The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I would get a fixed blade, legally there is no difference between a fixed blade and a locking folder. Youve obviously got the added benefit of no lock to fail with a fixed blade, but they are also easier to clean and keep in good condition. Maybe look at a Mora? Cheap, well made, range of steels and shapes, Heinnnie sell them

The first thing I'd say is that what I'd really recommend is the ESEE Izula II (or the original Izula which is a bit cheaper but has no handle scales). That's $70 (£42 today) including shipping. Well made, good steel, good handle material, and very well designed for precisely the work you describe. It doesn't quite have a negative blade angle because the spine of the knife is straight, but the deep cut away where the first finger sits with the curve down towards the butt of the knife puts the blade in just the right position for carving out wood - which is how you would cut away branches and limbs with a knife that isn't big enough to chop with. Being a fixed blade with a 4mm thick blade, it will not break or close on your fingers. It comes with a kydex-style sheath and a length of paracord so you can either put it in a pocket or bag, attach it to your belt or a pack, or hang it around you neck upside down.

If you do need to have a folding knife though, then I would not recommend a cheapo knife. Get a good framelock or a strong backlock with full steel liners. The ideal choice would be something like a Chris Reeve Sebenza, Strider SNG, Hinderer XM18, or Zero Tolerance 0300, 0301, or 0302. The cheapest of these is £220 if you buy it new in the UK but I have one (a ZT 0302) I'd sell you for less. It has some little scratches on the tip and another on the handle but is sharp and in perfect working order. It is a tank of a knife with a wide, shearing blade that has a recurve shape perfect for cutting rope or seat belts and a strong tip for durability when puncturing tires and the like. It is on the large side though, and weighs about 8 oz.

Cheaper options would be the Benchmade Lum LFTi or MPR, DPX HEST, Boker Epicenter (this knife is known for some cosmetic QC issues - namely machining marks on the pocket clip and misalignment of the two handle pieces - if you do get a dud one Boker should replace it for you but the problem does not affect the function of the knife so you may not even care), Haddock or Anso 67, Spyderco Endura G10 or Delica G10 (make sure it is the G10 version, the regular versions do not have full steel liners). The cheapest of these is £120.

If you can't stretch to that, then the only things I can think to suggest are the Byrd Cara Cara, Flight, or Meadowlark.

Hi DM,

It's difficult to recommend something that would do all the things you want - A small knife would do most of it, but you'd need something bigger for 'hide work'. Folding saws are good - I have a Bancho, it's very light, but slightly bigger than 'pocket size' - but there are many others.

I've always though fixed blade and locking blades are best, but recently got a small folding Spyderco from SimG - It is very good - the placement of your index finger helps to stop the blade folding, and you'd have to use some force on the point to make it fold over on to your fingers.

How could I forget! If you are on a budget, try the Sanrenmu 710. It is made in China by what is supposedly the same company that makes the Spyderco Byrd line, as well as the Tenacious line, and used to make the Benchmade Red Class line before it was discontinued (these are Chinese-made lines offered by American companies and known to be of superior quality compared to most of the junk knives that come out of that country, and sell for 6 or 7 times the cost of a Sanrenmu branded knife), for the internal Chinese market but having been discovered by the American and European knife-buying public retailers have started exporting it.

The Chinese 8cr13MoV steel won't hold an edge as long as Japanese VG-10 or American S30V or 154CM, and it isn't as 'stainless' as a lot of 'stainless steels' but for six or seven quid who can complain! It's finished ok and solidly built. Keep it dry and sharpen it regularly (as in after each use if you're cutting branches and the like) and it should serve you well.

Watcher wrote:This is my general knife; A SwissArmy Forrester; ...
... but I carry it as a Scout leader.

But it is missing the one vital part ... that extra special tool for getting Scouts out of Girl Guides!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply, especially Porcupine who has a depth of knowledge on the subject.

I will balance up quality V's cost over the possibility of getting it stolen etc and make a decision. If I get to the Bisley live event I might pick something up there,

DM

Polchraine wrote:

Watcher wrote:This is my general knife; A SwissArmy Forrester; ...
... but I carry it as a Scout leader.

But it is missing the one vital part ... that extra special tool for getting Scouts out of Girl Guides!

Well, that's got my attention .

Regards

Phil*.

I like and use Opinels.

dromia wrote:I like and use Opinels.

Mine must be 35 years old now, snapped the tip off within a week other than that it holds a nice edge and is a handy knife. Sadly it is deemed to be illegal now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-1800 ... picks=true

Some history here.

Interesting to read what they were and what they are now.
MP3 player :lol: