Newbie Knife question

[cdcmj]

I am in need of some of THR's professional advice. I have decided, as every man should, to invest in a quality knife. Im looking for a 3-4 inch blade folding blade. Very sharp to the touch, and a durable blade and folder piece. Im not looking to spend more than 100-120$, but im willing to shop around (ebay, etc.).. I also would like the spring assisted opening for one handed deployment. So, with these broad specs in mind, what you all think??? all advice is welcome, thanks in advance

ps, ill be using it as a complete all around blade (around the house, carrying self defense, and im a firefighter/emt, so for the job..)

 

[hso]

cdcmj,

As a firefight/emt you need a knife that's dependable, durable and with good ergonomics and quality steel. As such, I can't recommend any assists or autos for someone in your line of work. With the large number of manual one-hand openers out there that have no mechanism to fail (and assists and autos do) you'd be better served with a Spyderco or one of the thumb-stud knives.

If your heart's set on an assisted opener the red Kershaw Blur isn't a bad deal, but the CRKT MaiTigh is a better deal with it's superior steel. Alternately, the Camillus AOs are a good deal if you like something that isn't as flat in the hand. The SOG assists are good and the Flash II Rescue is great, but the assisted Tridents with the cutting grove may be the best thing for your applications.

 

[Freddymac]

benchmade all the way

I am a HUGE fan of benchmade knives. There are quite a few in your price range, and I know that you will not be disapointed with their quality. I have carried a Benchmade CQC7 (an Emerson design) for about 10 years know. It is the most rugged folder that I have ever had or seen. I can assure you that I am hard on gear. I dont abuse my equipment, but I am rough. Benchmade stoped making the CQC7 a few years ago, but you can still find them on Ebay for about $120. It's not an auto, but the action is sooooo smooth, and the nkife is sooooo well balanced, that it opens with just a flick of the wrist.

Before choosing a maker or design, carefully inspect the quality of not only the blade but also all of the other componets. Spend a little more if you have to, because a good knife will last you a life time.

Just a thought,
Fred

 

[kid_couteau]

I find it very hard to beat the Swiss army knife in one of its styles.

Inexpensive and hardy

I carry the farmer version and feel lost without it

Kid

 

[Freddymac]

Benchmade CQC7

they come in non-serated, 1/2 serated, regular and Ti-nitrate coated.

 

[cdcmj]

any other suggestions gents>

 

[rustymaggot]

i have a benchmade but i donno what model it is. it has a large hole for opening, kinda like a spyderco. plastic handle and half serrated blade. spyderco makes alot of good knives too.

 

[Fosbery]

Is this for use in firefighting or just for EDC?

The Benchmade Stryker or Emerson CQC7 (practically the same knife) are both excellent. They open one-handed, but are not assisted openers. The Benchmade Griptillian is also a good choice.

There's the Spyderco Endura, which is also one handed opening and probably the best all-round folder ever IMO, and the Spyderco Police if you fancy something slightly larger. There's also the Spyderco Rescue and D'Allara if you want a proper rescue knife. All of these are one-handed opening.

I don't think there's any assisted opener within your price range that I'd reccoment for serious life or death stuff like firefighting. Fo general EDC a Kershaw Leek or one of the Camillus ROBO series would be fine. I wouldn't personally reccomend the SOG assisted openers...their quality is a bit iffy and I don't think they're very ergonomic.

Remember to get a good sharpening kit like a DMT diamond kit. Even the best knives could use a lick out of the box and will need sharpening later.

Oh, and one small point: assisted openers use torsion bars, not springs. If they used springs, they would be automatic knives and therefore illegal in a lot of/most places.

 

[sidewinder slim]

I have a SOG flash II it works great havent had a problem yet i've had the knife for aboat a year and have droped it gone swimming with it and totaly abbused it no problems yet

 

[Fosbery]

Yeh, sometimes SOGs work fine, but sometimes they get a lot of blade play or have weak locks. Also, the serrations are silly (probably the biggest problem), the lock isn't ergonomic at all and the assisted opening is pretty weak compared to others. It does have better steel than the Leek, but I'd still choose the Leek over it because it just dosn't have any problems with it. But overall I'd go for a Camillus, best of both worlds with its AUS8 (Or S30V if you go for the Dominator) steel and great quality.

