Help with new knife pick

[FuzzyBunny]

I need a pocket knife.
I gave a few specs desired and just need a low cost knife.
Use is just everyday and as a last ditch self defense.
I don't need a handmade special just one that will hold an edge more than 10 minutes and I will not cry if lost.

I have an old Gerber Gator that is great but I wear it in a belt pouch and the grips are too sticky and wide for city pocket carry. My others are old case and Kabar folders but have been handed down from now dead male relatives so I am doing to put them up so they don't get lost or stolen.

Here are my specs

Assisted opener for one handed opening if one sleeve is caught in a power tool.
A clip for easy access and I can access same place all the time
Not a tanto I do like the clip points
Plain edge near point and serrated near hilt for rope/string
Thin or at least not thick for pocket carry so not a heavy one.
Not more blade than 2.5 to 3.5 inches
Cost under $40 and $30 would be better
Dark color or at least one thats not day glow orange so it won't stand out.


I'm not a knife guy really but carry ones that are sentimental to me and I want to stop doing that everyday. I know you get what you pay for but I need one that will function and is half way decent. I'm sick of ones that are so cheap they bend when you open a letter. I also need a source to buy one online.

Thanks for replies
Fuzzy

 

[xm21]

Spyderco Native S30V steel 39.95 walmart.

It is not serrated,but you don't need them
with a steel that will hold an edge like S30V

 

[hso]

Any one hand opener will do as well as an assisted opener, but for what you specify there are plenty of products from Kershaw and CRKT that will fit your needs.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

HSO got you covered

 

[Piraticalbob]

I'd recommend a Spyderco Delica with a combo edge. Lightweight, inexpensive, and fits all the specifications you mentioned.

 

[alaskanativeson]

HSO is right, but xm21's advice is also great. I've had a Native III I carried for several years that performed like a champ. It was also inexpensive enough that I wouldn't have been too upset if I'd lost it. Of course these days it's a Mini-Griptilian or a Mini-Rukus that I always reach for, but the Native is a great little knife for the money.

 

[INMY01TA]

Kershaw Blur.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

One Handers

Light and thin: Kershaw Leek and Kershaw Vapor. Buck Knives also has some stuff to offer, see below. I've grabbed some images to show the basic profiles. I don't know if all of them are offered with combo blades.

The Leek is assisted:


The Vapor has no assist:


Also the (Mayo designed) Buck Cutback BU-174, a surprisingly competent knife. (No assist.)

And its larger brother, the Buck BU-179 Hilo: (Also no assist.)

For a few dollars more, Buck has some hefty, robust assisted-opener offerings: the Rush and Sirus. The Rush is smaller and quite compact. Very sharp, very pointy. The Sirus is a larger, heavier piece, and a real handful of knife.

The Rush:

The Sirus:

And finally, just because, there's the Buck Redpoint. No spring. It's a one-handed opener with a lock-latch that locks it both open and closed. You open it by thumbing the latch and rotating the "wheel" at the base of the blade with your finger, both to open and close the knife. It's quite light. Don't know how thin. It is available in various colors, one of them being gray.

I don't have one of those, because I prefer the plain-edge knives, and the Redpoint is only available in a combo edge. Rats. Because I actually like the knife design.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Based on your requirements, I would recommend a Kershaw Leek. Go to your local Wal-Mart and see if they have one. Just about every Walmart around here has the silver/grayish one with the half serrated blade. They want too much for it, but you can at least handle one to see if you like it. There is also a black version that is just as thin.

The one thing you want to keep in mind is that the sides are pretty smooth, so if you are going to have wet hands, you might want a different knife. The Blur is similar, but has rough inserts that will make it a bit easier to hold on to. The downside is that it makes it a bit thicker.

 

[kirklandkie]

+1 on the "Buck Cutback BU-174"
it's my daily carry knife

-kirk

 

[zeebo419]

What about a gerber fast draw? I have one and I like it tho I'm not much of a knife person. It seems to hold a servicable edge and i got it a wal-mart for under $40.

 

[hawk45]

Cheap easy one hand opener... look at the Byrd line of Spyderco knives. Very high quality for $20 knives. Also check out the CRKT Drifter.. mine is small and real smooth.

 

[T.R.]

My everyday knife is a Boker liner lock named Ultimate Hunter. It features a high quality SS blade and root wood handle. But you can find one on eBay with little effort for under $20.

