Howdy! hellos, questions, gripes, and thank you's

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soghog

Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
25
First off I would like to give a nice howdy to yall here! I have been reading bits and pieces of the forum for some time now and I thought i would finally join.

A little bit about myself: I am a college engineering student and I have collected knives since I was young, as a boy scout and now as a poor college kid. I enjoy knife collecting, firearms, archery, music, and random geek activities (I promise you I am not a geek)

The situation: I received a SOG Pentagon Elite I as a gift some time ago. It is honestly one of the most balanced and durable knives I that I have ever been lucky enough to use. The quality of the steel and its smooth mechanism are second to none (in my opinion :P). Its a tad on the big end but still a nice size for the pocket. Because of its durability and quality I thought it would be a good knife to carry throughout my college career.......Turns out I was wrong.
I let a kid in one of my classes use it to cut something off of his bike and he jokingly said he was going to turn me into the cops. I knew it was legal to carry a knife in florida but I didnt know the specifics. Now, I am probably one of the most straight-edged, patriotic, and law-abiding kids (not saying I am a choir boy...)you will come across, thus I see knives as tools and treat them with respect. I went home that day and in a moment of paranoia, I decided to search your knife laws section. Turns out you guys were mostly correct (the laws are NOT clear and quite ambiguous at points). So I went down to the campus police station and asked them what were the laws on knives. They said as long as it was 3.5" long, folding and not an auto I was ok (which is more or less what yall said).
I don't intend on getting into trouble with the knife. but because of its appearance I realized that it may be time to retire the ol' SOG until I get a concealed carry permit.

Thanks guys for providing the law resources. It really helps people who dont know the laws and want to make sure they are still within the confines of the law. :):thumbup:

The dilema!
I now need a new knife! I want something roughly 3-3.5" in length, preferably an arc-lock system (or another brand equivelant), with preferably aus-8 or better quality steel. I have studied most of the SOG's out there and have a few in mind. Additionally, I have looked into the Benchmade mini-ambush. I dont wanna spend more than 50 if i dont have to, seeing as I already have a sweet knife that I can't use.

I AM OPEN TO ALL SUGGESTIONS! LET ME KNOW WHAT YALL THINK :D

thanks again
-soghog
 
If you're a poor college student, I'd recommend you keep the sog and leave here right now!

(but get a benchmade axis before you go)
 
s.c. said:
If you're a poor college student, I'd recommend you keep the sog and leave here right now!

(but get a benchmade axis before you go)
Click to expand...

D'OH! I am not that poor. I'd just prefer get a bargain than pay more than I need to. Otherwise I suppose I'll see you after I graduate!
 
A Benchmade mini-Griptilian can be had for $56 + shipping from several on-line vendors.
It comes in 154CM, which holds an edge considerably better than AUS8. The Axis lock has been said by several to be better than the Arc lock.

If you can make do with a Framelock, look at the Monochrome. There is a review of it on the testing forum. N690 steel will not hold an edge as well as 154CM, but it will hold still be a strong improvement over AUS8. Add: Monochrome is about $35.

IF you can do with a lockback there are several Spydercoes in the sub $50 range. Native, Native III, Delica. Native is S30V. Native III and Delica are VG10. S30V holds an edge better than any of the other steels I have listed here. VG10 holds an edge just a tad less well than N690, But the VG10 is still really impressive stuff, much better edge retention than AUS8. Add: any of these is in the mid $40's.
 
The new SOG Mini Vulcan is great. Its 3" x .125" and uses Arc-lock VG-10 steel but it is over your $50 budget. I don't think there are any Arc Lock knives around $50. The closet you can get is probably the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. The Axis lock is similar to the Arc lock.

If you want something that is non threatening, the SOG Twitch 2 is just under 3 inches blade length.
 
soghog said:
I now need a new knife! I want something roughly 3-3.5" in length, preferably an arc-lock system (or another brand equivelant), with preferably aus-8 or better quality steel. I have studied most of the SOG's out there and have a few in mind. Additionally, I have looked into the Benchmade mini-ambush. I dont wanna spend more than 50 if i dont have to, seeing as I already have a sweet knife that I can't use.
Click to expand...

I've long been of the opinion that one of the best "bang for the buck" values available today is the Spyderco Native. It's a 3" spear point blade in S30v made in the US, and available at Wal-Mart for about $40 (and available for order to ship to your nearest store online, if there's no local stores carrying it).

However, I've long been really impressed with the Spyderco D'Allara plain edge drop point knife, too. They've just discontinued them, and if you look in the dealer's for sale section, there's a thread there where they're being made available at a claimed wholesale price (and at the $55 they're currently listed at, I expect that's pretty close).

I just ordered one myself, and I can't wait for it to show up. I'd be happy to give you my opinion on the D'Allara when it arrives, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to love it.
 
soghog said:
D'OH! I am not that poor. I'd just prefer get a bargain than pay more than I need to. Otherwise I suppose I'll see you after I graduate!
Click to expand...

You should've left while you had the chance. I wasn't implying that you were too poor for "one" knife...I was implying that you will end up buying many more knives. Now that you've got some suggestions, I'd add that the axis lock will be the most similar to your arc lock. a mini/grip would be a great choice. Spydercos is another great choice (most of my collection is spyderco), but you may not like a traditional lockback after playing with the arc lock; though you should, and eventually will, add them to your collection. If you like the gadget factor with your knives, Kershaw mini/cyclone would be a good one as well.
 
