Help me pick a LW SE knife

[kobold]

I need something large like my Caribbean sheepfoot SE, but lighter in a brightly colored FRN, with a normal blade and with a backlock. Now I have the Stretch 2XL SE in H-2 and the Native Chief SE in Magnacut on my list.
Not sure how H-2 compares to Magnacut in a Spyderedge, this is what i would like to learn more about. The only reason I don't have an LC200N knife listed is that I already have a few models and would like to play with something new. Thanks.

[Jesla]

Stretch 2 XL H2 LW SE… it’s my edc for a couple of years. I want a native chief LW but since I have a g10 NC I can’t justify getting the LW with the stretch 2 LW already in my pocket.

[Fastidiotus]

I'd say go with the standard Stretch 2 XL SE in vg10. Gets you a full flat grind blade instead of the saber grind on the h2 and saves you a few bucks, but no brightly colored handle.

I initially thought there were more choices out there but given the parameters of LW, large, bright handle, and not lc200n seems like you've narrowed it down to all of them. If you wanted PE I'd say Native Chief Salt all the way because h1/2 PE just doesn't do it for me. Since you want SE though I'd go for the Stretch 2 XL Salt to get the stronger blade tip, and what I personally feel are better ergos. H1/2 serrated is a fine steel, touches up very quick, is tough, and still the most rust resistant steel.

[Manixguy@1994]

Nice choices but another I really enjoy as a secondary carry for yard work is the Rockjumper SE . I primarily use it on vines and cuts like a champ . MG2

[Coastal]

For yard work? Matriarch 2 hands down. After that, Tasman Salt. If you want a normal blade shape, then Jumpmaster 2. But of the two you asked about, I'd pick the Stretch. Better ergos in my opinion, and I really like H1/H2.

[Wartstein]

Out of the two and for yard work:

For me definitely the Stretch XL SE in H2:

- Comes in sabre hollow (!) grind, in my experience bites into matter like wood better than ffg and is great for cutting of smaller diameter branches/twigs.
Also yard work is a case where for a change I´d prefer the usually a bit more aggressive SE pattern of H1/H2

- The sabre hollow grind should make for a more durable tip, at least than the very fine ffg Chief tip
Only a plus in yard work imo where one does not need that super acute tip but rather one that can stand a bit of digging into soil, hitting some pebble...

- Just for me the Stretch XL ergos work better than the Chiefs in "hard" cutting (more stable in hand)

- And it sounds like you haven´t tried serrated H1/H2 yet... it really is something special with in my use amazing edge retention.

That said:
Though the Stretch XL is great, I personally like the Endura platform even more (also for the stronger tip) and would go with an H2 Pac Salt 2 SE (or even try to find an old H1 Pac Salt "1" - potentially even better ergos for folks that use the thumb ramp...?)

[kobold]

Thanks everyone, interesting alternatives to look at. Also it's cool to have the choice between a full flat grind and a sabre grind SE geometry.

[Wartstein]

Thanks everyone, interesting alternatives to look at. Also it's cool to have the choice between a full flat grind and a sabre grind SE geometry.

As said: Sabre hollow when it comes to H2/H1: In my experience a lot better than "true" sabre grind...

[kobold]

right, gotcha, i am still not fully awake :-)
thanks

[benben]

I know it’s discontinued, but it’s hard to beat an old school Pacific Salt, this is the one that opened my eyes!

[navin johnson]

If your cutting in space a Pacific salt would work better IME. Saber grind takes away some of a serrated edges advantage.

[Actinolite]

Nice choices but another I really enjoy as a secondary carry for yard work is the Rockjumper SE . I primarily use it on vines and cuts like a champ . MG2

I also have a RockJumper SE. I agree, it works great in the garden. Even though a sharp PE blade will cut cardboard more smoothly, the RockJumper SE rips through cardboard — even double and triple thickness — without slowing down. I don’t carry it, but it’s one of my most used folders.

