Folders - show and tell. Be warned, long post...

[theroguedeluxe]

Sooo... been a while since I've been able to read anything on here, let alone contribute anything. But a couple of knives have still found their merry way to me, so all has been well in my world

Thought I'd celebrate the fact that things look to be quieting down by having a little show and tell with a few folders - not really a technical review, more a jumble of thoughts.


(apologies for picture quality - but these are all common enough models, so pro shots should abound)

The line-up, L to R:

* Fallkniven U1
* Fallkniven PXL
* Kershaw Leek (ZDP-189 blade)
* Kershaw Blur (SG2 Blade)
* Kershaw Cyclone (13C26)
* Spyderco Manix (x2 - excellent knives!)
* Sog Tomcat
* Benchmade Shoki


That takes care of the showing -now for the telling!

Fallkniven U1
Got this because when I was looking for a UK-legal EDC and am infatuated with this company's knives; already had an A1 and a NL1, so I had complete faith in the brand. Wasn't disappointed - it's perfect: big belly, slightly convex and 3G steel is very impressive (been using it to prepare fruit and whittle wood for about 6 months now, 'tis still almost as sharp as new) and it is quite inoffensive-looking so when I use it at the office, no one looks worried. Best part? Swmbo thinks it's cute so I don't get the Look when I fiddle with it

Fallkniven PXL
A recent arrival (thanks Charity!), ordered this on a whim as I thought it looked elegant. When it arrived, it wasn't quite what I expected: less elegant, more workhorse. But it's grown on me and is taking its place among my favourites! The finish wasn't quite perfect (tiny gap between liner and scales) but no matter, it's a solid and secure handle with a tough liner lock. But the real selling point is the blade. It's a good, slightly convex spearpoint and 3G steel is, as stated above, oh so impressive. Out of the box, this was even sharper than my U1 - a bald forearm in one fell stroke , as well as a very thoroughly sliced fingertip when I closed it one-handed without paying attention. I've not yet taken it out camping to put it through its paces, but so far it's taken everything I've thrown at it. I've fallen for this in a big way - it's a winner.

Kershaw Leek
Wanted a small wharnie-type so thought I'd go for one of these. Found out they did one in ZDP-189 with a titanium handle, spotted one on eBay and $45 later (gotta love eBay ), here it was. I have to say, this is excellent! Came shaving sharp and has kept its edge well in the 5 months I've had it. It's a tiny flat-ground thin thing and weighs next to nothing, so no heavy work for it, but this is an excellent little food knife (second to none for preparing apples especially - the blade shape makes coring the work of a second). Aside from that, the opening is pretty damn fast, the frame lock quite secure and the overall construction very good. There's even a little lock so you can secure the blade shut to avoid any risk of it flicking open and prodding your particulars if you have it in your trouser pocket. Tidy knife, very simple and damned good for what it is.

Kershaw Blur
When I got the Leek on Ebay, saw this one and basically committed a purchase of opportunity. Moral justification? I'm getting combined shipping so by buying this knife, I'm actually saving money. Riiight. The selling point was the steel: a laminate of 410 sides and SG2 (Super Gold powder steel, hardened to 64-66HRC) core, not too dissimilar from Fallkniven's 3G. I'd played with the Blur in 440A before and liked the action but not the blade, so gave this one a shot. Quite happy with it, too. The steel's not as brilliant as 3G but still very good - far superior to the original 440A version; sharp and durable. I keep it round the house for chores ranging from letter opening to box shredding, wire stripping and general, well, um, cutting random things that appear to be in need of it! The liner lock is good, the assisted opening is bloody fast and the grip is comfortable and secure. I'm not overly fond of recurves because I'm rubbish at sharpening them, but this one has done well by me. A good knife.

Kershaw Cyclone
Acquired this out of a desire to try out Sandvik steel in knives after using so many of their tools, and had recently read a review of Kershaw's assisted opening knives (ChrisR on this forum, if memory serves - thanks buddy!). Am impressed! It's big and tough, and at that price it has become my premier home DIY knife. Good assisted opening action (which you can deactivate), extremely comfortable, safe lock, good edge retention and easy to sharpen with DMTs. It's successfully been through cardboard, wood, plasterboard, lino, grouting and more without damage, so if you're looking for a toolkit knife, go for it!

