HELP! I can't find a knife that fits what I want

If you plan on prying with your knife I'd go with a SAK of some sort, since it has the tools to do so.
 
WoodsMonkey said:
If your looking for a knife, then you should respond and tell us what you think about our suggestions.
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I haven't been able to get on here with anything but my phone for a few days and it won't let me type in the post/comment/message box for some reason.

I really do appreciate all the suggestions. Some I have not heard of and all are good knives. I'll reply/say what I think of the more suggested knives:

Leek: I have a rainbow leek and really like it. I carry it when I wanna be fancy. But the tip is much too aggressive looking and delicate for what I need. Also I don't want assisted opening.

Blur, Rajah 3: I am not really a fan of recurves. I may be objectively wrong, but I just don't like how they cut. Also, it's a bit too aggressive looking for what I need. I'd love to have a rajah 2 though.

Rat 1: I had a rat 1 and loved it. The blade shape is great all around, aus 8 is awesome for a working knife, and the lockup was just impressive. But the blade is actually over 3.5" by my measure, and I need there to be no doubt that it is under 3.5".

Manix LW: I love Spyderco. I actually had this knife as well, but realized it didnt really fill any role my native didn't. Still, I think it's a great knife. It's just that with bd1 on a 75 dollar knife I would not be super comfortable with abuse. Also I worry it is too aggressive.

Sage 1, Delica, Skyline, tenacious: I'd love to have these knives, just not for these purposes.

Opinel: I really want an opinel. It would be a good knife for these purposes. I'd probably go with an 8 (maybe 9). I just wish it had a lanyard hole.

Pioneer, centurion: I didn't know these models existed. I don't think I'd like the centurion's handles, but it would work. However, I think a pioneer (or farmer) pretty much fits the bill. It has everything I need as well as classic styling. Also, my Grandpa always carries a similar victorinox and if it works for him it will work for me.

So I've narrowed it down to a Pioneer, a Farmer, or an ultra cheap Rough Rider Utility (with many of the same features). I'm leaning towards the Pioneer. However, I still have to decide if the (admittedly probably rare, but helpful when needed) utility of the saw is worth the extra width and ~$10 and if the lower quality of the rough rider (though I've had good experience with rough rider) is worth 50% of the price of the Pioneer.

Any thoughts? (Again, I really do appreciate all the suggestions and any other thoughts.) I don't have the opportunity to get on often other than on my phone, so please be patient. It kind of rustles my jimmies when I'm told to post more often, as when possible I post pretty regularly.
 
If the rough rider will do what you need, it's cheap enough to carry on a construction site and not feel bad if it breaks, gets dropped somewhere it can't be retrieved from, or "borrowed".
OTOH, if you liked the RAT1 but it's too long, you might look at the RAT2 or the upcoming Zancudo.
 
1066vik said:
If the rough rider will do what you need, it's cheap enough to carry on a construction site and not feel bad if it breaks, gets dropped somewhere it can't be retrieved from, or "borrowed".
OTOH, if you liked the RAT1 but it's too long, you might look at the RAT2 or the upcoming Zancudo.
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Yeah, I appreciate that aspect. Also, I actually almost bought a rat 2 on monday. It would have been an impulse buy though in honesty, and I have to stay away from that. I recently started a thread asking if the Zancudo would "be an esee" (have the warranty and such). I think most said no, but it was definitely up for debate. Still, a well designed and well priced knife.
 
retzius said:
OP, you pretty much described the Benchmade Mini-Grip.
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I'm all about an axis lock-sheepfoot-spyderhole-154cm-frn(like) handled knife. I held one once and it didn't seem to agree with my hand. I'll have to head on down to the store and see how I feel now. I don't know if I could bring myself to abuse it though.
 
As has been mentioned, the Benchmade 555HG Mini-Grip fits the bill well.

