Poll: Very Large Folder

[Armalite Native]

I would have to go A also. I have a CS XL Voyager - blade comes in at about 6 inches. I do like it but its a clown of a knife. I use it to carve my roast dinners and thats about it. I note Spyderco has many sturdy light folders - but it has a real gap when it comes to the heavy duty sub six inch folders (not including the TI Millie for the sake of the arguement). Something with re-enforced pivot, lock (I would get away from the linerlock for this one) and stand offs. I don't even care if its ugly. In fact if its ugly all the better :) . Something that can penetrate well but slice with ease.
Super-barong :D ?

[elvis.alive]

I voted C. A big slicer, but not just a big Chokwe. Something that would be nice for those Martial Bladecrafty types, where it'll slice, but also penetrate nicely.

And PLEASE put a wave on it. The wave works ridiculously well with large blades, and it would be perfect on whatever ends up getting made.

[angusW]

If we're talking big slicer then "A" is the way. If you're going to make it long then make it beefy as well to handle the duties that a big folder is designed for.

[STR]

The problem with a large or an extra large folder is that most people that I know associate large with tougher so larger knives are not only expected to do more and do it better but probably are more likely to see abusive treatment over a smaller knife. I realize this is not always the case but I think generally speaking most would expect a larger knife to take more than a smaller one. So, to me if you go larger you have to go larger everywhere in every aspect of the folder build. The additional leverage from a bigger handle and blade means more stress on all the parts even in what would be acceptable normal use. The pivot should be bigger in accordance with this additional stress potential as well as the lock and the stop or any other pins or hardware throughout the build of the folder to better handle the level of pressure that could be exerted on them thanks to the larger size of the handle and blade.

If one were to use the same hardware as that found in other small knives these parts may not handle the additional stresses the handle size would make easy to exert on them. Another thing to consider is that a longer blade and handle, IE, a bigger badder looking knife also makes it easier to figure that some users will see that to mean their knife can be used to chop or baton with or assume its abuse rated just because its so big. Consequently, if the lock or parts cannot handle this type of use the users may need to be told in writing with the purchase that although the knife is large enough to chop with its not made for this treatment.

STR

[Oddwolf]

I vote C, I like my Police 3.

[HotSoup]

Bumping this thread back to the front page, in case more people would like to vote.

[2cha]

Outside of novelty, I can't imagine any situation where a 6" folding blade would be my choice. If I can carry something that big and/or heavy, I'd rather have a fixed blade.

[genius5th]

Option "A" for me with a pretty thick blade and 5.5 inch range.
for heavy duty tasks, hard to break the blade.

[dennis07921]

I voted C. I would like to see something like the Resilience (love it) but a little smaller (3.75"-4") so it is not too large for EDC and in the 4-4.5 ounce range in weight.

[Joe Talmadge]

I voted C also, though I've been a bit worried all along how the poll choices were phrased. "Folding slicer" may be interpreted by some as a folding fillet or chef's knife, which I don't think many people want. I'm looking for something robust enough for MBC, but still light enough for carry -- but that means it won't be super light, or slice like a fillet knife.

[speedcut]

I cannot wait to see the big :spyder: persian designed by Mr. Ed Schempp in production but also i would like to have a big folding knife with over 5 inches in length and bolsters with a high end steel maybe zdp189 maybe a carbon steel not necessarily a chopper but a big knife suited for everything and good for sd too.. ..i know a fixed blade would be better suited but i think it is still a market for this kind of knife....... :cool:

[The Mastiff]

I'll begin my preferences outline by looking at two of the best XXL folders I have that are amongst the cream of the crop IMO. I'm obviously not advocating copying. To be honest I believe Spyderco would do it better anyhow.

Both very well made knives with ultimate strength going to the Ontario retribution 1 folder with a 4 and 5/8th's inch blade being less carryable and therefore stays more at home than the 5.5inch Camillus Cuda maxx.

The Hossum folder is more comfortable if really hard use is your purpose. The 1/8th inck liner locks made of titanium contribute to great strength too.

The Camillus Cuda Maxx is pocket carryable and has gotten much more pocket time because of it's slimmer, easier deployability. For that reason it gets my vote. Retribution 1 is belt pouch only.

Adequate strength, and utility with an easy carry design over a stronger, possibly better built knife that is so bulky it stays at home.

That's what I want in a spyderco. A design with Sal's ergonomics and handle design along with a strong steel blade, but one designed for cutting and slicing and not prying. If I could chose the steel it would be 3V or Cruware, possibly BG42/Carpenter CTS B75 if stainless is chosen. Hardness would be RC 60 in either steel. That's not in the chippyness range for either.

Lock design doesn't matter as much to me as I get along with all the designs currently used. If I had to pick I would choose the nested compression lock first, RIL second ala chokwe but stronger.

I have no experience with the "ratchet: lock in anything resemblying Spyderco quality. Mine are cheap Spanish folders like Joker, etc.

BB lock to me is one I've had troble getting the dexterity and muscle memory down for. Maybe I just need more practice. It's an amazing design.

I ruled out the lockback not because I dislike it. Indeed it's my personal favorite but I'd think it would add cost and other issues making it in the size and strength levels needed for this project.

I'd prefer linered G10 over CF as usual though CF is by no means a deal breaker. It's just more expensive and makes it more difficult getting the "pre need replacement" I'll require.

I'd set a goal of 6.6 oz or lighter if possible. Probably not possible but it's a goal.

I love the Police 3, endura FFG, or even Ed Schemmpp's curvy blade design on the persian over leaf, or drop point in this type model. The P3's weight saving feature would possibly come in handy here on this size blade as it does in the P3, which really comes alive in the hand. Sharp tip, but not so sharp as to cause a rash of broken tip complaints from the " It should be tougher for the price" crowd, followed by the "it must be a bad heat treat" experts who seem to always be there giving encouragement to knife abusers. Going a different direction the R2 blade shape has a sharp tip, great strength and nice straight lines. It might be too wide enlarged up to the lengths needed so it would require a slight redesign. That nice straight edge is a dream to sharpen, which is a good thing with XXL sized blades.

Anyway.....

:)

Colors are not important as long as it's not bright, toxic, orange, or pink.

It might sound like it but I'm not envisioning a XXL police 3, though the design does solve some of the problems of large knives, as does the millie.

[speedcut]

I think weight will be an issue here because to strengthen the knife and lock up you will need stronger liners, a bigger pivot and a thick blade which ultimately might lead to a very heavy knife......the way of the Cudda Max is to go i think but i am sure that Mr. Glesser and the crew will top that... :)

[Chris_H]

My thinking for this design is along the lines of what both Joe Talmadge & The Mastiff are saying above.

[Grego77]

Voted for option A

[HotSoup]

'A' all the way :)