TR

 

[arcticap]

Frost knives at True Value & Ace Hardware stores

My local True Value Hardware store received a new display of Frost knives.
This Cliff Dweller is a sturdy tactical folder with a 2.5" cutting edge.
It was only $8.99 and Ace Hardware will also ship knives to your local store for free.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2845686

 

[mp510]

I recommend getting a Benchmade Pika (NOT the Pika II) with the partially serrated blade. The blade profile is a lot less aggressive looking than the Spyderco Native and it has the serrated option that the Native lacks. Additionally, the clip is designed to minimize visibility of the knife itself- only the clip is visible when your carrying it. I got mine nearly two years ago, and I have used/abused it just about every day since.

 

[mp510]

My local True Value Hardware store received a new display of Frost knives.
This Cliff Dweller is a sturdy tactical folder with a 2.5" cutting edge.
It was only $8.99 and Ace Hardware will also ship knives to your local store for free.

As an FYI, the pocket clip on that knife is excessively rigid, which would make it difficult to re-pocket quickely. Additionally, out of the box, the blade has a degree of grittiness to it. Not very smoothe opening. I will agree that unlike many of the junkier Frost tactical folders, this one does have a very nice edge, right out of the box, and locks up very solidly.

 

[mg.mikael]

Go with a Gerber Paraframe I, it has a 3 inch blade, and weighs only 2.7 ounces. The stainless steel handle incorporates a frame lock to hold the blade securely in place, so no real parts that could wear out like a spring. This is my personal everyday pocket-knife and it can be found under $30.00.

Note: They also make a serrated version.

 

[conw]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz8ZAnendfQ&feature=fvw

^nutnfancy goes on forever it seems like but his reviews are pretty good

Kershaw Skyline! It's awesome - G10 scales, good Sandvik steel holds an edge (heat treat is RIGHT on), dark colored but not tacticrap attention-getter. It's beautiful, light, smooth opening, sharper than any other Kershaw out of the box, $25-30 depending where you get it. It does have one-handed opening.

Get a coarse and fine DMT dia-sharp stone too and you'll be right at $40 and SET.

This thing is seriously the best Kershaw I've ever handled.

 

[lions]

I'll second zeebo and say Gerber FAST Draw. The clip positions the blade point up which is a lot faster on the draw for me. I really can get this thing out and open in a hurry. It meets all your requirements but if you are used to having the blade point down when in your pocket it may take a little getting used to. It is a good knife for what it is.

 

[Big Top Gt]

I almost laughed out loud when I read "Gerber Gator."

I've got a scar on my left thumb knuckle (at the base of my thumb) from where I got carelesss with a Gator and cut myself open to the thumb while whittling a branch in Albania. (I still have the offending branch.)

Ahhh.. good times...

 

[Black Toe Knives]

Find a "Case" guy ask him what he carries everyday. Most I know will pull out a well worn Ken Onion Kershaw. It is first choice amongst people that love knives.

 

[Todd A]

Find a "Case" guy ask him what he carries everyday. Most I know will pull out a well worn Ken Onion Kershaw.

Uhhh Ohhh......I know a couple Case guys here who will take that as fight'n words.

Of course us Schrade guys really carry "custom" fixed blades.

(I gave my dusty,hadn't been used in years Leek to a friend at work who needed a decent knife)

 

[conw]

If USABILITY once the blade is open is the key, Case takes the cake. People looking at pics of knives don't understand that "old school" case knives are ALL ABOUT longevity, cutting power, and user friendliness. The catch is they don't open one handed unless you file them or are sm or whatever . Case has a much thinner blade profile most of the time than many knives marketed for similar tasks by more contemporary companies (Kershaw, even Spyderco, etc) which equates to a more usable edge, period. Not to mention that the tolerances and tension on a $20-25 case slipjoint are perfect and stay that way.

Case knows what it does and it does it well. It does NOT pry, chop wood at arm's length, etc. It does not open one-handed. If you want a knife for last ditch defense, get a fixed blade. If you want a user for every day tasks, get a Case. If you want some kind of bastardized compromise between the two, that's your deal.

END HYPERBOLIC RANT.

Now, of the bastardized compromises, I like the Skyline just fine

PS - This isn't a flame directed at you Black Toe, just a strong opinion. IMO most people go with a newer design because they either require fast access but can't carry fixed due to legal restrictions, or they just haven't tried a good carbon slipjoint.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

Case is one of the Finest Knives ever made. Period. The Kershaw Observation was just more of funny anecdote than anything.

 

[conw]

Nah, you just got me started. Then there was no stopping until it was all out. I feel better. No hard feelings