Help finding a pocket knife

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Monkeybear

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I posted a thread earlier tonight about a particular Case knife. I really am attracted to that knife and while I may still buy it I don't know satisfies my want/needs. I thought I would outline my wants/needs and see what the more experienced have to offer. I don't expect you to read my post and know the "perfect" knife for me but I would appreciate any suggestions and advice that you have.

I want to buy one knife that will become my constant companion indefinitely. I want functional but I also something beautiful. I want useful, quality and pride of ownership. This one is probably easier than it sounds because as long as its well crafted and doesn't have stag or some guys picture on the handle I will probably love it.

I want a folder that I can carry mounted on my belt so something that comes with a sheath or will fit in one thats readily available would be preferable.

I can legally carry a blade up to 5.5" in length and I while ideally I would just carry a 5.5" blade I think something closer to 4" would be more handy. Not sure why I think that so any input on a good blade size for general use would be appreciated.

As far as needs....well the last three times I used a knife it was to cut thin cardboard, cheese and tape. The last ten times was probably the same minus the cheese. Despite this I would like a folder that if necessary could be pressed into much more rigorous service and emerge intact.

And finally I want to spend no more than $200 for this wonderful beautiful robust knife that will last me a lifetime.
 
I carry a Mel Pardue desighned benchmade griptilian in od green I absolutley love it, got it at the PX for 40 dollars. I think normally they go for around 100 or so but there great they will cut any cheese you put in its path. Ive used it for all sorts of stuff skinned a racoon with it once actually, and cut all sorts of stuff with it have had it for a few years and still works perfectly. You could save some money for other things and still have a great knife. You should also look up Mel Pardue you wont be able to get any of his knives for 200 but he makes some amazing cutlery, so does his son if Im correct.
 
Properly cared for, I think the Case will last you a lifetime, although I suspect that at some point you will either lose it or simply buy another knife just because you want one. I mean no offense, but even the most watchful people can lose stuff off of a belt once in awhile.

Anyway, I don't have any particular suggestions, as your desires mentioned a couple of features that you wanted but left out some key features. Does it have to be a folder? If not, and for the uses you mention, one of the small CRKT Razels might work perfectly for you. For that matter, one of Valkmans Small Skinners might work out pretty good. If it has to be a folder, does it have to be a slip-joint, or does a lock make a difference? Do you want a traditionally style knife or can it be "tactical"? With your budget, there is a pretty wide ranging rainbow of quality knives to be had, depending on what your looking for past what you have already described.

If you're the type of cat who really doesn't lost stuff, it might be worth your time to save a little more money and budget a more expensive knife. I have zero experience with them, but our own Hso the Moderator uses a Sebenza, and I feel certain he would tell you that it is worth every penny he has paid for it. He has mentioned how he hard he uses it in other posts, and the knife has held up fine. Expensive, but if you're only planning on one knife as a daily companion, expanding your budget (if possible, of course) might be the thing to do.

Some links:

http://www.osograndeknives.com/CRKT/crkt_-_2011_stubby_pocket_razel.htm

http://www.dlknives.com/Small_Skinners.php

http://www.chrisreeve.com/sebenza.htm

Anyway, just some ideas. You have a good budget and you're likely going to get an avalanche of suggestions, but thats some stuff for you to look at.
 
I want to buy one knife that will become my constant companion indefinitely.
- functional but I also something beautiful.
- useful, quality and pride of ownership.
- doesn't have stag or some guys picture on the handle.
- can carry mounted on my belt so something that comes with a sheath or will fit in one thats readily available would be preferable.
- something closer to 4" would be more handy.
- could be pressed into much more rigorous service and emerge intact.
- no more than $200 for this wonderful beautiful robust knife that will last me a lifetime.
Click to expand...

Well, You've just described a Custom Buck 110.

Ebay listings for custom 110

Chris
 
If you are looking for both beauty and functionality check out the Case series with Indian Reg Stag handles. I just bought a Copperlock from Smoky Mountain Knife works and it is gorgeous! Yes, I am a Case Fanboy! :D
 
I really like that Case but a friend said to me "Its just a $40 knife with $150 of pretty rock on the handle" to which I replied "yeah but the pretty rock is what I like about it". Still it got me thinking, maybe I should see what is out there.
 
"Its just a $40 knife with $150 of pretty rock on the handle"

You know, there's a place for both. The Copperlock with the Indian Red Stag handles set me back $100, but I also have a Sodbuster Jr. that I got for $22 that will do almost everything I need to do with a knife. Each has their place. Buy what you like and can afford and don't worry about what anyone else says.
 
Buy what you like and can afford and don't worry about what anyone else says.
Click to expand...

