Asking some Input from the fathers out there

Lindey

Lindey

Joined
Apr 13, 2005
Messages
842
Hey everyone,
Here is my dilemma... after getting my dad a CRKT mini Tigh-Tac for Chrismas a fewyears ago his views on EDC folders have switched from "What do you need to carry that for" to "can you please sharpen this". Anyway, on one of my more recent trips home he expressed his interest in assisted openers after seeing one of the guys at work with one and so with Christmas fast approaching I figure dear ol' dad could use another knife. Since I don't own any assisted openers myself and I'm going to have to order on-line therefore not being able to handle these knives myself I though I would ask the opinions of you folks. Being in Canada I'll most likely order from sworddepot.com so models I have been considering are Kershaws Leek or Chive, The SOG flash, or the Camillus Blaze. As for my father, he does have larger hands so the knife can't be too small, and he also spends a good amount of time in an office so it can't bee too tactical. Also, since he pocket carries it can't be too bulky. I've read some reviews on the models I have in mind and they're for the most part positive. Although the kershaw's seem to be a little classier looking the blades are made of 420 high carbon stainless. The pro's to the Camillus and SOG models are that they both use AUS-8 but the handles aren't as nice. Pro's for all the models I've been looking at are the price tag being under 100 Canadian dollars with me being a starving student in addition to working part time as a bouncer. Based on this criteria what would all the fathers out there prefer?

Thanks in advance,
-Lindey
 
I was right with you until you hit me with the $100 C, My suggestion would be the Random Leek, which is a Chesapeake Knife and Tool exclusive. It is a black nitride Kershaw Leek with a reverse tanto blade in.....S30V!!! I think they are to be had for $100 US + shipping, but IMHO, hit Mom up for the extra 30 Canuck $...it's worth it. It's the only S30V assisted opener I know of in that price range....I just happen to have one. PM or e-mail me. I think I have a super solution for you!!!:D
 
I've owned the BlackOut and the Scallion and I also have a Chive. The Chive is a great little knife but much too small. More of a keyring knife really IMO.

The Scallion is quite useful and pretty darn nice but still on the small side.

The BlackOut was a great great knife and I really liked it. I gave it to my son though. Only thing I don't like about any of them is the steel the blades are made of. That could be better but overall not bad if you go with the BlackOut. At least it is 440A steel.

The Scallion and Chive do have the locks on them for the blades due to the flipper so that is a plus but the Black Out was still my favorite one of the three.

I've not had any experience with the other assisted openers but hear the Camillus Heat is pretty darn nice.
 
I just checked Chesapeake Knife and Tool, the Random Leek is $125 U.S. (I bought one a few years ago at a special intro. price) Still, it's a helluva little knife for the price. I would say that Kershaw still dominates the assisted opener category. Please shoot me an e-mail, being a Dad, I'd like to help.
 
Lindey said:
...... Although the kershaw's seem to be a little classier looking the blades are made of 420 high carbon stainless. ....
Click to expand...

I'm far from an expert on steels, so this is just a general comment.

Personally, I would not worry too much that a blade doesn't have a "new, improved" type steel. I think too many people these days are obsessed with continually rejecting things that have worked well in the past, and jumped on the latest bandwagon of technology. Does your dad really need a "super steel"? I have many old knives that have performed very nicely for me over the decades, and they're also easier to sharpen than some of the new steels. My daughter has one of the Kershaw assisted openers (the Chive, I think), and is really, really happy with it. The only thing I don't like about it is the recurved blade, which makes sharpening difficult on a flat stone.

As a side note, sharpening a knife is easy, so I would also suggest as part of your Christmas present for your dad, that you give him a stone and honing oil and a lesson. (or a DMT dual-sided diamond sharpener, if your budget allows....about $50 from MEC).

Whatever you give him, he will treasure receiving such a thoughtful gift from his son.
 
Limiting my choice to those four models - If it is going to be used much, my vote is with the Blaze or the Flash (if it is the Flash II; the Flash I is a bit small like the Chive).

Of course, there is always the matter of personal preference. He might like the look or feel of the Leek better. I would not consider the Chive in this case if he has large hands, the Chive is pretty small.
 
I think the SOG is pretty tac-y and it feels kind of cheap in the hand, not to mention it hits surprisingly hard. I'd got with the Leek, very nice all around.
 
I've really been impressed with Kershaw's knives lately. I have a Random Leek and a Chive. The finish on them is great. The feel very solid, although the Chive is small. If the Random Leek is out of your budget (I got mine during the special introductory price), go for a regular leek. The leek is availble in many different colors, patterns, etc.

