Let’s sum up our rating of excellent folders for everyday wear. We’ve listed them in ascending price order, so you’ll be able to easily find something that fits within your budget.
1. Kershaw Shuffle II
- Steel – 8Cr13MoV;
- Blade length – 67mm;
- Weight – 86 gr;
- Lock type – liner lock;
- Type of sharpening – hollow grind with supplies.
A cute kid who is designed for serious work. An impressive backspacer immediately catches the eye, acting as a lanyard hole, can opener, and a slotted screwdriver. The blade itself is small, but it is enough for everyday tasks.
There are several blade options in the series, including tanto and serrated blades. The thin pads on the handle are made of GRN – nylon with fiberglass, they fit nicely in the hand, despite the small size. Clip of medium hardness, suitable for deep wearing.
2. Kershaw Fraxion
- Steel – 8Cr13MoV;
- Blade length – 70mm;
- Weight – 54 gr;
- Lock type – liner lock;
- Type of sharpening – hollow grind with supplies.
Small flipper from designer Jens Anso. The knives are presented in several colors, and their appearance can vary from tactical to quite casual. Although the knife is budget, the model is equipped with axial bearings and all moving parts fit very well.
A small flipper requires effort to open, but the blade fires with a resounding pop. The blade is coated with stonewash, which makes it a little easier to care for the pocket knife. Sharpening from the factory is very decent, and the geometry and size of the blade make it easy to cut any food.
3. Mr.Blade Zipper
- Steel – D2;
- Blade length – 80mm;
- Weight – 102gr;
- Lock type – liner lock;
- Type of sharpening – flat with supplies.
Versatile folder with a neutral design and smart colors in two versions: black and white and bright orange. Of the obvious advantages – a very reliable lock, uncharacteristic for liners. The blade does not add up even from strong blows to the butt.
The mechanics fit quite accurately, causing a persistent feeling of having a bearing, although there are ordinary copper and Teflon washers. The geometry of the knife, assembly, and finishing are inexplicably attractive, you don’t want to let go of the knife. The blade has a very decent factory sharpening out of the box, and thanks to the slopes from the butt, it cuts products perfectly. The clip is soft, with a deep fit.
4. Cold Steel working man
- Steel – 1.4116 Krupp;
- Blade length – 89mm;
- Weight – 94gr;
- Lock type – Tri-Ad Lock;
- Type of sharpening – hollow with supplies.
A lifetime classic knife from wrestler Steve Austin with a telling name. The knife is very hardy and unpretentious, and its lock allows it to work on black. The downside is that you most likely won’t be able to open and close it with one hand. The handle is made of grippy thermoplastic and does not slip in wet or greasy hands. The overlays are made in different colors, among them there are acid-bright ones, which help to find the knife in the semi-darkness.
5. Boker AKS-74
- Steel – AUS8;
- Blade length – 85mm;
- Weight – 120g;
- Lock type – button lock;
- Sharpening type – compound.
Decent automatic knives can very rarely be bought for money, and this knife is just one of them. The series includes many options for colors and blade profiles, among which there is even a gold-plated version. The knife is massive and kondovy, with a grippy handle. The manufacturer himself claims that they can dig holes and chop wood, but we will not be able to check this.
Be that as it may, the automation works very well, the button does not stick, there is no backlash. The mechanism is equipped with a safety lock on the back of the handle. The clip is of medium hardness, designed for a deep fit. A separate plus for a box in the form of a magazine from AK, a knife in such a box is a good gift in itself.
6. Cold Steel Recon
- Steel – AUS8;
- Blade length – 104mm;
- Weight – 147gr;
- Lock type – Tri-Ad Lock;
- Type of sharpening – hollow grind with supplies.
The legendary Recon got into the Damascus rating with a big scratch, it is very large and “tactical”. But this is truly amazing stuff. It comes in a variety of steels and profiles, but the most authentic is tanto. Not only does it look amazing, but it also cuts great, and the secure lock is great for serious work.
Cold Steel wouldn’t be Cold Steel if they didn’t release an XL version of this knife, with a blade length of just under 15 centimeters. It looks even more impressive, and although it does not fit into the Damascus concept at all, it still has an army of fans.
7. Zero Tolerance 0460
- Steel – CPM S35VN;
- Blade length – 83mm;
- Weight – 65gr;
- Lock type – frame lock;
- Type of sharpening – flat with supplies.
Stunning elegant lightweight knife from designer Dmitry Sinkevich. Ergonomics and finish are a physical pleasure. The handle is made of titanium with a carbon lining. The blade is made of CPM S35VN powdered super steel, hardened to 59 Rockwell, opens with a flipper, and a pair of bearings. In the West, such folders are called “Suit knives” – knives for a suit.
Despite all its functionality, it is mostly a stylish accessory, like an expensive watch. It is not very fair to name this particular knife in the first place because the entire ZT line from Sinkevich deserves it equally. We can talk about ZT products for a very long time, but without unnecessary aspirations, let’s say that these knives are the best for their money, there is simply nothing to complain about.
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