College Campuses

I was wondering if you have any ideas on what is a good Spydie to carry on a college campus. I currently carry a full size AFCK in M2 that is partially serrated. I am thinking about one of my Militarys, but I think it looks too aggressive, as does my AFCK. I am really liking my Spydies that I have, and I was looking for something in this line, yet I am fairly unfamiliar with what all is offered. I want something with as small of profile as possible and preferably around 3" give or take in length. I would prefer a G-10 handled knife if possible with a decent steel in it as I am making it my sole carry/moderate-heavy use knife while I'm at school, and sometimes the knife here has to go out on weekends as I don't have time to get something else that might be better suited to some heavier use. Plus, sometimes the knife I have with me has to do some utility stuff like bore a hole in a desk to put computer cable through or something, so it needs to be able to stand up to some punishment.
I think you get the basic idea of what I'm looking for, and I dont' want to ramble on forever, so I'll leave it at that.

Thanks in advance,
Tique

P.S. The only current candidates in my search are a Benchmade 732, 812 and 940 plain edge. I'm looking to see if there is a Spydie along those lines.


[This message has been edited by tique (edited 11-27-2000).]
 
T

tortoise

Joined
Jul 1, 2000
Messages
712
Native?
G-10 is only available in the BF model or the new inlay versions but still...
I'm not a FRN handle fan myself but the Native in CPM 440V is an exception and sounds like it meets your needs exactly.
You can also get it in the all stainless version with AUS-10 blade. Either way it's one of the best all around utility knives out there, good size, good blade shape (spear point'd be great for boring holes) and one of the most comfortable handles around. I'm sure you'll be hearing Native more than once on this thread so let me be the first.
 
I like the Rookie, which is more or less a 3 inch Police model. G-10 handle,ats 55 blade, mine is plain edge and is my knife for times I don't want to carry a "big" knife yet still have something.I got mine from Smoky Mountain for 39.99.I just checked my catalog and they have them listed again.Great knife at a great price.

[This message has been edited by Lone Hunter (edited 11-27-2000).]
 
First thing you want to do is check your state laws and school rules to see what you are allowed to carry. It's not worth getting kicked out of school for an extra .5" blade. (It might not be as bad as you think, at my university I can carry any manual folder under 5" blade).

My 940 gets most of the light to moderate utility when I'm at school. My LM Supertool gets everything that borders on abuse. No one ever sees the 710hs or AFCK, though one or the other is always with me. The best thing you can do for your carry knife is carry a multi-tool also. Has anyone else found this? Multi-tools are also less scary to sheeple.

I'll let those more knowledgable fill you in on the Spydies, but all of the BM's you mentioned should work just fine.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra
 
I know your first reaction is going to be "too small" but you really owe it to yourself to check out the Wegner MouseSkinner. The blade is made of VG-10 (which is my favorite) and the handles are almite. It is small enough to not annoy "regular folk" who see you deploy it but it is an amazingly useful "city utility knife." You need to hold one in your hand and fool around with it a little bit to fully appreciate it. They are really sweet little knives. Do a search on this forum on Mouse and you will see numerous threads.

Gregg
 
Standard or Rookie fills much of what you're looking for, IMO. About 3 inch ATS-55 blade with G-10 handle. Standard's tip is probably tougher than Rookie's though, I think. I believe both Rookie and Standard has been or going to be discontinued but they are both fairly easy to find online.

Haj
 
I found that when I was trying a few different folders with sub 3" blades, the handles were too small for my "meat hooks", so I went for a Spyderco Delica. I think the Calypso jr. or even a Microtech mini socom m/a if you can find one would be better. I see them for sale/trade every so often.

Hank
 
Let me first put in my $.02 to say that an ideal tactical should NOT be used as often as you said it will, because most will agree you want to keep one hair-splitting sharp. But if you are going to carry a user model, I would suggest you take a look at any of the drop point models, namely the Wenger, because the tip is going to much harder to break off, unlike models such as the worker. I own the progrip, and use it quite a bit, but it has a stainless steel handle, and is a little on the heavy side. Personally, I don't really like the way they (Spyderco drop points) look, but most of the spyderfans absolutely love them. You might also want to look at the Delica or Calypso. You've got A LOT of choice. Just check out the Spyderco website, or any of the numerous knife selling sites that are out there.
BTW, I hope I don't get nailed for suggesting another brand on this forum, but I have a KA BAR D2 extreme forlder, that has a drop point, and it is a workhorse. The D2 keeps an edge longer than any other production knife I own. And it reletively small 3 1/2", I think.

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Formerly known as "EdRozen"
 
Thanks for all the replies. They are quite helpful. I don't think I will go with the Ka-bar though as I have handled one and am not terribly fond. I also am not doing the Microtech thing as I just traded all my MT's off, most for spydies actually. On the subject of the wegner, I have one, it just isn't me.
frown.gif
I know that under ideal conditions one should not carry a tactical for heavy use, but that is my general reason for having a knife, and if I think I will need a tactical knife for any kind of defensive reasons, I usually grab a pair of balisong's, a BM42 on my belt, and a BM30 in a jacket pocket. I may go with the native, although I'd really like to see one first and play with it a bit due to the FRN handle. I also am looking at the BM940 quite heavily if I can get one of the non-green ones, the green one are terrible looking IMHO.
Oh yeah, the state laws really don't restrict anything, I've carried a double edge OTF before and not had any problems off campus. The school really isn't specific either, they pretty much leave it open to interpretation as long as it is a manual folder and not a bali, just don't use it as a weapon.
Well, that's where I sit for now--Native or 940, guess it depends on what I find for trade. But I'll keep looking until I finally settle on something.

