Help me find a knife for my father

TheDandyLion said:
Sorta update: Just asked him why he doesn't like liner lock and this was his word for word response "I had a liner lock a while ago, It broke (Takes bite of BLT)"

My father, a man of few words
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Nice. :)

I totally understand him, but there are well-made linerlocks that I think will hold up admirably. But hey, he had a bad experience and he likes what he likes, nothing wrong with that.
 
Not a liner lock? Blade length 2.75 - 3.5"? Folding only? Decent steel? Simple-ish design?

Cold Steel Recon 1 mini. Or if he likes modern materials with a traditional look, the Cold Steel Mackinac hunter. Both are tough as nails, within the size requirement, simple (but strong!) lockbacks, with very decent steel.

Good luck. I hope you pick something your father will really enjoy for many years.

Damn..... Now I want a BLT..... And I'm fresh outta bacon!
 
Sonnydaze said:
Next pic is the Paramilitary 2...(GREAT compression lock, he'll love it) you can find these in S30V steel for $120. A great knife; 3.3" blade, loved by most of us.
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Sonny,

How does the compression lock work? I have never owned a knife with this type of system.
 
RedLynx said:
Sonny,

How does the comkpression lock work? I have never owned a knife with this type of system.
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Sort of like a liner lock; except at the back of the blade. Pics in minute.
PM2 - blade closed - note the compression lock at the top
View attachment 472686
blade open - see the difference?
View attachment 472687
To close the blade, the lock is pressed over with the index finger (much like a liner lock, except positioning)
 
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Benchmade Megumi. Button lock, a bit shy of 3" of S30V steel, Cocobolo and CF handle, quasi-file worked backspacer, no clip. A distinctly modern gentleman's carry.
 
hhmoore said:
Sort of like a liner lock; except at the back of the blade. Pics in minute.
PM2 - blade closed - note the compression lock at the top
View attachment 472686
blade open - see the difference?
View attachment 472687
To close the blade, the lock is pressed over with the index finger (much like a liner lock, except positioning)
Click to expand...

Very interesting, thanks!

Would you say this is a stronger/more efficient design, or just different?
 
Spyderco slipit series, non-locking.

Boker Plus John Howser Memory Folding Knife - slip joint with G 10 handle.
 
RedLynx said:
Very interesting, thanks!

Would you say this is a stronger/more efficient design, or just different?
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Awesome knife. Just be sure to buy from a reputable seller, as there are so many fakes out there. I just got done reporting a guy on ebay selling replicas. Bentoboxshop has some I think $150.

If you want to save a buck or 2, Get a spyderco Manix 2 in BD1 steel $80. (just look for a newer version with an adjustable pivot screw)

Also the Cold Steel Mini Recon has the "Triad" Lockback which is regarded by many as the strongest out there. You can get a clip point version for around $40. (The G10 scales are very textured and grippy. I recommend removing the pocket clip, sanding it lightly and then re-attach the clip. This way it wont tear up his pants pocket) pic below is of spear point version. Check out the abuse tests on youtube. There are videos of people batonning wood with this knife and the lock not failing.

 
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When you say tight budget, about how tight? My runaway favorite for a non-liner/frame lock knife is a Spyderco Chaparral; it clocks in at around $100, but it's unbelievable nice. The fit and finish on the Taichung Spydercos is impeccable, CTS-XHP is an excellent steel, and it has very thin blade stock, making it an incredible slicer and very thin in pocket. Plus I like the look of the CF/G-10 laminate.

If that's out of your price range, there's always the Delica, which is a solid value, but I'd go for the Centofante 3, which is a criminally underrated knife. It's the same price as the Delica at around $60, runs the same materials, has a slightly longer blade, and I personally prefer the aesthetics of the Centofante. The Delica does come in different colors, I suppose.
 
Check out the full size or mini Vulcans from SOG. Both pretty modern with a good non liner locking system. I've got one of each for sale in the For Sale forums if you find they are of any interest to you.
 
GlockandBalls said:
Awesome knife. Just be sure to buy from a reputable seller, as there are so many fakes out there. I just got done reporting a guy on ebay selling replicas. Bentoboxshop has some I think $150.

If you want to save a buck or 2, Get a spyderco Manix 2 in BD1 steel $80. (just look for a newer version with an adjustable pivot screw)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip about the Spyderco friend. I knew some models were being sold as fakes. It's good you recognized some, I doubt I would, at the very least til I got my hands on it to check it out. And if it was super convincing maybe not even then.
 
Might not fit your budget (and some people find it big for an EDC) but the ZT 350 is pretty solid and you get a lot of knife for the money.
 
RedLynx said:
Very interesting, thanks!

Would you say this is a stronger/more efficient design, or just different?
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Just different.

Although I did watch a video a while back about a guy in the woods w/ a Paramilitary 2. (has the lock in question) Intentions where if this is the only knife you had how would it hold up. It's strong enough; it did better than I though. It was off center by the end but it was serviceable after batoning. Which would never be recommended to do w/ a PM 2.
 
I second the Spyderco Manix II. I am very new to knives, been a big gun guy for years. Although I have expensive productions and customs, I just LOVE my SM2. In the translucent blue FRCP and CPM-BD1 steel you can't find a better non-liner lock American made knife for $80 or less!
 
Yeah mine has seen some hardcore usage, fixed blade durability. I think the mini is more his size though
 
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