How to choose the best folding, automatic knives, what to look for when buying.

It is difficult to imagine the life of any person without a good tool in everyday life or hunting. All models are divided into different types and types. Both in terms of design features and purpose. One of these criteria is the presence of a fixed or folding blade. Today we will talk specifically about the best folding knives, how to choose them correctly, and list the rating of the most popular models and manufacturers.

Modern folding knife.

Types of warehouses

Despite its great popularity and a separate niche, the folding tool is still one of the types of traditional tools with a special hole in the handle into which the blade can be removed. This concept was borrowed from the very popular branded Swiss knives that were made for the army.

However, if you look at the times of Ancient Rome, you will find that even then a large number of people used folding knives and carried them in their pockets or fastened to their belts. Of course, they had a very simple design, but the history of their appearance goes back to those times.

The design, as well as the shape of knives, changed with the development of production, the advent of various materials and technologies. Folding knives are also called penknives. Opening such a tool occurs with one hand due to the inertial mechanism or in automatic mode (by pressing a button).

There were two directions in the evolution of locks on folding knives:

First of all, the emphasis was placed on fixation while the blade is in the open state.
The next step was experiments with opening the knife with one hand and automatically ejecting the blade.

Among fans of folding knives, there is no consensus on which lock is best, because each person chooses the model that suits him.

Folding knife with cover.
You can open the “folder”:

with one hand using physical force;
opening the knife with both hands;
opening with one hand, removing from the lock using inertia or thanks to the work of a spring;
opening without the help of hands can be done if the stop on the butt is attached to the edge of the pocket;
automatic opening through a latch;
Opening a knife with both hands is the slowest, and automatically will therefore be the fastest.

What types of locks are there on folding knives?

Folding knives have a fairly large selection of locking latches in their arsenal. I would like to dwell on the most common folding knife locks:

Arc Lock – This type of lock has a metal pin that runs in an arc and on a rocker arm. With a locking lock, the pin is located on a moving element.
Axis Lock - a metal spring as a pin. The latch is considered durable, but it cannot be called reliable. The blade holds securely both open and closed, but dirt ingress over a short period of time can damage the knife.
Back Lock – in this version, the push-button lock is moved to the head of the handle. A reliable and durable spring is placed inside the handle. Thanks to this design, the knife looks solid both when folded and unfolded.
Bladelock - With this lock, the closing element is a lever that is located directly on the blade on which the peg is located. The knife folds when you press the peg.
Button Lock - this lock was originally invented for automatic knives. But in recent years it has been adapted for manual use. Now, to open the knife, you need to push the blade past the peg or washer with your fingernail.
Compression Lock - this lock opens using a special peg located in the handle. Planning drawings were created based on the classic version.
Frame Lock - here the closing spring is part of the handle, and not a metal plate, as is presented in some other options. The frame lock handle is made of steel. Thanks to this clamp, there are no unnecessary parts in the knife, which adds simplicity and convenience.
Liner Lock - unusual folding knives with this type of locking have a reliable design and therefore can withstand heavy loads on the blade. This is the most popular type of lock as it is reliable and easy to operate.
Slip Joint and Friction Folder – when open, the blade is fixed due to the friction force of the “tail” in the axial part against the handle. This type of lock is considered simplified.
Ball bearing Lock – in this lock, instead of a locking element, there is a ball with a diameter of 9.5 mm. The entire load is transferred through the ball to the separating recess, which is located between the dies.
Ram safe Lock is a simple and at the same time very reliable lock, the developers did their best. To fold the knife, you need to pull the end of the handle. The design is based on a spring, a pin and a plate, which locks the blade when open.
Ratchet Clasp - this clamp has a special plate that is located on the handle and has a cutout for 1 tooth. To fold the knife, you need to lift this plate. On some models there is a trim ring on it.
Rolling Lock - in this version, the pin is completely inside the handle. To open or close the knife, you need to move the peg.
Stud Lock – in models with such a lock, the lock is located on the blade and is a pin with a spring. When opening the knife, the peg fits into a slot located on the handle. If you pull the peg, the blade will retract.
Tri-Ad Lock - this option is developed on the basis of the classic lock. In its arsenal it has a locking pin between the rocker arm and the heel of the blade.
Ti-Lock is an original lock that is located on the blade. To fold the knife, you need to lift the pin and remove the blade.
Ultra Lock - A spring-loaded pin runs along a U-shaped notch in the heel of the blade. You can open and close the knife using a special peg located on the handle.
Virobloc (Ring Lock, Cogwheel Lock, Collar Lock) - a metal coupling, having a longitudinal cut, acts as a lock. When open, the blade is securely locked, but the clutch also works when closed. To fix the blade, the clutch must be turned.