Thanks for all your help,
Tique
 
Gotta retract part of that--the native is one of my arch enemies--the back lock. How bout a linerlock knife that is in that line and fits all the other criteria--good to excellent steel and G-10. Plus the native is also the dreaded tip up carry, part of the problem with the axis lock benchmades, I can't get used to that no matter what i try.
Oh well, the search goes on...

How well does VG-10 hold up? I have no experience with it and haven't heard a lot about it.
What about the JD Smith, it is a bit longer, but it is badass looking and I love micarta. Is that a decent blade?

[This message has been edited by tique (edited 11-28-2000).]
 
For possible defensive roles? Bore thru a table!?!? Well, sounds like a good quality fix blade may be a better choice. But that would be another discussion altogether.

I' ve had much success with the now discontinued G10 Standard. It' s ample high hollow grind can excell in all your cutting needs in a folder of this size. Its thicker than usual blade spine for other models of comparable size will provide reasonable amount of strength for "poking and prying" if needed. The lightly textured steel lined G10 handles are quite ergonomic and has enough heft to be used an impact tool.

L8r,
Nakano
 
If you want a "campus knife" I think that you should stay right at 3" or even shorter. If you plan to actually take a knife out and use it where it can be seen by the general public on a campus, the blade should be short. Two Spydercos that would be fine are the Calypso jr. lightwieight and the Dragonfly which are 2 7/8" & 2 1/4" respectively.
 
I guess it all depends on were you go to school. I have a Rekat Carny in me pocket, and a kid i see from time to time has a Commander. I usually have a BM 42 or two in my pockets as well. I'd keep the AFCK, as longh as it used responcibly, its slim enouth to look non threatning.

If your realliy looking for something new, i'd go for a Rookie or a Native. Then again, the Endura II is hard to beat a a general purpose work horse that you won't mind breaking.

Oh yeah, get a drill. Knives aren't meant to bore holes, and trust me, trying could just be more ofa pain then its worth. Fiskars makes a little hand crank you can get at the hardware store for like $15, and its a work horse that sits well in the bottom of the bag.

E

PS- Rather then edit this, I'll just let it sit as a testiment to why more then 2hrs. of sleep are recommended nightly.

[This message has been edited by afee (edited 11-28-2000).]
 
I'm more wanting to change as the AFCK scares some of the girls I'm around. Believe it or not, when used as a chisel to bore holes, the AFCK performs very well. I was in need of getting a hole done in my desk and the only things I had resembling tools were my AFCK and my BM 42, so the it's the one that got the job. I have some decent fixed blades, but they aren't allowed on campus.
frown.gif

I actually found a place where I could play with a native today and was very impressed. I would have bought it, but it was full retail price and didn't have the 440V.
And I really know where you are coming from on the sleep thing. Last week was that way, and I think finals will be worse.
Also, what is the difference between the current JD Smith and the Revised version?
 
3" blade, G-10, liner lock, good steel?

Easy choice....Wegner Jr. (discontinued, but you can still find them)

If you want a tactical, carry a Military. Still, I don't buy the idea that the Wegner Jr. can't be pressed into service as a tactical. Heck, a car key can be tactical.
 
The revised JD Smith will have upgraded steel and be manufactured to tighter tolerances. The current model is, IMHO, less than Spyder.
 
Tique, here's my opinion on the JD Smith.

It is my daily carry for the following reasons:
  • Blade: Persian-like design suitable for most cutting tasks (slicing pizza, cutting out articles, etc.); slim profile but sturdy (thick back); ATS 34 (not a bad steel).
  • Handle: Smooth micarta (slips into and out of your pockets without drastic wear and tear on pants pockets); relatively thin for comfortable carry and grip; gives knife a "dressy" look (vs. the tactical look of G10); finger cut-out gives you a good grip on the knife. (Also, try comparing the distance from the tip of your thumb, as you grip the knife, to the tip of the blade for the JD Smith versus other models--I found that it's the same length as the Military although the Military is a longer knife by around 3/4ths inch).
  • Clip: Located to position the knife low in your pocket; it's black (more discrete than shiny SS).

I think it's not as scary to open in public as some other knives. IMO, the overall look of the knife is "large gent's knife" or "sexy stilleto" (depends if you're talking to a LEO or coeds). This might be the most important consideration.
wink.gif



Sure, there are things with the knife that some people don't care for (e.g., lock back, fit in the open position in the area where the back of the blade meets the blade stop (?), etc.) but it's nothing that you couldn't live with. Remember, this is not a custom knife. You probably could find one now for under $100.

As Brian mentioned, a new version is coming out and may be worth the wait but give the "older" version a look. If the new Peter Herbst model is representative of the Spyderco "upgrades," I think I prefer the old versions. Just my opinion.

[This message has been edited by toothed (edited 11-29-2000).]

[This message has been edited by toothed (edited 11-29-2000).]
 
Tique, I used to do that (try to get knives that won't scare the ladies). I quit after awhile, I just worry about sheeple a little. I think all the choices here are great and it goes back to the attitude and if the person knows you. I once let a stranger use my Endura to cut the tags off her shoes. After not one but 3-4 attempts with a housekey, which barely dented the tag.
 
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