"The Perfect 7": Best Tactical Folding Knives for EDC, Self Defense, Law Enforcement, & Military
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 1 авг 2024
- Tactical knives can save the life of you or someone you love and they can be great tools for the military and law enforcement. Purchasing a tactical knife today could be the "edge" you need for survival in a self-defense situation.
Paramilitary 2 Tactical Knife ☛ amzn.to/2IQ83dB
Para 3 Not As Tactical Knife ☛ amzn.to/2EKce8t
Cold Steel Recon 1 ☛ amzn.to/2GWqEs1
Cold Steel XL Recon 1 ☛ amzn.to/2IWFawv
CRKT M16-02KS Tactical Knife ☛ amzn.to/2GZ3JML
CRKT Homefront Knife ☛ amzn.to/2HDykMY
CRKT HVAS Pocket Knife ☛ amzn.to/2H0rtMr
Emerson Mini CQC-15 Folding Knife ☛ amzn.to/2HBE4qA
Kershaw-Emerson, CQC-10K ☛ amzn.to/2IUrima
Kershaw Emerson CQC-7K ☛ amzn.to/2HowWjx
Hogue EX001 Knife G-10 ☛ amzn.to/2EL0aDC
Other Knives:
Kershaw Ken Onion Leek EDC Knife ☛ amzn.to/2Hz3hBT
Benchmade - Mini Griptilian 556 Knife ☛ amzn.to/2IVvjqF
Gerber 06 FAST Knife ☛ amzn.to/2qwyIVh
Cold Steel Talwar Tactical Knife ☛ amzn.to/2IUJmwE
↓↓↓↓↓ CLICK FOR LINKS & MORE ↓↓↓↓↓
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survival Gear ☛ kit.com/BudgetBugout/survival...
Best Budget EDC Folding Pocket Knife ► amzn.to/2lOaylL
Best Budget EDC Pocket Flashlight ► amzn.to/2mHpciI
Best Budget Fixed Blade w/Fire Starter ► amzn.to/2m87jqg
Best Budget Neck Knife w/Fire Starter ► amzn.to/2n2vc1B
Best Budget Emergency Fire Tinder ► amzn.to/2lsZrSR
Best Budget Ferrocerium Fire Starter ► amzn.to/2mpZpuc
Best Budget Personal Water Filter ► amzn.to/2n2uxgI
Best Budget Keychain Multi Tool ► amzn.to/2mpY6eV
Best Budget Keychain Light ► amzn.to/2msLlR5
Best Budget Keychain Tool ► amzn.to/2mHmd9Q
Best Budget Survival Tin Mini Knife ► amzn.to/2m88xSo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSCRIBE ► / budgetbugout
FOLLOW BUDGET BUGOUT:
Twitter ► / budgetbugout
Instagram ► / budgetbugout
Facebook ► / budgetbugout
Google+ ► plus.google.com/+BudgetBugout
T-Shirts ► bit.ly/BugoutTees
Free trial of Audible [w/2 free audio books] ► bit.ly/Adble
ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE STORE ► bit.ly/ZombieApocalypseStore
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
This video is not sponsored. All opinions on any and all products are my own and I only include items in my videos that I either enjoy or recommend.
Budget Bugout cannot be held liable or responsible for any injuries resulting in the use or misuse of any products mentioned in the video. Viewer accepts any and all liability and understands that they are responsible for their own actions.
I do use affiliate links to make it easy for you to find the items I mention! Your purchases help me create more content and I thank you for your support!
I have never clicked on a video faster
crkt m16-14zlek. Carried for a decade as a secondary, like a ring... always there. strap cutter, glass smasher... heavy use knife, well engineered unit. Other six... not for me. Good video, for those who have interest.
Jesus, dude. Couldn't you leave a slightly more original comment?
And I've never given one a thumbs down faster. Videos like this are what's wrong with RUclips, and largely what's going wrong in this country. Such videos only impress people trying to sell knives, and people who can't grow up and stop living little boy fantasies.
If someone willing to kill me that I would need a knife like that I would just give them 400 dollars
@@jamesaritchie1 why are you even watching in the first place?
$400 for a knife? I find it hard to believe that that much material or technology could go into a knife. You can buy pistols for that kind of money.
