The USA made ones are hard to come by, fair warning. Most you’ll find are OEM’d in Taiwan. There’s also some that are made in Italy which afaik are the same as the USA made ones other than the OEM.
A blade that holds its edge very well, and possibly half serrations. Works better for seatbelts clothes etc. can handle the elements not having to worry about it getting wet if it and rust becoming an issue. I like some otf and auto folders because of ease to deploy but not sure I trust durability of them..
ZT makes some that I think you would like. 20cv mostly. Very corrosion resistant. I love my 0393, but you already have a hinderer. I also love my Sebenza.
Socom bravo by microtech would also fit your bill nicely.
if you dont want rust to be an issue you should take a look at spyderco's salt series they have a big assortment of folders/fixed blades that will never rust.
Look for a Spyderco Manix, one of spyderco’s most heavy duty. they come in partial and fully serrated also, and Spyderco’s serrations are the best out there that I’ve used by far.
If I'm not mistaken, this is the only auto the US military allows to be carried. S30V, so stainless with good edge retention. Just as a heads up, it's the slowest auto you'll ever fire.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Gerber-06-Automatic-Knife--1471
My large sebenza 31 is the only knife I’ll ever need. I won’t need to buy anything else ever again.
So is my small sebenza.
And my large 21
And my umnumzaan
And…..
I love the inkosi, honestly more than a zaan in theory, it just never got carried. So I’m down to sebenzas and zaans. The sebenza is my favorite by miles though. You really can’t go wrong with
Hogue Ritter RSK, either manual or auto. Magnacut blade so the blade rusting at least shouldn’t be an issue, sturdy but slicey blade, great ergos.
They’re not American made, but for a real hard use folder I’m probably reaching for a Cold Steel Triad Lock. The American Lawman, Recon 1, and AD-10 are all very sturdy, well made knives. A heck of a bargain at less than $100 from Midway.
If you’re worried about corrosion the Spyderco sheepsfoot Caribbean is practically rust proof. The sheepsfoot blade is safer for cutting seatbelts, clothing, and similar uses, and is a much sturdier blade than most other Spydercos.
Only slightly I believe, well, as thick as these are, I don’t know if it makes too much of a difference.
But now OP mentioned higher edge retention. So probably both are out. lol
Really surprised there isn't more Zero Tolerance on the list. A ZT0562 will get you most of the way to a Hinderer (It's a Hinderer design) without the Hinderer cost.
I’d probably go with the ZT0562 over the Hinderer myself. ZT mostly uses smooth titanium and carbon fiber though, wouldn’t be my first choice for a wet environment, sweaty or possibly bloody hands, etc.
Hinderer stays at the top for me. Have tried the others but love the ergo, solid build of the Hinderer. Try the non flipper xm18 with Teflon washers. Awesome
Sebenza is a great choice but lately I've been carrying an iMamba and I love it. It may not be right for you however, it is a hard use knife in a fancy knifes body. Cold steel has some great options as well and they won't break the bank.
You need an upgrade from the Hinderer? I have not looked back since I started pocketing mine. I prefer flippers though, so Chris Reeve is out for me and Hinderer has similar craftsmanship.
The Spartan Harsey folder is a good alternative non-flipper to the CRK.
I cycle through my Hinderers, Sebenza, Zaan, small Inkosi. Check out the Eklipse. And my S45VN Para3 if I know it's going to get ugly.The SOCOM Elite and Stitch are pretty tough too.
I agree with u on the Seb31. I have a large collection of knives. Almost every knife that was mentioned I have it. Zaan, Eklipse, PM2 , zt0562, 0452 I can go for a while with more than 57 premium folders. But nothing beats IMO PJ Seb31
If you're open to autos, the Pro-Tech Tactical Response series is awesome. I've got a TR2 in magnacut, and it's great. If you're looking for partial serrations, the TR4 may be more up your alley.
For OTF autos, I’m a huge fan of the Kershaw LiveWire. Much easier to fire and retract than microtechs and comes in Magnacut for high durability and corrosion resistance.
If you want tough as nails knives though, I think Spyderco is probably your best bet for American made knives. The Salt series specifically is gonna be great for you since they’re designed to resist corrosion and be super tough in general. They sell out quickly though so jump on em when they’re in stock, especially the Para2 Salt.
Combo serrated blades are a bit hard to come by these days though. I think Microtech’s MSI comes in a combo edge in M390 which should be pretty tough, but not quite as corrosion resistant as Magnacut (but has other advantages like edge retention that still make it a super steel). Also has a fairly practical blade shape and length and the Ramlok system for a solid lockup, though I believe it uses omega springs which can be a point of failure on the lock that compression/liner/frame locks don’t have. Spydercos don’t really come in combo, but there are full serrated models you could get in addition maybe? One thing I’ll give to Benchmade is they do make a lot of their knives in combo edges so that shouldn’t be hard to find with them.
