Assistance- Opinions on folding knife

[rhtwist]

Are you sure about that name.

SOG has an Aegis, but I don't remember a Benchmade of that name.

I do believe you are correct. It is the SOG. Saw comparison with the 580 Barrage and got confused. Looking at so many different brands and knives. I like the Barrage but the blade length and the heftier price tag would make a difference. Although I like metal liners.
Any thoughts on the knife?
rhtwist

 

[Owen Sparks]

What is wrong with the Blur? I have one in my collection and it seems sturdy enough.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

One other possibility might be the Kershaw Piston. It is an inset liner lock. You'd have to ask someone more knowledgeable than me if that overcomes your objections to liner locks; but it is 3.5" blade and it is a combination of both assisted opening and flipper and thumb studs. $60-65 range.

 

[rhtwist]

What is wrong with the Blur? I have one in my collection and it seems sturdy enough.

Hello Owen,
Actually the blur is my favorite. Have 2. But I have had the liner lock fail once, as from what I've read, liner locks will. I have had the liner lock on my M-16 fail, again without personal damage. The design of the blade and grips is such the IMO a catastrophic lose of my flesh could occur. It was lucky that when it happened to me, the blade only closed a little. This is just my experience and reading. I know there are stronger locking systems. If Kershaw would put a something like an sliding lock on it, I'd never shop elsewhere. YMMV!
rhtwist

 

[rhtwist]

One other possibility might be the Kershaw Piston. It is an inset liner lock. You'd have to ask someone more knowledgeable than me if that overcomes your objections to liner locks; but it is 3.5" blade and it is a combination of both assisted opening and flipper and thumb studs. $60-65 range.

Thank Bartholemew,
I will certainly take a look! Thanks for your time and another avenue to explore!
rhtwist

 

[rhtwist]

One other possibility might be the Kershaw Piston. It is an inset liner lock. You'd have to ask someone more knowledgeable than me if that overcomes your objections to liner locks; but it is 3.5" blade and it is a combination of both assisted opening and flipper and thumb studs. $60-65 range.

Howdy again, I just looked at the Kershaw piston and the one I saw had no thumb studs. It had a flipper extension on the top that you flicked back and it AO'd. It appears to me FWIW to have about the same liner lock as the blur.
I contacted Kershaw, asking for info of a possible model of the Blur with a better IMO locking system. They professionally asked if I would like to ship the knife back for inspection on their dime. Great company, great knife IMHO! Wish someone would put an axis style lock on it......
Glenn

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Howdy again, I just looked at the Kershaw piston and the one I saw had no thumb studs.

There was a "first-look" pre-production model that was slick (flipper only) that was widely covered on different Internet sites; but according to the Kershaw website, the production version includes thumbstuds.

http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=608&brand=kershaw

It appears to me FWIW to have about the same liner lock as the blur.

Yes, like I said, I wouldn't know the difference between a liner lock and an inset liner lock, or why one is superior to the other. Kershaw took pains to make the distinction in their discussion of the knife, so I assumed it was superior to a liner-lock.

 

[rhtwist]

Yes, now that is a better looking knife than I saw. Without being able to view the inset liner lock closer on this model, well maybe there is a difference. I am currently trying to come up with something to sell and a good excuse to get a ZT 350. Ah......
Thank you sir!
rhtwist

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Been carrying a smooth blade mini Griptilian every single day for a few years now. I have an AO mini Barrage in the mail, should be here at any moment.

 

[rhtwist]

Sounds like a plan! Congratulations. If you don't mind would you post your opinions on it. Maybe a picture??????
Good luck with your new acquisition!
rhtwist

 

[Walking Dead]

I carry the Benchmade griptilian tanto and swear by it. I went with the tanto because I use it as a tool and tend to break the tips off my knives. No such problem as the tanto is very robust.

 

[rhtwist]

Howdy,
Thanks for your experienced opinion. By now I have come to some conclusions about some of the issues on the knives mentioned above. Saw the griptillian and tried it, it is very easy to open and close. IMHO though that AO knives seem to lack the authority of the Kershaw product AO mechanism. I mean I like the SOG Aegis and the 580 Benchmade, but for price and value. I am sticking with my Blur. Just sent it back to the manufacture for a tune-up and resharpen. Bringing out the backup.
The knife I set my eyes on is the ZT 350. It has the Kershaw opening and it has an again IMHO much more durable frame lock. The Kershaw design seems to me to be one of the few AO that don't need a separate safety. Since I don't pocket carry, the weight is not a problem. I like I decided, metal or metal covered in plastic knives over all plastic.
Now if someone want to send me a griptillian as a present, well for sure I'll carry it sometimes. Seems like a fine knife!
Glenn