Help me find the perfect knife.

chanwahyaoh said:
I can't think of a knife that meets all of your requirements. Whatever you get, you're going to be looking at making some modifications.
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+1

I think you may have to compromise most on the glass breaker, as very few knives, even tactical oriented ones, include this and I have never heard of one being added through aftermarket modification.

Likewise, its hard to find waved knives outside of Emerson, especially in the production category. You are better off looking for a knife that can be waved without explicitly having a "wave" feature - like ones with double guards such as the Darrel Ralph or Camillus Maxx series.

Without the glass breaker, I would strongly suggest the ZT 300 line of knives. They come assisted opening, but that can be disabled and there is also enough steel above the thumb studs to dremel a small wave in.
 
A.P.F. said:
I think that a Spyderco Gayle Bradley meets the requirements. The metal at the rear of the frame is exposed, so it should break glass.
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That metal in the butt is why I recommend the BM Torrent. It does not fulfill all of the OP's, but, judging by these posts, neither does anything else. The torrent has a prominent, triangular metal extension out past the scales. It also offers a more hand-filling grip than Sydercos and other "flat" knives (excellent though those knives are in other ways). However, a problem, as I see it, is that if you use any hand-held impact device as a glass breaker, there is a real risk that you are going to sustain some nasty lacerations on your hand. A better solution is a spring-loaded set punch. They are available in any hardware store, cost about 10 bucks, and cause glass to shatter with a single press with the user's hand safely away from the window. EMS types have been using them for decades. You can duct tape one in a convenient location in your vehicle, and always know it will be within reach if you need it.
 
ajpalda said:
Likewise, its hard to find waved knives outside of Emerson, especially in the production category. You are better off looking for a knife that can be waved without explicitly having a "wave" feature - like ones with double guards such as the Darrel Ralph or Camillus Maxx series.

Without the glass breaker, I would strongly suggest the ZT 300 line of knives. They come assisted opening, but that can be disabled and there is also enough steel above the thumb studs to dremel a small wave in.
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The Camillus/DDR Maxx knives have 2 wavelike hooks. I have found the "flipper" hook needs to be ground off, since it will also snag and counter-act the wave draw. I ground mine off on a Camillus and a custom HD Maxx. With Maxx type knives, you'll also might need to relocate the pocket clip about an inch away from the butt to provide a good wave drawing grip... also add a lanyard.
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The ZT300 was a much simpler mod. All I needed to do was remove the AO, drill a detent hole, and cut a very tiny wave hook.
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Also, you might be wondering why many of my knives have a lefty clip set up. That's because I draw forward. End up in a reverse grip.
 
joshuabl said:
I'm kind of liking the looks of this. I have seen a sebenza in a store and to be honest, i wasnt really all that impressed. For the materials, it seemed that you were paying for about $300 dollars worth of "Chris Reeve" and about $100dollars worth of knife. This one looks a bit better in S30V and titanium with that frame lock. Does it have a pretty smooth action?
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Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Sebenza must be held and used to really be appreciated. Flawless fit and finish and strong as a bank vault. With your criteria the Umnumzaan would be perfect. I haven't tried one yet but if it is anything like the Sebenza it will be fantastic.
 
Charlie Mike said:
The Camillus/DDR Maxx knives have 2 wavelike hooks. I have found the "flipper" hook needs to be ground off, since it will also snag and counter-act the wave draw. I ground mine off on a Camillus and a custom HD Maxx. With Maxx type knives, you'll also might need to relocate the pocket clip about an inch away from the butt to provide a good wave drawing grip... also add a lanyard.
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I haven't had any problems with the flipper hook, but I draw backwards. One thing I will try is switching over my pocket clip from my standard tip-down Maxx to my tip-up. It currently has a deep-ride clip, and I do find myself having to readjust my grip further forward on the handle once it is deployed.

Thanks for the tip:thumbup:
 
Also, the ZT300 in my post has been my right pocket EDC for the last month.
 
For the glass breaker, I would suggest a Benchmade Houdini. It also has a sharp belt cutter. I carry that everytime I get in the car, as well as my edc, a S[yderco CF Native.
 
joshuabl said:
I've got a pretty decent little collection IMHO, but enjoy picking up new knives. Right now, I have an emerson super cqc-8 in my pocket. I really like the wave feature, which I guess spyderco has something similiar. I find it faster deployment than any auto out of the pocket( I have a couple Microtechs).

To give you an idea of what i would think would be perfect:

1) Folder, something akin to wave feature, no serrations, in the 3 3/4"+ blade length.

2) Solid lock, frame or good liner.

3) Carbide Glass breaker in the handle (think microtech).

4) Good steel (154cm, S30V, M2, M4, D2, ??).

5) A solid pocket clip ( so nothing like the benchmade rukus clip, which was just flimsy for a knife that size.) tip up carry.

6) G10 scales, maybe micarta, something that is a good handle that doesnt slide around. lanyard hole.

Can you guys think of anything that might come close to filling that grocery list?

OR.. how about some suggestions for companies i'm missing out on that should be in my collection.
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Some great knives suggested above, but they all seem to miss a few of your criteria.

I am not generally a Boker guy, but I gotta admit this looked pretty interesting when I ran across it the other day. If you count the prominent thumb disk as a "wavable", then it meets most of your other criteria except for the FRN and the steel (although I consider 440C from a reputable company like this as "good" steel). Perhaps there are models higher up the lineup that have upgraded materials.

Your criteria are not ranked in order of importance, but your comment about rising creeks in your town made me focus on the glass breaker. As much as I love my LH Mille, I'd hate to bust my way out of a submerged car with it or a tacked-on glass breaker that the frame is not designed to support. :eek:
 
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