other defensive folder I have encountered (including the rolling lock, axis, microbar, etc.) The Chinook and ATR are probably equally as strong, but not as big :)

It also seems that the guy who cut him self with his Madd Maxx was holding it at the rear of the handle and may have accidently -opened- the lock with his unorthodox grip
 
Which means it's a plain linerlock which is not strong enough for a megafolder.
Click to expand...

I would question your cutlery knowledge based on this incorrect statement.

We have been through this before. A frame lock has a whole different personality than a liner lock. Properly done, a frame lock is the strongest folding knife out there.

I know this because I have intentionally destroyed most locks out there to prove it for myself, and others.

Notice I say properly done. Lock tension, hardness, and geometry are important.

I have personally put 1000 lbs per-inch-strength pressure on the lock of a Camillus Madd Max without failure. Actually without any wear at all.

The only knives that come close are the Chinook and the ATR, and once again, they aren't big enough for my needs.

I have a perfect Rolling Lock. Its mighty strong, however they have a high failure rate due to tolerance stacking. One day, after a bit of wear, there is a good chance your Rolling Lock will just quit working. Not good.
maybe one reason REKAT went tits up?
 
The guy that cut himself with the Maxx was indeed "choked back" at the rear of the grip. But that means the lock was absolutely untouched - it failed all by it's lonesome. Like I said: an unsupported linerlock can fail *exactly* as I predicted. Now, in a fight, you wouldn't "choke back" like that and the Maxx is first and foremost a weapon, let's face it. But as adrenalin rises, impacts and swing speed goes up too. With the current clip on, the Maxx lock can fail even with a proper combat grip.

If Darrel had done any of several different tweaks to the clip, he could have left it at the pivot end. One possibility is assymetry (to get it away from the lock). Another would have been to do a "channel" that the clip fits into so that it's extremely low-profile when out and being held. I sent him blueprints for such a thing before the first handbuilt Maxx was ever shipped.

Is the Aftermath available in a "plain version" under $200 yet? If so, yes, that's the answer.

OR ditch the clip on a Maxx and sheath it. It fits into leather 1911 mag holsters :).
 
The guy that cut himself with the Maxx was indeed "choked back" at the rear of the grip. But that means the lock was absolutely untouched - it failed all by it's lonesome. Like I said: an unsupported linerlock can fail *exactly* as I predicted. Now, in a fight, you wouldn't "choke back" like that and the Maxx is first and foremost a weapon, let's face it. But as adrenalin rises, impacts and swing speed goes up too. With the current clip on, the Maxx lock can fail even with a proper combat grip.
Click to expand...

Actually you are wrong. If you choke "back" on the rear of the Maxx handle you can accidently put unlocking pressure on the lock because the lock relief cut starts way back on the handle.

My prouction Cuda Maxx has a narrow enough clip that I can put pressure on the locking bar when holding it in a hammer grip.. That should do exactly what you desire.

Jim, have you ever handled a Cuda Maxx?
I am guessing NOT.
 
Jim's opinion that the Ralph frame locks with pocket clips are a defective design is well established here. He has stated that the clip is responsible for the deficiency in design. He has also stated that the (re)moval of the clip will correct any design defects and make the Maxx the best tactical folder available. One man's opinion.

I have a custom Ralph frame lock with pocket clip. I have carried it from time to time. I have used it from time to time. I have not tried to destroy the lock. I have never had the lock budge the least. Just one man's experience.

BTW - There is no one perfect knife.
 
Didn't realize this "topic" had history....

Jim,
I didn't realize that this topic had been discussed before.....I didn't mean to "dredge anything up".

I will say this, that this subject WAS considered during the design of the orignal custom MADD MAXX, and reviewed during the initail engineering of the Camillus production CUDA MAXX. We WANTED the clip right were it is....and yeah, it happens to look good and carry good where its located. When you move the clip"off line" of the pivot, away from the lock area, it doesn't ride quite as well in the pocket. Also, as demonstrated to me by Bob Kasper, a totally exposed lock bar[on a frame lock] can be DISLODGED by the users grip in dynamic, forceful "bladetwisting" moves.

We wanted the clip just where it is,.....centerline for good carry, and slightly shielding the lock bar, but still allowing firm pressure applied by the "trigger finger" to the outside of the lock bar in the "hammer grip" and "fencer's grip" holds. Also, as Anthony points out, the clip keeps the lock bar from pushed too far "open" and therefore taking spring tension OFF the lock. That can be a serious problem.

Jim,
I know from years ago on bladeforums that you are a voracious proponet of the sturdy "megafolder" concept. I'm with ya, I carried a SIFU for quite awhile myself[in jurisdiction where I couldn't carry my 1911;) ]. When Darrel was conceptualizing the MAXX, I was envisioning a folding coffin handled bowie, and I knew that we would want to do a collaboration. This lock is as stable as any folder I have worked with, custom or production. There is NO COMPARISON with a .125" frame lock to a typically .50-.60" thick liner lock......much of the stability comes from simply more Ti to steel contact area on the lock surface. Also it is MUCH "stiffer" so there is no flex problems that plague liner locks. When most properly done liner locks fail under impact it is due to the realitively thin, springy Ti liner flexing under impact and sorta "bouncing" off the lock.

Again, there is no comparison off the MAXX's frame lock to a liner lock......we have thousands of them on the street, and lock failure has not been an issue for us.

But, there is always something for folks to disagree on, so if you don't like the clip, 3 T6 torx head screw are all that hold it on, its your option to take it off;)

But I don't accept the clip placement on the CUDA MAXX 5.5, or the coming CUDA MAXX 7.0[yup, that is a 7" blade:eek: ], as a design flaw. It is exactly where our concept, and our testing, told us we wanted it to be.

If you want a knife that will NEVER unlock and fold up on your fingers, buy a fixed blade. Remember, folders are just "pre-broken fixed blades". But if you need a big knife that folds in the middle, I think you, and as is most every customer that I have talked to, will be very well served[and happy] with a CUDA MAXX frame lock.
 
Anthony Lombardo: yes, I've handled both the Camillus version and the a handmade.

My hand size isn't all that extreme, probably small for my size (6'4"). I haven't handled the Aftermath yet but I expect it to be an improvement. (If I can repeat the question: has a "less gussified" version at a sane price point shipped yet?)

Anyways. We'll have to agree to disagree on the Maxx clip.

At least the Maxx fits in 1911 mag holsters :). Leather is best but the fit seems close enough that kydex rigs for 1911 mags could be easily softened and re-molded to to Maxx.

And yes, I'm interested in the 7" piece :). I would ask that the massive overdecoration that raised the initial Aftermath's price to something crazy be avoided. Any good 7" folder is a street defense weapon for people in non-gun-friendly California :D.
 
Jim,
We only plan on the 1 version of the AFTERMATH. It is intended as a 1 time run of knives at this point, and sell through of the existing model is progressing fine. We have cut all the frames and I believe they have all be machined at this point. So it looks like they will all be "gussified".

The CUDA MAXX 7.0 will feature the same frame "look" as the CUDA MAXX 5.5......again, we believe that there is a somewhat limited market for this knife, and unless demand is otherwise, we plan on 1 run of these knives.

Sorry that the clip doesn't suit your tastes, but as I said, that is why its removeable! Thanks for the interest:)
 
Ah. So the overly-decorated Aftermath will be priced way out past the Maxx, although it's a far better piece.

:scrutiny:

What's the anticipated price range of the 7"?
 
Definitley vote for the Emerson Commander


The Al Mar SERE 2000 is worth checking out.

The new Camillus Dominator looks to be a winner too.....

There are just soooooo many good knives out there. I suggest you start buying and trying as many as you can. ;)

Joe
 
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