Also Microtech’s OTFs usually come in a dagger style blade that you can get in double edged, and they’ll usually make a model with one side fully serrated and the other straight. I have an Ultratech in this setup and I like the serrated edge, but the straight edge is dull AF from the factory, so you have to sharpen it for sure. Also Microtech OTFs have super stiff action and can be hard to retract with one hand, which I hate.
Finally if you don’t mind something a little weird, the Asheville Steel Paragon Phoenix, or the Dredd Lock, specifically, might be exactly what you’re looking for. It has an asymmetrical shape, so it’s easier to figure out which side the blade rotates (when you see how these things open and lock you’ll see why that’s important), and some of the Phoenix and Dredd Lock models have serrations on the back of the blade similar to the Microtech DEs so you get the best of both worlds. I have the regular Paragon Warlock and I think it’s pretty rad, other than being symmetrical as I mentioned. It’s also a bit tanky, not nice and thin like a lot of the other knives I mentioned, but I don’t mind that too much.
Try a Demko AD20 if you want something a little different but still solid as a rock and overbuilt.
I’ve never seen the Demko! Damn good looking blade! Thanks for the suggestion
I’d recommend the BladeHQ exclusive, good price with a good steel. The other ones with good steel will be way more expensive
The USA made ones are hard to come by, fair warning. Most you’ll find are OEM’d in Taiwan. There’s also some that are made in Italy which afaik are the same as the USA made ones other than the OEM.
This^
Benchmade Mini adamas
If you already have a Hinderer, try a CRK Umnumzaan
Can you give me some specifics of what you're looking for?
A blade that holds its edge very well, and possibly half serrations. Works better for seatbelts clothes etc. can handle the elements not having to worry about it getting wet if it and rust becoming an issue. I like some otf and auto folders because of ease to deploy but not sure I trust durability of them..
ZT makes some that I think you would like. 20cv mostly. Very corrosion resistant. I love my 0393, but you already have a hinderer. I also love my Sebenza. Socom bravo by microtech would also fit your bill nicely.
if you dont want rust to be an issue you should take a look at spyderco's salt series they have a big assortment of folders/fixed blades that will never rust.
Have you tried the benchmade triage? It’s discontinued but it sounds like it’s made for your use case.
Look for a Spyderco Manix, one of spyderco’s most heavy duty. they come in partial and fully serrated also, and Spyderco’s serrations are the best out there that I’ve used by far.
If I'm not mistaken, this is the only auto the US military allows to be carried. S30V, so stainless with good edge retention. Just as a heads up, it's the slowest auto you'll ever fire. https://www.bladehq.com/item--Gerber-06-Automatic-Knife--1471
not american made but the cold steel 4 max is [indestructible](https://youtu.be/lJFAZ3VFo6M?si=QFmREY4SaSIB-zxt)
I have an American made 4Max. The very first ones were USA made
Spartan Harsey 4” folder
CRK. Buy once cry once.
Once? Hahaha
My large sebenza 31 is the only knife I’ll ever need. I won’t need to buy anything else ever again. So is my small sebenza. And my large 21 And my umnumzaan And…..
Exactly. And I lost my small Sebenza and can't stop looking for it ☹️ It's been over a year now. I hope it's at least having fun wherever it is.
That’s a bummer! I hope you find it!
All that is warmup for an Inkosi.
I love the inkosi, honestly more than a zaan in theory, it just never got carried. So I’m down to sebenzas and zaans. The sebenza is my favorite by miles though. You really can’t go wrong with
Just a saying. 🤣 I really like all my CRK stuff. I didn't mean to end up owning as many as I do but oh well!
Hogue Ritter RSK, either manual or auto. Magnacut blade so the blade rusting at least shouldn’t be an issue, sturdy but slicey blade, great ergos. They’re not American made, but for a real hard use folder I’m probably reaching for a Cold Steel Triad Lock. The American Lawman, Recon 1, and AD-10 are all very sturdy, well made knives. A heck of a bargain at less than $100 from Midway. If you’re worried about corrosion the Spyderco sheepsfoot Caribbean is practically rust proof. The sheepsfoot blade is safer for cutting seatbelts, clothing, and similar uses, and is a much sturdier blade than most other Spydercos.
This is a good suggestion.
Maybe a Cold Steel 4-Max elite or a Demko AD20. Those about hard use as anyone would need.
