Blade Magazine's Best 10 Tacticals

roshi

roshi

Joined
May 3, 2001
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Many of you have probably seen the current Blade issue that presents their best 10 tactical folders of the last ten "or so" years.

Not bad choices but of course we all have our opinions.

There are some who I'm sure would like to save the magazine and collect the 10 knives it portrays. To my knowledge most are still available. One however one is tough to find NIB. That's the EDI Genesis I. For those of you who don't get the A.G. Russell emailed sale flyer, they have their remaining stock of these knives on closeout for only $ 80.

I'm associated with A.G. (I wish!) or hawking sales, just wanted to let some of you know before they are gone.
 
The now defunct EDI Gen I was a great design with an incredible blade shape. It's bronze washers made this one of the smoothest folders ever to grace my hand. That being said, its liner lock was completely UNRELIABLE. I went through three Gen I's and they all failed. It may be one of the "Top Ten" but unless you don't need all your digits I wouldn't search for this knife. I am not sure how Blade Mag can say this is one of the top ten tactical knives (of all time?). It is very well known on this forum how unreliable and dangerous the lock was. I cut myself more with this knife secondarily to lock failure than any other knife I have ever handled.

This goes to show that knife writers, like gun writers and others do not know all. To recommend a knife one must use it and use it hard and goes to the extreme with it--and it must not fail. I will say that knife writers IMHO are better than gun writers.

Happy Turkey day.
 
Originally posted by Kodiak PA
The now defunct EDI Gen I was a great design with an incredible blade shape. It's bronze washers made this one of the smoothest folders ever to grace my hand. That being said, its liner lock was completely UNRELIABLE. I went through three Gen I's and they all failed. It may be one of the "Top Ten" but unless you don't need all your digits I wouldn't search for this knife. I am not sure how Blade Mag can say this is one of the top ten tactical knives (of all time?). It is very well known on this forum how unreliable and dangerous the lock was. I cut myself more with this knife secondarily to lock failure than any other knife I have ever handled.

This goes to show that knife writers, like gun writers and others do not know all. To recommend a knife one must use it and use it hard and goes to the extreme with it--and it must not fail. I will say that knife writers IMHO are better than gun writers.

Happy Turkey day.
Click to expand...

Yes, I remember all the hoopla of this knife just as it came out and the subsequent moans of those your purchased it, and the ultimate demise of the company. I'm glad forumites convinced me to buy a Benchmade 710 Axis instead.

I'd sooner take the words of forumites here who torture their knives rather than an advertisment driven magazine. Do those editors actually use the knives? :confused:
 
I have an EDI Gen I in the glass display case. It makes a nice display piece and it has a "story" to go with it. For such a purpose, this would make a good purchase before the rest of them get away. Mine is certainly not for sale. As a "hard user" though, I'd pass it up. - Lee
 
nice knife, looks good, pretty good materials,etc.

but the locks suck. period.
 
I too would be interested in the complete list. The BM AFCK should definitely be included IMO.
 
1-BM 970(Emerson)
2-Syderco Military
3-AFCK

I can't remember the rest. I think the AFCK is too low. The Military seems like a great knife, but imho the AFCK is the difinition of a "tactical" knife. The article was on production tacticals only if I recall correctly.
 
Blade Magazines Top Ten Tacticals of the Decade

1 Emerson CQB7
2 Spyderco Military
3 Benchmade AFCK
4 Spyderco Endura
5 CRKT M16
6 Spyderco Police
7 Al Mar SERE
8 EDI Genesis I
9 Microtech SOCOM
10 Buck 110

I didn't start this thread to endorse or refute their selction or to praise the EDI, only to advise those who want to collect the EDI that A.G. Russell had some NIB.

Some time back I was offered a mint EDI in trade. I'm a user not a collector. After reading through the Blade Forums Archives I decided to pass on it. It's interesting to note that EDI is only company in the top ten that is no longer in business. Blade failed to mention that was because their poor quality control killed them.
 
