Big Folders

[Alfredo]

What do you think about them, guys. Do you use them. Do you think they are useful some way, or not at all.
I like them but at the same time I can’t use a big folder like these in the pics below as an EDC, and when I’m outdoor I like most a 4”-6" fixed blade. But I’m attracted by them anyway. Your thoughs?
Ciao,
Alfredo
From R to L:
Pohl Force Alpha Two D2, Zero Tolerance 0302 Coyote Brown, Extrema Ratio RAO, and CRK Umnumzaan (for comparison)

 

[ged]

Hi Alfredo,

I don't like big folders. They feel awkward to me. I like a big fixed blade if (and in that case because) I can chop with it, but for preference I'll usually use as small a blade as will comfortably do the job. The biggest folder I have is the EKA Super Swede and even that feels a bit too big sometimes.

The scales on your examples all look too flat to me. I like something I can grasp tightly if necessary, but always as comfortably as possible.

HTH.

 

[salad]

If they do the job you want them to. Then I would say they are good mate

 

[trekkingnut]

when you say big folder.....

 

[Retired Member southey]

I have a C.Jul.Herbertz that used to every where with me, but I've gradually moved down in size? I think it's mostly as I have become more used to using a fixed blade for more an more, so moved towards a legal penknife (FRN ukpk) which lives in my pocket and take a small fixed blade when out with the intention of carving stuff.

 

[JonathanD]

I don't use big folders as I find them a pain, much preferring a smaller and lighter knife like the Tenacious or UKPK. They certainly have an attraction though, and I've bought a fair few in the past.

 

[dwardo]

I used to collect folders just like yours but they never left the house due to our EDC laws I wont get into the rights and wrongs of the Law but it still stands that you need a good excuse to carry one and i simply dont unless i am out bushcrafting.

Recently i was too lazy to put and edge back on my main fixed blade (used as a wood scraper when i lost my cab scraper) so i decided to take my Lakes Pal folder instead. Whilst i enjoyed its compactness and the fact its more discrete than a fixed blade i just couldnt get on with it. For starters even though it was a one hand opener its still a case of unclip pouch, open blade, close blade, back in pouch close pouch, now i know it doesnt sound like much but when your using it a lot it gets dull. Most folders are also not very comfortable to use for extended periods - think whittling etc so they loose out again.

So i will stick to my fixed for bushy stuff and my ukpk for EDC.

They do look nice though

 

[marcelxl]

I wanted a big folder (for me anyway!) and not wanting to throw a load of money at one I got a Spyderco Resilience. Not given it much at yet but there's much knife there for your £!

Not sure how much use it will get but I was really thinking for a large (occasional) slicer & food prep knife when on trips.

That said, if work picks up this year significantly I REALLY want a H.E.S.T. folder as a workhorse folder!

 

[mentalnurse]

i use a benchmade ambush 10200. almost replaces a fixed blade for my camping and hiking cant recomend it enough.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/10200

carl

 

[paolo]

The biggest folder that I have is the CRKT M21-04g that's really huge, at least for my hands.
I like a lot the blade shape and the opening is really smooth, with the auto-lawks lock and the stainless frame it's really solid, I think even for heavy duty tasks, but it's really too big to be carried around, with that tactical look, at last until the zombies apocalypse but it was a bargain and I couldn't resist..

You can see it below in some pics, compared to a Spyderco Endura4 serrated in ZDP189 (another one quite large), a DPX Gear HEST folder, a Fallkniven U2 and a Fallkniven F1.

The HEST is my first choice all-purpose folder, a nice shaped fat blade, not too big but very solid, well balanced, I like it a lot, even if it needs some tuning to be perfect (it's a little bit too hard to open). In my opinion it's the best choice if you cannot carry a fixed blade, even for hard tasks.

Cheers Paolo