The Manixes
Got one on the strength of a CutleryScience review. Took it camping. Awesome. Got another. Just as awesome. May get another just for the hell of it. It'd be awesome. This is so far my ultimate camping folder. My black is for camp chores, my green for food prep. They're big enough to be as good as many a fixed blade, but the flat ground leaf-shape blade is also rather versatile: the distal taper means the tip's at home with fine work, while the thick base is up to honest hard work. I've even batonned through branches up to 3in in diameter (cedar, iirc). The lock is incredibly tough. The scales are weather, oil, grit and grime-proof. The ergonomics are excellent and give you a range of grips, and the choil lets you choke right up on it. If I had to depend on one folder out of all those I've handled, this would be it. You need one in your life. Or more

Sog Tomcat
Right - this one was a revenge purchase... When I was a student, I used to go to a shop called Gallyons and have a drool over the knives there... Two in particular had caught my fancy: a Sog Trident and a Sog Tomcat. Fast forward to years later and I finally found one of each to satiate my lust. The Tomcat's not that amazing a knife, but it does hold a special place in the collection. Hollow ground VG-10 clip point, with a slight recurve. Takes and keeps an edge well enough, but I don't actually use it much anymore, thought I fiddle with it a lot. The arc lock is decent but occasionally feels a little shaky. Keep meaning to take it apart and give it a clean and tighten it up, but never get round to it. Still, I like the bugger... and it looks pleasantly mean, too

Benchmade Shoki
Got this earlier today, belated impulse birthday purchase. Am pretty disappointed! Such promise in a knife, but such a letdown... Looks cute enough, I'll grant you that - wood inserts, blued titanium liners, fancy back spacer. Good steel, too. But the good stops there. It's tiny (mea culpa there, had imagined it bigger - hold the jokes, just reread that ) and feels... flimsy? The choil was a nice idea, but the blade goes right down to it and nips at my fingers if I'm not careful. The Nak-Lok is basically a glorified liner lock which you disengage with a stud rather than pushing back the liner itself. Finally, the finish is extremely disappointing: the handle is ok, but the blade looks slightly uneven to me because the plunge lines are slightly different on either side. I'll give it another chance in a few days' time, but otherwise I'll have to get rid of it... I was used to better from Benchmade


Sooo... This concludes a long ramble, but thought it might be fun to talk about a selection of sharps I've bought in the last year or so. Hope you enjoyed it!

Regards to all,

S

[TallNHairyDave]

Nice show amd tell. Many thanks!

Have some Rep.

Am seriously considering getting a Manix now...

[fluffy]

Nice show amd tell. Many thanks!

Have some Rep.

Am seriously considering getting a Manix now...

C'mon Dave, seriously?
GET A MANIX, QUICK!

Nice overview, repped.

[daveathall@btin]

Yep, great post. Have some more rep.

[Danzo]

Nice reading, thanks.

Danzo

[imagedude]

Nice, now go buy an Al Mar Sere 2000.

[mloc]

Yeah Dave get a Manix you neeeeeeeeeeeed one, but not a mini manix they are a bit girly

Also the Blur looks a cracker i shall have to look in to one of those

[bigreddog]

Nice review, very useful

[Diamond Dave]

A good and Interesting thread. Thanks very much.

[tuwalen]

Nice, now go buy an Al Mar Sere 2000.

i have the Sere 2000, now i got a manix, think i'm gonna give the sere to my son and keep the knife for myself

[fluffy]

i have the Sere 2000, now i got a manix, think i'm gonna give the sere to my son and keep the knife for myself

makes sense

[fluffy]

Yeah Dave get a Manix you neeeeeeeeeeeed one, but not a mini manix they are a bit girly

Also the Blur looks a cracker i shall have to look in to one of those

My daughter has one to remind her of the Manix the Police took
She says it's more of a girls knife