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Help me make a convert!

Mackenzie4856

Mackenzie4856

Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
385
Okay, BladeForums, I need some help on this one. I have a good friend who is teetering on the edge of becoming a knife nut. He already EDCs a large SAK, now he's looking into a large single blade folder for SD and possible occasional EDC use. He doesn't do much with a knife, and his price range is fairly low. Here's my question(s):

He wants something along the lines of an old-school looking stiletto, such as what Kissing Crane sells. Example in link, if it works:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kissing-Crane-Stiletto-Hardwood-Knife_W0QQitemZ6623711060QQcategoryZ43335QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What is the best mix of quality and price in this style? We're looking at a budget of around $75 max, $50 and would be better. We've already ruled out the CS Ti-Lite for various reasons, and I won't let him go through a Bud K or similar 'toy shop.' I'm also adamant that it have a better opeing system than the nail slot. For legalities, we currently live in MA, so no automatics.

Can you guys help me get another knife junkie hooked?

Much appreciated.

edited to add the legal stuff
 
If you drop your price too much, you won't get reasonable quality. On the other hand, if you go to www.eknifeworks.com and search for "bandit" you will find an aftermarket thumbstud you can add to a knife that otherwise opens with a nailnick. Then you can go ahead and get the Kissing Crane stiletto itself.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
If you drop your price too much, you won't get reasonable quality. On the other hand, if you go to www.eknifeworks.com and search for "bandit" you will find an aftermarket thumbstud you can add to a knife that otherwise opens with a nailnick. Then you can go ahead and get the Kissing Crane stiletto itself.
Click to expand...

I'm well aware of the price issues. However, he and I are both college students, a lifestyle that is ... how to put this ... non-conducive towards regular monetary surplus. I'll stop sounding like an a$$ with a thesaurus now, I just get tired of my poverty. Plus I'm a writer, words are my toys and tools.

Thank you for the bandit link, I'll definately remember that.
 
You don't have to get tired of poverty, just use it as an incentive to transcend it! :D
 
The college education is to aid in said overty transending.

And the knifes are to help maintain it.

Any more ideas, anyone?
 
Hey Mac....

If your friend already EDC's a knife, everyday, no matter what it is,, he isn't teetering anymore. EDC by definition means he's a knife knutt..

He just doesn't realize it...

EDC'ing a knife is one of the 4 symptoms and warning signs of a knife addition.

It's exciting that he is on the verge of a full blown addition...

Ohh boy, the memories.. I remember coming out of the store with my parents and racing to the car, opening the box even before I got in... :)

ttyle

Eric....
 
Here is a Benchmade that I like for the price.

Good 440-C steel. Easy opening. Good lock. 3.5 inch blade. Good looking and feels good in my hand. Priced right. Lifetime warranty and sharpening.



http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10400SB

If he want to step up a level the Benchmade Griptilians are great knives with axis lock.

It is about the same size as the PIKA.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=551

Two things I look for when buying a knife are (1) Is the company selling a knife maker with a great reputation? and (2) Does the knife have a Rockwell hardness value around 60 (this means that it will hold an edge without frequent sharpening). The better knives have this higher Rockwell 60 value.
 
I love the old kissing crane stilletos but they really aren't that practical of a user and, in my opinion, a poor choice for defense. try to kick him in the direction of a spyderco delica/endura. also send him to the trade forum and you can pick up a really good knife for a good price. you also might consider the kershaw storm 2 which at $30 is a deal at wally world. the spyderco native is also a bargaing at wally world for $40. the dozier folders by kabar are also really nice for about $20, aus 8 steel with a stud and pocket clip. but as always if he's set on a stilleto then by all means decide on a model and start looking. later, ahgar
 
Spyderco Endura 4 is the way to go. Excellent quality, one hand opening and well within your budget. It costs around $45.

Try to get him over stilletos, they are useless as working knives and not that good for SD (since you're limited to mostly stabbing).
 
Any of these will be great to start him off (and, honestly, will serve him well for years).
Benchmade Red Class
They're priced within your budget, and are extremely high-quality considering the minimal expenditure their purchase entails.
Check these out, in particular:
Ambush—3.94" blade, Rolling Lock with InDraft
Monochrome—3.04" blade, frame lock (Benchmade calls it a Monolock—same type of lock as the fabled Sebenza)
 
This is one of my favorites, the Ka Bar Thorn. It looks like a modern interpretation of the classic stiletto style. It's not a very large knife , but I like the D2 steel. You can find them for about $60.00....

I'm a fan of Dozier's designs in general.

BTW I have the KC stiletto in stag, I think it's the medium sized version, it's a beautiful knife for the money, you can usually find them for about $35.00 ( in stag)

Ka Bar Thorn
thorn.jpg
 
another great value line is Spyderco's Byrd line, they're entry-level knives made in China to Spyderco specs, no, they're not Spyderco quality, but they're not too bad, and for $20 you probably won't find a better deal

Spyderco's Delica/Endura line are classics and great bang-for-the-buck, excellent values as well

Ka-Bar's Dozier folder and Benchmade's Pika/Mini-Pika are also decent knives, Kershaw's line of Ken Onion manual openers (Vapor, Vapor II, etc...) are pretty nice as well, you can't go wrong with the classic Buck 110 either....

stay away from CRKT, they've recently shifted to poor-quality AUS-4 steel, avoid Taylor "cutlery"'s line of knife-shaped-metal-objects (taylor is better known for the Smith&Wesson line of knives, absolute garbage)
 
The way things look now, I'm going to push hirm towards the thorn. Hell, I may even look into one myself to replace my Ti-Lite.

Thanks for the help, and please keep posting
 
Good news: I think I may have sold him on a Spyderco. He's looking at the Byrd Cara Cara at the moment, any thoughts?

PS: Mr. Glesser, if you read this, can I get a recruitment bonus or something?

edited to be a smartass
 
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