How to Pick a Field Folder: Sebenza 31, SMF Kraken Wave, UFO

Start with the job, not the steel

A field folder has to do more than cut: it has to feel secure in hand, carry without bulk, and hold up to the tasks you actually face outdoors. The three folders here—SPD Edition CRK Sebenza 31 - Large, SPD X Strider SMF Kraken Wave, and SPD UFO - Woodland Green G10—approach that brief differently. Use the constraints below to narrow your choice before you fall for a finish.

Size and weight: what you gain and what you carry

Overall length and weight drive how a folder sits in pocket and hand. The Sebenza 31 is the lightest of the three at 4.7 oz with an 8.40" overall length. The UFO is the smallest closed and lightest overall at 1.9 oz and 8.15" open. The SMF Kraken Wave is the largest at 9" overall and 6 oz. If you prioritize a barely-there pocket feel, the UFO wins; if you want a substantial grip for harder cuts, the SMF provides more handle.

• Sebenza 31 Large: OAL 8.40" / 213.36mm, blade 3.61" / 91.69mm, weight 4.7oz / 133g. A mid-size that balances presence and portability.
• SMF Kraken Wave: OAL 9", blade cutting edge 3.125", weight 6 oz. The largest and heaviest, with a longer handle for a fuller grip.
• UFO Woodland Green G10: OAL 8.15" / 207mm, blade 3.25" / 82.6mm, closed 4.95" / 126mm, weight 1.9oz / 53.9g. The lightest and most compact closed package.

Lock type and handle material: titanium frame lock vs hybrid G10

The Sebenza 31 and SMF Kraken Wave both use a frame lock, but with different implementations. The Sebenza 31 features the Reeve Integral Lock with a ceramic ball interface (97 RC) that runs between the lock bar and blade tang to prevent wear and maintain lockup. Its handle is titanium 6AL-4V. The SMF Kraken Wave uses a framelock with a 6V-4AL titanium lock side and a 6061-T6 hard anodized aluminum presentation side. The UFO is an out-the-front (OTF) design with a G10 presentation side and a T6061 aluminum clip side, plus a 6AL-4V titanium thrust slider and pocket clip. For a g10 folder for field use, the UFO’s G10 offers grip and light weight, but note that hybrid handles may show slight color variation between materials—a cosmetic trade-off, not a functional one.

Lock and handle details that affect field use

• SPD Edition CRK Sebenza 31 - Large: Reeve Integral Lock with Ceramic Ball Interface (97 RC ceramic ball) prevents wear and ensures accurate lockup for the lifetime of the knife. A wear-resistant lock interface means less maintenance and more confidence in long-term lockup.

  

• SPD X Strider SMF Kraken Wave: Framelock with 6V-4AL titanium lock side and 6061-T6 hard anodized aluminum presentation side. The titanium lock side provides strength while the aluminum side keeps weight reasonable for a larger folder.

  

• SPD UFO - Woodland Green G10: G10 presentation side and T6061 aluminum clip side; hybrid construction may result in slightly different shades of color. G10 offers grip and light weight, but expect minor color variation between materials.

Blade steel and geometry: what the specs tell you

The Sebenza 31 uses CPM Magnacut heat treated to 63-64 RC, with a flat and hollow grind and a stonewashed finish. The SMF Kraken Wave uses CPM-20CV with a .19" blade thickness and a 3.125" cutting edge. The UFO also uses Crucible Magnacut with a modified spear point grind and dual-tone satin/matte finish. All three are premium stainless steels; the choice comes down to geometry and size. The Sebenza’s 3.61" blade is the longest, while the SMF’s thicker stock (.19") may suit harder use. The UFO’s 3.25" blade is a compromise between the two.

Blade specifications side by side

• SPD Edition CRK Sebenza 31 - Large: Blade: CPM Magnacut, 3.61" / 91.69mm length, 0.121" / 3.07mm thickness, 63-64 RC, flat & hollow ground stonewashed. Longer blade and thinner stock favor slicing and general utility.
• SPD X Strider SMF Kraken Wave: Blade: CPM-20CV, cutting edge 3.125", blade thickness .19", Wave pattern laser etched. Thicker stock and a slightly shorter edge may provide more strength for tougher tasks.
• SPD UFO - Woodland Green G10: Blade: Crucible Magnacut, 3.25" / 82.6mm length, modified spear point grind, dual tone satin and matte finish. A mid-length blade with a grind that balances slicing and piercing.

Carry and deployment: clip, opening, and legal notes

All three come with a tip-up pocket clip. The Sebenza 31 has dual blue thumbstuds for manual opening. The SMF Kraken Wave is also a manual framelock, but its name suggests a wave-shaped opening feature—though the supplied information does not confirm an Emerson wave opener, so verify before relying on that. The UFO is an out-the-front automatic; it ships with a titanium pocket clip with tungsten ball bearing and a Hyperglow glow ring in the slider. Important: the UFO must be shipped UPS, and disassembly voids warranty. Check your local laws regarding automatic knives before ordering.

Carry and shipping constraints

• SPD UFO - Woodland Green G10: UFO must be shipped UPS; disassembly voids warranty. Plan for UPS delivery and avoid taking the knife apart; contact customer service for operation or maintenance questions.
• SPD Edition CRK Sebenza 31 - Large: Sebenza 31: tip-up pocket clip, dual blue thumbstuds, gray 550 cord lanyard. Manual opening with a lanyard for security; no special shipping restrictions noted in supplied info.
• SPD X Strider SMF Kraken Wave: SMF Kraken Wave: tip-up pocket clip, framelock, made in California, USA. Domestic manufacturing and a standard clip for right-hand tip-up carry.

Making the call: which field folder fits you

If you want a proven, light, and smooth manual folder with a wear-resistant lock and a longer blade, the Sebenza 31 Large is the safest all-rounder. If you prefer a larger, heavier folder with a titanium framelock and a distinctive look, the SMF Kraken Wave offers more handle and a thicker blade. If you need the lightest possible carry and prefer an out-the-front automatic with G10 grip, the UFO is the specialist choice—just confirm legality and accept the UPS shipping requirement. For a titanium frame lock folder that balances size and weight, the Sebenza 31 is the middle path; for a g10 folder for field use, the UFO is the clear option.