If you want to check out some of the various Leeks available, check here:

http://www.newgraham.com/kershaw.htm

To bad the black and gold is sold out. It's pretty sharp looking. :)
 
I would recommend a Kershaw Bump or something that is designed by Darrell Ralph; Camillus Heat for example.
 
IMO the Leek is the way to go. They're not too big or too small. There is a pretty classy looking Black & Gold model also. In the long run, the Kershaws will be alot easier to service. Kershaw has great customer service and will send you replacement springs at no charge. The knife can be diassembled by the end user, instead of sending the knife back to the manufacturer. I own both SOG & Kershaw knives and obviously I prefere the Kershaws. Just my 2 cents.
 
I've seen the Random Leeks floating on Ebay with Buy It Now prices around $75 - I *think* it was actually Chesapeake selling them, that's what the item description implied.

Can't hurt to look.

Personally, having had problems with a couple high end Kershaws, I love their designs but just don't trust their linerlocks unless I can handle the knife before I buy. Let me be clear, I have a couple Kershaw liner locks with excellent, safe, solid engagement. But I had a couple that really were unsafe.

The advantage of the SOG assisted openers is the excellent locks, but the plastic handles really are low market. Some models have coated aluminim upscale variants you could look at.

Or just get him a Benchmade. I can open my Axis locks faster than an assisted opener, and so can your Dad. :D
 
I've a Keshaw scallion.

Little smaller then what i am used to now, but still versatile.

Opens really fast, locks up solid.
Only down side other then size might be the blade steel 420HC.

It came razor sharp,sharpest NIB i have recieved yet, although i don't expect the blades edge to last as long as a exspensive knife might, it still is a good little knife.


Being colored scaled knives, also makes them a little more sheeple friendly too.

WR
 
Here is one father's favorite assisted folder. It is the Benchmade Apparition model #670.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=670

It might crash your holiday budget but if you shop around you can probably find a decent price.

The quality of this is very good. I think the steel is better than the Kershaws (yes I have both and if you check you will find complaints in the forums about the Kershaws rusting slightly) and fit and finish is very good. The opening is the smoothest I have ever found with an "assisted" folder.
 
I bought my second Kershaw Leek last weekend and I really like the quality of this knife. This time I bought the all stainless version, they usually sell for about $40.00 US. The first one I bought has the coated blade and the smokey scales, but the stainless version seems to be a little heavier. I guess since the liner is the handle, it has a thicker lock than the scaled version. Maybe someone else noticed this difference too.
I like the little " bump" on top that will propel the blade fast, it also has the regular thumb stud too ( but you'll never use it one you try the bump on top).

I have a Flash II and compared to the Leek, (IMO)only the aluminum version is close in quality. The Flash II is a much bigger knife than the Leek and might be better for a person with large hands. But if he likes something with a small profile get the Leek. The Leek also opens much faster and like the Flash has a safety, it's also much more fun to play with than the Flash series.
 
Just to toss out another suggestion how about the Kershaw Avalanche? 440V and G10 for about 80 bucks US.

ack
 
Hey there,
Thanks for all the input folks, it is greatly appreciated. So far I think I'm leaning more towards the leek. I like the many handle options and as some of you noted 420 isn't all that bad especially if it's not going to be a hard use knife for him. Like it's been said before its all in the heat treat and even though I don't currently own any kershaws my experience with Buck's in 420 has been pretty good (110, 119). Anyway, I still have some time to decide, thanks again and take it easy.

-Lindey
 
Here's another dad who loves the Apparition. Good for large and medium hands, 154CM, fast action, and rock SOLID lock--the click that thing makes as it locks is fantastic. I played around with one extensively this summer--it's the next knife on my list. I don't know how import laws are for you, but OSKS or New Graham would be my first places to look.
 
One downside to the knife is the plastic scales made to look like kudu horn. Here's the deal: real kudu looks and feels like plastic. It's actually a pretty good imitation, but I plan to get some custom scales made eventually.
 
I was lucky enough to get one of the assisted open Kershaw Blackouts from Walmart for $40 [reg $50] I like the look of it better then the Leek but either one is a nice size for a folder.

I bought a Chive also and it's a cool little knife with assisted open but I returned it because I felt it was too small to be ever used. It was fun to play with though.

The Blackout is my favorite knife.

b-blackout.jpg
 
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