YOUR favorite folding knife company and why?

C

CrazyCaucasian

Joined
Aug 24, 2016
Messages
97
If possible, please tell me your favorite manufacturer of FOLDING knives and why. I would like all of your honest opinions on why you would consider a particular brand your favorite for folding knives. What does this company excel at? Any personal stories? More reasons? How does this company compare to other companies in your opinion?
 
Zero Tolerance. Why do I like them? They have amazing QC, use high end materials, and have many knives that I like. To me, in the past years they have really set the standard in the high end folding knives production category. They have greatly surpassed their competition and no everybody else is playing catch up to them. They don't BS what there knives are for. I prefer there hard use knives, my favorite products they have are the ZT 0301, 0560BW and 0566BW. Unlike many other companies, they use DLC coding, so even in hard use the black/stripes etc. don't wear. Now, I know 2/3 of the knives I listed they no longer sell... But they are still my favorite knife company by far. They also will sharpen your knives, and overall have great customer support too. To me, they have become the benchmark of what a high end production folder should be.
 
I don't think I have a favorite but the company I own the most knives from is now Spyderco. The variety of knives and materials is staggering.
 
Chris Reeve and then Spyderco followed by Zero Tolerance. All are great companies with elevated levels of manufacturing capabilities coupled with solid customer/ after sales service protocol.
 
Usually this question gets asked umpteen times a week, if you did a search you'd be busy for a week just reading the different ways this same question has been asked before. Now I don't mind a dialog about why I like what I like but that takes 2 sides so how about you answer your question first and tell us your favorite company, knife and why.

If you're interested in what I like and why you go first or just click on my profile and look to see where I post and what I post and that'll certainly give you an idea about what I like.

Welcome to Blade Forums, may I suggest your next post answer your first op and your 3rd be an introduction in General Discussion about yourself and what you like in knives and the things you use them for. You'll get a lot more responses if we know a little about you too. :)

Here's a hint.

S8DNsb4.jpg
 
Spyderco. Interesting designs, different blade steels, and generally good ergos. I do like Benchmade and ZT as well, though.
 
Cold Steel. Because the knives cut and have the strongest lock. I like the aspect of having a heavy working folder that not just breaks apart when I use it. The price is a little high for them imho, but I can live with that one downside. Advertising is cheesy but I like cheesy stuff anyway. lol
 
I haven't had access to many variety of knives as far as brands go. It was always Gerber, Camillus, and Buck when I was in High School. Now that I'm 23, it is as if I woke up one morning and everything I had was replaced with Spyderco knives. It was a slow gradual change but as of now, I only look towards Spyderco for new knives. Maybe I got comfortable knowing that these knives are MUCH better than what I carried in high school or it's an irrational fear of trying out a new knife company. Who knows :P lol
So the reason I posted this here today was to see what knife companies are frequently mentioned by you fellow knife knuts in order for me to see what is trending in the knife world since I've been in my own Spyderco cave for the last few years. I've heard of almost every knife company anyone here will mention, but I love hearing what it is about these companies/products that cause you to favor one company over the rest (if you do favor one over the rest). I also understand that favoring one company over the rest does not mean the rest are inferior. So far I see Zero Tolerance and Benchmade are popping up all over this forum and others. I'm in a way considering this a poll for myself as to which company I should really give a shot. For everyone who says Spyderco, I flash a smile, wink and nod in an understanding way... being that you are also addicted ;)
 
T. Erdelyi said:
Usually this question gets asked umpteen times a week, if you did a search you'd be busy for a week just reading the different ways this same question has been asked before. Now I don't mind a dialog about why I like what I like but that takes 2 sides so how about you answer your question first and tell us your favorite company, knife and why.

If you're interested in what I like and why you go first or just click on my profile and look to see where I post and what I post and that'll certainly give you an idea about what I like.

Welcome to Blade Forums, may I suggest your next post answer your first op and your 3rd be an introduction in General Discussion about yourself and what you like in knives and the things you use them for. You'll get a lot more responses if we know a little about you too. :)

Here's a hint.

S8DNsb4.jpg
Click to expand...

AMAZING PHOTO QUALITY! That Sebenza (far right) is catching my eye! Beautiful... all of them! And here's a short introduction to myself :P I'm obviously new here but not to Spyderco Forums ;)
I go bass fishing a lot, sometimes Catfish when we (my family) plan to eat it. I work in a warehouse scanning and storing boxes all day after unloading them from a truck. I'm often at my grandparents house (they raised me) to visit, keep up on house work outside and in. I like to get lost in the woods (OFTEN) and explore as long as I possibly can, etc. etc. I have a specific knife for each task listed above. I could honestly do all these tasks with a box cutter (minus filleting) so it isn't necessary to have a high quality blade with g10 or vg10 steel but that's where my addiction comes in. I play with my knives or look for excuses to use them more than I need them :P
Hope to speak with you again on Blade Forums sometime soon! And what is "order of the Osage"? I see that in your signature. I know a lot about how Osage Orange trees were used my Native Americans for bows. Interesting stuff. Take care friend!
 
Last edited:
Ahhh, Ted... the Gerber Bolt Action takes me back.

I don't know what kind of steel it was made of, I really wasn't into "steel" when I bought it. But it cut stuff and held an edge for me.

