I currently carry a CRKT M21 14SFG as a primary and a Kershaw speed safe tanto as a back up. I am looking for the best combat folder to use if my weapon jams. A fighting knife should be extra strong especially in the lock. It should also have a handel designed in such a way that you wont lose your grip even when not using a thumb or pinky end hold. Im not impressed with 5.11, kershaw, crkt, benchmade, gerber, smith and wesson etc. BTW I carry a cold steel rajah when on a hike but dont feel comfortable carrying a 6 inch in public. Is there a super strong 4-4.5 inch folder out there? The CRKt doesnt look all that strong…
http://www.coldsteel.com/rajahseries.html
http://www.crusaderforge.com/TACTICALCUSTOMFOLDERSCF.htm
pretty strong but have to wait, if your military they well try too meet your deployment.
http://www.xtremeknives.com/rao.html
strong folder, cheaper too
I own this I think it’s a pretty good knife
I have a Emerson CQC-11.
I am surprised at how strong and durable the thing is.
Having used a WIDE variety of folding knives over 15+ years I now own and carry only Benchmade folders.
From my experience they have the perfect balance of cost and high quality. They use great steel in their blades, and their locks are solid and strong.
For me I prefer the Axis lock models.
YMMV but for me I only carry Benchmade.
Depends on how much you want to spend. Hinderer XM-18 and Strider come to mind, but you will pay for them.
Jay
If your M21 hasn’t failed you, I’d say don’t worry about upgrading. You know, if it ain’t broke don’t. . . . I have been carrying the M21-04 for years (when did they come out?) and some of those years have seen hard use and what some will say is abuse:
Working with homeless population, our can opener would frequently “walk away” I can’t count the number of times I have punched through the lid of a can and then cut the can open with my M21. I have used it to baton firewood.
You say
I am looking for the best combat folder to use if my weapon jams.
Well, human flesh is not much compared to can metal and fire wood. For your intended use, it is really hard to imagine the M21 not being up to snuff. I view a knife as a tool to be used until used up and then replaced. I don’t expect to “hand down” any knives to my children, they aren’t jewelry, they are tools. The M21 has impressed me with its longevity & I have no qualms about sacrificing a knife to get the job done. Knifemakers can write good ad copy, I can tell you the M21 hasn’t failed.
I find that knives must been seen/handled/compared in person.
If you want super strong, look at frame locks.
My short list would be Strider (SMF, AR, or GB) or a Zero Tolerance.
I like my Emersons, but my SMF is WAY, WAY, WAY stronger than my Super SOCFK.
no one should be butt hurt because you like CRKT knives, I have one and it’s a good knife, the best is always subjective, especially in knives. The rule of you get what you pay for usually applies but there are exceptions, personally if you want a combat folder the ZT 0300 is one of the best bang for the buck knives out there in that category, USA made s30v steel, Strider, Ken Onion design.
My ZT is built like a Russian tank, I have yet to hurt this knife, highly recommended.
I carry a Spyderco Captain and love it
+2 on crusader/trident folders. For the criteria that you listed in your post they would be a good choice. They are more overbuilt than a strider and as close as you can get to fixed blade strength in a folder.
http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71546
Here’s some comparison pics.