People who buy $400 knifes are either buying it cause it's a hand made piece of art or cause they're the type of people who buy "gucci glocks"
@@Apex_grind562 I agree I've come across knifes that are beautifully made and are worth the money, I totally respect that as a craftsman myself. But I don't quite get $400 tacticool knifes and that's just my opinion. But that's just my personal prefrence.
@@Apex_grind562 it also could be my ignorance towards tactical blades since I don't go near them that much.
Because develep a knife costs nothing
@@Apex_grind562 you sound like a typical rich Fuck who over spends on everything then tries to justify it. Most Americans can't afford a $400 emergency even tho they bust their asses working everyday
I think generally you can find a good knife 50 to $100. After that i need some convincing on why i should go into the 150 range
U can find a knife that does the work for 5$ also
@@drdr3i286 I've had $5 they suck.
Alrica Neshama I have $7 knife from China and this thing is awesome.
Alrica Neshama but they still work
I agree that's why Cold steel are my knives of choice for around $100 Canadian s&h you can get a kick-ass knife.
When I'm at work, I edc the Cold Steel Spartan. All other times, I'm edcing the Cold Steel 4Max. Love these two knives. I trust them to be reliable, especially the 4Max with it's super rugged build and it's CPM-20CV steel. 4Max is currently my favorite knife of all time.
I have both blade versions of the Cold Steel Recon 1 and they are super tough. They have an awesome handle/grip. They do, when new, wear the pocket away. That doesn’t detract from how simplistic and durable they are.
I got my CKRT M-16 when it first came out. The black one you have on the table. It's still kickin! I don't think it's nearly large enough for a dedicated Tactical knife, but it bridges a gap between pocket EDC utility and defending yourself.
LOVE your videos! Have bought several knives, multitool, flashlights, etc.. you have never steered me wrong. Nice to find videos that find quality AND something that's budget friendly. Keep up the good work!
Tactical is a look, not a function. I’m a police officer and had a call a few years back where a man stabbed another man to death with a Kershaw Leek during a home invasion robbery. Having a “scary” blade shape or aggressively designed handle doesn’t make it any more deadly than other “less tactical” looking knives.
The most mortifying death possible for a knife aficionado. His friends were probably constantly shushed during his funeral for constantly erupting in laughter from the back row like children
I guess the only exception would be a Karambit
Mack Durr Nah. A S&W would have been embarrassing. At least a Kershaw is a decent knife. Cryo 2 user here.
I appreciate everyone who serves their communities and their nation. As someone who is in the military I agree that it is a function but that doesn't mean that there isn't a certain look to tactical blades as well. You know it, I know it, the knife designer/marketing department knows it and the media knows it. :)
Bryan Townsend Thank you for your service sir. I think if we’re talking “tacticool”, it’s often 100% form over function. As you point out, any knife can kill you and should be respected, but I do think there are manufacturers and design elements that lend themselves to tactical use, self-defense, EDC, etc. Firstly, fixed blades will always be safer and more reliable. But if they’re not an option, certain balde shapes, grips, lock systems, and raw materials can definitely make one knife better suited than others for certain applications. With that said, people should obey their local laws, train with anything they carry, and always be thinking about their environment, avoiding situations if possible. Be safe out their sir and best wishes for the holidays.
The knives in this video are nice, some good choices. I use the SOG Escape as an ever day carry (EDC) Its a great knife. It came pretty sharp right out of the box. It’s more then just a knife it’s a tool. It comes with a glass breaker, wire strippers, a seat belt cutter and a spare blade inside the handle.
When I was a soldier, I carried a Swiss Army Knife in the old days and a multitool in more recent times. The other carry tool many had was the P38, for opening C Rations. Many would stab themselves with those little things since they would swing open when carried with dog tags, and they rusted. I also carried fixed blade knives, but often, I had them in my pack. We did not have all those pockets soldiers now have. Today, I am a Cold Steel fan and my pockets all show the damage. I realize a small knife will do most everything, so I go with a big and small combination. I still carry a multitool, but its blade rarely gets used.
Great video and good info. Never considered some of the things you said. I just always assumed my EDC knife would be my SHTF option but after thinking about the hand sliding I may have to reconsider.
I did a search for this specific topic and I found your channel, that's a win/win! I have to say my favorite in the video is the M-16, mainly because at first glance I thought it was the Benchmade Adamas which I really like the design of. Getting ready to order an M-16 now lol.