 

[Mac Attack]

For a rugged folder with Ken Onion's speed safe I would take a serious look at Zero Tolerance knives. Here is a link to pictures off of TAD Gear.

http://www.tadgear.com/edged%20tools/zero_tolerance.htm

My bust, I didn't see that you had a price limit. In the range of $100 - $200 I would recommend a Emerson waved CQC8. They can be found within your price range and is a great overall design. I carry a custom nonwaved CQC8 and find it to be great for just about everything. IMHO, I think a knife with the Wave (Emerson and Spyder co are the only brands which have the wave...legally) are faster than a automatic knife or speed safe.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Okay, I hate when people vary from the initial request, but ... if you're looking for fast one-hand opening, I think a wave, as executed by Spyderco, beats the pants off assisted opening mechanisms. With that in mind, I'd recommend the Spyderco waved endura 4. Great blade steel, great edge geometry, great handle shape supported by steel liners, solid lock, clip that is mountable for draw into regular or pakal grip, well under your budget limit. And, of course, both an opening hole for manual opening, and a waved for opening on the draw (much faster than assisted opening).

Joe

 

[hso]

Thanks Joe! I spaced on the new 'waved' Spydies. That could be the perfect thing for him.

 

[Jalexander]

Here's another vote for the new 'waved' Spydies, but my own preference would be a Benchmade with an Axis lock and good steel. Right now I'm wanting the 940. http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4013 The Axis lock is pretty much my favorite, and once you're used to it you can open and close the knife in the blink of an eye.

James

 

[M249MachineGun]

+1 Spyderco Waved Endura.

I have one of the old models with a 2 plastic zip-tie jury-rigged wave, and it is great for everything. Came shaving sharp right out of the box. The new models look great, especially with the more durable pocket clip that can't slip around with three attachment screws.

Delica's good, too.

 

[Fosbery]

Yeh, +1 Waved Endura from me. I'd forgotten about that. Be sure to get one with serrations if it's for firefighting, rescue work etc though.

 

[cdcmj]

where would you recommend picking up a "waved" blade. Websites that are popular for order?? for benchmade, spyderco, etcc (what you all have recommended)

 

[commygun]

Camillus Heat. AUS-8, thumbstud and an AO flipper, SE or PE, coated or uncoated,
built like the proverbial brick defacatorium,
and you can buy 2 for your budgeted amount/

 

[hso]

http://www.1sks.com/store/spyderco-delica-4-with-wave.html

Waved Delica for ~$50.

 

[ugaarguy]

Good folks I've bought from before, $52 for a waved Delica;
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SP11PGYW
Might wanna toss one of these in the kit too;
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BM6BLK
Price when added to cart is $40. I think the waved Spydie Delica or it's bigger brother the Endura coupled with a Benchmade rescue hook would give you a very useful edged tool combo for your stated uses and price range.

 

[cdcmj]

i think ive decided, what do you all think, honestly , for knife choice and price shipped?? Ken Onion LEEK CKT ST Black Pocket Knife KERSHAW Knives , 52$
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Ken-Onion-LEEK-CKT-ST-Black-Pocket-Knife-KERSHAW-Knives_W0QQitemZ330007112427QQihZ014QQcategoryZ63796QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[aufevermike]

Good choice, the Ken Onion Kershaws are very nice and hold an edge. I love mine as well.

 

[tellner]

You can spend a lot of money on knives and have a really good one or an utter piece of junk. There are many good knifemakers out there. Spyderco, Emerson, Benchmade, CRKT, Kershaw, Gerber and Cold Steel are all high-quality reputable companies that make good products. Find one that fits your hand and your budget. A serrated or half-serrated blade would probably be a good idea in your line of work. You probably have to cut tough things like rope, seatbelts and similar more often than your average bear. The Spyderco-style serrations are excellent for that.

Beyond finding a good maker don't worry too much about this or that brand or particular make and model. There are plenty that will work. But if it isn't comfortable in your hand or if it slips you've wasted your money