Cuda-1

L

lostmymirth

Joined
Feb 5, 2005
Messages
50
I once owned an original cuda by camillus. The one with the slider button that opens the blade. At the time, I thought it was nice as it took a nice sharp edge and held it, but I wasn't in love. Then I lost it about a year ago and since then I have carried a couple of different knives and none of them seem to compare. I carried a leek by kershaw and I like it (the assisted opening is really addictive) but I think it's a little "whimpy" for my tastes and the blade has developed a wobble that requires the pivot to be tightened so much that the auto open no longer works. I don't think it was a manufacturing defect, I just used it pretty hard - too hard for a knife that small. I carried a Boker 89 ceramic for about two weeks and boy was that a mistake. It chips WAY to easily and it came way too dull for my preference and sharpening on a diamond stone barely improved the sharpness, the thing will just not take a sharp edge. I spent about four or five hours sharpening this thing and it will barely shave hairs off my arm and when it does, it pulls them out more than cuts them off. Usually I can sharpen a knife in under five minutes on a diamond stone and get a real nice edge, fifteen minutes and I can have the thing cutting hanging paper with such smoothness that the weight of the knife alone almost makes it fall right through.

Anyway, now I am starting to miss the old cuda. I will probably buy a used one somewhere because they are no longer in production. But before I do I wanted to ask for some opinions of the forum-goers here because I have not used that many kinds of knives. I've never owned a spyderco or a benchmade of any kind, thats how little experience I have.

So if I can finally get to my question, what knives are comparible to the old cuda? It must be a folder and be slim enough for EDC so nothing bigger than say 4". I don't need the push button thing, a simple thumb stud will suffice as long as it is big and usable one handed with medium weight gloves. I like the liner lock, but I think most other kinds are OK too - two handed closing is acceptable but one handed is better. I know some of you won't like this, but the knife should be able to handle moderate twisting and prying. I don't intend to pry open wooden crates and locked doors :) , but maybee pull those big copper staples out of boxes and what not. I tend to be rough on my knives as evidenced by my distruction of the previously mentioned leek, but I'm not a monster, the cuda held up pretty well the way I used it. The knife should also hold an edge well (the reason I got the boker) as I prefer not to have to sharpen my knives too often. Oh yeah - price - I prefer around $100 but might go to $200 if the arguement was compelling and $300 if it were a mythical blade forged in the fires of hell and machined by god himself.

I look forward to everyones sugestions.
 
Spyderco Chinook II and Manix.

Benchmade 710HS and 806D2.

The four class acts in useable folding knives.:)
 
As of a few weeks ago, Victorinox in West Hartford had what I think you are referring to - a CUDA knife with a steel checkered button that pivots through a slot in the handle to open the blade. They were closing them out and the price was 50% off of full retail price, so if that's the same one and you want a new one you might give them a call to see if they still have it and will ship it to you.
 
I really liked those old Cuda's EXCEPT for the thin liner lock they had. I never could understand why a heavy and thick blade was locked up with a liner that was .050 or thinner. I know that it was probably mechanicaly sound, but it was always unnerving to me and finally caused me to sell mine off, and I had a beautiful damascus bladed Cuda. Just had to get that off my chest. If Camillus would go back and redisn that knife with a thumb stud for opening and with some beefy liners, i.e. the Buck Strider, then it would be a serious heavy duty folder.

Now, for your question. If you can stand about 3.6" or so then look at the Al Mar SERE 2000. It is a liner lock but a healthy one. The Bm's that were mentioned; 710 and 806 would make great knives and with the axis lock are probably as sound as anything you can get. At 4.3" the BM 630 Skirmish would be something to check in on. With the opening hole and framelock it would make a good knife when using gloves.

Lots of choices out there, just take your time and do some research and you'll end up with a knife you'll enjoy for a long time!! :D :D :D
 
Thanks everyone for the advice so far.

I was looking for the Victorinox store in West Hartford. It is a little hard to find on the internet. I looked in the contact information on www.victorinox.com and found the following address, it is in CT so maybee Shelton is near West Hartford I don't know because my knowledge of the geography of your state is woefully inadequate.

Swiss Army Brands, Inc.
P.O. Box 874
One Research Drive
Shelton, CT 06484-6226
Tel. ++1 203 929 6391 1-800 243 4045
Fax ++1 203 925 1092 1-800 243 4006

Are these the right people to call?

I am not totally set on the cuda, but if the other knives mentioned are only slightly better, I think I should stay with something I know I will like even if it is not the absolute best. Just looking a pictures of the knives suggested I think I can rule out the Chinook II - the thing is too "radical" looking for me. Looks are not very important to me, but the Manix, 710, and 806 at least look like what I think a knife should look like and not some nightmarish piece of art. Don't get me wrong - it's cool and I would probably come to love the thing - but I don't want people to run from the room screaming when I whip it out. It's hard to judge the BM 630, it too may be too scary for the masses, but it's hard to tell from a picture, and 4.3" - wow - thats not too big for an EDC? I would need a lot of reassurance before getting either of these knives.

I especially like the looks of the BM 710 and 806. Are the pivots very strong though, I hear that the axis lock is solid but you still need a strong pivot right? The 806 looks a little more stout than the 710 but both look a little on the svelte side. The Manix looks good too but I'm not sure I would like the lockback. I have a Buck with a lockback and it not my favorite style. Of course the buck is an old-style as-thick-as-they-are-wide grandpa knife (I don't really know what to call it), maybe in a modern folder it works out better.

Regards,
Steve
 
Took a look at the Al Mar SERE 2000. Now that is one good looking knife. Just makes me want to whistle. I'd definately need to handle it before I bought it so no mail order for me. Does anyone know of any knife stores on the North side of Atlanta? I looked in Bass Pro Shop and they have a few nice knives, but none of the ones discussed here.
 
Victorinox Stores Inc
(860) 521-1806
521 Westfarms Mall
Farmington, CT

Sorry for not having checked back on this thread sooner. It comes up on yahoo yellow pages as farmington - the mall is on the border of three different towns, so I should have thought to provide you with more information.

Edited to add: Some of the people who work there are complete morons and will not know or care what you are talking about. Others will either know what you are talking about or will at least try be helpful and go over to the 50% off shelf to see if that CUDA with the steel "button" on it is still there. They will do mail order as one or two other BF members have bought some of the MOD knives they are also closing out.
 
I don't know if you care, BUT Boker just introduced a knife with a similar opening system. It's a totally different beast, but it might be worth looking into, because you just never know.
 
The CUDA has the distinction of being one of only two knives I have ever thrown in the trash (the other a CS voyager). Liner lock failed and earned me some stitches so I sent it in for repair and within 6 months it was loose again. Haven't looked at a Camillus folder since.

In the $100 range i would suggest the 710, or the AFCK. I trust mine completely. If it's twisting and prying youre into, you can't go wrong with an axis lock.
 
My first serious tactical folder was one of the original CUDAs. I appear to be in the minority, but I feel that the button opener is superior to other opening mechanisms like studs, holes, etc. Although the liner is a bit thin, mine is strong and has never failed. I wish someone would manufacture another knife similar to it.

I know a dealer who still has several of these in his inventory. If anyone is interested let me know and I can let you know how to get one.

Chuck
 
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