[Wartstein]

Nice choices but another I really enjoy as a secondary carry for yard work is the Rockjumper SE . I primarily use it on vines and cuts like a champ . MG2

I also have a RockJumper SE. I agree, it works great in the garden. Even though a sharp PE blade will cut cardboard more smoothly, the RockJumper SE rips through cardboard — even double and triple thickness — without slowing down. I don’t carry it, but it’s one of my most used folders.

Had a Rockjumper SE too, and it is a great cutter indeed!
Problem though: Discontinued ... (and the OP said he wanted a "bright colored handle")

[Evil D]

I voted for the Chief but I don't have a Stretch 2 XL so I'm a little biased. Is the Stretch a true lightweight, meaning does it have steel liners? This is one of the things I really like about the Chief, it's very minimalist in design but still very rigid.

For me this is almost more of an ergonomic choice, I'm sure I'd like the Stretch, it's almost like a back lock Military, but I do favor designs without thumb ramps. Steel wise you can't really go wrong with either option, and if you don't like the colors there's dye and aftermarket scales.

[Jeb]

Just got the new Manix2XL- Black Bumblebee in the MagnaCut steel, I really love the feel of these in the paw. Going to be awesome in a hot sweaty paw.

Now I did throw a Titanium ball cage and I modified the spring. Braided up the tail rope, makes a great knife for outside work.

[Wartstein]

... ...Is the Stretch a true lightweight, meaning does it have steel liners?...

It is, no liners! (Stretch XL)

[kobold]

I am also drawn to the Stretch for its looks, for being a backlock military, but ergonomy is a great angle, kinda more important than anything else in a workhorse knife. I am leaning towards the Chief now.
I have a g10 Chief and a g10 Stretch 2 XL and comparing them using different grips I noticed that the Chief's forward finger choil feels more locked-in, its better at keeping my index finger away from the edge. I also prefer humpless blades..

[Wartstein]

I am also drawn to the Stretch for its looks, for being a backlock military, but ergonomy is a great angle, kinda more important than anything else in a workhorse knife. I am leaning towards the Chief now.
I have a g10 Chief and a g10 Stretch 2 XL and comparing them using different grips I noticed that the Chief's forward finger choil feels more locked-in, its better at keeping my index finger away from the edge. I also prefer humpless blades..

Well, since you actually can compare both platforms directly with G10 handles this should tell you a lot about the two in FRN. I figure they will both just get "better" in the FRN, being more contoured, less blocky and grippier due to the bidirectional texturing (in my limited experience the Seki FRNs are a bit more rounded at the handle edges than the Golden FRNs, so a tad more comfortable in that regard).

As for the choils: As far as I recall the Chiefs choil is a bit shorter and has an a bit tighter radius. This might feel like more locked in. But just for my hand, when really bearing down on the handle, actually the Stretch felt more stable in hand while the Chief a bit more "floating".

Another detail I personally would prefer in the Stretch XL: The cutting edge is straighter, while the Chiefs has more of a continuous curve. Really only personal preference though!

The choice if you want to try the sabre hollow grind and other properties of serrated H2 instead of ffg remains...

And if money is a consideration, the Stretch XL should save you some

But in the end I think you can´t go wrong with either anyway!

[okay]

I have a SE Leafjumper in K390, and it's an amazing knife. They are still available and usually on sale. I'm tempted to buy some backups.

[PaloArt]

I'd say go with the standard Stretch 2 XL SE in vg10. Gets you a full flat grind blade instead of the saber grind on the h2 and saves you a few bucks, but no brightly colored handle.

I initially thought there were more choices out there but given the parameters of LW, large, bright handle, and not lc200n seems like you've narrowed it down to all of them. If you wanted PE I'd say Native Chief Salt all the way because h1/2 PE just doesn't do it for me. Since you want SE though I'd go for the Stretch 2 XL Salt to get the stronger blade tip, and what I personally feel are better ergos. H1/2 serrated is a fine steel, touches up very quick, is tough, and still the most rust resistant steel.

+1 on this, I would go for FFG SE VG10 Stretch XL and if it is between these two blades, that would be choice No.1 for me. If Salt version is important then and Pacific Salt in LC200N is not an option, then I would be no help at all.