Help me choose an EDC folding knife? (Not one of those threads again!)

[mysticlotus]

Hello all.

I know there's plenty of threads out there for a recommended EDC blade, but my friend who recently got into knife collecting wants to look for a knife with the following characteristics:

1. Spear-shaped blade (required) [EDIT: He's looking more into blades that are thinner in belly (think: stiletto or bayonet types)]
2. Polymer handle / No stainless steel handles (required)
3. Thumb deployment hole (preferred) / thumbstub (if no other option)
4. At least 3.5" blade (preferred) / nothing under 3"
5. Any lock preferred except linerlock (he said he has had bad experiences with them... unless it's necessary)

I don't know of many knives that would suit those particular requirements. So far, the only knife which tickles his fancy is the 4" Cold Steel Ti Lite in Zytel handle (I know it's a liner, but he wants something without the linerlock). And he doesn't like "thumbstuds" cause they stick out and make blades look "ugly." He's too ignorant to listen to me about the lack of functionality with spear shaped blades and is too stubborn to change his mind on anything if he is already fixed on an opinion. It can't be helped...

Thanx for your help, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[J_Curd]

Benchmade 530. You wont realize its in your pocket, and its 10x stronger than it looks.

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

spyderco native, except the blade lenght....

i have this type :

 

[mysticlotus]

Thanx for the replies!

I'm looking into getting a 530 and the S30V Native sometime in the future myself... but I think he wants something more "stiletto" in blade shape. I'll recommend both of those to him though and see if he likes 'em...

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

the liner lock on the ti-lite is one of the strongest lock i've seen...

 

[mysticlotus]

Yeah, it's one of the stronger linerlocks I've encountered as well. He just doesn't like them. Same goes for the thumbstuds. Oh well.

Another funny story: Before this, he wanted a knife with a framelock, except he wanted the handles to be made out of a polymer. Personally, I never heard of a framelock made out of a polymer... seems too weak and would possibly break faster than titanium or stainless steel.

I guess some things you can never get because of certain aspects which conflicts with design integrity.

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

well, a liner lock with some plastic handles would have been close to that frame lock ....
they are almost the same thing after all

 

[Biginboca]

BM 551 would be my choice.

 

[felix7]

I can't help you with any models suggestions, but I like your friend specs, I also would like to see a Ti-lite 4 inc. with a frame-lock (I also don't like liner-locks), it is so similar to our Stiletto, that is sadly illegal in Italy, as all automatic knives.

 

[Dag-nabit]

Benchmade Osborne Kulgera 930 meets the specs, except for the thumbstuds

Blade Detail: Plain Edge
Blade Length (inches): 3.60
Blade Material: S30V
Carry System: Pocket Clip
Handle Material: G-10
Lock Style: Axis Lock
Overall Length (inches): 8.00

Kevin

 

[mysticlotus]

Thanx for all the recommendations so far. Keep them coming!

I personally like the Kulgera, but he absolutely despises the thumb studs (which I'm assuming effectively leaves him out of ~90% of all production folders).

 

[J.Mattson]

Thanx for all the recommendations so far. Keep them coming!

I personally like the Kulgera, but he absolutely despises the thumb studs (which I'm assuming effectively leaves him out of ~90% of all production folders).

The action on an axis lock folder is so good. I don’t think I would care if it had a small sharp thumb tack instead of a thumb stud.

 

[bh49]

1. Spear-shaped blade (required) [EDIT: He's looking more into blades that are thinner in belly (think: stiletto or bayonet types)]
2. Polymer handle / No stainless steel handles (required)
3. Thumb deployment hole (preferred) / thumbstub (if no other option)
4. At least 3.5" blade (preferred) / nothing under 3"
5. Any lock preferred except linerlock (he said he has had bad experiences with them... unless it's necessary)

Thanx for your help, ladies and gentlemen.

Sound like C54 Calypso,

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37321
see post #4. Not easy to find, but still possible, can be expensive so.

 

[Sep]

Benchmade Ares sounds pretty close. The problem is it's dicontinued.

 

[mysticlotus]

I would love to get a 730 Ares as well, but all I have to satisfy my old school BM needs are my 806 AFCKs.

 

[_habit_]

Benchmade Dejavoo seems like it's everything he wants, except, it's a linerlock. But honestly, it's unlikely you'd have any problems with the linerlock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUlQche6xCc
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BM740

I'll recommend the Spyderco Stretch II while I'm at it. I think it's everything he wants, but I don't know exactly what you'd call a spearpoint.

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/spyderc/images/90cfpe.jpg

 

[mysticlotus]

I have the Dejavoo as well. It's such a smooth and solid knife. The linerlock just turns him off...

The only knives he has so far are: Spyderco Endura 4 Wave and Benchmade 550HG. Deployment holes, polymer handles, and without liner locks. There's so many excellent designs out there to enjoy than just falls out of his taste. *sigh*

 

[bitter1]

Spyderco Para Military or Military

 

[mysticlotus]

Sorry, they're too "leaf-shaped" much like almost every other Spydie design.

I have both and I agree... they are great but he's not into liner locks (or even compression for that matter).

 

[cutter17]

Take a look at the BM 610 Rukus, or the 615 Rukus.