EDC Knife Suggestions?

T

theGreenAggie

Joined
Dec 23, 2012
Messages
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Howdy! Thanks for stopping by to offer some advice. I know it's poor form to just jump in looking for help on the first post, but I'm at a loss here. I've spent several hours researching, and I just can't find what I'm looking for. Surely I'm not the only person on the planet who wants a knife with these characteristics! I'll list out what I am looking for; if you know something that fits the bill, or even very closely fits the bill, please let me know!

Must-Haves:
-Frame lock
-3.25in+ blade
-Spring-assisted opening
-Thumb studs (I don't open with the flipper; I use the thumb studs to open)
-Tip-up, right handed carry (any reversible clip will do)

In terms of steel, I'm open to suggestions. The knife I'm replacing (Kershaw Tanto Blur) has 8CR13MOV steel, and I'm fine with that. It would also be nice to step up to something higher quality. I was looking at a couple of Kershaws with 14C28N steel, but they didn't have all of the above features.

Blade type is open to discussion. I'd prefer a tanto blade. Something like a drop-point, recurve, or reverse tanto would work also. (Is it wierd that I'm so particular about the other characteristics, but so open to blade types?)

A flipper is also a nice addition, as I like the added security of having the flipper forward of my index finger when the knife is open. This might just be psychological, but it's nice to have if possible. Lacking a flipper is not a deal breaker.

Price range is preferably $80 or less. That being said, I do EDC and I do have more money to play with if you give me a good reason to spend more. I would buy another Kershaw Tanto Blur, but it has a liner lock that gives out from simple table tests.

The closest I have found to what I am looking for has been the Kershaw Volt SS. The only thing that model lacks that I am looking for is the thumb studs. (Would it be absolutely crazy for me to buy a Volt SS and then glue a thumb stud on with Loctite? Don't hate...)

Any input is appreciated!
 
If you're willing to wait for the kershaw cryo 2, that should meet everything you're looking for at a relatively low price minus a higher end steel. Otherwise the kershaw leek you'd have to settle with the 3 inch blade.

Another possibility some zero tolerance knives. You'd be paying a higher price for the s30v if you want to try upgrading to better steel. A ZT 0350 or 0400 will probably be $100-140 depending on where you get it.
 
How much over 80 are you willing to go? Lots of possibilities open up if you go into the 100s!
 
Ernie1980 said:
How much over 80 are you willing to go? Lots of possibilities open up if you go into the 100s!
Click to expand...

I have the cash, just hard to stomach spending more than $80 - $100 with so many great knives in that price range for EDC. If you have a suggestion of a knife that fits all of the above criteria, I could easily spend over $100.

I looked at the Cryo yesterday, and for some reason I thought the locking mechanism was funny. It is a normal frame lock? Or is there something unique about it? Do you know when the Cryo II will be available?
 
drgnclwk said:
If you're willing to wait for the kershaw cryo 2, that should meet everything you're looking for at a relatively low price minus a higher end steel. Otherwise the kershaw leek you'd have to settle with the 3 inch blade.

Another possibility some zero tolerance knives. You'd be paying a higher price for the s30v if you want to try upgrading to better steel. A ZT 0350 or 0400 will probably be $100-140 depending on where you get it.
Click to expand...

The blade on the Leek isn't long enough. The handle on knives with anything less than 3.25in isn't large enough in my hand; it doesn't feel stable.

The ZT 350 and ZT 400 are liner locks, right? I don't see frame locks on those.
 
There might be a couple options if you can take an AXIS lock over a frame lock. I personally see that as an upgrade. The Benchmade Barrage would be close. The 583 Warn has a tanto blade and is based off the Barrage. The 470 might be too small and is probably closer to $120. The 790 Subrosa might meet all your requirements including frame lock but is even a little more expensive and closer to $135 but has better materials.
 
theGreenAggie said:
The blade on the Leek isn't long enough. The handle on knives with anything less than 3.25in isn't large enough in my hand; it doesn't feel stable.

The ZT 350 and ZT 400 are liner locks, right? I don't see frame locks on those.
Click to expand...

They are liner locks, but the liners are as thick as some frame locks, and are known to be tough. That link to the blem zt0350 is great for the price. From what you are describing, the zt350 seems to be the knife for you. If you get it and don't like it, I'm sure you can go on the exchange and trade it for something else in that price range, or sell it if you become a paid member.

Here's a tiger stripe zt0350 on the exchange forum
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1021115-lots-of-knives!
 
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Are you dead set on assisted opening? If you are, then Kershaw/ZT is your best option (particularly the ZT 0350). However, A/O's aren't as great as they might seem at first, and most knife enthusiasts eventually find they prefer manual knives. With the right technique, you can open almost any manual knife as fast as an assisted opener, and you don't have to deal with springs breaking. Also, upscale frame locks tend to use titanium handles, which is well above your price range. So there are quite a few expensive Ti frame locks and inexpensive SS frame locks, with very little middle ground. If you get lucky, you might grab a Spyderco Chokwe Ti frame lock for around that price, but other than that, most Ti frame locks that cheap are Chinese knockoffs of prominent Ti frame locks (and you'd be much better off spending your money one something else in that price range).
 
jonathan13 said:
Kershaw knockout, your perfect knife
Click to expand...

Wow, I don't know why the Kershaw website didn't spit that back out when I was using the built in filters to find a knife. That's about 99% what I want. Thanks for the tip.

ZT 350 Lock Failure This is primarily what I am looking to avoid. That's why I want to switch from a liner lock to a frame lock. My Kershaw Tanto Blur did this as well.

So it may be between the Kerhsaw Cryo II and the Kerhsaw Knockout at this point.
 
I could see why that video of the ZT0350 would make you raise your eyebrows but I edc'd my 0350 and used it pretty hard and never once had the lock fail. I guess my question would be why would you ever use a knife in the manner that guy was? I've never had to use my knives by holding it upside down and whacking the spine on a table. Just seems like a weird test and probably something that could be fixed on that particular knife by Kershaw.

The Knockout sounds like the perfect knife for you though.
 
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