looking for a pocket knife

[JohnnyOrygun]

I have the Benchmade 551 with the plain edge and it is my absolute favorite EDC knife. It is well made and I highly recommend it, you can't go wrong with BM 551. Good luck!

 

[sigarms228]

Hey Everyone! Thanks for the advice. I am looking into everyone knife that you guys have mentioned so far. I have been looking at the Benchmade knives and for whatever reason the Benchmade Griptillian Sheepsfoot knife, http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=BM550SBKHG, and the Griptillian 551 knife, http://www.benchmade.com/products/551, seems to be sticking with me. Does anyone here have these knives and input about them? Also, as I mentioned I am new to knives and do not know a lot, what is the difference between a regular Griptillian and a Griptillian Sheepsfoot-is it just the name??

Also, what is easier to open, a knife with a thumbhole in the blade or a knife with thumb studs on it?

As for size, I just wanted something that is small enough to fit in a pocket, somehere between 2 to 5 inches. Please keep the suggestions coming, it can't hurt to have too many opinions!!

Thanks!!

I have the BM 556 - Mini Griptilan and love it.

At the price you can get the BM551 for right now I would say GO FOR IT. Benchmade quality, Axis lock, and 154CM steel for that price!!

I prefer the plain edge myself.

Check out getting it at the link below and put in the promo code BR549 to see the very nice price. They also have very fast shipping.

http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadegriptilianmodifieddroppointplainedge.aspx

 

[DNS]

Being a lefty I only carry either of two clippies. One is a Kershaw Chill inverted or a Spyderco Tenacious. Both are 8cr13mov.

I like the 8cr13mov since its a good edge, not subject to chipping, and not hard to sharpen.
I also always carry a slipjoint in the other pocket. Can't carry too many knives.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

You asked about thumb hole versus thumb stud, with BM's axis lock, it doesn't matter. You will soon learn to open it with a flick of your wrist. Pull back on the axis lock and give the knife a little flip and its open. Almost as fast a switchblade, I almost never use the thumb stud on my 551 or the thumb hole on the 550 (I think that's the right number)
The 154CM blade material will take a scary edge and hold it.

I have a Spyderco Delica, CRKT Laredo, I have a couple of Cold Steels, 3 or 4 Cases, 3 or 4 Bucks, several Swiss Army knives, a Leatherman Knife and several LM tools and of all, Benchmade is my favorite. BM seems to offer an excellent blend of quality construction, quality materials, and good prices.

Good Luck with your choice and whatever you choose, I am sure more will follow... knives seems to get lonely and pretty soon you have to buy another one to keep the others company
John

 

[DaisyCutter]

I bought a $7.99 Chinese "Remington" knife at Big 5 today. Allegedly, it was marked down from $30, but we all know that price is inflated.

It'll be my primary do-all knife on patrol as a Deputy Sheriff until I lose it or break it. The previous one lasted 1.5 years, and last Tuesday night I left it lying on top of the Redbox dispenser. I never even went back for it. I'd be pissed at myself if I lost a $50 knife.

The new one is black with a 3" blade, thin and light, so it can ride clipped inside in my cargo pocket and not cause discomfort.

It's not a Benchmade, but it's reasonaby well built.

I also carry a CRKT Kiss in my boot, a Leatherman multitool on my belt, and a Kabar TDI.

The CRKT and TDI are a PITA to re-holster, and the Leatherman is a PITA to deploy. So I'll use the cheapo as my primary.


I use knives hard, and there are deals for far less than $50. Really examine the quality of what you're looking at, so you don't buy something dangerous to YOU. Does it lock positively? Are the scales going to flex or break under pressure? Does the blade have lateral play? I prefer cheaper knives. I don't mind sharpening them a bit more frequently, or taking them apart to clean out the lint and tweak the liner lock.

When I go to the lake, I'll clip the $8 knife in my waistband, so I'll have it in a pinch if needed, and never worry about the replacement cost if I drop it in the drink... or if some ham-handed buddy uses it to open a can of beans.

EDIT:

I'm a lefty.

I use a blade down wrist flip to open all folders.

I prefer liner locks, because for me they are easier to close one-handed.

 

[sixgunner455]

I would get a nice slipjoint folder, either an SAK or a good jackknife/stockman type, and then the larger single-blade lockblade. I really like my new Spyderco Tenacious, and my wife likes her Spyderco Native. The Kershaw Leek is really good, too.

The Griptilians are very popular, but I just don't get that excited about them.

Thumb studs can get in the way of actual cutting, depending on where they are placed on the blade. They have to give you a certain amount of mechanical advantage, so they can't be too close to the joint, so on some knives, they are out too far on the spine of the blade and when you are slicing with the knife, the stupid stud is right where it shouldn't be.

That is something I really appreciate about the Spyder Holes, especially on my Tenacious. The Tenacious and its siblings are flat ground, so slicing is really quite easy to do. Hollow ground blades may not slice as nicely.

Just some stuff I think about when I open the drawer and try to decide what knife/knives to carry for the day.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I am a big fan of the Victorainox Swiss Army knives. For years I carried the Tinkerer model. Not that long ago, I upgraded to something a bit bigger from then because I wanted a saw blade on it. It's not a quick deploy knife but I've been very happy with the cost and quality. Many to choose from in the $30 to $60 range.

 

[sixgunner455]

And hey, what about the Ontario Rat folders? They're decent, and not expensive.

Just a thought.

 

[sm]

sixgunner455

I like the way you think my friend.
*grin*

Sending best-
Steve

 

[sixgunner455]

Thanks, Steve. Howya doin'?