Best Folding Knife Recommendations
- Thread starter Alan
- Start date
BKLooney
Well-known member
I've got shoeboxes of knives around here, all different types. Large & small folders, trappers, Barlow's, etc...nowadays most go for the tacticool knives...
I have gone back to the type of knife I used to carry when I worked in the coal mines years ago, used to be called electrician's knives. Mostly due to having the screwdriver/prybar blade as I can abuse it for a lot of stuff you'll wreck a cutting blade with. About $17 bucks on Amazon, if it breaks it's cheap and easily replaced.
Before reverting back to this as my carry blade I was carrying a Spyderco Manix 2 Knife Dark Blue G-10 or a Cold Steel Recon 1, both are fantastic knives, expensive knives, but when someone asks to "borrow" your knife you are hesitant to hand it over because it's usually gonna be abused...the old electrician's knife can be handed over without worry. It stays absolutely razor sharp and I probably use it a dozen times a day for various tasks.
I have gone back to the type of knife I used to carry when I worked in the coal mines years ago, used to be called electrician's knives. Mostly due to having the screwdriver/prybar blade as I can abuse it for a lot of stuff you'll wreck a cutting blade with. About $17 bucks on Amazon, if it breaks it's cheap and easily replaced.
Before reverting back to this as my carry blade I was carrying a Spyderco Manix 2 Knife Dark Blue G-10 or a Cold Steel Recon 1, both are fantastic knives, expensive knives, but when someone asks to "borrow" your knife you are hesitant to hand it over because it's usually gonna be abused...the old electrician's knife can be handed over without worry. It stays absolutely razor sharp and I probably use it a dozen times a day for various tasks.
My everyday carry knife for the last 7 years has been a Pro-Tech Magic Whiskers auto-knife. It has a hidden release and I don't have to be concerned about it opening in my pocket. I think Pro-Tech's are exceptional quality.
My camping knives are KA-BAR's. I know you said folding, but I added them anyway.
My camping knives are KA-BAR's. I know you said folding, but I added them anyway.
ClinchValley86
New member
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- Jul 8, 2025
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I need one of those electrician knives. Have only seen a couple in person.
Im partial to a carbon steel knife. Figure id mention that. Not much of a fan of stainless, but thats the majority of what's available now that I see.
Im partial to a carbon steel knife. Figure id mention that. Not much of a fan of stainless, but thats the majority of what's available now that I see.
BKLooney
Well-known member
The ones you can find today are stainless, like you I'd rather just have good carbon steel. The steel in these will take a good razor edge and the edge lasts pretty decently.
Here's you a link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Rider-...ough+rider+electrician's+knife,aps,102&sr=8-2
ClinchValley86
New member
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- Jul 8, 2025
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Appreciate that!
My Papaw is a Rough Rider fan... i haven't touched many. Going to order one or three.
Case xx large stockman high carbon not stainless I’ve been carrying one for 40 years best all around knife made IMHO
mckenziedg1
New member
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- Aug 5, 2025
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Grit Knives: The Hunters Scalpel
The Guv'nor
Personally have the Guv'nor; it's pretty big to carry around but great quality. I also like a CRKT KZ-01(KS, KZ, S, DZ) super sleek, barely noticeable in your pocket....however very easy to misplace as it seems; I've been lost 3 of them so far
The Guv'nor
Personally have the Guv'nor; it's pretty big to carry around but great quality. I also like a CRKT KZ-01(KS, KZ, S, DZ) super sleek, barely noticeable in your pocket....however very easy to misplace as it seems; I've been lost 3 of them so far
I've always been partial to the Case Trappers. I bought my 1st one when I was 10 or 11 (that's +60 years ago!). The full size served me well for years, but over the past 5-6 years I've carried the smaller mid-sized trapper. I have ones with stainless as well as the carbon steel blades (I rotate them out every week or so).
I also carry a Boker Kalashnikov automatic. There are several varieties for the Boker automatic knives to choose from.
My wife teases me about "always" having a knife - IF my pants have a pocket, I have at least one! LOL!
The Trapper on top is my oldest, and as you can see - its been sharpened - A LOT! I found the bottom one on a drilling rig location and could never locate the owner, so it came home with me. The Boker Automatic is my "other" EDC knife.
WYT-P
Skyhunter
I also carry a Boker Kalashnikov automatic. There are several varieties for the Boker automatic knives to choose from.
My wife teases me about "always" having a knife - IF my pants have a pocket, I have at least one! LOL!
The Trapper on top is my oldest, and as you can see - its been sharpened - A LOT! I found the bottom one on a drilling rig location and could never locate the owner, so it came home with me. The Boker Automatic is my "other" EDC knife.
WYT-P
Skyhunter
Last edited:
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- Sep 8, 2025
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- 67
I have a small collection of folding knives. For the longest, I carried a Kutmaster three blade stockman in my back pocket.
Sat on it ever-day - used it every day. Then I started looking for BOKER knives that were made in Soligen Germany. I think Boker has moved to South America. I have a few lock backs, Buck, Spyderco, and Benchmade. For the past ten years my knives of choice are the two bladed canoe pattern. You don’t know it’s in your pocket and durable enough to withstand daily use. In more recent times I moved away from all brands but one. My pocket knife of choice is Case XX two bladed canoe w/ SS blades
If you ever carry a canoe you will understand. They are getting hard to find because everyone seems to desire a tactical knife. To each his own.
Sat on it ever-day - used it every day. Then I started looking for BOKER knives that were made in Soligen Germany. I think Boker has moved to South America. I have a few lock backs, Buck, Spyderco, and Benchmade. For the past ten years my knives of choice are the two bladed canoe pattern. You don’t know it’s in your pocket and durable enough to withstand daily use. In more recent times I moved away from all brands but one. My pocket knife of choice is Case XX two bladed canoe w/ SS blades
If you ever carry a canoe you will understand. They are getting hard to find because everyone seems to desire a tactical knife. To each his own.
