Who makes the best Folders?

[45R]

Who in your opinion makes the best production folders?

Why?

 

[Zak Smith]

I've never played with a MOD or Strider, but I have owned or played with the rest. For < $200 folders, I prefer Benchmade mainly because of the Axis lock and the construction. At the < $80 price point, Spyderco.

-z

 

[JohnBT]

Chris Reeve.

But what do I know - a Sebenza is my only good folder.

My second best folder is a medium Beretta. Or maybe a Boker Tree Brand from the '60s. I know it's not the wood-and-Inox made-in-Pakistan knife I bought at the gun show for $2.

John

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I would take Strider out of that list, as they are more like the Reeve knives, semi-production customs. They cost two to three times what any of the other mfgs on that list go for.
They are better knives too, but should be at that price point.
But in real factory production class, Spyderco is the best, with Benchmade second. Of course, this is a very subjective arena, a bit like the Ford vs. Chevy arguements.

 

[BerettaNut92]

What shortcomings Emersons may have are made up for with that nifty little Wave.

 

[45R]

Skunk-
As much as I have knives my Emerson is the only knive that sits on the table. That Wave feature lost its novelty for me on day one................the wave is neat but its a great way to wear the liner lock. I hardly use mine and the lock is about 70 percent worn already. There are alot of people who love Emersons. I should have included that in the list.

45R

 

[colima]

Another write-in vote for the Sebenza. Tough little knife with a great lockup.

 

[Schuey2002]

Custom: Chris Reeves..
Factory: Benchmade..

 

[Jim March]

Easy. Camillus. Now if they'll just build a megafolder designed by somebody else...

 

[hso]

Skunk, nifty gizmos can't make up for fundamental quality control problems.

If you divide the categories into mass production and boutique production companies you would start to see something like this -


Spyderco Strider
Benchmade William Henry
CRKT Chris Reeves
Camillus MOD
Buck Microtech
Timberline
Case


IMNSHO Spyderco makes the "best" mass production knife while Chris Reeves makes the "best" boutique production knife.

 

[NIB]

Since buying a Strider AR over a year ago and lately a Strider SnG, all my other folders have been demoted to drawer duty.

 

[GW]

I've been a big fan of Benchmades since they came out with the AFCK. It replaced my Spiderco and I haven't carried that one since. Nowadays, I carry an Axis-lock. I have an Emerson Commander and love the Wave feature, but still choose to carry the Benchmades

 

[Bruz]

I like all my knives but loves my Microtech LCC...

 

[makdaddy03]

ColdSteel......

 

[Bonker]

Am I the only one who's gotten a crappy Benchmade?


I voted Spyderco, although I carry Gerbers.

 

[Bruz]

Am I the only one who's gotten a crappy Benchmade?

I have a few and all are fine knives...whats the problem with yours?

 

[Griff]

Might be interesting to follow the oft-repeated advice to those inquiring about "the best pistol, etc" - go to a good shop and hold / work a few, find what your friends carry and try them, decide what you're gonna use it for, use common sense and don't spend the rent...bladeforums / knifeforums.com have lots of good info, too.
Having said that, I find that most of what needs doing in my everyday life gets done with my SAK Tinker. Yeah, I know, boring...if it were up to me, I'd carry this of mine: http://www.starfireswords.com/cgi-bin/starfire/BS-1M.html

Um, sorry, forgot to vote- Cold Steel or Benchmade

 

[Gordy Wesen]

I carry an old Paul Knife on weekends and like it fine...in spite of the old 440c. Usually I pack a small fixed blade at work...one I designed for my trade. Its discreet, fast and better than a folder for it can be deployed while squatting.
I will side with Zak on the Axis. I have never liked the liner locks and avoid them like the plague. There is the axis and other innovative designs that will make the liner lock obsolete one of these days.
Oh, and I'd cast a vote for benchmade.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I was just checking out the SOG Tomcat folding knife -- it doesn't make the cut? I thought it was supposed to be an excellent knife.

 

[George Hill]

Where is Kershaw on the list?

Where is Camillus?

Where is William Henry?

Where is Chris Reeve?

 

[The-Distinctive-Edge]

I am with George! William Henry as far as quality and looks, A+, as a working knife(beacuse I would not dare even scratch a WH) Benchmade and Spyderco, as a lower cost, work like heck, CRKT makes some good stuff! paul

 

[Sir Galahad]

For innovation, I pick Cold Steel and CRKT. You put a Cold Steel Vaquero Grande in your coat pocket and whip that out, it says "deep bloody slashes" all over it. The new Cold Steel Black Talon is awesome! Got to have it. The Cold Steel Ti-Lite is great. Now with zytel handles and affordable! Put the CRKT M16 "Big Dog" with tanto point in your pocket and you've got yourself a great weapon. Put one in each pocket and you're covered 360 degrees and the M16 opens easy with either hand. It opens so fast you hardly see it.

My carry knives do not cut anything. They stay sharp at all times. No one gets to borrow them period. Even if they ask, they don't get to. They don't need to know why. I don't loan out my knives, my Zippo, or anything else in my pockets. For cutting open things, I have a beat up BuckLite in a belt sheath. But the folders in my pockets do not come out to work. They come out for defense.

 

[Billmanweh]

I carry my Benchmade 941, while the Strider and lots of other stuff stays in the closet

 

[Bonker]

"I have a few and all are fine knives...whats the problem with yours?"

Pivot screw backing out. Blade was always loose. Lock didn't hold well.
I'd say it was 50 buks wasted but I traded it to a friend for a brand new pair of Gerber EZ-outs. MUCH better knives.

I'm sure I just got a fluke..a lemon. But I don't think I'll be trying Bechmade again.

 

[Combat-wombat]

I don't have one due to money issues, but I know Benchmade makes the best production knives in the world. I'd do anything for a 940 Osborne with the teflon coated combo-edge blade and the green aluminum handle.