Well, well, well. Now I need an EDC knife that wont fail at the very least and I have about 60 bucks to spend. I have held the Kershaw Blur and like the texture of the scales, the blade design in to my liking being a partially serrated blade. I don't know what type of steel it is (Could you guys help me out on this one?) How robust is the spring assist on this knife? Its a liner lock, I do believe, and that's fine with me.
uh...help!
The Blur comes in many different steels. Base model is Sandvik steel I think. Good stuff. Just a warning, I've seen videos on youtube by reputable channels showing Blurs not only failing a spine whack, but being folding by hand without disengaging the liner lock. Possibly able to be fixed by disassembling the knife and bending the liner lock over to increase tension. YMMV.
Kershaw's spring assist fires pretty well, but unlike SOG, if the opening is disturbed or interrupted, the blade just sits there half open waiting to close on your fingers. I strongly prefer a full assisted SOG opening, or, even better, a Spyderco with a thumbhole. Once you get it down, it's just as fast as an assisted opener and way, way more positive and foolproof. And you are in control of the blade the whole time, and you don't have the added pressure while closing the blade that you get in an assisted opener. A Spyderhole is a lot better than flicking a flipper or thumbstud as well, IMO. You might have different tastes, I'm a Spyderco fanboy.
If you want tough, don't discount a Cold Steel. They come in many sizes including a 3" blade the size of the Blur. Once you break the lock in and sand down the G10, they are sharp, cheap, and the toughest folder you can buy. That Triad lock will not fail. And I actually prefer closing a backlock one handed to any other lock type.
Be sure to look at the Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight, Spyderco Endura, Delica, or the Spyderco Salt 1 and Pacific Salt (100% rust proof, wear it in the pool or shower), and every other Spyderco ever made. Just sayin'.
For really good value, the Ontario RAT 1 or RAT 2 are absolutely amazing quality for the price.