Folder with a few requirements!

[Yo Mama]

I want a new folding knife to clip on front pocket. Requirements:

1. American made!
2. Tough, really tough, and sharp too.
3. Something with a lifetime warranty.
4. 50-100 dollars
5. A real quality blade.

I was looking at Benchmades, but they all seem to jump in price with the blades made in the USA. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Buck

I'll be the Buck Knives guy this evening and let someone else offer Kershaw, Gerber, and Spyderco.

Buck does a number of robust folders that have "tough" and "sharp" in their descriptions. All made here in Idaho, and backed by their "forever" warranty..

The Buck Sirus #297 and #298 are heavy and solid, with nice, sharp edges. The #297 is their standard 420HC steel. No complaints. The #298 is S30V steel with Paul Bos heat treat. Either of these is excellent. Both are assisted openers. The #297 is in the $60 range, while the #298 is in the $90 range, depending on where you shop.

Buck does a couple of lighter models, the Rush and Tempest, also assisted. The Tempest is the same size as the Sirus, the Rush is smaller.

I have both the #297 and #298, but I don't regularly carry them. They're a bit heavy for my "slacks and shirt" environment. When I do carry them, I use a horizontal belt pouch.

Buck has recently released a new line of folders with which I'm very pleased: the Buck Vantage series. The Vantage Select (#345) is their standard 420HC steel and has black FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon) handles with steel liners. It is a one-handed knife, but not assisted. The Vantage Avid (#346) has 13C26 Sandvik steel with Bos heat treat and charcoal "Dymondwood" synthetic handles. The Vantage Pro (#347) has S30V steel with Bos heat treat and black G10 handles.

Pricing is roughly: Vantage Select $35, Vantage Avid $50, Vantage Pro $75 -- again, depending on where you shop.

The Vantage Select is also available in a "small" version (2 5/8" blade) for a few bucks less.

For what it's worth, I carry a Vantage Avid (the Sandvik steel) as part of my EDC loadout. I'm quite pleased with it. No, I have not tried to pry open a car door with it yet, and somehow I'm thinking that won't happen. It does a real number on cardboard boxes, though. And I use it in the kitchen for veggies and stuff. Not too bad.

The Vantage series is quite flat and they carry well in pocket.

I should clarify the "not assisted" thing. They can be opened with the thumb, using the thumb hole in the blade, or they can be flipped open using the flipper tab and a wrist flick. Takes about a minute, maybe less, to master that. I can get mine open nearly as fast as my assisted ones (faster, actually, if I've engaged the lock on the AO).

 

[Beelzy]

Kershaw.

Their warranty is outstanding.

 

[Mike U.]

Okay, got the first two out of the way.

Spyderco.

Great knives. Worth the money spent. Solid, well made and razor sharp OOB.

Next?

 

[Yo Mama]

Thanks for the quick replies! I didn't think of a Buck, but now I am. I like how they look, but just imagine them still in the old style, and not a "new" folder. Looks like they did good though.

Kershaw really got my attention also.

Spyderco makes some blades in my price range, but they appear to be made in China. I'm kinda on a USA purchasing only kick.

Keep em coming!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Any of the three mentioned so far will do you well.

 

[conw]

Only like 3-4 actual Spydercos (vs Byrds) are made in China. The Tenacious being one of them as I alluded to in a recent thread. But at a rough estimate I'd say the other Spydercos are 50/50 between Japan and USA. And I really frankly think Spyderco is pretty much unbeatable in the 50-100 price range, and their 50-100 price range gives everyone else's 150+ price range problems.

I don't even own a spyderco btw. Just saying...for overall versatility, phenomenal heat treat and out of box sharpness, and ergonomics that are really uniquely great (some don't like them for personal reasons, like fit), I don't think they can be beaten dollar for dollar. Kershaw has put out some blades that try to compete in terms of blade steel dollar for dollar, and both companies work with custom designers to make production folders (very cool), but Spyderco's portfolio is much more impressive and cohesive I think and, again, has the best lineup for the money.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

Kershaw.

 

[janobles14]

in that price range its gotta be in this order...

1. spyderco
2. CRKT <---dont overlook these guys!
3. Buck

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Country of Origin

You will have to check country of origin for each individual model, as several "A-list" companies have models made overseas.

Buck's classics and most of their models are all made in USA, just down the road from me. They have a few still being made in China, but the newer ones are being made here. If you're wondering how Buck is beating China at its own game (production costs), do a web search for "Lean Enterprise." Here's one of the articles.

Spyderco has some made here, some made there. It will be on a case-by-case basis.

Kershaw, same thing. Some of their better pieces are made in Japan. I have USA, Japan, China, and (I think) Taiwan made Kershaws. All good.

Gerber is also a mixed bag. You have to check model by model. I have USA made, China made, Taiwan made in Gerber. I still prefer their US made patterns, as the quality is more consistent.

Benchmade has some patterns made in Taiwan as well as USA. Don't know about China.

 

[bikerdoc]

Spyderco Native, S30V blade, Golden Colorado

 

[md7]

I strongly second ArfinGreebly's notion of the Buck Vantage Avid knife. I purchased one this past weekend and it is a really great knife. The charcoal Dymondwood handles are beautiful and tough. It carries tip up and is really easy and fast to open. Almost as fast as an assisted open knife.