Virobloc folding knife.

Lock selection criteria

To decide what kind of retainer you need, you should ask yourself:

how do you want to open the knife: manually or automatically;
Is it important that the knife is resistant to dirt;
how durable should the knife be;
What is the main purpose of the knife?

Price categories

Also, knives are divided into categories according to cost and design complexity:

Simple folders without blade lock. They break down very quickly and are unreliable.
Budget options with several functions. These are mainly products made in Russia and China, which are not of good quality, as well as higher quality models from the Swiss brand Victorinox.
High-quality Chinese copies of expensive brand models with minor design and engineering changes.
Expensive American and European brands, made from the highest quality steel grades and known throughout the world.

Rules of care

In order for a folding knife to serve for many years, it is recommended to regularly care for the blade and handle:

The blade is wiped with oil and then the surface is dried. If the blade has been exposed to sea water, after returning home it should be rinsed in plain water, wiped with a dry cloth and lubricated with oil.
Caring for your weapon should be done in advance, without waiting for problems to arise. Otherwise, due to the accumulation of dirt, the mechanism will quickly fail.
Do not treat the blade with sewing machine oil. The best option for cleaning the surface is a solvent or solvent.
It is convenient to remove dirt using consumables such as napkins, toothpicks, and cotton swabs.
GOI paste perfectly polishes the surface, but has a significant drawback - it accumulates in hard-to-reach areas, from where it is then difficult to get it out.
It is recommended to periodically treat the wooden handle with oil. This will extend the service life, since the wood will not dry out.
For processing metal parts, it is recommended to use polishes intended for this type of metal.
Wood is sensitive to chemicals. Therefore, before using an unfamiliar product, it is advisable to test its effect on some inconspicuous area of the handle.
The surface cleaned of dirt is treated with white spirit. Do this with gloves, otherwise fingerprints will remain on the metal.
If there is no hunting in the near future, the degreased knife is treated with oil and stored.
Different regions of the world have their own characteristics when choosing lubricants. For example, in Japan it is recommended to use camellia oil, and in Russia castor oil is popular. However, the disadvantage of both types is their short shelf life. A much more reliable option is factory gun lubricant.
Particular care is required for the hinges. Non-removable structures are thoroughly washed under high pressure water, dried with a hairdryer, and lubricated with oil. The amount of lubricant should be moderate, otherwise in winter the mechanism may jam. In a collapsible design, the main attention is paid to lubrication of the anti-friction washer.

Selecting a quality product

All folding models are also divided by functionality, the choice of which determines the purpose of purchasing the weapon: for hunting, fishing, everyday use at home, as a self-defense weapon, etc. Therefore, all advice from experienced users on choosing comes down to one simple thing: if you are buying a tool without a specific purpose, opt for a classic and a good quality folding knife.

Don't chase a store with millions of functions for all occasions. Most likely you will use its main part - the blade. Therefore, you should not choose a complex structural form. A high-quality product for everyday tasks will suit you best.

Browning 337 folding knife.

When choosing a folding knife, you need to pay attention to the following criteria.

Steel quality

As for steel, pay attention to one that has a hardness of 58-60 Rockwell units. If you are not going to clean your weapon, then it will be better if the steel contains more than 12% chromium, which will protect the weapon from rusting processes.

