Both are an extreme value when you look at the quality compared to the competition.
What do you guys like to carry when you go hiking or backpacking for a day? What I mean in using this as my primary scenario/use is that I’m looking for a knife that is light enough that I don’t notice it’s there (whether in backpack or in pocket), but strong/large enough to use if I have to for whatever reason. Hard to say what, as I wouldn’t plan on using it technically (usually), but things like digging a splinter out, cutting rope, just whatever comes up.
I have an Endura 4 FFG but I’m concerned that the thinner blade may not be quite strong enough for some things that could potentially come up. Would I be better suited with maybe a Griptilian, or even a lighter weight fixed blade knife? I’m looking at around $100.
Let the discussion begin!
Your Endura can handle whatever your need. I carry the Delica when I want a lighter weight knife. Both are excellent choices.
Funny you mention that, I was thinking to myself as I started this thread, “if the general consensus is that the Endura can handle what I need it to, I may pick up a Delica for occasional EDC”.
I carry 2-3 every day and add a fixed blade for day hiking. I have a Leatherman Micra for small stuff, a SAK liner lock with saw blade for general purpose and a Benchmade Griptillian as a heavier blade folder. When hiking I add a Buck Vanguard (about 4" blade) and wire saw.
I carry the fixed blade in case I need to cut limbs, split small wood for a fire, make splints, etc. I once got lost in on a ridge network and the heavier blade was handy for helping get through some brambles and cutting off a small limb for a walking stick. Even a large SAK is not well suited for hacking off small tree limbs, but the saw blade is pretty handy for small stuff.
The Griptillian folder is pretty hard working but if you need hard hacking or cutting every extra inch or half inch of blade helps speed it up. A 5" fixed blade might be even more ideal but I already had the Vanguard for hunting.
Cold Steel Recon Tanto…excellent value and very weather resistant.
I don’t agree with this. I think it can handle “most” things. it’s certainly not as strong as a fixed blade. if I hike or camp, I carry my EDC folder and add a medium fixed blade. from food preparation to general farting around, this is easier done with a fixed blade. a folder is only more convenient to carry in a pocket…
Thanks ra2bach; do you have any suggestions for a fixed blade knife that I can drop into my backpack with around a $100 limit, tops?
several of the ESEE knives are said to be at the top of the spectrum. I have an older D2 RAT 5 that is on the larger size of general purpose with a deep, thick 5" blade that I carry in my pack or the Falkniven S1 that I carry on my belt. both of these are around the $100-150 range and very good performance for the money.
I learned a long time ago that knives don’t have to be expensive to perform well. check out http://knifetests.com/ .
you will see several very expensive knives that rated at the top and also some that don’t do well at all. but what is more surprising is several cheap knives that do very well.
two of my favorite cheap ones are the Mora Clipper/Military and Gerber Prodigy that I got my son.
http://www.lapolicegear.com/geprcocokn.html
it comes with a sheath that can be used on molle or removed for belt use. it’s pretty rugged and at $45 I don’t feel guilty giving it rough use.
Two of my favorite smaller fixed-blade knives are the ESEE Izula and the Benchmade Nim Cub II.
The Izula comes with a better sheath IMHO, but the Nim Cub II has a better handle. I did an orange cord wrap on my Izula. I also bought my wife a pink Izula for her pack.
This is the smallest I would carry for general fixed blade duty. This blade is extremely nice, and razor sharp from the factory. But it does not come with a sheath. I was able to make a simple sheath for it with kydex, and it works alright. They also have a nice blade that is a little bigger also for sale now. Usually they sell much faster.
Look at the #C223 - great Swedish steel, good grip, not too heavy, inexpensive ($20), http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html - doesn’t come with a sheath but that’s easily overcome. Not tacticool, just a very rugged general purpose LARGE knife for camping duties.
A simple SOG seal pup fixed blade in the back pack is what I carry when wandering about…
That looks like a great knife as well. Is it true the Navy Seals carry SOG knives, or is that more of marketing hype, I wonder? The SOG is my favorite so far, but I’m the type that researches for way the hell too long before spending anything more than a few bucks lol so I’ll keep reading up on different options.
I’m looking to buy a Kabar Becker BK7 Combat Utility for such things, pretty stout looking blade for the price, $63 shipped from Amazon. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, and less money, there is a review of the Kabar USN Mk1 a few threads down. I think that’s a pretty nice blade for the money.
It’s hard to tell from pictures, are those knives flat on the back side of the blade (or ‘top’ side with sharpened edge facing down)?
I’m pretty sure they have a double bevel edge.
Me personaly when I’m in the woods I prefer a 5in fixed blade. My favorite is my Swamprat HRLM in Okuden sheath. Or certain other Busse kin blades in the 5in-7in catagory.
But since your looking for a folder in the $100 range I’d go with Benchmade, Spyderco or Zero Tollerance although I’m not sure if ZT has anything in the $100 range currently. A Leatherman multi-tool is hard to beat as well.
I always take a folder into the woods as well. I’ve got a TOPS Thunder Hawk that I take because it is the lightest folder I own and while it is a decent folder its my least fovorite and I wouldn’t cry if I lost it, unlike my Striders. 690co steel is one of the best bangs for your buck when it comes to stainless and while it has a titanium and G10 handle and is a frame lock I don’t think its worth the $250 price tag at all. I also don’t prefer cylicone washers or tip down carry and I can’t stand blade wiggle when locked open, my biggest complaint with this knife and Emersons