Need a Knife Suggestion

[sm]

I don't have a decent knife. I know a lot you carry everyday and respect your opinion. Law here states 3" or less in length. I need something easy one hand opening, and being the way I am I prefer a carbon blade. Affordable.

I used to carry a larger knife, but went low key returning to school. I lost all my hunting and fishing knives in last move. My Al Mar I had--lost in a situation a while back.

Ideas?

 

[Steve Smith]

Working, fighting, or a little of both?

 

[Don Gwinn]

Spyderco Delica would be my choice. Small, but sharp and quick as can be, and Spyderco quality is legend. Actually, I think my Native is less than 3" of blade, and it's just awesome.
These are stainless, but good quality stainless. You won't have any problem getting these suckers sharp, and they come from the factory sharper than just about anything else out there.
For my money, the Spyderco hole opening device is the simplest, most instinctive out there, besides being cheap, ambidextrous, and much less likely to snag.

 

[Byron Quick]

I carry the Spyderco Native. Very impressive knife for the money.

 

[sm]

A Little of Both

Grew up not being dressed without one. Carried a Case(tm) Trapper for years. Skinning/clean game, pare an apple, open a box kind of guy. Bit slow for 'social' uses, but figured that steel would do the job. Then the lockblades came out...later the one hand opening...then the half serrated blades. Learned the later a good feature for rope.

I keep a low profile, but CCW unless signs or detectors dictate other wise. Need something that's in keeping.

I'll search for the Delica and get a pic. Just need another "tool" for the box. Thanks everyone.

 

[Steve Smith]

I'm partial to Case myself. Unfortunately, a Stockman isn't all that "tactical" so I carry a Benchmade Mini-AFCK most of the time. You never know when you might have to use a knfe one-handed, you know? I agree with the others. If you can't afford a Benchmade, get a Spyderco...one with the plastic handle, not the metal.

 

[JShirley]

I carry a Benchmade Mini-AFCK while in uniform, but have carried a Spyderco Native for a while in civilian life. I do believe the Native is over 3" blade, though. Delica is a good choice.

 

[sm]

Thanks for the input

Been checking the sites/suggestions.
I'm kinda used to walking into the hardware store,handling one, and buying that way--times have changed huh?

Steels, clips, designs, ...Hey I shoot 1911 style and wheels mostly--no doohickey's...oh well, I'll keep checking.

Delicia seems ok, the lightweight version , but no clip, good/bad/?

Understand I appreciate fine craftsmanship--used to do that sort of thing...used real fine tools...worked on /with expensive stuff ...just this is a new one on me. My carbon steel tools, bits ,etc,used in the business worked better than some of the new steels...thats all

 

[Jim V]

A couple of suggestions for on line places to look at knives, Atlanta Cutlery and the Cutlery Shoppe. I have bought from both of them, on line, and have never had a problem.

And if you are into armor, mail, swords, helmets, pikes, etc. Atlanta Cutlery will be the place to look.

 

[Steve Smith]

I say get the clip. It keeps it in the same place all the time. frees up the bottoms of pockets, too.

 

[labgrade]

May run into your 3" length problem, but one of the best out there, IMNSHO, is a Gerber Guardian Backup.

Full tang, nice fully adjustable pull sheath, straight pull/no-flip - grab it & you have a blade = knife. Zip nada. A quick knife.

About $35+ - abouts. Why flip when you can drag out a blade?

& depends too on what you'd want = "social" or a thing to cut stuff sometimes.

Matters.

I've a couple SAK "mumble" li'l things always in my pockets that does a wonderful job for anything basic - slices things open, gots the "mini"-scissors & a cuopla other things & weighs in at about nothing. A very handy tool I'd never be without.

In my other pocket, I'll carry a bigger bladed SAK that is a bit more heavy duty, & with a couple extras.

I might carry that Gerber Backup sometimes.

I've never needed the "tactical kinfe."

I've carried it sometimes to "be sure" in some uncertain times - mostly, when extreme backpacking & the like. Very nice to be able to drag out a blade without having to flip anything - kinda like some of the better flashligths where you don't have to "ask permission" to get a light .....

If I need a "blade" in a "social experiement," please do give me my BHP.

It has better range, better depth. Then, knives are for sissys.

 

[JShirley]

Before TFL, I spent a good bit of time on Knife Forums and Blade Forums. I was persuaded by One Who Shall Not be Named that only a fixed blade was truly "tactical". Blessed with this knowledge, I sold my functional Cold Steel 4" Voyager folder, and bought an assortment of small fixed blades.

I wore the handiest of them three times, I believe.