I have the recon xl tanto. definitely not edc but great for a bug out bag. easily flips open with weight of blade no thumb needed, has a 3 position handle and lowest postition will give about nine inches of reach and good chopping ability but if you choke up on handle it is fairly balanced and dexterous.
The Spyderco Manix 2XL is my favorite EDC & is a very "tactical" knife in my opinion. I always wonder why it doesn't get talked about in tactical knife discussions?
I love blades aswell...when i grow older i was more with my group of friends and we got more and more into trouble. Some of them are using Knifes offensive but i love caring them for Defense and secure myself aswell. I loved Knife 4 and 6 the Camo and raster Knife
My fav Hinderer 31/2" slicer, and Spydie (most all), but PM2 and P3 or grrrr-8 knives!
Hey dude, I was wondering if you could do a video on oiling \sharpening\ overall knife maintenance, if you could, that would be very helpful, thank you.
Yeah Ikr that would be great. What a good idead for a video.
great review man thanks much appreciated.
My favorite knife is the 5 Star Gear full tang 440 stainless with titanium coating. It's a fixed blade, comes with sheath and striker, and is a great bush knife. I do carry it EDC. Legal in Wisconsin.
ive carried a crkt m16-10 for so many years now, that their "auto-lawks" feature is second nature muscle memory at this point... it doesnt even slow me down... but honestly i didnt like it at first, but it was a gift from my dad, whose gone now, & like i said, ive been carrying this crkt knife as a daily, 7 days a week for probably close to 10 years now... & now i love the safety lock, as well as the overall design... thus im thinkin about pickin up a new one, maybe the law enforcement model... as a automotive enthusiast, i like the ideal of havin a glass breaker & a seatbelt cutter on board... enjoyed ur video, god bless u to dude. thank u
Thank you for your service, love you video's too!
Recon 1 any day of the week. Followed by almost any other cold steel. They just make really solid knives at really reasonable prices.
I've got a Recon 1 and yes, it does wear away your pocket because the grip is so aggressive. But the handle is so darn good and slip-resistant that it's worth it.
I got a recon 1 and dont have that problem at all. 0 wearing out from the G10 scales. Mind you, i keep it in my jacket most of the time, not in my pants.
I carry Cold steel. Ti-lite 6" for edc and for cqc it's get the job done easier than you think. I live in Bangkok.
Love you stuff. Keep up the great work
Great video. I live in California, which naturally has some of the worst knife/self-defense laws in the country. We’re not allowed to carry any fixed knife concealed no matter how short the blade, which rules out my 2” Clinch Pick. I carry a Shield 9 for EDC, but if I’m somewhere that prohibits CCW’s (government property, schools, etc), I have to rely on a folding knife, and I’ve been having trouble finding one I like. Definitely gonna give some of these ones a try!
Thank you for the review and thank you for your service.
Thank you for sharing✌🏻
Great job on the blade & body info screen.
Yeah I edc Spyderco Bug.. Pretty tactical and bad ass blade. Have it attached to my keys, so I won't leave home without my defense tool. Really recommend it. I also carry Benchmade Adamas for light tasks like opening letters.
I just bought this knife yesterday. It's huge and feels solid. Easily destroyed cardboard and other routine tasks around the house. Trying to decide if I need something this big or a touch smaller.
Love the vid!! Keep it up
I’d say the folding knife that had the best locking mechanism, that being said I believe Cold Steel with their PROVEN tri-ad lock takes the win.
Good selection of carryable folders.
My favorite is the M16-01s Spear Point design. It is very skinny and is just as good as the one you showed but so much easier to handle. I do like tanto blades like others have stated but the spear point is nice because it can pierce most knife proof armor. Obviously not bullet proof plates but fabric armor is no match, most of the time.
This is what I’m talking about!
Something that would go through layers of clothes and still get into vitals
Just got a cold steel Rajah 2 rediculasly huge knife but I love it like you love all blades
CRKT Crawford Kasper 👍
Great video, thx
Thank you,
I carry the Benchmade Adamas Automatic on a daily basis, it is made with D2 tool steel which does not hold an edge too well but Benchmade will sharpen my knife forever. It is 3.8 inches long (blade) Yes, All knives are legal here in Arizona.
Awesome review I love it
the cold steel recon one is amazing. i used it to pry several stove piped rounds from a m249. the edge never chipped at all. its my go too
Great video!!
