Help finding an EDC

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gusbubba

Joined
Sep 16, 2011
Messages
160
Hi, all,
been lurking recently doing some research on an EDC, but can't quite seem to find what I'm looking for.
I figure it's time to quit chasing my tail and break the seal on my membership here and direct my
first post to the collective wisdom of the community.
To wit, what I'm after:
---3" blade (or in the general vicinity of)
---14C28N Steel or better
---work capable knife (The Kershaw Leek just won't do it)
---$100 price range
---AND, this is the big qualifier, IT MUST HAVE A SAFETY LOCK!

Despite my vigilance to keep it from happening, my 2 year old son managed to get his hands on my Blur.
He dropped it and it sprung open upon impacting the floor.
Thankfully, I was near enough to grab it before he did, but lesson learned writ large: despite best efforts, anything can go wrong.
So, not wanting to tempt fate a second time, I'm on the hunt for a somewhat safer alternative.

The two I seem to have come up with are the discontinued Kershaw Spec Bump/Speed Bump
and the Benchmade Barrage.
However, I'm not sold on the Bump's stud lock and I absolutely abhor the Valox scales on the BM.
So I'll ask y'all if you're aware of alternatives.
All help is GREATLY appreciated.

By the way, all this searching has really got me wanting to start collecting.....seen some amazing knives.

Thanks, everyone......
Tom
 
Thanks, Cold Kill, but I don't recall Spyderco putting safeties on any of their models?....or did I miss something?
I had the Manix 2 on my short list for a while when I mistakenly thought or read somewhere that their Bearing Lock
would also serve as a pseudo-safety. Too bad because it looks like a great knife and gets excellent reviews.
 
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What do you mean by safety lock? Do you mean a lock for the blade, or something that stops the blade from opening, or a redundant lock on a lock? I have the Kershaw Spec Bump, and the stud lock is very secure and strong on mine. But it might not be so easy to find another one.
 
My old Kershaw Boa has a sliding lock that keeps the knife from accidental opening. Is that what you're after?

The Boa is still available. I don't know if Kershaw still includes that feature.
 
Safety as in keeping the blade from opening.....like SOG's arc lock (not a fan of SOG, though).
I have several leads on the S30V Spec Bump and am intrigued by the knife overall, but I've heard conflicting reviews
as to the ease of use concerning the lock release...i.e. that releasing the stud lock can be finicky and jam and often takes two hands to close.
I also would rather avoid having a discontinued knife that may or may not need sent back for tuning only to be told that it
can't be serviced and have to settle for a different model as a replacement. Puts me in the same boat I'm in now looking for another knife.

What are YOUR experiences with the Bump Tsujigiri?
 
If you're looking for additional safety then take a look at CRKT M21 & M16 series, also SOG Trident & Flash.
 
Raymond, is the safety on your Boa a slide mechanism on the spine just behind the flipper?
If so, that just may be the horse I want to ride.
Just did a quick search and it fits my criteria well.
 
Thanks, Sep.
I've handled the SOG Flash and just wasn't impressed by it for the money....just felt cheap to me. Hope that doesn't offend.
How have the CRKT's held up for you. They seem to offer good value.
Is there a safety lock on the M series or is it just the AutoLAWK redundancy?
 
gusbubba said:
Raymond, is the safety on your Boa a slide mechanism on the spine just behind the flipper?
If so, that just may be the horse I want to ride.
Just did a quick search and it fits my criteria well.
Click to expand...

That's it. Slide it towards the flipper and it will not open.

I don't know if they are discontinued. I goggled them and they are still available.

Kershaw has decent customer support. They could probably keep a Boa running for a long time. Why not email them and ask?
 
The Delica and Endura (and Manix) are manual opening and have no flipper, so a safety lock is very unneeded.
 
If you are looking for a lock like you find on some of the smaller Kershaws, sliding lock at the end of the handle that blocks blade, then you probably will not find one. The springing open was due to the fact that the Blur is an AO. You could tighten the pivot a little bit to help keep that from occuring again. I would take a look at the Kershaw Rake. Composite blade, USA made, it is assisted though.

The only knives I know of with a safety lock are auto's.
 
the only knife I've owned that had a lock, besides the leek, was a CRKT Lake III (3), its about a 1/3 of the price of the ones mentioned here so far, and the steel shows it. Still its a reasonably sized knife and a pretty good EDC for the money thought id through it out there.
 
Cold Kill said:
The Delica and Endura (and Manix) are manual opening and have no flipper, so a safety lock is very unneeded.
Click to expand...
Understandably, under normal conditions, it's really only necessary on AO's where there's the outside chance of self deployment in your pocket.
But, for me, the added measure of security is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY with a 2 year old around.

Cutter,
yes, I'm aware of the nature of the AO mechanism and actually prefer it.
What I'm really looking for here is an extra stumbling block for my son to have to clear should he ever get his hands on my knife again.
It's more about his safety than my preferences, though. Otherwise, I'd have snatched up one of those CB Rakes or JYDII's by now.
Drooling over the ZT0200 & 0350. But I couldn't forgive myself if my boy got hurt and I didn't take steps to prevent it.
I use my knives as tools DAILY and so need to have one around....I just want to take precautions.
 
How about the Benchmade Barrage. It comes in a large, model 580 with a 3.6" blade and a small, model 585 with 2.91" blade. They have the assisted AXIS lock which has a small slide on the spine of the handle which locks the blade so it won't open in the closed position. At least that's how I remember it being, though I haven't been able to afford one yet. The large can be had around $89 and the small about 6 bucks less.


585.jpg



Edit: oooooops! I must have skimmed over the part about the barrage. If you like the knife check out the 581. Upgraded 'super' steel, bolsters, and G10 instead of the Valox. If you can get past the plastic feel it is actually one of the most durable and bullet proof materials used for knife handles. Unfortunately it jumps the price up to $140.

581:
581.jpg
 
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Well, there's always the Buck "quickfire" I believe assisted opening and a safety. Made in USA and runs about 40 bucks, I believe.
 
Raymond, I think I'll take your advice and contact Kershaw. Thanks.
I've owned a few of them and they've always been a pleasure to deal with.....both the knives and the company.

Thank you a ton for your help everybody.

I'm still open to suggestions........
 
gusbubba said:
Understandably, under normal conditions, it's really only necessary on AO's where there's the outside chance of self deployment in your pocket.
But, for me, the added measure of security is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY with a 2 year old around.
Click to expand...

I understand your concern, but there's been many generations of knife users prior to knives having safeties. I'd lean more towards basic safety measures and common sense. Just my two cents :)
 
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