How comfortable is the handle, does it not slip in your hand?

When it comes to choosing a handle, the first thing you should pay attention to is its convenience. If you are not a hunter, then you should not pay attention to those materials that do not stick to your hand in the cold, warm up easily and do not slip from moisture when processing an animal carcass. The most common for the common man are inexpensive but high-quality materials such as fiberglass, textolite and others.

Factory sharpening and retainer

In a warehouse, you also need to pay attention to the quality of the mechanism. It is unlikely that you need a situation in which you decide to use a knife for the first time in several months, while you struggle with opening it for a long time, and then at the most inopportune moment, due to a poor-quality mechanism, the knife involuntarily folds. You just risk getting a very nasty cut.

The main rule: the knife should open easily with one hand, and close so as not to leave you without fingers. Also pay attention to the fact that the blade does not move around in the place of fixation with the handle - if this is not the case, then this is a clear sign of a poor-quality mechanism. Knives with a mechanical mechanism will be of the highest quality - they will last longer than those with an automatic mechanism. But opening a knife with an automatic mechanism is much more convenient and faster.

Appearance

Also, be sure to pay attention to the size and do not go for a large blade. The most important thing about such a knife is that you always have it at hand. If you have it at home “just in case,” then most likely you simply don’t need it at all.

Material

When purchasing, you should pay attention to the material from which the product is made. If you want to buy an item that will be useful and last for many years, it is worth taking a little time to learn some basic information about the materials used in its production.

The main material for manufacturing is steel, that is, an alloy of iron and carbon.

Other metals such as titanium or cobalt alloys, non-metallic materials such as sintered ceramics, plastics and laminates reinforced with glass or carbon fibers are used much less frequently.

The choice of materials and their processing are important for the durability of both the entire blade and the cutting edge itself. The higher the quality of the materials, the longer the product will remain sharp and solid.

However, this is a complex issue with several factors.

The most important of them:

strength (the ability of a material to withstand loads that cause deformation);
abrasion resistance (material’s resistance to the formation of losses due to friction);
impact strength (the resistance of a material to cracks as a result of dynamic loads such as impacts or sudden pressing of a lever);
elasticity (the ability of a material to return to its original shape after the cessation of deformation forces).

The complex of these properties determines the characteristics of individual steel grades, but only appropriate heat treatment (hardening, tempering, freezing) improves and balances them.

Generally, the purpose of heat treatment is to impart a suitable hardness to the steel, which in the case of knives is typically between 53 and over 63 HRC (Rockwell hardness).

A separate issue is corrosion, which is almost 100% dependent on the chemical composition of the material. In the case of steel, the element most responsible for corrosion is chromium - the more of it, the more corrosion-resistant the steel, while an increase in chromium content causes a decrease in impact strength.

The best foreign brands

The history of some manufacturers of folding knives goes back hundreds of years, as high-quality specimens have always been in great demand. Some knives can show the status of their owner. The main thing is to purchase a weapon in a specialized and trusted store so as not to run into Chinese folding knives, although among them there are already very worthy copies of popular models. We present the best manufacturers:

Zero Tolerance Knives . American company. Despite its youth, the company has managed to establish itself as a top manufacturer and do more than some brands in its long history. Zero, together with Kershaw, took a very meticulous and thorough approach to creating a line of its folding boxes. This is an interesting appearance, and the quality of assembly and materials. The company's assortment includes many first-class knives to suit any requests and needs. Manufacturer of knives Zero Tolerance Knives.
Cold Steel. The company on the market since 1980 from the very beginning positioned itself as a “strange manufacturer”, since in addition to knives, the company also produces edged weapons from many years ago such as broadswords, swords, etc. Models from this manufacturer are in one of the lowest price segments, but are quite durable. True, there are only a few folding knives in the company, but they are worth paying close attention to.

Manufacturer of Cold Steel knives.
Victorinox. Reliable folding boxes of Swiss quality and a symbol in the form of a cross - this is already a very popular global brand. This company produces knives for the Swiss army. Multifunctional knives of this brand are especially popular. So-called multitools.