I feel that (1) folders are more likely to be easily present when needed, and (2) are much easier to explain than even a small "boot knife". If you're in a situation where a fixed blade can openly be carried (such as hunting), you can probably also carry a firearm.

So, yes, a fixed blade is good, but any blade is better than no blade.

 

[labgrade]

JShirley makes a lot of sense in his "a fixed blade is good, but any blade is better than no blade."

Depending, most anything will do a pretty darned good job of 90%+ of what you'd want a knife to do. Mostly amatter of personal pref & we've all got that = tactical to bare minimum.

Personally? I always have at least a couple blades handy enough to do utilitarian-type stuff - rarely for anything defensive.

That's what a firearm is for.

Faster, more lethal, more definative.

Besides, it makes a bigger bang & scares the bad guys more.

Slicing? half the time, they don't even know they're cut till ya tell 'em .....

 

[sm]

Thanks, good advice.

My Sig line, got me to thinking.
Well I figure this goes for blades. Mil-Specs and model 19's work--though not ubertactical or uberexpensive. Course I get smug with some uses of the term tactical nowadays.

Up the ante to say a C note , clip, plain and serrated blade, keep the weight down. Not sure which is safest/surest on locking. Liner locks have used-careful on one hand closing. Just want the darn thing to work--iffen I got to use it.

All this because the sign and detectors said I couldn't CCW, and I couldn't keep carrying my
glass bottle of root beer around , wasn't thirsty mind you, just another" tool".

 

[Steve Smith]

I like the liner lock. You can close the knife with one hand too.

Try to get a blade with 1/3 serrated 2/3 plain edge so you can make nice cuts and tough cuts too. This is Spyderco's one big fault and why I've always liked the Benchmades more. Spyderco often gives you an all or nothing serration choice. (yak!)

 

[sm]

Steve Smith

Benchmade
what I've seen doing a search
so far--getting my attention

I appreciate everyone's experience
and input...just want to handle
one...real real bad !!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I'll echo the suggestions for the Spyderco Delica. I've carried one almost every day for the past several years. It's light, quick-opening, and made of good steel. It does have a pocket clip as well. Mine is the straight edge, which I prefer, but it's also available with a serrated edge.

 

[Inspector Callahan]

Yeah, Spyderco rules the sub 3 inch folder category. They offer a dizzying array of choices that are sure to meet both your need and your price range. Send an email to [email protected] and ask for a current price list. Best Spydie prices in the civilized world. Cheers.

 

[CAP]

You can't go wrong with a Spyderco. I think I have at least 1/2 dozen and want a couple of other models.

I do have my eye on a Benchmade axis locking knife now though that I hope is in the stocking tomorrow morning.

CAP

 

[MikeK]

Benchmade 705 or mini Griptilian. I went through a similar decision a few months ago and bought the 705. All of the other suggestions are good. The BM 705 has the axis lock, opens easily with a flick of the wrist, has a lifetime warranty. It's stainless, but uses 154CM, which seems to hold an edge well.

As someone else suggested, try www.bladeforums.com for more info.

I also own a Spyderco and some other brands, but prefer a post to a hole for opening the blade.

Good luck!

 

[sm]

You guys are good!!

Thanks.
I'm perusing the sites, drooling, do not turn me loose in a showroom-I'll embarass myself.

I'm generally a no frills guy--show me an old worn finished K frame or 1911 style -spittle on the showcase, oops!

I stole a tip from runt_of _ the_ litter: whetted a old hickory carbon steel blade(utility knife) on the old india stone, placed in truck.

decisions, decisons... may be best to give someone the $, let them purchase and just say "here ya go '73"

 

[762x51]

I carry an Emerson CQC-7B everyday but I've been looking at that Griptilian alot lately. Looks quite nice.

 

[Steve Smith]

The Emerson CQC-7 isn't a bad knife, but I never liked the chisel grind. Benchmade DIDN'T do a good job with their CQC-7 post-Emerson copy.

 

[mons meg]

If you like Al Mar, they make an Ultralight folder in a 3 inch comfiguration. My Eagle 4 inch is so llight I can clip it to sweatpants and forget it's there. AUS-8 steel, the smaller ones will probably set you back around $70.

 

[H&K Fan]

You need to define affordable a bit narrower. It really is a different thing to different people when it comes to knives. I work with people who make over $50K a year and when I show them Microtech Amphibian automatic knife which set me back $160 they are stunned that anyone would spend that much money on a knife. Even though the dinner they buy at Ruby Tuesday's on Friday nights runs a tab of $90 or more. Besides, it depends on whether you are buying a knife from a forum, a brick and mortar store, a website or (spit) ebay.