General use folder?

R

rockz4532

Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
49
Hey, my first post here, but I've been into knives for awhile, just not good ones.
I normally use my knives for cutting boxes, camping, and sometimes as make-shift scissors.
I currently have a $10 cheap knife from lowes, that I'm pretty familiar with, I can open it and close it in a split second, and it's ok for my needs, but I'm looking for a replacement for it. I also have a large one-handed swiss army knife, but it is too hard to open one-handed, and needs 2 hands to close, not mentioning it's weight.
Criteria is:
$50 Max (shipping included)
must be able to open and close one handed and fast.
Blade must be around 3.5 in long.
Plain edge is a must, I can't sharpen serrations.
Must be sharp.
I would prefer a pocket clip.

So far I'm looking at the SOG flash II, It seems well suited for me, but I read on here that it is not a good value for $40?
Also, where should I buy my knives? I see Amazon has a large selection.
All suggestions appreciated!
 
Kershaw RAM. If you look around, you could find one under budget. (There are some blems in the exchange section.)

It is incredibly fast to flip open and closed. The only lock designs that would compete with its speed (open and closed) are Axis, and similar designs, (and maybe a compression lock). None of those designs can incorporate a flipper, though.
 
Wow, just saw both of the knives on youtube, man they both look sweet. I'm wondering, is the hole on the spyderco as easy to use as a thumbstud?
 
I'll post my usual recommendations:
  • Kershaw Skyline ($35 @ WalMart) - my favorite, US made, good Sandvik steel, like the blade shape, G-10 handles, liner lock, hollow grind blade, bead blasted finish, 2 position clip for right handed tip up or tip down carry, light weight, smooth and fast flipper w/ thumbstud also (non-AO)
  • Spyderco Tenacious ($30-35) - high quality, high value, high fit & finish, decent steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, 4 position clip for tip up/down/left/right carry, open construction, full-flat grind, Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping, Chinese made
  • Buck Vantage Pro ($42-48) - US made, S30V "premium" steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, very high value considering the Paul Bos treated S30V, great clip design that rides very low in pocket, hollow grind blade 2 position clip for left or right tip up carry, thumbstud and thumbslot (non-AO), no jimping

All are under 3 1/2".
 
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The spyderhole is perfectly easy to use.

However, I have a more than interesting alternative to the above (good) suggestions: you can still buy for 24.99 at CDNN (I'm not related but I don't think there is a cheaper or even equivalent reseller for this particular one) the Browning Ice Storm.
This is one of the incredible deals on the market: it's except for the handle inlay in essence the same knife as the Mcusta Stingray (I know as I have both) which is sold for more than triple the price. So, you have high-end Mcusta build quality and superb VG-10 steel for the price of the Tenacious. I love my Tenacious but this is no contest.

Pic (but CDNN only has the linked golden one, the other colours have sold out):

1190251701-Browning_SX_Blue_Red_01.jpg
 
Kershaw OD-1
Kershaw Leek
Spyderco Delica/Endura
SOG Twitch II

If you don't mind spending a bit more you can get
Benchmade griptillian a great EDC knife and fits nearly all of your criteria except price perfectly. if you look around you can find one for $65 or less. but most are in the $80 range.

where to buy, jsut look up in the GBU forum to see who's got good reps.

- onestopknifeshop
- new grahm knives
- knifeworks
- gpknives
- oregonknifeshop

I have used all of these at one time or another with good results YMMV.
 
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Wow I really didn't expect that. I think I'm going to order the Spyderco Tenacious off amazon today. Thanks for all the help!
I'll probably check out walmart and see the Skyline.
 
UpChUcK said:
I'll post my usual recommendations:
  • Kershaw Skyline ($35 @ WalMart) - my favorite, US made, good Sandvik steel, like the blade shape, G-10 handles, liner lock, hollow grind blade, bead blasted finish, 2 position clip for right handed tip up or tip down carry, light weight, smooth and fast flipper w/ thumbstud also (non-AO)
Click to expand...

Out of stock at WalMart.com on-line (web site could not find it in local stores...), Amazon has it for $31.26 free shipping, no tax (just bought one few moments ago)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CZBDF8?ie=UTF8&tag=2839-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001CZBDF8
 
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zumbooruk said:
I don't personally like it (just got the Kershaw Skyline, see above), but Amazon has these for $33 free shipping (CDNN is $40 incl shipping), and Amazon has them in Blue, Red, and Green:

Browning Ice Storm in Blue

Browning Ice Storm in Red

Browning Ice Storm in Green
Click to expand...


The red one is indeed the model I described, but it's currently unavailable. The other two are different, they have a straight handle. I don't know whether these are also Mcusta-made hence I didn't mention them.

I understand that you might not like them, that's a perfectly acceptable reason, but the Kershaw's Sandvik steel, while pretty decent, is not in the same league as the VG10 of the Mcusta/Browning. Same remark about the steels of the Trance or Tenacious compared to the Mcusta/Browning.
This being said, I like both my Trance and Tenacious as well. I replaced the handle material of the Trance with yellow G10.
 
UpChUcK said:
I'll post my usual recommendations:
  • Kershaw Skyline ($35 @ WalMart) - my favorite, US made, good Sandvik steel, like the blade shape, G-10 handles, liner lock, hollow grind blade, bead blasted finish, 2 position clip for right handed tip up or tip down carry, light weight, smooth and fast flipper w/ thumbstud also (non-AO)
  • Spyderco Tenacious ($30-35) - high quality, high value, high fit & finish, decent steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, 4 position clip for tip up/down/left/right carry, open construction, full-flat grind, Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping, Chinese made
  • Buck Vantage Pro ($42-48) - US made, S30V "premium" steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, very high value considering the Paul Bos treated S30V, great clip design that rides very low in pocket, hollow grind blade 2 position clip for left or right tip up carry, thumbstud and thumbslot (non-AO), no jimping

All are under 3 1/2".
Click to expand...

+1 on all of these. For the money you’re getting a lot of knife.

The skyline is very light, nice G10, good steel, and a good blade shape.

The Spyderco is one of the best values in the knife world. You’ve got a liner lock from a company famous for making great liner locks, G10, decent steel, and a nice full flat grind.

The Buck is a steal. The only caveat I’d put on it would be quality control. Some members have reported that on theirs some issues had popped up. However if you are able to handle it before hand you can check and make sure you’ve got a good one. Or if you shop online call before you order and ask them to check the knife over before they ship it, most good online places are happy to do it.


Josh K said:
Easier and more versatile.
Click to expand...

Very versatile, it seems that it has 101 uses.
 
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