Looking for new A/O pocket knife

[xmanpike]

I recently lost my CRKT Veff serrated assisted opening Full Throttle . Great knife, discontinued and am considering searching for another one, but was wondering if anyone else had good input.

I would like assisted opening, clip on, not terribly huge, partial serrations, and would prefer to stay away from Chinese steel. Price is not an issue. Thanks!

MC

 

[hso]

 

[xmanpike]

Those are beautiful!!!!!

 

[hso]

And expensive, too!

 

[Limeyfellow]

It would help if we knew what sort of size you are looking at. After all there is a big difference in size and mass between say a Spyderco Tenacious and a Kershaw Leek. Any particular blade shape you like? Materials? Non-slippy handles?

If you know what model of CRKT you had that would probably be a good gauge for us.

 

[xmanpike]

The CRKT I had was called the Full Throttle and had the Veff Serrations. The only complaint I had about it was the painted finish wore off quickly, but I actually think it looked a little better as bare metal. It also was slightly heavy, but in some ways that was nice. It made it feel solid.

 

[MariusDP51]

Op, I'm curious about what exactly you use the serated part of the blade for in everyday use. Can you give an example or two please?

 

[FirearmsEnthusiast]

And expensive, too!

How expensive?

 

[SleazyRider]

SOG Blink

If you can live without serrations, for about 25 bucks or so the SOG Blink gets my vote. It's flat, tough as nails, is lightening-fast to deploy, and is American-made. I've even seen them for sale at Dick's.

Mine doubles as a money-clip (when my wife gives me a few bucks, that is), as I don't care to use the clip for pocket carry---it's just asking for trouble to have the clip exposed in my neck of the woods, and I find it irritating to have it scrape my hand whenever I put my hand in my pocket.

It has one drawback that may be significant if you work in a dirty environment: it is very sensitive to pocket dirt and grit, which tends to clog up the mechanism. I sometimes clean mine with strips of paper and dental floss, or sometimes compressed air. I've taken mine apart, and found the mechanism as intricate and precise as a Swiss watch---good for performance, but poor for dirt resistance. Why, there are detents and steel balls in there that are smaller than half a grain of rice!

I don't own any "pretty" knives, but my SOG is by far the most utilitarian.

 

[xmanpike]

I am constantly cutting twine and cord at the factory I work at, and while a regular blade works fine as long ss it is sharp, the twine in particular dulls a blade quickly. The Veff serrations on the CRKT knife would catch the cord and cut straight through it.

 

[Rail Driver]

+1 on the SOG Blink. I used to have one, and a pal of mine has the Blink II, both of which are great knives.

 

[hso]

How expensive?

$1,700

 

[Black Toe Knives]

HSO very nice. But he said Money wasn't Object. This would be a better fit at $27,000. Knife is by Ron Lake and engraved by Steduto

 

[A and O]

WOW!

LORD, teach to believe in a larger way.

 

[tschmittel]

How about a Spyderco Harpy.

 

[hso]

Jim,

Unless Ron Lake is making assisted openers I don't think that applies.

It is beautiful, though. BTW, Ron gave a seminar at Blade this year.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

HSO, You are right scratch that one. You know. I don't remember seeing many custom assisted.

 

[hso]

Jim,

Because of the various patents and the "I didn't invent it" sentiment most makers that weren't involved in developing one of the assisted opening mechanisms aren't likely to use them. Butch Vallotton, Ken Onion, Blackie Collins, Darryl Ralph, and the rare custom put out by Randall King are about the only makers who use them in their knives. Otherwise you see autos or clever one hand mechanisms from custom makers.

 

[usmc1371]

Benchmade makes quite a few that should fill the bill. Check out the axis assisted opening modles, not only do you get a great knife but what I think is the best lock ever. Plus they are made in Oregon.

Or maybe a spyderco endura half serated ZDP-189 blade steel should hold an edge quite well, I carry one in full serated and love it but I wish it was PE or CE.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

HSO, I kinda figured as much. That what I see too. Some of the earlier knives 1980 AO mechanisms patents have run out. Knife kits carry the tooling and parts for AOs. But the current custom market is not driving the technology. Custom Knifemakers are just trying to stay alive.