Recommend me a folding knife

[Cupboard]

I've recently got a Vic SwissTool Spirit, which I love, but I'm really missing the OHO blade from my Wave. To the extent that I'm now carrying a Skeletool at work just so I can have a nice OHO blade. Thing is, the Skeletool is far bigger bodied than I really need a blade to be. I think therefore, that I need a knife. My only folding knife at the moment is an ancient SAK that I love but is completely unsuitable.

So, I'm after something not horrifically expensive (I might stretch to £40 but cheaper would be good) with a one hand opening and closing locking blade and that's about it. Plain edge or combo edge - I thought I'd hate the Skeletool blade but actually I really like it - whatever it is needs to be fairly easy to sharpen. I'm not too bothered about the steel, Leatherman's 420HC has served me well and when you're an idiot with it it's easy to fix. Blade length of somewhere between the Skeletool and the Wave, so 2.5-3 inches. Blade shape... well... something with a decent belly see LM Wave/Skeletool again. I won't have a Wharncliffe or a Tanto under any circumstances and for this sort of thing I don't want a sheepsfoot.

If the Victorinox Sentinel didn't have the backwards liner lock so you needed two hands to close it I'd have bought that by now - that sort of thing would be ideal. The classic Spyderco leaf shape seems a bit fat to me - I'm liable to want to stab the blade through something (non-human!) and wiggle it about. I like the shape of the Byrd Cara Cara 2 but it's a bit big and has a lock on the back.

I hope I'm not being too demanding! TIA 
On a final note, if you're thinking "I've got the perfect thing sat in my drawer over there" - I'd be delighted with something second hand so long as I can clean it up and get some use out of it

[kirk13]

SRM710,or a SRM HO2!

Cheap as chips,and smurfing good,or have a look at a Byrd Tern!

[AimlessWanderer]

Byrd Tern for sure  The SamRenMu H02 is a nice cheap knife but lacks the pocket clip and the ergonomics aren't as nice as the Tern. If you're OK with locking blades, you can get a Buck X-Tract Essential from a couple of the Chinese sites for very little money which feels quite nice in the hand, has a deep carry pocket clip, and also has some long wide opening scissors (a good compliment to the Spirit's scissors which are strong but lack depth of cut), and OHO flat and Phillips drivers

[Cupboard]

Thanks for the input, I rather like the look of those SRM knives. I'll do a bit more investigating whilst my dinner cooks!

50ft-trad: I'd looked at the Tern and I like it but it isn't locking, but having nearly chopped the end of my finger off with my old Kick I really want a locker. Sorry. If I was after a non-work knife that would definitely be one of my top choices 

I've just found the Wenger Ranger 51, which would be perfect if it was a bit smaller

[82brutus]

I don't own one yet, but because you own several leatherman already, have you looked at the leatherman knives?  Maybe the c33?

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks for the input, I rather like the look of those SRM knives. I'll do a bit more investigating whilst my dinner cooks!

50ft-trad: I'd looked at the Tern and I like it but it isn't locking, but having nearly chopped the end of my finger off with my old Kick I really want a locker. Sorry. If I was after a non-work knife that would definitely be one of my top choices 

I've just found the Wenger Ranger 51, which would be perfect if it was a bit smaller

OK, then be aware the H02 is non-locking too 

[enki_ck]

If you like the Cara Cara (I have two, and yes, they're big) then maybe you might like the Byrd Raven? It's a liner lock.

EDIT: I just checked the specs. Slightly smaller but still not UK legal at 3,5in blade length (Cutting edge is 2.875 though). Well neither is any locking knife soooo ...

BTW, the SRM 710 is a good inexpensive knife, usually available for under $8 shipped worldwide.

http://www.spyderco.com/c...g/details.php?product=299

[Nikos]

You may want to have a look at the UK Legal Carry Thread! thread before branching out for a folder.

[AimlessWanderer]

I don't own one yet, but because you own several leatherman already, have you looked at the leatherman knives?  Maybe the c33?

Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

The C33 is a good call. I got gifted one which I use occasionally. Byrd knives in general are a good thing to look at. They are good value and don't use stupid steels which will chip out and take an hour or two to rectify. I think Kershaws have some decent budget work knives too

[Cupboard]

I really like the look of the SRM 710, but $8 shipped? Where?

Amazon has it for £16 which seems pretty cheap to me: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009UALGMC/

I think I might just go for it because it does look ideal.

I'd looked at the Leatherman knives but they just seemed a bit awkward to fold in the videos.

