Gerber, Outdoor Edge, Kershaw?

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PJBurke

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Sep 17, 2001
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Not sure what happened in the first post....anyway, here's what it was SUPPOSED to say :)

Hey all,

I'm currently in the market for a new EDC folder; some cesspit of a human stole my last knife, a dearly loved Kershaw blackout. I'm currently looking to spend between 20.00 and 80.00 for a new blade, but the less I can spend the better. I'm a college student, and money is dear to me ;)

My current prospects are a Kershaw Leek: I love kershaws, and I like the speed-safe opening, and I love the finish, but I don't know if I like the blade shape on the leek. I'd hate to spend 45.00 on a knife and not like it when I held it in my hands. Second option is a Gerber SL series with G10 handles - I can't find one in the area to pick up and handle, and as far as I can tell it isn't assisted opening like the kershaw, but I love the shape of the knife, and I was fairly pleased with the Gerber AR I carried for a little while. Final option is to pick up a used Outdoor Edge Magna; I don't particularly like the handle on it, but I'll reserve final judgement on it until I hold it.

All in all, I like the asthetics of the Gerber the most; if I could put the gerber's blade onto the Leek, I'd have my perfect everyday carry knife. :)

If anyone has any personal experiences with these knives, especially comparissons, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks for your time and attention. :)


P.J. Burke
 
Hmm, it’s pretty hard to consider what you do need your knife for because your mentioned are very different knives. I do net have personal experience with KERSHAW Leek, however GERBER SLG 3.25 and OUTDOOR EDGE Magna no way could replace each other. SLG is slim and lightweight urban daily carry knife. Magna is tank-like built heavy-duty folder, certainly onto big and heavy side for urban daily carry. The only common thing they have – both are decently made of decent materials and both are quite underrated knives.

Additionally – no one of mentioned knives play at the same league (considering their dimensions, construction, handling and cutting properties) as KERSHAW Black Out...

Specifying your needs and likings more precisely could make decision easier for yourself.

Didn’t you think about BENCHMADE Griptilian, 550 or 551? I suppose it would be the most adequate replacement for your Black Out, though somewhat more expensive however made of better materials and still within your pointed price limits.
 
Thanks for the answers, Sergiusz. An "everyday urban carry knife" is actually exactly what I need - I don't get to tromping out and about much anymore, and I have a nervous habit of unconciously playing with my knife in public, so having a monster folder is probably not the best idea for me.

My uses are fairly basic - opening mail and boxes, clearing the occasional printer jam, very light fishing/camping/outdoors activities (trimming rope/line, etc.). I just have a keen interest in sharp pointies and I hate having a $5.00 knife in my pocket. Bad knives (and swords, but that's outside the realm of this dicussion) make me cringe.

I'm curious as to why you'd say that none of these knives would 'play in the same league' as the Blackout? The Blackout and the Leek, in particular, seemed rather similar to me, though I haven't actually gotten a chance to hold the leek at all. Are they better knives? Less performing? Do tell, I'm all ears. :)

Thanks!

P.J. Burke
 
I have an Outdoor Edge Magna. Good knife. Under rated if you ask me. It is big though.

I would have to second the recomendation for the Benchmade 550 or 551. You get the axis lock, 440C blade steel, and good ergonomics. It is also within your price range.
 
Originally posted by PJBurke
I'm curious as to why you'd say that none of these knives would 'play in the same league' as the Blackout? The Blackout and the Leek, in particular, seemed rather similar to me, though I haven't actually gotten a chance to hold the leek at all. Are they better knives? Less performing? Do tell, I'm all ears. :)
Click to expand...
OK, let’s try :)
Since you need the knife for light to medium daily tasks it is no sense to carry sturdy and heavy Magna, it would look pretty scaring in publics, especially if you would start to play with it without any visible reason... It is really good knife for outdoors or professional (police, rescue, firefighters etc.) use but for urban daily carry let’s let it alone.

Next – Blackout verses Leek comparison. Blackout has full-sized polyamide handle supported with double steel liners and 85 mm long blade. It is working knife still suitable for urban daily carry, of course if you display and use it with adequate care and calm. Comfortable handle provides good leverage, handling comfort and security, you can perform practically each cutting task what could and should be performed with folding knife.
Leek has about 10 mm shorter blade and slim handle far less comfortable for medium cutting and completely unsuitable for heavy one. More slippery as well. It is rather gentleman’s knife adequate for light to medium cutting tasks.
Yes, I have read your post carefully and I understand what you do need your knife for – I’m just explaining why they do not play in the same league. More than likely Leek would be quite enough for your needs, less people scarring too. I do not like steel handles considering them too slippery, but it is just me...

SLG plays in the same league as Leek indeed, however not with your stolen Blackout. It also is adequate for daily cutting tasks and greatly probably I would prefer it over the Leek due to less slippery G-10 handle and better blade steel (ATS-34 verses 440A).

On the other hand BENCHMADE Griptilian plays in the same league as Blakcout because it has steel frame supported thermoplastic handle and similar dimensions. However it is made of better materials (blade steel 440C versus 440A) and higher priced. In my opinion it would make the most adequate replacement for your previous knife and more than likely you would be happy with it if you did like your Blackout.

I like my BENCHMADE Griptilian 551 a lot and carry it daily with jeans-n-polo attire. However there are some limitations what are not important for me but this no way mean they couldn’t be important for you. My environment knows me as journalist, former bodyguard, with pretty eccentric manners but balanced and reliable disposition, so usually no sensations are generated when relatively big knife appears. However going formally dressed or into unknown environment (for ex. taking foreign trip) I definitely prefer somewhat smaller knives. Griptilian also has the handle somewhat onto thick side, very comfortable to use but there are a lot of thinner and easier to carry knives around.

If you certainly do not intend to use your knife for heavy cutting and are not ready to pay extra price for the futures you do not need (extra strength for ex.) – I could advise to take a look onto SPYDERCO Delica. It is unnoticeable in the pocket, very handy piece, excellent cutter, totally ambidextrous. Modestly looking and bystander friendly too.

If you would like to save some bucks more take a think about KA-BAR Bob Dozier Folding Hunter. It’s pretty simple and inexpensive knife, well made of using decent materials. I’m not up-to-date in American dealer prices, however as far as I have heard A. G. Russell seems to have them pretty attractively priced and providing great Customer Service.
 
Wow. :) Thanks a lot, Sergiusz - that was pretty much exactly the kind of response I was looking for!

Based on what I've read looking around, and the things you guys have so generously brought to the table, I think at this point I'm choosing between the Leek and the Gerber SLG. I really loved my Blackout, but it was rather thick. I'd like to pick up something a bit thinner this time around, and it sounds like the leek and the SLG will suit nicely.

Now it's down to which ones I can find locally to try out - I'd love to be able to handle each one before I buy it. Guess it's time to head out to the hiking/camp store and Overtons :)

Thanks again!

P.J. Burke
 
just ordered an slg from smoky mtn. great deal on the knife, closing 'em out at 17 bucks.fast shipping & great place to deal with !
 
in your price range i'd serious consider the griptilian or mini griptilian, they are great knives and the axis lock is awesome. Kershaw also makes great knives, their cost vs. quality is amazing. On the lower end the vapor is excellent for around 20 bucks you get a very good knife.
 
Forget the rest, get the best...Get yourself a PE Spyderco Delica or Endura!
 
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