- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 1,584
Hey everyone, just thought I'd give a short review on some edc folders I've acquired recently. Now, I'm sure these knives have been discussed before, but I thought I'd give some background on why I purchased these knives and explain the way I will comment on these blades.
As you can see by my location I live in one of the most crime infested cities in the U.S. My job takes me into the heart of the city every day and many nights, therefore I have a handgun carry permit, and always leave the house armed. I also consider my edc knife to be a backup manner of SD, since guns do run out of bullets. NO, I don't "think" I may ever use my knife for SD purposes, but as the saying goes, I'd rather be prepared. I also just can't imagine myself not carrying a knife.
I also know there are many "reviews" on knives that are simply people gushing over their new purchase, reiterating things one can find on the manufacturers' website. While entertaining, they are usually not helpful.
My takes will mostly be on negative things I have found while carrying these folders. I don't do this to hate or pick on a mfr, I do it because I believe it might be helpful to prospective buyers. I wont list what I paid for the knives, or details of the knives since these things are found easily online. I'm listing them in the order purchased. I also will not comment on the steel used, since all have servicable steel for edc. By the way, all these knives were purchased new.
Spyderco Tenacious: First impression was very high quality knife considering the price. When I decided to relocate clip for tip-up carry, 2 of the torx screws did not take the T6 bit, while one did. They had been rounded out during assembly. I had to use a hex wrench to remove them. When I attempted to fasten the clip in the new location, one screw never tightened, forcing me to use loctite. Seems like a QC issue to me.
Kershaw Skyline: Very light, with a nice, addictive flipper opening. The linerlock on this knife is very thin. While it has never failed to lock the blade, I have a hard time trusting it for hard use.
SOG Visionary II: Fit/finish and looks of the blade were very impressive out of the box. I like the locking mechanism, as it provided very smooth opening of the knife. The frame however, worries me. Considering it has FRN and full steel liners, I'm disappointed in how much the handle flexes. All other knives in this review flex less and feel stronger than this frame. While the pocket clip buries the knife deep in the pocket, it's only attached with one screw. After edc'ing, the clip started to pivot, after tightening, it still pivoted. For a higher priced folder, I expected more.
Spyderco Pacific Salt: This blade impressed me with it's light weight and the tightness of lockup. The downside is even after oiling, the opening is still stubborn, and is difficult to open fast, even with a wrist flick. I've noticed the blade has also received an arc scratch from contact with the FRN during opening.
Cold Steel 4" Tanto Voyager: Liked the blade shape and stoutness of the FRN handle right away. Once opened and locked, my blade did not line up with the steel in the lockback. Not bad I guess, but bothersome to me since my other lockbacks do. After becoming comfortable opening the blade with a slight wristflick, I noticed there was the slightest vertical play in the lockup. Unfortunate considering there's no adjustable pivot screw. Strange thing is the play is not there all the time.
Byrd Cara Cara FRN: Upon removing the knife from packaging, it was obvious to me, this was a cheaper knife than the others listed, based on looks alone. That being said, I have found lockup to be tight, and the frame is plenty strong. The closing detent could be stronger, but this also allows easier opening.
Again I don't list these observations to be negative, I'm just trying to give information acquired during use. I guess what I have learned more than anything in accumulating some folders is, I understand completely why some people choose to spend hundreds of dollars to find a folding knife without any of these shortcomings. I personally may never spend $500 on a folding knife, but considering I've spent nearly that much on these and a few others not listed, I'll never say never. Sorry about the long thread, just thought I'd say what was on my mind. Thanks :thumbup:
As you can see by my location I live in one of the most crime infested cities in the U.S. My job takes me into the heart of the city every day and many nights, therefore I have a handgun carry permit, and always leave the house armed. I also consider my edc knife to be a backup manner of SD, since guns do run out of bullets. NO, I don't "think" I may ever use my knife for SD purposes, but as the saying goes, I'd rather be prepared. I also just can't imagine myself not carrying a knife.
I also know there are many "reviews" on knives that are simply people gushing over their new purchase, reiterating things one can find on the manufacturers' website. While entertaining, they are usually not helpful.
My takes will mostly be on negative things I have found while carrying these folders. I don't do this to hate or pick on a mfr, I do it because I believe it might be helpful to prospective buyers. I wont list what I paid for the knives, or details of the knives since these things are found easily online. I'm listing them in the order purchased. I also will not comment on the steel used, since all have servicable steel for edc. By the way, all these knives were purchased new.
Spyderco Tenacious: First impression was very high quality knife considering the price. When I decided to relocate clip for tip-up carry, 2 of the torx screws did not take the T6 bit, while one did. They had been rounded out during assembly. I had to use a hex wrench to remove them. When I attempted to fasten the clip in the new location, one screw never tightened, forcing me to use loctite. Seems like a QC issue to me.
Kershaw Skyline: Very light, with a nice, addictive flipper opening. The linerlock on this knife is very thin. While it has never failed to lock the blade, I have a hard time trusting it for hard use.
SOG Visionary II: Fit/finish and looks of the blade were very impressive out of the box. I like the locking mechanism, as it provided very smooth opening of the knife. The frame however, worries me. Considering it has FRN and full steel liners, I'm disappointed in how much the handle flexes. All other knives in this review flex less and feel stronger than this frame. While the pocket clip buries the knife deep in the pocket, it's only attached with one screw. After edc'ing, the clip started to pivot, after tightening, it still pivoted. For a higher priced folder, I expected more.
Spyderco Pacific Salt: This blade impressed me with it's light weight and the tightness of lockup. The downside is even after oiling, the opening is still stubborn, and is difficult to open fast, even with a wrist flick. I've noticed the blade has also received an arc scratch from contact with the FRN during opening.
Cold Steel 4" Tanto Voyager: Liked the blade shape and stoutness of the FRN handle right away. Once opened and locked, my blade did not line up with the steel in the lockback. Not bad I guess, but bothersome to me since my other lockbacks do. After becoming comfortable opening the blade with a slight wristflick, I noticed there was the slightest vertical play in the lockup. Unfortunate considering there's no adjustable pivot screw. Strange thing is the play is not there all the time.
Byrd Cara Cara FRN: Upon removing the knife from packaging, it was obvious to me, this was a cheaper knife than the others listed, based on looks alone. That being said, I have found lockup to be tight, and the frame is plenty strong. The closing detent could be stronger, but this also allows easier opening.
Again I don't list these observations to be negative, I'm just trying to give information acquired during use. I guess what I have learned more than anything in accumulating some folders is, I understand completely why some people choose to spend hundreds of dollars to find a folding knife without any of these shortcomings. I personally may never spend $500 on a folding knife, but considering I've spent nearly that much on these and a few others not listed, I'll never say never. Sorry about the long thread, just thought I'd say what was on my mind. Thanks :thumbup:
I think for 20 bones the Cara Cara is pretty hard to beat for a tank of a knife that you dont have to worry about abusing.