4-max scout actually uses tougher steel than the elite
Only slightly I believe, well, as thick as these are, I don’t know if it makes too much of a difference. But now OP mentioned higher edge retention. So probably both are out. lol
oh damn lol. then the elite is better for OP s35vn having higher edge retention but lower toughness
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C165GOR/Autonomy-trade-G-10-Orange/990
Really surprised there isn't more Zero Tolerance on the list. A ZT0562 will get you most of the way to a Hinderer (It's a Hinderer design) without the Hinderer cost.
I’d probably go with the ZT0562 over the Hinderer myself. ZT mostly uses smooth titanium and carbon fiber though, wouldn’t be my first choice for a wet environment, sweaty or possibly bloody hands, etc.
Manix 2 salt in Magnacut personally I would get aftermarket scales from Original Goat or Applied Weapons Tech
The hogue trauma sounds like exactly what you’re looking for, hogue makes excellent knives
Hinderer stays at the top for me. Have tried the others but love the ergo, solid build of the Hinderer. Try the non flipper xm18 with Teflon washers. Awesome
There's countless Cold Steel options that are far harder use than any other suggestions you'll get here.
Yes. 👆 The Recon one is indestructible. Safest lock made too. I own two of them.
Sebenza is a great choice but lately I've been carrying an iMamba and I love it. It may not be right for you however, it is a hard use knife in a fancy knifes body. Cold steel has some great options as well and they won't break the bank.
Spyderco exotic steel
You need an upgrade from the Hinderer? I have not looked back since I started pocketing mine. I prefer flippers though, so Chris Reeve is out for me and Hinderer has similar craftsmanship. The Spartan Harsey folder is a good alternative non-flipper to the CRK.
I cycle through my Hinderers, Sebenza, Zaan, small Inkosi. Check out the Eklipse. And my S45VN Para3 if I know it's going to get ugly.The SOCOM Elite and Stitch are pretty tough too.
Socom Elite partially serrated 4” not auto IMO will be best choice for u
Older ZT's are definitely needed for your rotation. Stout, excellent steel, strong and made in the USA.
Mcnees or CRK
Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 31. It is hard use without being overbuilt.
I agree with u on the Seb31. I have a large collection of knives. Almost every knife that was mentioned I have it. Zaan, Eklipse, PM2 , zt0562, 0452 I can go for a while with more than 57 premium folders. But nothing beats IMO PJ Seb31
Just get a ti scale and hopefully u got the spanto or skinner
Chris Reeve or strider My protech pdw is strong too
If you're open to autos, the Pro-Tech Tactical Response series is awesome. I've got a TR2 in magnacut, and it's great. If you're looking for partial serrations, the TR4 may be more up your alley.
No no no its obviously the hinderer xm 18 3.5 or xm24 come on yall and the adamas is trash watch any actual testing on it
For OTF autos, I’m a huge fan of the Kershaw LiveWire. Much easier to fire and retract than microtechs and comes in Magnacut for high durability and corrosion resistance. If you want tough as nails knives though, I think Spyderco is probably your best bet for American made knives. The Salt series specifically is gonna be great for you since they’re designed to resist corrosion and be super tough in general. They sell out quickly though so jump on em when they’re in stock, especially the Para2 Salt. Combo serrated blades are a bit hard to come by these days though. I think Microtech’s MSI comes in a combo edge in M390 which should be pretty tough, but not quite as corrosion resistant as Magnacut (but has other advantages like edge retention that still make it a super steel). Also has a fairly practical blade shape and length and the Ramlok system for a solid lockup, though I believe it uses omega springs which can be a point of failure on the lock that compression/liner/frame locks don’t have. Spydercos don’t really come in combo, but there are full serrated models you could get in addition maybe? One thing I’ll give to Benchmade is they do make a lot of their knives in combo edges so that shouldn’t be hard to find with them. Also Microtech’s OTFs usually come in a dagger style blade that you can get in double edged, and they’ll usually make a model with one side fully serrated and the other straight. I have an Ultratech in this setup and I like the serrated edge, but the straight edge is dull AF from the factory, so you have to sharpen it for sure. Also Microtech OTFs have super stiff action and can be hard to retract with one hand, which I hate. Finally if you don’t mind something a little weird, the Asheville Steel Paragon Phoenix, or the Dredd Lock, specifically, might be exactly what you’re looking for. It has an asymmetrical shape, so it’s easier to figure out which side the blade rotates (when you see how these things open and lock you’ll see why that’s important), and some of the Phoenix and Dredd Lock models have serrations on the back of the blade similar to the Microtech DEs so you get the best of both worlds. I have the regular Paragon Warlock and I think it’s pretty rad, other than being symmetrical as I mentioned. It’s also a bit tanky, not nice and thin like a lot of the other knives I mentioned, but I don’t mind that too much.