I have some folding knives which I primarily have as collector's items and don't use them every day. I love the look of those knives you showed, but many are too expensive for my budget.
I liked crkt 21 and the hogue ex01 thanks.
Very nice. Good work sir!
6:55 lol why was the knife on top of the pizza? 😂
Alex Why not I guess.
My absolute favorite is the Voyager Vaquero XL serrated
Given this list the Cold Steel Recon One is the best self defense/edc folder ever made!!!
gettng a crkt m16 soon so excited
In my experience, I've found the Spyderco Endura to be an excellent option for a self-defense folder. It's got more blade than the PM2, a very ergonomic handle, and it's look doesn't give the prosecution a free case against you.
I've carried a CRKT M21-04G for almost a decade now and love the thing. I've carried $350 Benchmade autos and various assisted opening knives. I feel like they should have a safety to keep from opening in pocket and that makes them slower in many cases to deploy than the M21 with that flipper on it. Plus the autos inevitably fill with pocket lint and grit, and then get sluggish opening. It is easier to clean the CRKT-just a little Dawn dish soap under the faucet. I love the blade shape of the M21, the handle shape, I actually like the dual lock...the knife is big enough to be formidable but seems to handle most tasks I need a knife for no matter how big or small. I actually lost my first M21. Normally as a knife guy, that would be an opportunity to try something else. But the CRKT M21 is the only knife I've ever loved enough to replace directly when lost. It is a signature piece of my EDC gear that I feel naked without.
I agree. Only had mine a week though.
You guys have got to try cold steel 😉
Manix 2 xl, cold steel holdout 1. The holdout has a six inch blade but carries very well.
Picking a folding knife for self defense is tricky. If self defense is a priority, carry a fixed blade if at all possible. If you have to carry a folder, wave opening knives are at the top of my list. They are the fastest out of pocket, that’s huge when fine motor skills go out the window, and a split second is the difference between you walking to the ambulance, or being carried on a stretcher lol. Whether that’s a zip tied spyderco, Emerson, or a thumb plate cold steel. Blade length close to 4” is ideal imo. Most importantly, TRAIN WITH YOUR STUFF. if you don’t know what you’re doing, and you introduce a knife during an altercation, you’re liable to lose your life. If at all possible, buy a trainer version, or buy a duplicate and grind the edge off to make it training safe. You don’t necessarily need to go pay big bucks for some karate guy to teach you Krav Maga, have a buddy help you. Practice getting the knife out of pocket and deployed while your partner is grabbing on you putting you under duress. Or have him put on some gloves and practice deploying the blade while simultaneously defending against strikes. A little training goes a long way
I just want you to know that I read your comment and what you're saying makes a lot of sense.
I love the zt 0393 it has a heafty feel to it that other heavier knives don’t
I love the laws for knives where I live. The only thing you can’t carry is switch blade. Size doesn’t matter or anything I love it
So you could carry a ten inch Bowie on your hip? I live in Texas. Most days I have a buck 119 on my hip, I’m 15 and nobody cares lmao. Only time people talk about my knife is to tell me I got a damn good knife
Same here except I can carry anything switch blade otf and a handgun concealed constitutional carry
I own the PM2 also I own a CRKT M18 and a kershaw CQC 11K.
11:24 The CRKT M16 also deploys fast when drawing...same plinciple as the Emserson but cheaper
philippekogler which is the best CRKT M-16, because their are a lot of them ???
@@juanjimenez4040 go into a shop and try them out. to find out which one fits best to you,,,,
Good looks
I actually really enjoyed having that pizza in the foreground, lol. Keep up the great work!
Haven't bought another self-defense knife since I purchased the ZT804cf. Finally found "the one" to end my search...
Great video.
love a solid pocket knife
Well I like your top seven, and agree of your pros and cons, I’m buying the Emerson mini CQC-15 and CRKT M-16. Yeah big is to combersome for me, thank you, Leo U.S.M.C.
The crkt m17 I believe it is with the double finger guard deploys excellent off the pocket draw.
