I wouldn’t worry too much about reliability issues with spring assisted knives. Could you have issues, sure, but the internet has a tendency to make mountains out of molehills. I, as well as most others, have never had an issue with an assisted knife.
If you like the Leek, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend one. If you want an assisted treat is a little more work oriented, Kershaw’s Blackout or Blur would certainly fit the bill, and still keep you under $100 U.S.
Non assist, try the Ontario Rat. Really well built, but really inexpensive. You can’t go wrong with any Spyderco, as long as you’re ok with the look of the Spydie hole (there’s beauty in their function). I’d also look into any Buck knife that draws your eye. Haven’t owned one in years, but their heat treat on 440 can’t be beat, and you won’t have any issues sharpening them.
There are so many good knives out there these days, at a reasonable price, it’s really hard to go wrong.
If you like the Leek, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend one. If you want an assisted treat is a little more work oriented, Kershaw’s Blackout or Blur would certainly fit the bill, and still keep you under $100 U.S.
Non assist, try the Ontario Rat. Really well built, but really inexpensive. You can’t go wrong with any Spyderco, as long as you’re ok with the look of the Spydie hole (there’s beauty in their function). I’d also look into any Buck knife that draws your eye. Haven’t owned one in years, but their heat treat on 440 can’t be beat, and you won’t have any issues sharpening them.
There are so many good knives out there these days, at a reasonable price, it’s really hard to go wrong.