 

[E304life]

I love my Buck Vantage pro as i have said in another thread. The machined contoured g10 is beautiful and has a Bos heat treated s30v blade that is very sharp. It carries really low in the pocket which I like.
I accidentally dropped my Vantage 10 ft onto a hardwood floor and the blade tip embedded itself about quarter inch so that it stuck straight up (good thing my cat wasn't down there... or my brother) and it doesn't appear to have any damage, so I guess its tough in that sense. It was about 50 dollars where I bought mine.

 

[PX15]

Kershaw...

In a smaller cc ao knife the Kershaw Leek is a super choice... The Leek G10 has the fine S30V stonewashed blade w/grippy G10 handle..

In a medium sized (my choice) cc ao knife the Kershaw Shallot is available with the beautiful Damascus blade.. Sweet.

In a large cc ao knife the Kershaw G10 Tyrade is a hoss... BIG knife, but surprisingly, it will carry and conceal reasonably well in the pocket. The Tyrade comes with the grippy G10 handles and the excellent Composite blade. (Spine 154CM/lower half CPM-D2)

Each knife offers the excellent, quick one finger opening SpeedSafe technology. Each knife comes with a lifetime warranty, and Kershaw has a great reputation for Customer Service.

Each knife can be obtained from a quality rated seller on ebay for less than $100.00, shipped. I think I paid around $85.00 for the Shallot and Tyrade, a bit less for the Leek.

Just choices, but good choices..

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[hmphargh]

The Benchmade Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian would fit the bill I believe. The prices on Benchmade's site are out of whack compared to what people actually sell them for. You should be able to find a Griptilian for about $75 or a Mini-Grip for about $65 online without breaking a sweat.

 

[conw]

For alternatives, despite my SpyderSpiel, I like the various iterations of the BM Griptilian for a hard use general purpose knife, or the kershaw junkyard dog 2 or lahar (in the same class as the tyrade, above)

 

[The Highlander]

Spyderco Native can be had for around $40. The Military is a very cool blade that can be had for a bit above $100. Besides that you're looking at non-U.S. blades. They're very good. Unfortunately a lot of Spydercos use VG-10 which is a Japanese Stainless Steel and they're manufactured in Japan. American Spydercos tend to use S30V. In terms of quality and performance American and Japanese spydercos are about even.

I like Kershaws as well, with the Leek and the Blur being the first to come to mind. Both can be had in a variety of steels like S30V and Sandvik 13C26.

 

[PX15]

And then:

If you want a knife that is basically good for nothing, OTHER than self defense, consider the only ao offering by ProTech, the Ciabatta..

A bit above your pricing limit, but unique, unusual, and top quality.. The blade is 154CM...

Add an H&K P7 and you have a pretty good self defense duo..

Just another choice.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[telkontar]

Search your feelings

All good. You will most likely get a gut feeling based on what you care about -- nostalgia (makes me vote for Buck); steel grade; heft/feel in your hand; appearance; name. All of these criteria have appealed to me in knives at some point in time.

 

[gga357]

Benchmade Griptillian, probably a mini as some think the "regular" is too big. AXIS lock IMO is by far the best.

 

[JTW Jr.]

Griptillian

A very good recommendation right there.... and around $64...

 

[dairycreek]

Kershaw is a great, American (Oregon) firm that makes quality products and has an outstanding customer service department. Can't beat 'em!

 

[Mike U.]

Yeah, dairycreek, I agree.
And, right now I've got a list of Kershaws that will soon find a new home with me.
There's a whole lot to like about what they are doing these days.
Their Ken Onion collaboration knives are just awesome designs made with top shelf materials. Ken Onion was just released from his partnership with Kershaw so I feel I've gotta get moving to get the ones I've been eyeing.
I just picked up a Tyrade and it is a very well executed design. Also, the Tyrade certainly has the look of a Ken Onion design, but, it doesn't have his name on it like the other collab. knives in the Kershaw stable. So, I'm not sure if he gets the credit for the design or not. It is one hefty hoss of a knife though and built to last for a loooong time. I'm lovin' it.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

The Benchmade Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian would fit the bill I believe. The prices on Benchmade's site are out of whack compared to what people actually sell them for. You should be able to find a Griptilian for about $75 or a Mini-Grip for about $65 online without breaking a sweat.

Benchmade Griptillian, probably a mini as some think the "regular" is too big. AXIS lock IMO is by far the best.

Quote:
Griptillian
A very good recommendation right there.... and around $64...

Make that + 3 for me. My edc has been a smooth blade mini griptilian for nearly a year.

 

[skwab]

Another vote for Kershaw - I have several now (be careful - they multiply) and each has been a quality piece. Really like the speedsafe assisted openers. Checkout thekershawstore.com for what they offer - I have bought most of mine through them and have had incredible service.

Check out the Blur - comes in all sorts of varietes, the R.A.M. - a nice carry knife, one of my favorites is the "needs work" with the G-10 handle - I have one at home, one at the office and have given a couple as gifts - more of an everyday utility knife than what I would consider a defensive knife, but for 44 bucks it has been a great value- use one just about every day - the angle of the blade to the handle makes using it really nice.