2.9" blade + blade length between 2.5" and 3.5" (not over, not under. Preferably between 3 and 3.5)
sheepsfoot + non threatening blade shape. Basically something that no one will think looks "stabby" (leaning toward sheepsfoot, but anything works)
check + handle that is comfortable. I don't care if it's only a 3 finger grip as long as it fits (large hands)
AXIS lock + locking (no need for any high tech hard use type locks. I just will lightly use it to open cans etc)
opening hole + AXIS lock + does not have to be modern (can be two hand open/close)
tip-up, left or right side + preferably with clip (or lanyard hole)
154CM + any worth while blade steel as long as it can be sharpened with rudimentary skills (so not d2 or anything)
commonly found between $60-70+ absolutely <$100, preferably <$50 (I love high end knives, but I don't want to worry about ruining/losing this one)
Benchmade, made in USA + no preference on maker, origin, etc
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spyderco manix 2

spyderco delica 4

spyderco native FRN

spyderco salt 1

kershaw leek

case medium stockman

victorinox tinker

you could also check out the spyderco tasman salt. i carry one everyday as my back up edc. that being said i think you should always have a SAK or small traditional knife along with it to accompany the tasman salt. personally i carry a CRK large sebenza 21, tasman salt and a tinker. and that setup works awesome. i would never carry a tasman salt as a stand alone edc because you cant slice with it
 
Ontario RAT 1 or RAT 2 for the < $50 option. If you go above 50 dollars go with a BM grip or mini grip. They both have a sheeps foot option for blade shape if you dont want to rock the clip point. They all fit your specs!
 
imbryan715 said:
spyderco manix 2

spyderco delica 4

spyderco native FRN

spyderco salt 1

kershaw leek

case medium stockman

victorinox tinker

you could also check out the spyderco tasman salt. i carry one everyday as my back up edc. that being said i think you should always have a SAK or small traditional knife along with it to accompany the tasman salt. personally i carry a CRK large sebenza 21, tasman salt and a tinker. and that setup works awesome. i would never carry a tasman salt as a stand alone edc because you cant slice with it
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The Native is my absolute favorite knife, but it is definitely too "scary" to whip out in some places. The delica and leek I've replied to. I'll have to look at some stockmans, and I'll definitely check out the tinker. I don't think the tasman would work for what I need, but I have been wanting a serrated salt.
 
A few others...

Kershaw Random Task - 3.25" sheepsfoot, liner lock, thumb stud, assisted-open, pocket clip, Sandvik 14C28N, made in USA, ~$50
Kershaw Random Leek - 3" sheepsfoot, frame lock, flipper, assisted-open, pocket clip, S30V, made in USA, ~$70
Kershaw Junkyard Dog II - 3.5" sheepsfoot, liner lock, flipper, pocket clip, CPM-D2, made in USA, ~$70
Spyderco Stretch FRN - 3.5" drop point (but looks sort of sheepsfoot-like), back lock, thumb hole, 4-position clip, VG-10, made in Japan, ~$80
Victorinox One-Handed Trekker - 3.25" drop point, liner lock, thumb hole, keyring/lanyard loop, X55CrMo14, made in Switzerland, ~$35
Victorinox One-Handed Sentinel - 3.25" drop point, liner lock, thumb hole, keyring/lanyard loop, X55CrMo14, made in Switzerland, ~$25
CRKT McGinnis Tuition - 3" sheepsfoot, liner lock, pocket clip, 8Cr14MoV, made in China, ~$25
 
Have you considered traditionals? GEC #72 seems to fit your bill nicely. It's not too expensive, back locking, comes in wharncliffe or clip point, beautiful handle materials, easy-to-sharpen 1095 and I think it's comfortable.
 
SPNKr said:
Have you considered traditionals? GEC #72 seems to fit your bill nicely. It's not too expensive, back locking, comes in wharncliffe or clip point, beautiful handle materials, easy-to-sharpen 1095 and I think it's comfortable.
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I am definitely considering traditionals. I actually may be starting to lean towards them. I just got my first GEC. Its a smooth ivory bone sheepfoot barlow. However, it came with absolutely no secondary bevel. I tried putting one on with my conventional sharpening method for a long time but couldn't, so I took it to a professional sharpener (and gec dealer). He told me to send it in. So I call and they say I will likely have to pay for sharpening or a new blade... that doesn't seem right to me. I mean, it's a beautiful knife and I'm sure would be great to carry and use with a good edge. But its materials do not justify the price if it doesn't come with an edge and I'll have to pay to have one put on. $82 dollars is a heck of a lot for me to spend on a knife (when I know I could get a modern knife with s30v steel, high tech plastic handle, and reliable lock for less). I hope it turns out well and I have at least one good traditional, but I'll check out the #72.
 
Others have mentioned Tenacious and Victorinox One Hand Trekker .. good choice!

One more: Enlan EL02, elegant and non threatening (IMO)
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