HK Soldat: Yay or Nay?

[Inazone]

I'm thinking of getting a friend of mine a knife for his upcoming birthday, and although he is primarily a Spyderco guy, he is also a fan (and owner) of Heckler & Koch guns. I thought that an HK Soldat folder would be right up his alley, but I've read quite a few negative reviews, specifically pertaining to the lack of steel liners. I have to admit that I've complained about this on some other knives I've bought in the past, but I have to consider that I'm not buying this knife for myself.

Does anyone have a Soldat, and if so, can you chime in?

 

[jkarp_53]

I owned a Soldat and think it's one of the worst knives ever made by Benchmade. The thing has a really cheap look and feel to it, and the lack of any kind of liner makes the thing affordable, yes, but do your friend a favor and go for a Griptilian, like the model 551. It's a much better knife overall, IMO.

 

[Inazone]

Interesting. Well, thanks for the reply. No sense spending the money on a dud.

 

[razorburn]

I am also an owner of a plain edge drop point soldat and I have to disagree with the comment that it's a dud.At more than half the price of a full size griptillian,you have to ask yourself are the liners important.

While it is a perfectly usable knife which locks up tight and sports an N680 blade, which takes a nice sharp edge.