Knife manufacturer Victorinox.
Gerber. The company is equipped, as they say, with the latest technology and one of its features is the tireless pursuit of excellence.

Knife manufacturer Gerber.
Emerson Knives . The company's history began in the early 80s, when the company's founder produced the first custom product in the garage of his home. Due to the manual production method, the cost of Emerson brand models is quite high.

Knife manufacturer Emerson Knives.

Russian manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers are very popular in the knife world due to strong PR. But this does not mean that domestic craftsmen do not know how to create high-quality models. Here are our top manufacturers from Russia:

In the glorious city of Zlatoust among the Ural Mountains there live a large number of craftsmen who carry out work both to order and produce mass models. The city is rightfully considered the modern homeland of damask steel, since some time ago the secret of producing such steel was restored. A popular manufacturer is (specialization: knives for hunting and tourism).
Stanitsa Starominskaya some time ago created a brand called Sander. Knives of this brand are produced in designer copies with an interesting and practical appearance.
In the city of Pavlovo, two companies are famous for the quality of the edged weapons they produce: “Clear Falcon” and “Pavlovsk Knives”.
makes its models with ethnic symbols and high-quality modern materials.
In Omsk, it launched the production of civilian copies of combat knives.
Historical replications of very high quality can be purchased from Mansi-Era (Khanty-Mansiysk).
Another weapons center in Russia is the city of Vorsma (Nizhny Novgorod region), where excellent hunting blades are produced.
Last on the list is the city of Kizlyar, whose blacksmiths have always been famous for their skill in producing knives and other bladed weapons. Kizlyar Supreme is also popular. In this company you can find a very large assortment of budget and expensive models for different tasks and situations.

Knife from domestic manufacturer Kizlyar.

TOP 10 best folding knives by popularity

In any business, there are its most popular representatives and there are those who strive for them in every possible way or even want to surpass them. Below we provide a list of the top models in the world of folding knives, which are very popular among buyers.

Maxace Goliath. New from Maxace. We can say that the knife turned out to be of quite high quality and successful. This is a flipper on bearings. K110 steel on the blade, G10 on the handle and interesting anodized elements at the junction of the handle and blade. The knife is quite large and has impressive dimensions, but in this model such dimensions are absolutely justified.

Maxace Goliath folding knife.
CRKT Crawford Kasper. Representative of the 2000s. Made from the simplest possible materials: fizitelka, 8-chrome, crips and even a stopper on the liner. The most grippy and tenacious handle for any purpose. This knife compares favorably with others due to its price.

CRKT Crawford Kasper folding knife.
BUCK Bantam BHW Camo. One of the most common models from this manufacturer. True, due to its cost, it inherited all the shoals of its predecessors. The blade can be crooked, the blade's stroke also leaves much to be desired. The lock in this model is tight, there are jambs with sharpening and connections. 420HC steel and plastic handle. A good option for fishermen and light camping.

BUCK Bantam BHW Camo folding knife
Steelclaw Fighter-3. A successful copy of Spyderco Military. Usually replicas are not very successful and are much worse than their originals. But this knife is an excellent model, in which even the running mechanism is made at the same level. The only obvious drawback is the 9-chrome blade steel. The size is almost exactly the same as the original.

Folding knife Steelclaw Fighter-3.
Cold Steel 20K Kudu. The knife is a budget option. The handle is made of plastic, the blade is made of stainless steel 4116. The lock in this folding device is quite unique, which will require some getting used to.

Cold Steel 20K Kudu folding knife.
Boker Magnum Cobalt. What is this knife? Spring filter, made of 440A steel. This is a common and inexpensive Chinese model. You can recognize it by the milled aluminum insert on the handle, which adds to its popularity among lovers of high cost and charm. Well suited as a very first knife.

Boker Magnum Cobalt folding knife.
Kershaw Cinder Knife. A small model from this manufacturer is in our top. It was very popular in 2016, when it first went on sale. It differs from other knives of this class in that the design managed to combine convenient design solutions: the handle fits in the hand, there is somewhere to put your finger, an opener has been added.

