Help finding an EDC

[Cold Kill]

The SOG Twitch line (I, II, XL) is open assist, and has a safety slide along the spine.

 

[Sep]

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?

Not a problem, not everybody likes FRN handles. The AutoLAWK is the only additional lock, so I guess it won't work for your purpose.

 

[gusbubba]

Funny you mention the "Quickfire", ono724.
Owned one for about 2 days before I took it back....the handle was so slick that a mild sweat was causing me to drop it...and I work in a very wet environment, so, that didn't work out. I even tried to modify it with grip tape, but it didn't really take.
Not a bad little knife, though, all things considered.

Guys, I hope I'm not coming off as difficult. I just have very specific needs and wants for this knife, both personally and professionally.

 

[gusbubba]

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

I absolutely agree with you. It was just one of those moments that, as a parent, scares the crap out of you and guilts you
to no end because I immediately went from a responsible adult with the presence of mind to keep a dangerous object out of my son's reach
to an irresponsible jerk who almost let his kid get hurt.
I'm certain I'm overreacting somewhat, but I'd rather do that than consider the alternative.

....And this is coming from a guy who grew up with an old-school Croation grandmother who treated EVERY injury----from common colds to puncture wounds----with a stiff shot of whiskey and a kick in the ass. Things have changed, I guess......

 

[gusbubba]

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.

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:

Yep, the 581 is VERY tempting!

 

[HDStreetBob]

I have a Kershaw Speed Bump. Yours if u want it for rather cheap. I just don't like it. I tried to PM u, but I wasn't able to for some reason.

 

[Poez]

Kershaw Boa is a great knife. I would get it if it is still available.
Spec Bump has got very good safety lock. It is a pity it has got discontinued!
Buck Sirius has got safety lock on the spine. Not so subtle though.
Get Boa if you can!

 

[gusbubba]

Hmmm, not sure why that is Bob.
Maybe a minimum thread restriction.
Lemme check it out and get back at 'ya.

 

[BladeChick777]

Some Cheaply Priced Knives That Would Fit The Bill:
Smith And Wesson Power Glide
Smith And Wesson S.O.R.T.
Smith And Wesson SWAT Magic
Smith And Wesson Black Ops Spring Assisted Knife
Smith And Wesson Desert MAGIC
Smith And Wesson Magic
Smith And Wesson SWEE2S

You'll Hear Smith And Wesson Are Cheaper Knives, Yeah They Are, But Honestly, They Cut Well, Most Have A Safety, They Sharpen Easy, Hold An Edge Well, And Would Be Great To Tote Around Just As An "Anything And Everything" Kind Of Knife, A Knife That You Can Beat And Bang Up But It Will Still Function Well And Do What's Made To Do.

 

[Tim616]

Benchmade AXIAL knives lock closed and open, ultimate security. Aound 100ish for some of the models, 154cm steel. Nice design, elegant, maybe look into one.

 

[Cold Kill]

Have you looked at a slip-joint? They give enough pressure against opening so that your kid won't open it, and they come in multi/single blade and modern/traditional styling. There is something in the slip-joint category for everybody.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Benchmade AXIAL knives lock closed and open, ultimate security. Aound 100ish for some of the models, 154cm steel. Nice design, elegant, maybe look into one.

Benchmade AXIS lock knives don't lock closed except for some of the assisted opening models as discussed above. Just an FYI.

 

[Chris Pierce]

Check out the Hogue ex01. They are spectacular knives and can be found for as low as $80 if you know where to look.
They don't lock closed, but they have a very good lock and a lock for the lock so you can't accidentally unlock the blade in use.

 

[Tim616]

Benchmade AXIS lock knives don't lock closed except for some of the assisted opening models as discussed above. Just an FYI.

I said AXIAL, not Axis, I own like 25 axis locks, I know AXIAL is completely different. It's a pivot that is manual no thumb studs, and locks closed and open.

 

[Tsujigiri]

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?

I did find that the lock was stiff when I got the knife, such that it was difficult to disengage even with both hands. But both of them broke in quite nicely, and the blades can be closed quickly with one hand now.

I would echo what others have said and tell you that a lock is not your solution, though. The solution to gun safety isn't to add safeties onto the gun; it's to rely on the principle rules of safe gun handling. In fact, it's strongly advised that you don't rely on the safety. Safeties fail, and toddlers learn how to flick switches. You'd be better off taking precautions to ensure your little one doesn't open your knives and injure himself than rely on the knife itself.

 

[Dagon]

A classic Opinel can be locked in both open and closed position. Lovely, useful things.

 

[gusbubba]

I did find that the lock was stiff when I got the knife, such that it was difficult to disengage even with both hands. But both of them broke in quite nicely, and the blades can be closed quickly with one hand now.

I would echo what others have said and tell you that a lock is not your solution, though. The solution to gun safety isn't to add safeties onto the gun; it's to rely on the principle rules of safe gun handling. In fact, it's strongly advised that you don't rely on the safety. Safeties fail, and toddlers learn how to flick switches. You'd be better off taking precautions to ensure your little one doesn't open your knives and injure himself than rely on the knife itself.

I agree. The incident in question was a momentary lapse.....the exception that proves that it CAN happen.
I'm not looking to use a safety as an excuse to leave the knife laying around thinking it's completely safe. Like I said, it's just an added measure.
Locking your car doors won't keep a determined thief out of your car, but leaving them unlocked is just INVITING trouble......Know what I'm sayin'?
Thanks for the feedback on the Bump, it's reassuring.

Tim and FlaMtnBkr: looked into the BM's and they're on the shortlist. Thanks for the suggestions!

BladeChick: excellent suggestions, and may prove to be a viable option as a beater/work knife. Thanks!

Dagon: the Opinel IS beautiful and elegant. I love the simplicity. Fits right in with some of my classic hand tools for woodworking.
How do you feel it would stand up to hard use?

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

I said AXIAL, not Axis, I own like 25 axis locks, I know AXIAL is completely different. It's a pivot that is manual no thumb studs, and locks closed and open.

You are right, but I thought you had made a typo. I have never heard of them but I see it is a knife design that was acquired in the Lonewolf merger. I guess there are quite a few new knives with the Benchmade name that I am not familiar with yet.

 

[quattromori]

I don't know what "work capable knife" means to you...it's a very pesonal concept.
For everything else, a stainless Opinel #7 would serve you more than well.
And as for "work capable", it always worked for me.
Other than that, maybe a fixed blade with a good sheath would do. Safer than a folder, in my opinion.

 

[Dagon]

Dagon: the Opinel IS beautiful and elegant. I love the simplicity. Fits right in with some of my classic hand tools for woodworking.
How do you feel it would stand up to hard use?

The bigger Opinel 9 and 10 are quite sturdy, the smaller 7 and 8 are perfect for general duty. They are not designed to chop or cut a refrigerator door just to make a point, yet largely good enough for typical normal knife use. They truly perform over their price range.
Two things to watch out with:
- keep the handle dry, if it gets wet it will swell and it will become difficult to open the blade.
- they have a thin tip which may bend if you are careless.

All things considered, whatever else you may want to buy within you budget, add a cheap Opinel. It's a classic folder with true soul, and it is well possible that you'll love it more than your "tacticool" knives - I know I do.
FYI a bit more expensive (usually still affordable) but not always easy to find are Opinel variants with luxury wood handles like bubinga, ebony, rosewood, oak or olive wood: