Pocket knife advice please

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19-3Ben

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Hey all.
So I'm sure it's fairly common for people to ask questions about pocket knives but here we go.

I'm looking for a knife I can carry every day.
1)Blade should be between 3-4 inches.

2)I prefer tanto style blade.

3)Partial serrations are nice, but not a must.

4)Can't stand liner locks. I just don't trust 'em, unfounded though that may be.

5)One handed opening and closing is a must.

6) looking to spend $60-80

My top contenders are Cold Steel's Recon folder, and Benchmade's 553 Griptillian.
I think I like the idea of the Benchmade better. The company has a better rep, made in the USA, and it looks like it would be a little smoother.
On the other hand, I don't want to discount any good options.

So can you think of other comparable blades in that price range?

BTW- Before anyone even says it, no Spyderco please. I know people like their knives. They just look very awkward to me and I can't get past the appearance. Too...ungainly.
 
Hrm...interesting. Looks like it's significantly less expensive than the other two. I wonder why. (legit question, not trying to nix the product. Just simply realizing that more often than not, you get what you pay for)
 
(not a blade profile I recommend to anyone)
Click to expand...

Yeah. I dunno why I just feel like I HAVE to try it. I've had everything from sheepsfoot, to clip point, spear, etc... Just haven't tried "tanto" yet.
 
Picked up a 551 Griptilian a few weeks back, very happy with it vs. anything I've carried in the past. Being that it cost twice as much as any other folding knife I've owned, I expected a lot and wasn't disappointed.

Opening, with a little practice, is extremely fast & smooth. I little more effort to close but practice makes perfect. And blade of course is razor sharp as my middle finger can attest :rolleyes:
 
I got a free SIGTAC knife when I bought my GSR. Tanto blade W/ serrations. It is a great knife but unfortunitly it has a 4" blade which in WV is a no no for carry. 3 1/2 inch max here in WV
 
The Recon is a large knife. I do not like Tanto style knives on a do all knife; I just do not find them useful. A Spyderco Native is half what you want to spend and a very good quality knife.
 
I've used Kershaw Blurs for nearly 5 yr now - they are solid and strong, despite the liner lock. I prefer lockback, but the Kershaws - and my large Buck #419 Folding Kalinga Pro (S30V) - are great examples of excellent liner locks.

Oh yeah, the Blur - check out Wally World for a black Blur with the tanto blade - decently priced, too.

Stainz
 
Check out Smoky Mountain Knifeworks online. Quality varies from low to high, and, they occasionaly get in a few good knives that are no longer made.
 
How about a Cold Steel Triple Action? Tanto Blade, one handed opener and closer, no liner lock, light as heck, about $80 bucks if you look hard enough. No partial seration though. I really like mine. Takes about 30 minutes of opening and closing before you can do it in your sleep.

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Hm.... unless you stab thing all day.. you will quickly not like the tanto.

I used to like them, now I don't. Never liked serrations. but, if you want a good, tanto half serrated knife, has a liner, plus another lock. CRKT m16, or m21. They have tactical styles with tanto points. Definitely one handed opening with the flipper. And aluminum handles are super nice. a whole lot in that price range.

But I would suggest spyderco for the non liner lock. Or a benchmade axis lock. Both great values.
 
Guys,

I think the "tanto" is highly over rate/hyped, but Ben knows that already. He just wants another knife and hasn't had a "tanto" yet and wants to try one.
 
Echoing from above, the Kershaw Blur is hard to beat for the $$. But mine isn't a tanto blade. Cleans easily because it's an "open" sided design. My only complaint is it's hard on your clothes because of the rough (anti-slip) surface if you use the clip.
 
HSO, you're right. Just looking at the blade design it seemed to me that I would have no use for a "tanto" style blade. I just had no personal experience and thought it would be neat to try it out so I can speak from experience rather than speculation. Last night my more rational sense took over. I'm nixing the tanto. I'll just use a drop point with which I have lots of good experience. I'm curious about the tanto, but not curious enough to drop $60-80 just for the experience. I actually NEED a pocket knife to replace an old crappy one finally gave out (one I got as a gift in high school). So since this is going to be a good one to last a long time, I might as well get a useful blade.

I still have a bit of a crush on the Griptillian. but CRKT has some interesting designs as well. oh, the choices... I'll keep doing my research.
 
Voyager 3"

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/36543-1.html

Good price.
I have one of these and I have beat the heck out of it over the years..
I use it to cut Kevlar at work and that is awful on a blade. It holds and edge great... Mine has the AUS8 steel... I believe that is what CTD sells.
I believe Cold Steel now makes Voyager with VG-1 steel.. which is excellent for strength and has enough carbon in it to keep that edge.
Those knives are scary sharp.
I have never had anything but good work out of that knife.
Tanto blades are really good for puncture power. That thick top edge lends for immense strength in the blade direction.
 
Hmm.
The Benchmade Vex is a very good knife, and even thought it is a liner lock, it is a very solid, sturdy liner lock.
 
Remind me again why I won't like a tanto blade? No, I don't "stab thing all day", but it works just as well as my drop points do.
 
I like CRKT knives; they're pretty good and not too expensive.
Click to expand...

Very true. But, just like Benchmade (who USED to be relatively inexpensive but priced themselves out of MY market), and others who incrementally jack up their prices as their popularity catches on, Kershaw and Columbia River are going to suffer, I fear, from the same corporate direction.

My recommendation: If you find a brand and blade you like, buy as many as you can afford. If nothing else, gifts to sons & daughters, family and friends are dollars well-spent now. Years from now they'll look back and say "Damn, I'm glad he bought me this pieces... look what they cost now!"

I have two of the earliest Columbia Rivers... my wife still carries the small one and my bigger 4" folder is in the tackle box and has lived a VERY useful life as a hard-use knife. Ontario knives falls into that same category, although I don't own any folders (if they make any?) -- but I have an older Ontario that's been rode hard and put away wet many times that's lived up to the $29 that I spent for it. Already have my money's worth out of it.

Knives are like cars and firearms... personal preference, intended use, and cost are all in the equation. When you find that perfect piece that doesn't stretch the wallet and needs your needs, life is good. :)
 
Well, a camping trip has come up so I needed to accelerate my purchase. I ended up with the Benchmade Griptillian with drop point and partial serrated blade.
I admit, I was probably biased to start with. But hey, I don't think I could have done better!

By the way- thank you for all the advice. It was much appreciated.
 
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I'll second the CRTK choices....esp. the ones with the LAWKS.....

I was distrustful of liner locks until I bought my Crawford/Kaspar mini-folder with LAWKS. It's been in tougher situations than my Endura and Delica and held up well. Now, I won't buy a liner lock without it....
 
Comrades!

You should all check out BladePlay.com! Go nuts! Good quality and prices, fast service, nice people. Especially consider the "assisted-opening" models, legal almost everywhere and just as good as full auto knives.....................elsullo :D
 
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