The ergos, for how simply it's shaped, were something bordering on astonishing. The "bolt action" lock was strong and allowed me to flick it open.

And I loved that it didn't have a clip. It rode flat in the front pocket of the button-fly 501s.

Thanks for the memory. I need to haunt some pawn shops and get me another one.
 
Spyderco because of the designs and the company's culture and engagement with customers. One thing I've learned is that diversifying my collection across brands is more pleasurable than just focusing on one brand. I also like knives from Benchmade, ZT, Cold Steel, Buck, Kizer, LionSteel, Viper and Boker.
 
CC, OOO Order of the Osage refers to a group of friends here on BF that have a pen made of Osage Orange from some donated wood from one member to another who then made the pens for certain members and in appreciation we have it in our siglines.

If you cut a lot of boxes look at some of the powder metallurgy used by Benchmade, Spyderco and ZT, if you can find a Boye Prophet with his Dendritic steel that stuff cuts cardboard and hemp rope forever before needing a touch up.

A lot of HCS although they may rust easily till you get a patina on it are easy to take to a razors edge and quick to sharpen but usually require frequent touchups. The harder super steels although they hold an edge longer are usually much harder to sharpen. I like the S35VN and S30V that a lot of manufacturers are using but you can't beat a good 1095 steel with a good heat treat for all around utility, durability and ease of sharpening.
 
AF said:
One thing I've learned is that diversifying my collection across brands is more pleasurable than just focusing on one brand.
Click to expand...

Exactly what my gut was telling me. I can't just stick to Spyderco... I'm missing out on A LOT! Thumb studs will be weird to get used to at first though :P
Out of the latter companies you listed, I'm starting to realize Benchmade, ZT, and Boker have gained my interest. I'm browsing their knives as we speak. :)

Thank you everyone! Sorry if this is a reoccurring post! I should have thought that through and just browsed here myself but then again,
I feel welcome and happy to have your replies! I like reading about knives... I wish I could come up with a genius question and just sit back,
grab popcorn, and read ALL DAY..

btw.. I can't be the only one who wants to read Spydercos "Shape of Sharp" book right? I also have a good feeling I'm not the only one who can't find a copy at the library or even afford it... lol
 
T. Erdelyi said:
CC, OOO Order of the Osage refers to a group of friends here on BF that have a pen made of Osage Orange from some donated wood from one member to another who then made the pens for certain members and in appreciation we have it in our siglines.

If you cut a lot of boxes look at some of the powder metallurgy used by Benchmade, Spyderco and ZT, if you can find a Boye Prophet with his Dendritic steel that stuff cuts cardboard and hemp rope forever before needing a touch up.

A lot of HCS although they may rust easily till you get a patina on it are easy to take to a razors edge and quick to sharpen but usually require frequent touchups. The harder super steels although they hold an edge longer are usually much harder to sharpen. I like the S35VN and S30V that a lot of manufacturers are using but you can't beat a good 1095 steel with a good heat treat for all around utility, durability and ease of sharpening.
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm asking too much here.. but could you briefly explain where I could find this knowledge you possess? I wish I new enough to know which steel to recommend for what task etc etc. Now THAT is something that I should aspire to. Any books, websites, or tips? I like to read, I could devour a webpage or even a book in no time. Any suggestion you give will be taken and put to use! I know the basics of knives, the grinds, edges, handle materials and their properties, SOME steels, etc. However, I sense that you know ten times that of myself and I'd love to get an opinion from someone with experience.

Also, OOO sounds like an AWESOME idea and really sentimental and kind. Osage Orange is everywhere by one of the lakes I used to live near. They give some really gross strange looking fruit!!! Have you seen that stuff!? Great wood. Oh yeah... I have a weird tree fetish similar to my knife fetish. I find dead wood, shave the bark with a knife, sand it down smooth and cut it into a 6 inch long piece (usually I try to find pieces about 4 inches in diameter) and put it into my drawer... I know I'm weird... But it is so cool to see the differences in grain structure and color when you have like 12 sticks side by side.. My favorite so far is a White Mulberry Tree branch that I was LUCKY to get considering it was a neighbor who was cutting his down and I don't see those anywhere. I even have Sugar maple and Silver maple from my trees.
 
Last edited:
Tough one, but I am going to have to say CRK...

Main reasons:

They have been making basically the same knives for decades while continuing to make small changes to make that exceptional design better, and newer models rely heavily on what they learned to do right.

In large part because of my first reason, the knives they produce are almost always the same in terms of overall quality.
There are VERY FEW lemons for knives that are exceptionally well made, with tight tolerances and a well above average F&F.

I like being able to purchase any of the models they make and know that I am going to get a knife that isn't just right when I open the box, but will continue to work and hold up over many years of use.
 
craytab said:
I don't think I have a favorite but the company I own the most knives from is now Spyderco. The variety of knives and materials is staggering.
Click to expand...

This.

And I love the Spyderhole and that they design many knives with thin blades and fine points that are actually great cutters and not crowbars masquerading as folders.
 
Spyderco, this was my gateway knife company, the first nice knife I owned was a Delica.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Ferrum Forge. Great, super solid knives that last a long time and can take a beating. There are only the two brother that make them and they seem to work hard to give you a good product. Just a great hard use knife. Strong and smooth with good steel.

Good video to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbX9crVyFR0
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top