Recommendation? Best folding knife around 4" blade?

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John Citizen

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I love my multi-tools (Leatherman and Victorinox), but I find myself always using the main blade, as it is obviously more useful than anything else. Most multi-tools are too large and are a waste to have so many functions that are rarely used indoors. Been looking for a good folding knife for a while now. Never bought anything. One of my mates keeps going on about Cold Steel. Any reviews on their folding knives? There is just too much variety and I just don't know what I should get. I want something around 4" in length (blade), that obviously will last years, won't corrode, and will be sharp enough for everyday life (i.e quality).

Please leave any recommendations, experience and advice...
 
Cold Steel makes good knives, some of them fabulously expensive and some of them quite reasonable.
Are you looking for belt or pocket, locking or non-locking? Have you tried the forum search function?
You also might cast a wider net in the general subforum.
Buck is always a good bet. Victorinox makes some large folders now.
 
So many options.... you need to narrow it down a bit. Do you want a single blade? Or a multi-blade?

If multi-blade, it's difficult to imagine a more useful knife than a medium to large stockman. like the ones made by Case, Buck, Schrade, etc....
this is a Case sowbelly stockman....
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If you want a single locking blade, the Case Tribal Lock comes to mind, or the large Copperlock. Then the ever-popular Buck 110, or 112....
Tribal lock...
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Buck 110...
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Case Copperlock....
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Like I said.... narrow down what you want in a knife and folks can come up with better suggestions..... :thumbsup:

good luck with your search...
 
with your mate recommending Cold Steel and you wanting a 4" blade it sounds like your not interested in a slip joint, there are some but I suspect with the information you provided your post maybe was meant for the folding knives forum
Edit, sorry just waking up, thought this was posted in traditional, it's in recommendation
 
There is no best, let’s get that out of the way first. And as you said, the number of different knives available is so large that it can be intimidating. But since you mentioned Cold Steel, let’s start there. Take a look at the Recon 1. 4” blade, a few different blade styles, decent steel, stellar reputation. There are many other good choices in the same class, but one of these will get it done for you.
 
Some suggestions:

The now discontinued Benchmade 710 has been my go to 4-inch knife for years and I still love it. Would have to pick up a used one somewhere.

On a budget, the Civivi Governor.

Sky’s the limit, Spartan Harsey folder.
 
John Citizen said:
I love my multi-tools (Leatherman and Victorinox), but I find myself always using the main blade, as it is obviously more useful than anything else. Most multi-tools are too large and are a waste to have so many functions that are rarely used indoors. Been looking for a good folding knife for a while now. Never bought anything. One of my mates keeps going on about Cold Steel. Any reviews on their folding knives? There is just too much variety and I just don't know what I should get. I want something around 4" in length (blade), that obviously will last years, won't corrode, and will be sharp enough for everyday life (i.e quality).

Please leave any recommendations, experience and advice...
Click to expand...

The Cold Steel Recon 1 (I prefer the clip point) checks the Cold Steel, 4 inch blade, corrosion resistant (CPM S35VN blade), will last more than a few years, and is plenty sharp for everyday life.

If you want to spend a little less, the Cold Steel Large Voyager is similar, but about half the price with reasonable steel (AUS10A).

If you want to consider other makes and "almost" 4 inches of blade, you can't go wrong with a Buck 110 from the standard 420HC version to their updated CPM S30V version, or even a variety of "boutique" exclusives from vendors in S35VN, 20V, CPM154, etc.
 
I have yet to find the "best folding knife" even for me personally. All depends on how much you want to spend and personal preference.

My go to right now is a ZT 0350. Yes it's assisted but with little effort you can take the torsion bar out and make it a decent flipper.

My other EDC folders are a Spyderco PM and an Emerson Mini CQC15.
 
Single blade: Buck 110 or 110LT, or "Daddy"/"Grand Daddy" single blade 5 inch closed Barlow, or Coke Bottle.

Multi blade: Classic Two blade slipjoint folding hunter. 4 inch Clip Point and Drop Point blades.
Marbles, BTI Old Timer/ Uncle Henry, and Rough Ryder all make a good one.
I have the Marbles MR417 and BTI Old Timer 25OT.

Both the 110 and folding hunter are generally carried on the belt where you won't notice the around half a loaf of bread weight, not in the pocket where you probably would notice it. (Aside from a call it "5 inches" closed length, the 110LT is only a little over 3 ounces, so it is fairly pocket friendly.)

For a folding knife around 4 inches closed, a large stockman, or a moose, trapper, or a large sunfish/Whaler/ Pocket Axe/Emergency Spatula/Elly Funt's Toe/British Rope Knife or whichever of the 75 plus names the pattern is known as that you prefer.
Rough Ryder currently has a nice Sunfish with blue bone covers, or you can try to find a Case or GEC on the secondary market for about 10x to 30x the money.
 
What price range?
I love my Spartan SHF
I also love my Spyderco waved Endura
I also love my Buck 110's & 110 slim

All are roughly in that 3.75" territory, all totally different in their own rites.

You can find a standard 110 in the $50 range, or an SHF in the $400 - $500 range...
 
Shirogorov has my vote (most of their models are near 4"), followed by the Spartan Harsey Folder. You didn't mention budget, so I threw that consideration out the window.
 
I think when it comes to it, price is probably one of the most important factors.
If not, just get a spyderco Millitary, any stainless steel you want. I have many large knives, but I always go back to the millitary. Its comfortable, light, robust, and smooth.

ZT452 is not bad either, if you want more bling.

Lower price range, benchmade Presidio is a really good knife. Benchmade fact if you want something tacticool.

Even cheaper, try the artisan/cjrb arroyo, agave, etc they make good smooth large folders. However my favorite is still the Civivi Praxis. The Asticus is not bad either.

Cant go wrong with a cold steel, I just find them to be overkill (especially for indoors) and not the best slicers.

Have fun shopping! I'll amend if I think of anything else.
 
Another vote the Cold Steel Recon 1. I have and prefer the spear point over the other blade shapes. Great bang for the buck at $99.
 
If you're coming from thinner knives (traditionals and multitools), definitely consider the Spyderco Military. Awesome blade shape and ergonomics, great slicer but robust enough for hard work, and close to a Cold Steel on price.
 
John Citizen said:
I love my multi-tools (Leatherman and Victorinox), but I find myself always using the main blade, as it is obviously more useful than anything else. Most multi-tools are too large and are a waste to have so many functions that are rarely used indoors. Been looking for a good folding knife for a while now. Never bought anything. One of my mates keeps going on about Cold Steel. Any reviews on their folding knives? There is just too much variety and I just don't know what I should get. I want something around 4" in length (blade), that obviously will last years, won't corrode, and will be sharp enough for everyday life (i.e quality).

Please leave any recommendations, experience and advice...
Click to expand...

If you have a budget, that would help greatly. Personally, I like the cold steel recon and spyderco military a lot but there are a lot of different options out there for all flavors.

If you're not entirely sure what you want, feel free to camp out on the exchange and see if something pops up that really peaks your interest. Buying used is often a great way to save a little as most quality modern knives will last more than a lifetime for many of us, even when used daily.
 
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