Kershaw Cinder folding knife
Steelclaw Reservist. A proven folding device that many people know, respect and love. Large and heavy folding. The blade uses D2 steel. Excellent working model.

Steelclaw Reservist folding knife.
Spyderco Tenacious C122GP. This is a very high quality and inexpensive folding device made in China. Its small size and comfortable handle make this knife popular among connoisseurs of an active lifestyle. The opening mechanism is on washers and, despite this, its mechanics are excellent. The clip can be adjusted for left-handed or right-handed use. The handle is quite comfortable and at the top there is a small steel part-limiter, with the help of which, by resting your thumb, you can carry out some kind of force work. Steel: 8Cr13MoV. This model is equipped with a liner with a fairly wide section of steel. Since the handle has a through design, it is very convenient to care for the knife by blowing it through and cleaning it.

Spyderco Tenacious C122GP folding knife.
Cold Steel 20NQX Luzon . We can say that among all the listed models, this folding unit occupies a confident first place, even despite the fact that this particular model of Cold Steel is not the best. Steel 8Cr13MoV. A locking stop, which, frankly speaking, spoils the entire design of the knife. In general, the model is controversial. However, it is in great demand among buyers.

Folding knife Cold Steel 20NQX Luzon Large Large.

Review of popular models

Models from many manufacturers are presented on the Russian market. Domestic folding knives are in greatest demand. The reason is their affordability. Chinese models are even cheaper, but their quality leaves much to be desired.

The design of most Russian-made products is conservative. In the manufacture of the handle, both artificial materials (micarta, G10) and natural ones (wood, bone) are used.

Locks on products are usually imported, although there are also domestic designs. Among the most popular is the lock with the WX Lock tip locking system. At the same time, not all imported designs are becoming widespread. For example, the American External Toggle lock, despite its technical advancement, never became popular due to its excessive complexity.

Among the most famous manufacturers of folding knives for hunting are the following companies:

Kazanskaya offers models “Bratishka”, “Officer”, “Commander”, “Spetnaz” that are popular among hunters.
The Serov plant from the city of Vorsma produces high-quality knife products for various purposes, including hunting. Manual production. A characteristic feature of the blades is the presence of engravings and patterns on them.
produces blades from high quality Swiss stainless steel.
manufactures a significant range (several dozen models) of hunting knives.
produces about three dozen types of folding knives. Making bladed weapons is Zlatoust’s long-standing specialization.
Dagestan knives. The production of bladed weapons was developed in Dagestan in pre-Soviet times, but then experienced decline. At the beginning of the 2000s, it was resumed. Today there are two large ones and “Supreme”. Both companies also produce folding knives.

The most popular Russian-made brands:

"NSK Sterkh". In production. The blade is made of steel with an anti-corrosion layer. The knife fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and is equipped with a simple and reliable folding mechanism and a linear lock.
"Biker-1". Made in a spear shape. Handle made of wood or plastic. Blade made of blued or Damascus steel.
"Forge". Classic hunting folding knife. The straight wedge-shaped blade is sharply ground and has an anti-corrosion coating. Walnut handle.

Separately about Ontario RAT Folder Model 1

Let us separately highlight a knife that will go outside the rating because it is very popular, even though everyone is pretty fed up with it. But what to take from it if the model is extremely successful.

The Ontario RAT Folder Model 1 is at the forefront of folding knives. This Taiwanese assembled knife is relatively inexpensive. Reliable and practical. Its difference is 5 additional dies, with the help of which the knife looks solid and monolithic.

The blade itself is made of AUS-8 steel (now there are modifications from other steels). Because the steel is inexpensive, the blade becomes dull rather quickly, but it can be easily sharpened. The shape of the blade is traditional. The knife has a Liner Lock, which secures the blade adequately. Thanks to the double-sided peg, the knife can be used by both left- and right-handed people. The blade is 92 mm long, and the weight of the entire knife is 142 grams.