Help with duty knife selection

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WILD MUSK

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Oct 30, 2003
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Hope this is a good place for this kind of thread:

I work at the 517AS in Alaska (that's Air Force). My squadron is looking for an inexpensive knife to issue pilots. One of the guys selected a Benchmade Auto that he found for $110/ea (I didn't think they sold them that cheap), but the CC was turned off by both the price tag and the automatic style (which he termed "switchblade"). Enough about him, I don't want to waste my time--bottom line, I have to find something cheaper. Personally, I'd like to talk him into one of the Strider/Buck models, but I think they are even more expensive. I know it's way silly to think that a good knife can't be had for less than $100, but none are really coming to mind. Just wanted some ideas, if anybody has the time...
 
You actually have a lot of good choices. Benchmade and Spyderco come to mind. BM- TSEK, Ambush, Griptilian. Spyderco- Endura, Military, Native.

You may want to try contacting Buck or a dealer directly to see if they can work a deal with you on the Buck Striders. Check the Buck knives forum here
 
The Benchmade Griptilian, Spyderco Endura and Delica are three that come to mind. All three are well made knives that should easily come in under $100.
 
I have found that Eickhorn make an excellent aluminum handled rescue knife with seat belt cutter and window punch for under $100.
 
The Benchmade 805 TSEK Axis is hard to beat.
It has the Axis lock,strong frame,a 4 inch easy to sharpen and decent edge holding 440C blade which has a good general shape for all cutting tasks and a G-10 handle that shouldent get too cold to the touch in the enviroment you work in.
It is also user frendly for left or right handers and would work with gloves because of the thumbstuds and axis lock.

Best of all, its a great looking folder and can be had for under $100.

It can hold its own against just about any folder out there in durability and is way ahead of many designs in or above its price range.
 
How about the Spyderco D'Allara Rescue? Looks to be one heck of a knife for the money.

Full steel liners, contoured handles, enlarged Spydie hole, VG-10 steel, ball-bearing lock, wire clip, Spyderedge. Can be had for around $50, I believe. Looking at the specs, it's a serious heavy-duty knife for that price point; it'd be really hard to put any other knife up against it, in terms of the specs.
 
Spyderco Military, Paramilitary, Endura, Delica, Dodo, Rescue (Rescue 93mm/79mm, d'Allara, Assist)
Benchmade Griptilian

Shiden-Kaj
 
Yeah, the D'Allara Rescue sounds like just the ticket. Built like a tank, priced right, and cuts like a whiz bang.
 
If you take a look at what you would need if you get a hard touch with Earth ( or any other weird situation) you should consider that your knife should be better:
- tough
- preferably lockable :) (that's kidding)
- versatile shape
- stainless
- easy to sharpen

I would suggest another choice out of all the hypie stuff: a CRKT Prowler CE, check it at knifecenter.com or other website, and you will see what you can get for a very reasonable price (around $50) ...
 
Just handled the new Benchmade large Ambush model.
This is a massive folder, the largest in handle and blade I have ever seen come from Benchmade.

It would also be a good choice,rolling lock,metal handles,good blade shape and around $69.

It would be a great choice for a rough use knife!!
 
Thanks for all the inputs. Looks like we're going with a CRKT M16-12 because it's compact and will fit in a flight suit pocket. Any comments on this one, good or bad?
 
Originally posted by WILD MUSK
Thanks for all the inputs. Looks like we're going with a CRKT M16-12 because it's compact and will fit in a flight suit pocket. Any comments on this one, good or bad?
Click to expand...

I love the M16 especially their *1 series LE, Fire, and Mil. models and the new Compact ones. They can take a licken and still perform great. I wouldn't get any of the older ones made in AUS6 though. The AUS8 holds an edge better. You also might want to check out the newer M16 Compact verions as well. I have been EDC'n mine since they first came out. It's the only other knife besides my Strider SnG I use daily. The finish on the Compact ones is un-real too! It holds up so well, mine still looks perfect after I clean it and I use it constantly for all sorts of stuff. The flipper is also a plus! Good choice.
 
FANTASTIC choice!

I was going to recommend talkign with dealers on Buck/Striders, or CRKT Carson knives.

The M-16 chosen has good steel, is well ground, has the flipper which acts as a guard when open, the LAWKS system is awesome in my opinion, and you have a tip thick enough to do some poking, prying, etc.

The knfie was designed by a tank commander, but I think it is rated to Mach 7 :) Hehe, Kit Carson, the designer, is a long time member of Bladeforums. I'm sure he'd approve of your choice. Kit knows how to design a knife!
 
CRKT16-12 looks like a right choice, although AUS8 is harder to sharpen in the wilderness, so better take a little diamond pocket sharpener (DMT F70F) in your flight suit, it will serve as well in any environment.

take care,

Xavier.
 
There are alot of knice knives suggested so far. A smaller fixed bladed knife in a sheath would probably be cheaper. I wonder if the CC would go for some kind of a squadron subsidy to ensure people buy good stuff rather than crap... Just a thought
 
Originally posted by ric0shay
There are alot of knice knives suggested so far. A smaller fixed bladed knife in a sheath would probably be cheaper...,
Click to expand...

...and better. The Fallkniven F1 was designed for the Swedish Air Force. 3.25" blade of laminated VG10, kraton handle, it was designed to fit in the pocket of a flight suit. A little shopping should bring 'em in under $80 a piece.
 
I do not like the M16 series... thumbstud and pivot pin rip open any fabric for their sharp checkering... Thumbstud is undersized, so you have to rely on the carson flipper
factory ege is sh*t (to whom it may concern)the clip is OK, but the knife is hard to pull, cause the pocket seams get caught between the clip and the holes in the handle.

go for a Spydie Police, Military or Endura. If they do not fit in the pockets, maybe you want to try a Gerber Appelgate/Fairbairn Covert? Pretty good ratio of handle/blade and price/quality.

The HALO or UT series will be out of discussion for price reasons I guess.:eek:
 
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