I just wanna cut some branches in the woods when I go camping I think I clicked the wrong video lmao good job tho I respect it
I've had 2 CRKT M16s & loved them both. My 1st was the M16-14Z, which was a Zytel handled knife. I LOVED it, it was light & it held a great edge. The ONLY reason I gave it up was because I wound up selling it after my wife bought me a new (at the time) CRKT 16-14T (all titanium body. BOTH had the CRKT "Auto-LAWKS" feature that was an extra lock to CLOSE the knife. This feature NEVER bothered me. Granted, my primary use for it was general utility at work in a kitchen like opening up & breaking down boxes, so I certainly appreciated the fact that I KNEW neither would close on me.
I SWEAR by my CRKT knives. While I would LOVE to have a Benchmade or an Emmerson, CRKT's knives are just as good (to ME anyway) & DEFINITELY less expensive than the other 2 brands.
Crkt have cool designs and are amazing to flip open and close. Its a shame they can't hold an edge for shit if they did I would probably still have one on my kit
Many great choices here. I'm just curious, which folder did you carry during deployment?
Good video, but I feel like you could have replaced the CRKT Homefront with the Spyderco Matriarch 2 with the Emerson wave. They're around the same price, and the Matriarch is literally designed for self defense. The Cold Steel Black Talon also has a wave. Another option would be the Spyderco Yojimbo 2. It's literally made for self defense as well.
the Matriarch 2 is a bad looking knife.
I prefer a lock on assisted opening folders that ride the pocket, like my old Kershaw Scallion. But I do look at tactical knives as differently as I do firearms. I love an old .45 but I carry a Sig in the city cuz there's no external safety to negotiate. That's a tough call and a weird line to draw when you're too worried about your surroundings for a safety.
I think the Hotwire by Kershaw is the perfect always carry knife.
I carry a Gerber air ranger when I need something bigger ...I have a few expensive knives but never carry them when I find a good low cost knife I usually buy multiple.
In a tactical knife I look for of course durability so if you pay a lot you get a lot. With that being said I enjoy serrated knives for some reason they catch my attention then a design that is not too shiny because of deployment it will alarm your attacker if any. I recently saw some knives made by Two Suns coming out of China and they are beautiful!
i love schrade sch301 it is total beast
In my opinion one of the most important specs you failed to evaluate is the lock up on the knife and the mechanism to close the blade. One of the thing sI have noticed on many "tactical" knives is that the machanism to close the blade is often right next to where your hand or fingers are when gripping the knife. In a tactical situation this could be potentially dangerous as you can accidently close the blade on yourelf. To me this is one of the most important features to look at when deciding on a tactical knife.
Cold steel frenzy (easy to carry), talwar xl, recon tanto xl, regular recon tanto.
daniel Dan I personally go with any cold steel knife that’s waveable. I like the ak-47 specifically for the metal pommel, perfect bottle opener, better then a lighter
On the CRKT M-16 , the only time the extra step would come into play is when you are putting it away. But upon an emergency opening, self defense situation, the extra safety would not be a problem.
I'm from the philippines. The knife laws here are not well defined but most of us carry BALISONG. The blade length is about 4 inches. Those knives you have are expensive here. I edc a knock off STRIDER 313b and swiss army knife to open stubborn packages.
isn't the Philippines a country where they search you like everywhere you go?
alwaysprepared247 they do search you when you go to any government building or major mall. It is more thorough when you go to any public terminal. It is normsl here.
lol hell naw....most places are lawless...those only happen to major cities
Balisongs are flashy but pointless. And the lock up is crap. I carried one for about 10 years haha.
Nice!
What do you think about the Hogue EX-03? I might be getting one for my birthday. Lol
great video
Budget my ckrt knives all fell apart (o ring bulging, bolts falling out- after years of use) otherwise i really was happy with them ...i had a spyderco many years ago and it was my favourite carry(a bit thin for light prying and far out of my price range now)...i carry a cold steel voyageur now because i could afford it at the time and it was adequate (too expensive now in kanada went from $69 to $99)...4 inches is minimum for my robust work needs (would save a LOT of time looking if manufacturers would include that info in the heading...at a certin size it gets a bit difficult for many uses i would like to see more in the 4.5inch size myself (over 5 might as well be a fixed blade fore me)...great video , thanks...Creator bless...doug
For tactical and self defense purposes fixed blade knives is the best way to go.
HunterKiller Nah. Too large for edc.
Not always an option for most people
I’d love to agree, but I don’t want to have to unsheath my blade in the heat of the moment.
I want something I can flick out and get to work with
M16 /21 great affordable knives
I love a good frame. That said, any more so-called 'safeties' than that are dangerous, imo.
