Best knife for $70

EDCeeker said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but ISTM I've read S30V can be rather a PITA to sharpen?
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I've used mine HEAVILY for quite a while now (used heavily does not equal abused, though I did drop it about 5 feet and it landed point first on tile with no damage to the blade) , no edge chips, only touched it up once still razor sharp, I believe it's a royal pain if you split rocks with it and have to do reprofiling...and I am not at all an expert at sharpening at all, I've had my sharpmaker for a grand total of 2 months, and been playing with real knives for about 6, so it's been VERY very very good to me, I'm sure if he puts out a request for it here esp. with the holidays, he could get a great bargain.
 
Brutus013 said:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KS1660T1G10

Is this a good kife? It is $59.95, and it is a Kershaw Onion Leek only with a G10 handle. How would you rate this next to the Spyderco Delica 4, Waved Endura 4, and the Griptilian?
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well the leek is a TINY knife (yes it still has a 3" blade) and is a framelock, and 440A steel, while you can sharpen it to ridicusharp and will not rust very easily, is VERY soft relatively and will dull quickly, like REALLY quickly.

As for rating them I owned an Endura and have used a delica but I can not speak for the Mini-grip (I probably will be able to after xmas) :)
Endura and delicas are solid knives and it's hard to beat a spyderco on value...

edit: http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3576
This is the native I, it fits my hand like a glove (I wear XL gloves if that is any kind of reference for you), using this knife feels like a natural extension of my hand. CPMS30V is an extremely hard steel that some people have had bad experiences with, it has AMAZING edge holding ability (like whoa!) however, it is more brittle and can be a pain to sharpen as some have stated, it also has a higher likelihood to corrode (rust). I have had never had issues with any of the supposed cons of this steel (I seriously just wipe it on my pants every now and then and maybe my shirt because I don't like fingerprints on it, and no corrosion at all)

I hope this helps,
P
 
Ah, well I don't want a blade that gets dull quick. Assisted open knifes are pretty cool, are there any assisted open knifes with blades of comparable quality to the Spydercos that are under $70?
 
420HC is similar to 440A in my experiences, assisted opening knives are also more pieces to break...

I can't speak for that knife, never used it...
 
phil000 said:
well the leek is a TINY knife (yes it still has a 3" blade) and is a framelock, and 440A steel, while you can sharpen it to ridicusharp and will not rust very easily, is VERY soft relatively and will dull quickly, like REALLY quickly.
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Brutus013 said:
Ah, well I don't want a blade that gets dull quick. Assisted open knifes are pretty cool, are there any assisted open knifes with blades of comparable quality to the Spydercos that are under $70?
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Just a quick correction on Phil's comment about the Leek. The version that you're looking at with G-10 handles actually has an S30V blade. In my experience as well as what you'll find is general consensus on these forums is that S30V retains an edge longer than most steels you'll find in production knives. There are versions that come in 440A, but those sell for about $35.

Another difference between the the two Leeks is that the G-10/S30V version has a liner lock and the 440A version has a frame lock. The Leek is a fine knife and Kershaw has outstanding customer service, but it's on the small side for me as a primary edc blade. I edc a 440A Leek every once in awhile for fun, but I always have a larger blade in my bag.
 
If you're really into AOs, you might consider the Kershaw Speed Bump or a Camillus Heat.
 
ignoramus said:
Just a quick correction on Phil's comment about the Leek. The version that you're looking at with G-10 handles actually has an S30V blade. In my experience as well as what you'll find is general consensus on these forums is that S30V retains an edge longer than most steels you'll find in production knives. There are versions that come in 440A, but those sell for about $35.

