I have a pretty extensive collection of knives ranging from $2000 cabinet queen specimens to flea market finds that I found unusual and/or interesting. A knife is nothing more than an edged blade for cutting or stabbing. Any knife that does the job for which it's intended and is well-made can be a good knife. Unfortunately, some of you are fanatics that are obsessed with defending some brand that you happen to own, even if you paid more than would be prudent at your income level, and you feel compelled to denigrate any knife you don't approve of. I've recently seen and handled a few a Benchmade Griptillians and was not impressed. While the mechanism may be well made and the steel a better grade, the scales felt like cheap plastic in my hand. I ended up foregoing the $200 benchmade Griptillians and purchased the CRKT M16-12ZLEK AND 14ZLEK FOR $90 and $100 respectively. These knives are better survival and rescue tools than the Griptillians and have a seat belt cutter and window breaker. They are tactical folders that lock up so well that you'd think you were holding a fixed blade. The blades lock up solidly and with no play at all. What's more, these knives look more like weapons and have a greater intimidation factor than the Benchmades. I'm very satisfied and proud to own and carry these as they do the job they're intended for and feel solid in my hand. The point here is that some posters here seem to unjustly denigrate certain knives more because of some personal preference than based upon real-world performance and intent of use.