Nikos: thanks for the heads up but I don't care if it's legal EDC or not. It's for work and I need a knife so IMO not an issue. If a policeman wanted to come on to a farm and complain about a knife, I think we'd all be arrested My favourite is one kept in a loader as "un-nickable", it's a bit of metal loosely shaped with an angle grinder and shoved in to a bit of water pipe

[bmot]

http://www.exduct.com/tactical-knife/sanrenmu-srm-tactical-folding-knife-knives-710.html

There


Will take some time shipping from china, though.

[Taxi Dad]

maybe a bit off what your loking for, but have you ever looked at the 'gerber EAB'
http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-41830-Pocket-Knife-Exchange/dp/B0016KHW2W
great little work knife.
i have had to buy some of my freinds these as gifts cos they loved mine so much. one of my mates dropped his in 6 tonnes of wet cement that was then pumped into a base and he then found it and rised it off and is still using it !

[Yalius]

I was going to suggest a Kershaw Skyline but then I checked the price on Amazon.co.uk and holey moley it's £65!

Try looking at the Kershaw Select Fire. It's  £32 apparently and it's a stellar little knife. Tosses in a 1/4" hex bit driver as well.

[skidoosh]

Spyderco Pingo or UKPK

[jerseydevil]

If you're not concerned about locking blades, I'd say take a look at Kershaws.  For the money it's hard to find a better knife IMO.  At work my favorite is the Needs Work, though you did say no Wharncliffes.  The Select Fire is a nice knife, and the bit driver is actually pretty good.  Another is the Cryo - 2 3/4" blade, assisted opening, 8Cr13Mov steel which takes a nice edge but is easy to sharpen, and a great pocket clip.  I got one last week and I absolutely love it.    The EAB is another nice choice, though rather nontraditional.  I usually have one clipped in the 5th pocket of my jeans while at the store.  For dirty cutting jobs I use it with no hesitation, and when it gets dull you just replace the razor.  I keep a large pack of Stanley FatMax blades in our back room to feed it.

[Cupboard]

but then I checked the price on Amazon.co.uk and holey moley it's £65!

Good prices we get here in the UK

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm just waiting for Ant-Supplies to get back to me about my age as they have SanRenMu knives in the UK and for a non-silly prices.

[AdmSlc]

I think the Spyderco Tenatuous would serve you well.

[enki_ck]

Didn't realize the SRM 710 price went up. I bought a few of them when they came back in stock about a year ago on discount. I still have 5 left if they ever disappear from the market again.

[Gareth]

I think the Spyderco Tenatuous would serve you well.

I've not got one myself, but I do keep hearing good things about the Tenacious.

For myself I use a Byrd Tern all the time.  Because of the choil (where your forefinger sits) it's next to impossible to close accidentally.  Also good knife sense helps.

I also have a SRM 710 and it's a very nice knife for the money.  The Tern gets a lot more use though.

[dks]

I never really got along with the SRM710.
I suggest you pay a bit more and get the SRM763. Lighter, smooth solid lock and has a bottle opener too.

[Cupboard]

Thought I'd update the thread.

My SRM 710 arrived this morning for the princely sum of £9 delivered from ant-supplies.co.uk (mods: please remove the link if it's naughty but I can't find any rules about links anywhere)

I have to say it's very nice, so thanks 

It opens and closes slightly differently to a Leatherman but that was to be expected and is fine, it's still easy to do one handed. It came nicely sharp out of the packet and locks up perfectly with no blade play at all.

Seeing as I'd budgeted for a bit more I threw in a 717 too. That's not so good unfortunately. It arrived covered in oil, the blade is held very tightly shut when it's closed and the lock only just catches the tang of the blade to hold it open. I guess as it wears a bit more it might improve - if you force it across it will go. However, it was sharp too and it's really light, and that's why I bought it. If you hold it by the blade it's much easier to open than using the thumb hole...

And now I've got a sore thumb from opening and closing my new toys too much  I'd cut it last week after sharpening the Sketool ("that doesn't look very sharp, I'll just... Ouch!") and this hasn't helped.

[Sparky415]

Just seen this
Have you discovered Svord friction folders yet Cupboard?

http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Svord-Knives/Peasant-Knife-Wood/p-92-695-4444/

but maybe a mini would suit you better?

http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Svord-Knives/Peasant-Mini/p-92-695-9631/

Just putting an idea out there 

(I love Svords, fun knives but they need a little work when you get them)

[Cupboard]

oooh, those look nice!

Damnit, I don't need any more knives 

[Sparky415]

There’s a few threads on the forum if you do a search 

Just a couple
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,40781.msg656789.html#msg656789

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,35183.msg568427.html#msg568427