Another difference between the the two Leeks is that the G-10/S30V version has a liner lock and the 440A version has a frame lock. The Leek is a fine knife and Kershaw has outstanding customer service, but it's on the small side for me as a primary edc blade. I edc a 440A Leek every once in awhile for fun, but I always have a larger blade in my bag.
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actually if you visit the site, it says 440A, kershaw has very recently coming out with a 440A version with G-10. :)

edit: the s30v version goes for ~80, at first i was really excited that he had found a s30v one for 60$
 
So, is there an AO knife with a 3" S30V blade for $70 or less? The Leek with S30V and G10 is $80, should I get it as back up or as a non-EDC?
 
phil000 said:
actually if you visit the site, it says 440A, kershaw has very recently coming out with a 440A version with G-10. :)

edit: the s30v version goes for ~80, at first i was really excited that he had found a s30v one for 60$
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Thanks for that:o . I didn't bother to look on the site. I just figured it must be it since he can generally get the S30V version on eBay for about $60-$65 shipped on eBay. So Brutus, keep in mind that you can still get that same knife with superior steel within your budget.
 
ignoramus said:
Thanks for that:o . I didn't bother to look on the site. I just figured it must be it since he can generally get the S30V version on eBay for about $60-$65 shipped on eBay. So Brutus, keep in mind that you can still get that same knife with superior steel within your budget.
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No biggie! Oh you can get g10/s30v like that? Now I have to choose myself in between the two for xmas. GRRRR

edit: and can you post a link for us?
 
What knives have you handled and what parts of those have you liked/disliked?

Like earlier stated there is no one BEST knife, we can reccomend knives that share similar looks/steel/locks/materials that others use but each brand has a 'feel' to it that is unique to each brand, having only handled a leek in store and never taking it out and using it I feel ill-equipped to tell you yes or no on it. Anyone else feel like fielding the kershaw questions?

found me that link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KERSHAW-ONION-1...oryZ1403QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
Brutus013 said:
How's this for an Ao EDC:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KS1595

Blade: Sanndvik 13C26 3-5/8"
Handle: 4-15/16" Double injection-molded Akulon with Santopren over-mold (supposedly feels cheap because of the weight but handles well and is actually very stable)
Lock: Stud lock (more informationw would be helpful)
Price: $64.95
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The Speed Bump is a great design. When I was considering my first quality knife, the Spec Bump (same design, more expensive) was one of my main choices. Kershaw has incredible customer service. I had a Leek that needed new screws for the clip and they sent me 2 new pocket clips with screws, no questions asked. I recieved them in the mail 2 days later.
 
phil000 said:
What knives have you handled and what parts of those have you liked/disliked?

Like earlier stated there is no one BEST knife, we can reccomend knives that share similar looks/steel/locks/materials that others use but each brand has a 'feel' to it that is unique to each brand, having only handled a leek in store and never taking it out and using it I feel ill-equipped to tell you yes or no on it. Anyone else feel like fielding the kershaw questions?

found me that link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KERSHAW-ONION-1...oryZ1403QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Here's a cheaper one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kershaw-G-10-Le...ryZ63796QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

62.74 shipped :thumbup: .
 
Brutus013 said:
How's this for an Ao EDC:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KS1595

Blade: Sanndvik 13C26 3-5/8"
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A lot of people like the Kershaw Speed Bump. There was a recent thread on 13C26. It looks like an interesting steel. Be aware that highly recurved blade might be a bit trickier to sharpen.

Brutus013 said:
Lock: Stud lock (more informationw would be helpful)
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Some knife designs have studs (or just one stud) mounted on the blade, near the pivot, to facilitate one-handed opening. The Kershaw stud lock makes that stud spring-loaded, along the axis of the blade, and uses the stud to lock the blade open.

My gut reaction is that I don't think I like it. I passed on a Benchmade Axis lock folder for my first knife in part because I didn't like the little C-springs that "power" that design's locking mechanism. ISTM putting a similar mechanism in the blade is a worse idea.

I'm sure there will be fans of both designs which will now chime in about how I don't know what I'm talking about and how they're both great, reliable designs. There's a good chance many of them will point out that all locking mechanisms are imperfect, that all of them are subject to failure, and that each design has its weak and strong points. And they'd be right on at least these latter points.

In general terms: I really like many of Kershaw's designs and, as I noted in another thread, I currently have more Kershaw knives on my want list than those of any other single knife manufacturer.
 
Brutus013 said:
So the Speed Bump is a good deal?
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It's a matter of personal preference. Try and go to a knife store that's local to you and go play. The AOs novelty wore off relatively quicker than my BMs and my Spydercos.
 
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