Originally posted by roshi
Blade Magazines Top Ten Tacticals of the Decade

1 Emerson CQB7
2 Spyderco Military
3 Benchmade AFCK
4 Spyderco Endura
5 CRKT M16
6 Spyderco Police
7 Al Mar SERE
8 EDI Genesis I
9 Microtech SOCOM
10 Buck 110
Click to expand...

Interesting...I wonder why the Spyderco Military is higher than the Benchmade AFCK...
 
Interesting list:confused: Someone might be able to enlighten me but why is the Buck 110 on the list? Just off the top of my head here is my list and reasons:
(1) Camillus Maxx - Great knife with good looks and materials
(2) Rekat Sifu - Great handle design, awsome blade design
(3) Cold Steel XL Voyager - Doesn't cost alot and size
(4) Emerson Commander- the wave and great handle design
(4b):) Benchmade AFCK Axis lock- because it is AWSOME!!!
(5) Spyderco Civilian- A sharp, creepy, scary, great knife
(6) Microtech SOCOM - quality, and fit and finish
(7) Almar SERE- see above
(8) Buck Strider- built like a tank
(9) CRKT M-16- cheap but a great knife
(10) MOD Dieter - great quality, strong lock

**Note** the top 3 based on size , because as a "tatical", ie defense knife....size does matter:eek:
 
Spyderco Baby, Yeah!

I think I really need to try out some of those "other" knives... :p

then again, maybe not...
 
The now defunct EDI Gen I was a great design with an incredible blade shape. It's bronze washers made this one of the smoothest folders ever to grace my hand. That being said, its liner lock was completely UNRELIABLE
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. This was one of the sleekest looking folders to come along in years. What a disappointment.:( I bought one of these at what I thought was a great price, and after trying to work it into my EDC rotation, finally gave up. I was happy as can be when I finally traded it for a Cold Steel Gunsite folder. geegee
 
Not one Axis folder? That list is a joke IMO. :barf:

FTC

P.S. and I'm not even a big Benchmade fan, but even I admit they got shafted on that one!
 
Originally posted by diamdave
SOCOM is #9 ? I don't think so, unless price is a major issue.
Click to expand...

Perhaps, Microtech doesn't pay as much in advertising as 1 through 8...

Yeah, I know I'm just being bitter! :grumpy:

FTC

P.S. and I don't even own a Microtech, but they too got shafted on that one!
 
LOL
Looks like Spyderco cleaned it out.
Mr. Carson, congradulation on your design. I'm still trying to gather enough funds to reclaim my M16 spearpoint ;)
 
Any top 10 list is going to be subjective when based on a small, nonrepresentative number of people. even the way the voting was set up can change the results. Any time there is a top whatever list there are omissions and people argue for or against certain knives that did or did not make the list. Some based on emotion others based on facts and others based on anecdotal evidence. Thats one ofthe great things about such lists. They spark great conversation. That, is the goal of the list- not to be the ultimate authority on what is good,bad,top, bottom, etc. Looks like Blade did a pretty good job with this one, then.
 
Originally posted by one2gofst
Any top 10 list is going to be subjective when based on a small, nonrepresentative number of people. even the way the voting was set up can change the results. Any time there is a top whatever list there are omissions and people argue for or against certain knives that did or did not make the list. Some based on emotion others based on facts and others based on anecdotal evidence. Thats one ofthe great things about such lists. They spark great conversation. That, is the goal of the list- not to be the ultimate authority on what is good,bad,top, bottom, etc. Looks like Blade did a pretty good job with this one, then.
Click to expand...

Totally true.

Any "top 10" is subjective. Look at Centurian's list, it's no more right or wrong than any other person's list because they are the knives he really believes are the best. Note the personal preference in the top 3. He likes the big 'uns! ;)

However, I hope some newbie reading the list doesn't take Blade magazine's list as the word of the knife gods, no more than they take anyone elses personal preferences.
 
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