Piranha auto knives

**Plasmio** · 06-29-2012, 07:30 PM

Unfortunately, California's law makes automatic knives over 2 inches illegal to possess or carry. I really wish it weren't this way, because I really love the Piranha Bodyguard and Predator knives. Does anyone own any Piranha knives?

**Yo Mama** · 06-29-2012, 08:39 PM

I've never been comfortable carrying an auto. With a safety, you're basically taking more time to deploy than I can do with a regular folder.

**Brian_R170** · 06-29-2012, 08:52 PM

Plasmio,
I own a few, and I'm sure several other forum members do. Do you have a specific question?

Yo Mama,
As far as I know, the only Piranha model to have a safety was the Amazon, but that was a few years ago, current models don't have safeties.

**Plasmio** · 06-29-2012, 09:16 PM

I wouldn't necessarily carry it, just keep it in my collection. I think they make good-looking knives.

**Plasmio** · 06-29-2012, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Brian_R170

Plasmio,
I own a few, and I'm sure several other forum members do. Do you have a specific question?

Yo Mama,
As far as I know, the only Piranha model to have a safety was the Amazon, but that was a few years ago, current models don't have safeties.

Is the steel used for the blade any good?

**spyderchop** · 06-29-2012, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Plasmio

Is the steel used for the blade any good?

yup s30v i think

**Plasmio** · 06-29-2012, 09:24 PM

If that's true, they must be good EDC knives.

**Blais** · 06-29-2012, 10:47 PM

I've only owned one and it was way back (can't even remember the model). While I wasn't keen on the flamboyant anodizing on the handle, it had a wicked snap and locked up solid. I can only guess that they've gotten even better since then. While you're looking, check out the cali-legal Protech Runt. I've never had the pleasure of owning a Runt but the 2 Protechs I have, a godson and CQC, are excellent autos. Feel free to post pics and a review if/when you find something you like.

**Plasmio** · 06-29-2012, 10:59 PM

Unfortunately the Runt is a little knife for a lot of money.

**Blais** · 06-29-2012, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by Plasmio

Unfortunately the Runt is a little knife for a lot of money.

Honestly, a little over a hundred bucks for a Runt is no big deal for the quality Protech puts out. You'd pay at least as much for a Benchmade, if they made something comparable.

**Brian_R170** · 06-29-2012, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by spyderchop

yup s30v i think

The Bodyguard/Miniguard and the new Predator use S30V. All of the others use 154CM.

**Brian_R170** · 06-30-2012, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by Blais

Honestly, a little over a hundred bucks for a Runt is no big deal for the quality Protech puts out. You'd pay at least as much for a Benchmade, if they made something comparable.

They do make something really comparible to the Runt J4. The 3150 Impel has a nearly identical size and design from the same designer. Street price is around $110, which is in line with a Runt J4 (actually less expensive than a Runt J4 with G10 inlays like the Impel has.

Anyway, you never actually said if you were looking at a CA-legal auto. I would take any Pro-Tech CA-legal over any Piranha CA-legal auto (Fingerling or that older Piranha model, don't remeber what it was called, but here's a photo)

**Plasmio** · 06-30-2012, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by Brian_R170

They do make something really comparible to the Runt J4. The 3150 Impel has a nearly identical size and design from the same designer. Street price is around $110, which is in line with a Runt J4 (actually less expensive than a Runt J4 with G10 inlays like the Impel has.

Anyway, you never actually said if you were looking at a CA-legal auto. I would take any Pro-Tech CA-legal over any Piranha CA-legal auto (Fingerling or that older Piranha model, don't remeber what it was called, but here's a photo)

Unfortunately the Fingerling is slightly too long for it to be legal here.

**Blais** · 06-30-2012, 07:25 AM

I forgot all about the Impel, thanks.

**Bigfatts** · 06-30-2012, 05:19 PM

I handled some Piranhas today, an Amazon, a Bodygurard and their new model. I love the looks and all the different anodizing options. The knives were solid and handled nicely but did not fire with the speed or authority of the Protechs. My Doru was the fastest, hardest firing ots I've ever seen.

**puukkoman** · 07-10-2012, 01:56 PM

I used to have a Piranha (P1, Pocket), and I really liked it. Gave it to a good friend who moved to FL, where he can legally tote it. I wouldn't have given him a knife I didn't think was worthy.