"soghog"
Do yourself a favour.
I want you to think about it a minute longer; now, just how much do you love knives?
Feelin' that it's just not enough to have a home-based knife collection to adore?
But so engrossed with knives, that you somehow can't help leaving home without at least one favorite knife?
Understand this, in an urban environment (where laws exist and are enforced); that if a knife is not part of your occupation, you had better come up with a couple of good logical reasons why you need to have them on you.
Believe me, far too many knifenuts have made the brilliant mistake of claiming/assuming that carrying a knife is perfectly ok for Self-Defence (SD).
Havin' said that, this does not stop or deter the average Joe from carrying his favorite bladed tool to town...
Welcome to the club.
Leave the fad blade behind and try a Swiss Army Knife sometime.
They are much easier to explain.
 
+ 1 on the Mini Grip- my favorite carry knife. Good steel, size, shape, and lock. Rides well in the pocket, feels good in the hand and will get the job done.
 
GIRLYmann said:
"soghog"
Do yourself a favour.
I want you to think about it a minute longer; now, just how much do you love knives?
Feelin' that it's just not enough to have a home-based knife collection to adore?
But so engrossed with knives, that you somehow can't help leaving home without at least one favorite knife?
Understand this, in an urban environment (where laws exist and are enforced); that if a knife is not part of your occupation, you had better come up with a couple of good logical reasons why you need to have them on you.
Believe me, far too many knifenuts have made the brilliant mistake of claiming/assuming that carrying a knife is perfectly ok for Self-Defence (SD).
Havin' said that, this does not stop or deter the average Joe from carrying his favorite bladed tool to town...
Welcome to the club.
Leave the fad blade behind and try a Swiss Army Knife sometime.
They are much easier to explain.
Click to expand...

Right now I have a cheap gerber multi-tool I picked up at wal-mart. its really useful but the blade is very small and not very good. I live in not a good part of town and my mode of transportation is a schwinn. Though I am athletic, I am still considered a small fella. I understand completely what you mean. Statistics have shown that violent crime in this town is on the rise. I just feel a little bit safer knowing I have some sort of protection, I hope to God I never have to use it. More so, a good knife is not just a knife, but a fork, can opener and a means for picking up your roomate's dirty underwear without actually having to touch it

The officer I talked to said he understood why I would want a pocket knife of decent size. In my hometown most everyone had a pocketknife and carried them everywhere, and no one thought anything of it. I am not out to cause any problems, I just want a good knife that I dont have to worry about getting in trouble with :)
 
soghog said:
I don't intend on getting into trouble with the knife. but because of its appearance I realized that it may be time to retire the ol' SOG until I get a concealed carry permit.

-soghog
Click to expand...

I would point out that a carry permit will not cover the knife, they are for firearms only. If a knife is illegal to carry because of size or design a permit will not change that and can, in an extreme case if you tick off the wrong person, lead to a revocation of your CCW permit.

One knife I like that meets your requirements is the Xikar Excursion available from AG Russell. With the wood scales it doesn't look as scary as some of the other tacticals available today.

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Another would be the A. G. Russell FeatherLite One Hand Knife

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Both have blades 3 1/8 inches in length
 
soghog, dude,
I've always maintained the position that knives may not necessarily be the best or only answer for personal security.
It's more about having the mental resolve or resoluteness whenever a victim is faced with such peril.
It's not goin' to be particularly easy to make the right call for offensive reaction, especially if every individual have different risk-evaluation preceptions or tolerence-levels about imminent dangers presented before them in any given heated situation.
If there was some slight chance of walking-away, the very last thing anyone should do is to have committed to drawning out a weapon first.
More so if just such a person has had no training or workin' knowledge in SD.
But given the fact that any knife used between individuals is about making a point - it nonetheless could lead to an eventual deadly escalation if nobody considers backin' down.
It would be a mistake to sputter-off into any full blown confrontation, if the situation had initially started off as somesort of a verbal misunderstanding or purely accidental in nature.
As for true career criminals, they are of a different breed altogather.
They come in all shapes and sizes, and so do their "work-tools".
If you do know that there exist - a high level of crime in the areas you frequent; then it's about time for a change of scenery.
It's the golden rule not to walk straight into trouble.
Almost any knife becomes classified as a weapon in such confrontations.
It becomes a liability if you have to explain the presence of any knife in your possession at that given particular instance.
But I hear you, on your concerns about personal safety; and the legal risk you're contemplating somehow becomes a necessary evil for many just like you.
As I was sayin' any knife when used upon an individual (doesn't matter if you're on the givin' or receiving end of it - who owns it) becomes the weapon.
Always remember that your knife, can become - his knife or vice-versa.
Besides carrin' any sort of SD material; please do consider takin' up a course on disarming techniques also.
Choosin' the right knife only once you've understood the law and have gained some form of practical knowledge about SD programme that works for you - and that's with and without self-protection devices.
 
When it comes to explaining your knife to the local constable, it is much easier if it is not "assisted opening". I carry a SAK in my pocket at all times. When able to wear jeans I will have one clip attached knife in my tool pocket, fond of wearing carpenter style jeans. Usually a Benchmade Monochrome or a Remington M Series (vastly underrated and a real bargain at approximately $20 at Smokey Mountain).
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions :) I am going to make a nice spreadsheet and figure out which one would be the best blade for the buck (though i am leaning toward the native)

Also, I have taken martial arts classes and self defense classes using knives and firearms, and i plan to continue taking martial arts classes here on campus.

I checked the florida department of agriculture website and the ccw does include the right to carry knives and other non-firearm concealed weapons. however you are not authorized to use these weapons unless it is in a just situation. I talked to another officer as well who was carrying the exact same SOG I own, he said it was fine.

I am still getting a smaller one, better safe than sorry

Thanks again :)
 
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