Need advice on folding knife purchase

[ShaulWolf]

How are Kershaw knives, by the way? I've heard of the name but have no experience with them.

[TBD]

All of my daily use knives say Kershaw on the blade. I have others for special situations, like my big fixed blades and my hunting knives, but I carry my Leek, Needs Work or Skyline daily. I have used these a lot, even things which knives were not meant to for, none of them have ever failed me. No they aren't made of the new super steel of the month, they need to be sharpened now and then, and they don't clean themselves, but I like 'em. I have a couple of Benchmades, but they don't spend nearly as much time in my pocket, or my hand.

[ShaulWolf]

Sounds pretty good. I want to know of a quality knife that has:
- a slim profile
- blade length of no greater than 3.5"
- partial or full cross guard
- ability for one handed opening.

Extras
- tanto or clip point preferable
- assisted opening acceptable but not necessary
- liner or axis lock
- Affordable (under $100)

[Sal1000us]

IMHO, there are a few knife companies in the world that can match the quality of Benchmade folders. I love the axis lock as I can open and close the blade with one hand; Back lock, locking liner or locking frame knives don’t have this ability. The lock on a Benchmade can withstand a pressure of 1000 lbs before it breaks.

I own 4 Kershaw blades and I really like them. A Kershaw leak is a very good deal for $35 - $50 and a Benchmade mini griptilian (roughly in the same class) is also a very good deal for $55 - $90 and imo worth every penny.

TBD is right about the steel-of-the-month. They keep making all these new blade steels, sometimes couple of times a year. It is very hard to sharpen some of the new blades as it requires diamond sharpeners in order to create a razor sharp edge.

I am posting couple of pictures of a Kershaw Leek 1660 next to a Benchmade mini griptilian 557S. I wish my Benchmade 530 Pardu was here since it is also in the same class as the two knives I am using for comparison (I will post the specs for benchmade 530 as the picture of the knife is couple of posts above this post).

I am also providing specs for Benchmade griptilian 553S which is a bigger knife. Shaul or Kevin might be interested in 553S.




Kershaw Leek 1660 VS. Benchmade mini griptilian 557S

[ShaulWolf]

Sal that's an outstanding post. The Mini-Griptilian is quickly becoming what I may purchase over the summer. The CRKT Desert Cruiser that I have is just a bit too big for what I need it for. Mainly I want a knife that can do well for utility but easily double for self defense in the event I need it. It's less of a problem in the boonies but more of one when I'm walking around places like Elizabeth, NJ, Rahway, NJ, Jersey city, downtown Charleston, and North Charleston. And good luck getting a CCW in Jersey unless you're a former officer or carrying illegally.

[RobME]

I like those choices and I love the leek because of the one handed opening mechanism (FAST) and also the fact it is so slim/thin. I need your black leek to complete my leek collection


p.s. SOG Twitch I & II are pretty decent light EDCs.

Hey Sal, You don't need MY black Leek, you need A black Leek, to complete your collection. (I know what you meant though)

You've put-up some really good info here. I thought I'd comment - even though I'm really not a 'knife guy'. I had an all SS Leek but sold it. The SS just feels more slippery than the black finish - which isn't that grippy to begin with, but you probably know all this. The Leek feels great in the hand nontheless. I like the narrow profile and how it sits discretely in my pocket. I'm amazed at how insanely sharp these knives are right out of the box.

The SOG Twitch II is a solid little beauty and feels more secure in the hand than the Leek. I think I like it better, but since I just sold it to a friend - maybe not. It's heavy for its small size. I liked it so much though, I'm thinking of getting a Twitch I to replace it.

I don't much care for tanto blades on pocket knives or serrated edges but, there's a purpose for everything.

So I'm down to just the Black Leek. Don't really need another pocket folder but both the Twitch I, and the Mini-Griptilian #556 plain edge are calling my name.

Later,

[Sal1000us]

Hey RobMe, excellent points man, and I agree with all of them (sweaty hands and Leek SS, Tanto and combo blades not very useful as light EDC pocket knives). I should also add that I am not a ‘knife guy’ either as I just started couple of months ago and learning through reading and collecting blades.

Tanto looks cool but not very practical for an EDC. This is especially true (as you noticed) on smaller blades since an inch or so of the blade is lost (can’t use for normal cutting) and therefore the actual cutting surface of the blade is less than the length of the blade. I think the design of Tanto was copied from Japanese bayonets and possibly some samurai swords and as such probably a good design for tactical blades.

I have noticed it is becoming harder and harder to find Benchmade plain blades on ebay. There is a lot of a tanto and combo blades for sale but not too many plain blades.

SOG Twitch I is also on my short list, maybe next month. I’ve heard many knife guys consider Twitch I as their lightweight reference backup or light EDC.

Received my Benchmade 530 today. It is really nice but a little too delicate, actually more delicate than I would’ve liked. Will post some pictures later.