True. I think his point was that I should spend more on the blade than the handle and not that I was spending too much. I am inclined to agree. OTOH it would seem that if the Case can't handle my needs and the Glock field knife in my glove compartment nor the hatchet in my trunk can't do it either I probably shouldn't be doing it.
 
The Buck 110 is a solid option. I have good experiences with the Buck Prince, which was the first knife I gave my fiance...and she lost it, and a Buck 119 that she purchased for me. I rarely use the 119 because its huge and I can't really wear it around the city. Its not really legally/socially acceptable to wear a huge knife on your belt in Houston.

I really like that CRKT Razel and I will likely buy one but its not really what I am looking for here.

The Sebenza would be awesome but a little to expensive.

I read one post about an AL MAR Eagle Talon. Thats something along the lines of what I am looking for but not quite.

In the end I'm not knife savy enough to really know what I am looking for except that I want something special.
 
Buck 110 was the first thing that came to mind after reading your post. Another good optiion would be a US-made Schrade LB7 Bearpaw, which you can often find on Fleabay.
 
The SOG Mini-Vulcan is a pretty cool knife. It does not come with a belt sheath although one could be rigged. I has a clip that is removable. Price is around $85 at the online knife sales outlets.

It is a very tough knife and one that could be used for self defense if that was a need. It makes an excellent general purpose knife.
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally think most Spydercos are quite attractive.

In your case, I suggest you get a Spyderco Para Military, which will cut string, cheese, and practically anything else. With reasonable care, you can give this to your oldest grandson when he reaches 17. And he'll be proud to own it, too.

If you insist on belt carry, just buy a sheath. You can get one for a few bucks. And you're not looking for a "pocket knife", you're looking for a belt knife.

John
 
Beauty aside, the quality of the Spyderco line is pretty darn good. Overall, I am a big Spyderco fan, though they have a couple of specific knife models that I think are ugly beyond redemption.

The Native in particular is a good value and quite popular, and the new Tenacious looks to be a very, very good value.
 
In the end I'm not knife savy enough to really know what I am looking for except that I want something special.
Click to expand...

If you like that Case buy it and enjoy. If your taste or needs change later then choose a differant knife later.

I can't speak for everyone but I don't know "what I am looking for either",and I don't have too. That changes from day to day.

I have more than a few knives and each has its place .Some were what I was looking for years or months ago.The latest was what I was looking for yesterday.

But I am not a "knife nut" I can stop anytime I want to. ;)
 
I like the case Trappers for a belt carry and they can be purchased in a wide variety of scale material.
Also available is a belt sheath complete with Case logo.
Zeke
 
If the Tenancious is close, also check the Benchmade Vex - very similar in materials, a good lesson in how different the lines can be even with the same features.

Although not traditional in construction, the use of G10 in the scales as both grip and frame leads to a robust and light construction able to deal with the tougher chores - in fact, it's the choice of pro makers for police/military duty knives.

G10 doesn't always have the eye appeal of natural materials - but natural stuff is just about always more fragile or deteriorates more quickly. Popping out mother of pearl inserts, or cracking a stag, bone, or stone inlay happens with all the time with traditional stuff. They can't be relied on for even occasional hard use, and it is what will break them (and your heart) when it happens. In the thirties, knife companies could count on a 40 month life cycle for traditional construction knives. I'm not sure I'm comfortable shelling out $150 for a knife that will wear down in constant use over three years. G10 won't do that.

Corvettes can shine on the road, but if you plan to check the cattle on the back forty, you don't take it just because the Jeep is back in the shed. For everyday use, I drive the Jeep. Not as ego gratifying, but it matches the tool to all the job requirements.
 
Thanks for all your help! I have been looking and looking at knives both in stores and online and I have narrowed it down to these few


Al Mar Classic Eagle

Benchmade Kulgera

Benchmade Apparition

Lone Wolf Harsey T1


These are the ones I am really trying to narrow it down between. I guess the reason I am doing this is that I have really discovered the allure of a fine knife though purchasing them for my fiance' and I want to start of my "collection" with a particularly nice one. Kind of a "my first real knife" deal. Don't worry, I have a CRKT Razel and Benchmade Griptilian in my order as well. :p
 
I like the Lone Wolf best of the above offerings. Rosewood is a handle material I like, and the size of the knife is a bit more hand and pocket friendly - to me.

I sure wish there was a way you could actually handle some knives, some knives look - but do not speak.
Others speak to you the first time in hand.
 
Its really between the Harsey and the Kulgera at this point. I think I am going to put an order to Knifeworks.com for a Harsey, Kulgera, Razel and large Case Stockman in rosewood. Comes to a little over $300.

As for handling knives, the only place in Houston that I know who carries anything I would be interested in is Top Gun Range and they just have some expensive Cold Steel knives. While I would love to have some of those they are not the knives I would buy "first".
 
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