4 lower cost knives, but which one?

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phaserrifle

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Apr 8, 2008
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after the demise of my old locking folder (a magnum "blue mantis") which finally gave up any semblance of life last weekend (it was allready missing a couple of screws and the thumbstud) I am now in the market for a new folder.
my requirements are primarily:
-atleast three inches blade length
-plain edge blade
-some kind of method of attaching the knife to myself (either a lanyard loop, or a pocket clip, or both)
-under £35 GBP including P&P.

I am also hoping for (but am prepared to comprimise)
-locking blade
-one handed opening

Ideally I also want to avoid all metal handles.

I narrowed it down to four possibilites:
1) the CRKT EDC linerlock.
I like the look of this knife, but I'm not clear on the quality.
http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=bjXqq31060914&P_ID=2859&strPageHistory=compare

2) the kershaw vapour 2
while it has all metal handles, I thought the oportunity for a framelock was very nice. the page suggests it could be tanto though, which I'd prefer to avoid
http://www.heinnie.com/bjXqq31060914/Knives/Kershaw/Kershaw-Vapor/p-92-158-1267/

3) ontario RAT-1
http://www.heinnie.com/bjXqq31060914/Knives/Ontario/Ontario-RAT-1-Satin/p-92-178-4513/

5) victorinox huntsman.
despite the lack of lock and lack of one handed opening, i'll happily trade that for the added tools.
http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=vj38yc1106416&strParents=&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=1798&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1

my main question is: which one should I get, for general utility use?
also: how is the build ect on the CRKT?
and are there any other options I might have missed?
 
Always heard good things about the Rat-1 and it has the better steel. Locking and 3.5" blade. I thought the UK had a 3" limit and no locking?
 
cgmblade said:
Always heard good things about the Rat-1 and it has the better steel. Locking and 3.5" blade. I thought the UK had a 3" limit and no locking?
Click to expand...

the "3 non-locking rule only applies to carry without a "legaly valid reason".
since this is for carry whilst on camp, I don't have that issue.
 
AUS8 > AUS6 > AUS4. So I'd get the RAT-1 out of those listed. But if you want to stay legal, then get the Vic. I'd get the Farmer or Pioneer over the Huntsman, both in Alox handles. I have the Farmer and Huntsman and prefer the Farmer to carry. But if you want the additional tools, then the Huntsman is a solid choice.
 
the RAT-1 is my weekend pocket knife.
the huntsman is my EDC for everything but airlines and federal buildings.
 
phaserrifle said:
the "3 non-locking rule only applies to carry without a "legaly valid reason".
since this is for carry whilst on camp, I don't have that issue.
Click to expand...

So if I were in the UK I could say I was carrying it for a job if I had a locking folder on me?
 
BenLankford said:
So if I were in the UK I could say I was carrying it for a job if I had a locking folder on me?
Click to expand...

theoretically, yes.

you'd have to convince the police officer you did need the knife for the job however, so it's not a certainty, but "for use in employment" is a reason that is fully enshrined within the law (hobby use is only a precedent IRRC)
 
Without reference to what's legal in the UK:

1) the CRKT EDC linerlock -- CRKT knives are generally poorly constructed from inferior materials, although I have no experience with this particular model

2) the kershaw vapour 2 -- Kershaw's worst knife (but also one of the cheapest) -- hard to open without cutting yourself -- you can do better elsewhere

3) ontario RAT-1 -- no idea

4) victorinox huntsman -- Ding. Ding. Here's your winner -- buy the Trekker instead http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Trekker-Classic-Knife/dp/B000VY4OJS. It has one-hand opening.

Also consider: Spyderco Byrd line, Boker Plus Chad Los Banos Series, Spyderco Tenacious, Buck 110, Kershaw Needs Work.
 
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I agree with "lava_lamp", although the Ontario Rat 1 folder is not bad at all. I've had 3 different ones & they were all good solid liner locks with no issues. While I like & have the one-hand Trekker & the tools on it are a plus, if this is for camping & you don't have a FB, I'd probably go with the Rat 1 folder.
 
+1 Spyderco Tenacious. Even though Bluntruth4u doesn't seem to care for it.

For overall utility, the Huntsman is certainly a good choice, and not likely to "upset" anyone.
 
I have the SAK Huntsman. Out of the four knives you list this knife would get the most use as it has a realm of useful tools.

I went for years using just a SAK, before I purchased other knives.
 
I second the suggestion for the Byrd Cara Cara. If I were going to carry a less than 40$ folder and couldn't find a Salt on the exchange for that price, I'd get a G10 Cara Cara.

For your camp usage though I think the Swiss Army Knife would be your best option. Have you looked at the one handed trekker? One handed opening, lock blade, plus useful tools for camp and urban use.
 
I would go with the Huntsman. It has the best fit and finish and is more useful in the long run. If you can swing it, the One Hand Trekker is a worthy knife too.
 
lava_lamp said:
Also consider: Spyderco Byrd line, Boker Plus Chad Los Banos Series, Spyderco Tenacious, Buck 110, Kershaw Needs Work.
Click to expand...

unfortuneately I've considered all of these. all of them apart from the byrd knives end up more than my price bracket.
the only reason I wasn't so keen on byrd was the cara cara, which seems to be the right size choice ect, has a lockback, which I'm not so sure of in a one handed opening knife.

DoctaD said:
Spyderco Persistance:
http://www.heinnie.com/hg234j1107443/Knives/Spyderco/Spyderco-Persistence/p-92-191-4615/
Click to expand...

I spent a good time drooling over this one to (a proper spyderco in my price range!:eek:) but it's blade isn't quite long enough for what I want :grumpy:
 
You may find the Benchmade Vex for around that price point - g10 handles, liner lock, one-hand opening, the blade steel is supposedly on par with AUS8. the one I have takes a decent edge, and seems to hold it well. Mine has good lock-up, no blade play, and a pretty smooth opening. The pocket clip is fairly strong, and tends to hamper removal from the pocket a bit.
 
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