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Best production knife of the last 20 years?

Its hard to argue against the Al Mar Falcon. Its a great knife, I am not sure though though best in the last twenty years. I can see Corderoy's point on the Endura though I tend to like the more upscale of Spyderco line. Right now I will go with the Axis. Its still a bit early to say for the Axis but what the hey. Ok my top three Axis, Falcon and Calypso Jr.
 
At $325 I don't consider the Sebenza a production knife.
I think the 110 is over 20 years old.
My. probably unpopular, vote would be for the Gerber LST.
It was one of the first zytel lockbacks.
Indestructible and $16.
 
I think the Buck 110 came out between 1963 and 1965,not sure it was called a 110,does anyone else have any information on these dates
Tony Paulos
 
Well if the Buck 110 is disqualified because it is older than 20 years, my no brainer choice for best knife of the last twenty years is the Original Leatherman.

While not strictly a knife, well is a SAK strictly a knife either? Whatever, I cannot think of anything else with a blade on it that has started its own category, nor had ssssoooo many rip-offs follow it. You think the clip and the hole of the Spyderco Mariner has been copied by everyone under the sun? Just about every factory out there from some Chinese prison labor based non-entity to Victorinox itself has a knock-off of some variant of the Leatherman line of multitools based off of pliers and foldable blades. No way has anything better or more influential come down the pike in the last twenty years. I have just as many multitools as I do knives proper. 1983 was a watershed year because of the Leatherman

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"The cannibals of the West wear suits and ties"--Midnight Oil

[This message has been edited by lawdog (edited 16 September 1999).]
 
Hi,

Anyone wanting to see the Buck 110 should make his or her way over to the Buck Forum here on BF. There is a thread there started by bald1 that has a link to a photo of two rather dressed up 110s.

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"The cannibals of the West wear suits and ties"--Midnight Oil
 
I'm going to go with the 110 as well. Granted the age is "past the limit" and the quality on some have been scetchy in the past, but as a folder carried by the masses (in plain view) the Buck was one of the first and the best. Before this "large" folder most pocket-knives were just that, carried in the pocket and out of the way. There have been, and still are, other belt sheath folding knives but Buck is the one that got it right.

As a "tactical" folder is was fast and stout in practiced hands. Heck...thousands of Hells Angles can't be wrong. ;-)
 
It seems to be a three horse race between the Sebenza, Endura and the Buck 110 Folding Hunter. All good knives I,m sure but what about all the others? The Cold Steel Tanto maybe? The Blackjack Mamba or folding Mamba? Pacific Cutlery? Condor? Lakota? SOG? Boker? Benchmark? Etc.
Everything seems to revolve around folders: what about some quality fixed blades like the Warner Moran Bowie for example?

Anyone wanting information on the Buck 110 should look in 'Levines Guide To Knives And Their Values' by Bernard Levine, ( what do you mean you don't have a copy?!? ).
Pictures can be seen at Bucks website.

Criteria-Design, Materials and Construction.
 
I'm going to agree with Corduroy on this one. No one has change the way the knife industry designs folders like Spyderco has, along with bringing affordable versions like the Endura and Delica to the masses.

Tom
 
The Buck 110 surely must be up there but I prefer the Shrade Uncle Henry Copy because of the stainless steel pivot pin. But if you let the Buck 110 in then perhaps you will also have to let the SAK in. SAK in all shapes and forms are awesome.

But if the 20 yr limit is enforced, then IMO, Leatherman rules (but only to be replaced by an SAK SwissTool--the current darling of my multitool collection).


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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
My vote's for the Axis lock; hell I'll even turn it up a notch and say it's the best (at least my favorite) knife of the past century.
 
I will go with the axis lock . It is hard to call the Sebenza a production knife in my opinion because of the price.But right behind the axis lock I like Spyderco Military, new style. But i could go on with others. Tough question. Maybe no real answers!
 
Wow... Even assuming we're talking folding "pocket" knives, this would have to be broken out into categories:

Most ubiquitous: Victorinox Classic
Most popular: Buck 110
Most influential (tie): Spyderco Worker/Endura/etc
Most influential (tie): Leatherman
Best Overall Quality: Sebenza

Nothing is ever simple... :-)

Jon
 
As many have said, "Best" has several different categories. My opinion...

Best Quality: Sebenza or Microtech DA SOCOM
Best Fun: Microtech HALO2
Best Speed: Emerson Commander
Best Overall Utility: M2 AFCK
Best Sharpness: Spyderco 440V Military
Best Bang for the Buck: Spyderco Endura
 
I have to say, for my needs it's the AFCK in M2!!!I seem to carry my M2 Stryker more lately, but if I had to choose between the two, it would be the AFCK!
I know the Sebenza's are factory knives but,for what they cost.......I wouldn't feel right putting one through the paces or risk loosing it like I do with the two Benchmades......
 
You asked for what we consider the "best" production knife--not the most popular or innovative. I have to go with the "Westlock" series that was made by Western as a last ditch effort to stay in business. I was told that these knives had so many handmade features that production costs exceeded what Western could retail them for. If you have never handled one of these, pick one up when you get the opportunity and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Dave R
 
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