Case in point: I have a leek-- but the first thing I did, right out of the box, was to superglue the safety in the unlocked position.
Had the opposite issue with a CRKT M-16, years ago. That little "auto lawks" button nearly made me injure myself every time I closed the knife.
So, I carried a Kershaw Blackout for many years...
Until my fiance recently bought me an M-16KS-- and then I discovered CRKT had rectified the "stupid little button" problem, at least in this model.
So into edc on you tube now.
I have a complaint. I'm thinking knives and then you throw a pizza in there. All of a sudden I was so conflicted! Lol!
Anyway, in response to "can a handle be to grippy" yes it can. I love the contigo and the recon 1 but often turn to my endura when needing only a self defense knife because it is grippy enough but I can still change grips quickly whereas the recon or contigo both want to hold onto my hand and I'm not nearly as quick with them.
At the same time, since a tactical knife should serve many functions the endura is a great fighting knife (imo) but isn't strong enough to pry, or deal with many tactical situations not involving actual knife combat but more in line with everyday battlefield use (opening cans, digging, prying, cutting wires, etc.) I
I always enjoy your videos. Thanks!
The Emerson Gentleman Jim semi serrated is one of the best tactical self defense folding knives ever made.. Why Emerson discontinued it, I don't know or care, it's top notch in my book. You've included an Emerson with a frame lock, I prefer the Gentleman Jim liner lock for a better grip.
+Hey brother --so nice to see the channel continuing to grow...in the genre of this vid what would be your choice between a Benchmade Adamas 275 and a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 as a one knife option emergency travel knife (in the event of a semi-wilderness vehicular breakdown) ?
I love the Benchmade Adamas and am shocked it wasn't mentioned.
Benchmade Fact is absolutely amazing.
Microtech socom elite and the larger Mick Strider/Microtech collaboration knives are the excellent tac folders.
Iv had a m16-14zsf for years love that blade and at 35 bucks at the bx cant beat it
you should have included several of Cold Steel's folders--especially the longer ones
You failed to mention which model of the m16 so I bought the wrong one. Now that I actually found the model from your newer video I’m going to buy 2...
Something I can't stand are liner locks unless they are beafy liners like the Cold Steel Ti Lite. For folders I like frame lock. I don't like it when I don't get a good deployment and the liner is barely hanging on. I know liners really shouldn't be used for stabbing but short of carrying a fixed what are some good liner lock knives? Since it is tough being able to handle every knife and buying online. Just like a holster drawer, how many have a knife drawer? Lol...
You left out my extreme ratio black Talon knife BF3 , or my WE Knife 612G Recurve Tanto Flippe
For me, the Emerson wave is alone worth the extra money for self defense. It's the fastest deploying knives I own. When time is a factor, and life is on the line. I want what can save it. What's your life, and those you'd defend with your own worth?
I feel like most people choose a knife that is too long. The thinking is that longer is better because of the additional reach and penetration potential. The problem is that a knife in use is a lever and the longer the blade is the more strength you need to hold on to it when force is applied to the tip of the blade. A large easy to grip handle and a reasonable length blade that offers little resistance in penetration and slicing is ideal. The average person would be better served by a knife that can be easily controlled and held on to than a big scarry knife that can be knocked out of their hands more easily.
If it's speed you're after then the important thing is how fast it can be deployed from a pocket, vest, belt or other before one even thinks about opening it. It's no good if it gets caught up on webbing, clothing etc. the flipper bar accidentally engages the knife via your body and or clothing and you end up stabbing yourself LOL.
I edc the talwar never had a problem with it being to big. I have 3 I keep one on me one in my edc backpack and one in my truck.
Nice. Live your best life man.
The Knives I trust the most for Tactical Purposes is Folders with the Andrew Demko Tri-Ad Lock. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)
I like the black blade of CRKT
Thanks for the video ... I'm getting a CRKT M21-14SFG after watching this comparison. :-) What I don't like about the ridiculously large TALWAR or equivalent is the handle has to keep getting bigger for a folder. At TALWAR blade length you should just get a fixed blade.
Why do you think a 5.5" blade in a folding knife is ridiculous? I have a Cold Steel 6"blade LUZON®and I like it. I enjoy the longer handle, more to grab onto. It's much easier to conceal than a fixed blade. It fits in my pocket just fine.