[ShaulWolf]

PP, you may have a point (no pun intended) on tanto points being less than ideal for heavy utility use. They're meant more for piercing through things (ie, stabbing) and prying more than cutting it seems. A clip of drop point knife would be more ideal for more daily cuts which would more than likely entail slashing and similar motions. However, I do like that the tanto point allows for a stronger blade since there is more steel on the point to support it, which is why it can be used for prying motions. Though why you'd use a knife to pry something open I wouldn't know yet.

So... for regular utility use I'd guess a drop and clip point would be better. Combat a tanto would be better, though it still has its use for utility as well if you have some skill with it.

And if you're using a knife in a fight, a fixed blade would be much better than a folder in any situation. It just isn't legal in most states to carry a fixed blade knife.

[Sal1000us]

So... for regular utility use I'd guess a drop and clip point would be better. Combat a tanto would be better, though it still has its use for utility as well if you have some skill with it.

I couldn't have said it better. Very true for longer blades.

For short blades (3" or less) a Tanto wastes about 1" of the blade and therefore the real cutting surface (for normal cutting jobs) is only 2"

[Royksprekk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiNKU8irCs8

I'm posting this vid because while it does represent my dream knife, I love how it sounds like the guy in it is saying "Bitchmade."

A guy I work with got one from one of his military buds, and I'm jealous...

[Sal1000us]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiNKU8irCs8

I'm posting this vid because while it does represent my dream knife, I love how it sounds like the guy in it is saying "Bitchmade."

A guy I work with got one from one of his military buds, and I'm jealous...

I also watched Mr. “Bitchmade” last Thursday as I was looking for a review on BM 9100. I had narrowed my search down to two knives. BM 530 ($80) and BM 9100 automatic ($156). BM 9100 at $156 is a super deal so I went all the way through the checkout and realized shipping was $15 so decided to get the BM 530 for half the price of 9100.

BTW, you can buy most automatic knives at excellent prices here (also BM 9100 for $156) http://www.ucitacticalsupply.com/beaukn.html
They sell to all so you don’t have to be military, police, etc. Just click on ” I agree with your knife agreement.” And the knife is yours.

[Sal1000us]

Received BM 530 yesterday and must say I wouldn't have bought it if I had examined it closely. It is a beautiful blade but tooooo delicate. Probably good for self-defense and cutting oranges/apples and nothing else, definitely no utility work.. At any rate, here are the pictures I had promised. The top knife is the new Benchmade 530, in the middle is benchmade mini griptilian and the Kershaw on the bottom. BM 530 is also about 3/4 of an inch longer than the other two.

[Royksprekk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiNKU8irCs8

I'm posting this vid because while it does represent my dream knife, I love how it sounds like the guy in it is saying "Bitchmade."

A guy I work with got one from one of his military buds, and I'm jealous...

I also watched Mr. “Bitchmade” last Thursday as I was looking for a review on BM 9100. I had narrowed my search down to two knives. BM 530 ($80) and BM 9100 automatic ($156). BM 9100 at $156 is a super deal so I went all the way through the checkout and realized shipping was $15 so decided to get the BM 530 for half the price of 9100.

BTW, you can buy most automatic knives at excellent prices here (also BM 9100 for $156) http://www.ucitacticalsupply.com/beaukn.html
They sell to all so you don’t have to be military, police, etc. Just click on ” I agree with your knife agreement.” And the knife is yours.

It appears as though my prayers have been answered.

I'm really tempted to order.

My only fear is (call me paranoid): are the police going to show up at my doorstep requesting credentials? If getsnus.com is able to verify age via credit card, are the feds going to wonder about a civilian ordering an automatic knife?

Side question: Why are "automatic knives" so taboo for a group of people allowed to own guns nearing the definition of "assault weapons?"



I bought the above knife in high school for about $20. It's always seemed much more dangerous (although it isn't a folding blade, and doesn't have quite the same presentation.) It always brought me a nice false sense of security in a few sketchy living situations of the past...

Attitudes regarding knife control vs. gun control seems like a potentially interesting debate...

[lxskllr]

Side question: Why are "automatic knives" so taboo for a group of people allowed to own guns nearing the definition of "assault weapons?"

Because our law makers are functional retards. They manage to dress themselves, and make it to work, but all bets are off once they get there. After all, it's ok to have a rifle, but if you put a knife on the end of it, you're a dangerous person and need to be controlled :^S

[Sal1000us]

I know, that’s goofy and as Lxskllr said, most law makers are functional retards. Ok, here’s the deal. You can open a Kershaw, BM with one hand and almost as fast as a switchblade (and they are legal).

You can deploy an automatic knife by pressing on the little button, but you can open a Benchmade knife 3 different ways just using one hand:

- keep the knife firm and one semi-hard flick of the wrist opens the blade
violently and authoritatively (this is the fastest)
- Use the thumb stud and the blade is opened instantly (gentle way)
- Use the axis lock and then gently flip the wrist (foofoo way)