I need a lot of input on this one...please read

C

Cumberland Knives

Joined
Jul 17, 1999
Messages
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I've been reading a lot in the community section lately, and watching the news at the same time. I am more convinced than ever that, among other things, every american adult needs to carry some sort of knife on a daily basis. Many emergency situations would be resolved favorably if this were the case. I'm thinking of starting a campaign to get a small/medium sized locking folder into as many adult hands as possible at cost. As there are so many to choose from, I need input as to a knife fitting the following criteria that you would recommend for example that all of your loved ones carry as a minimum precaution.

1. Nothing too big, it must fit in pants pocket or have clip.
2. Inexpensive
3. Available in large quantity.
4. Locking blade
5. Durable for its price range

Got any ideas ?
 
That's easy.
Spyderco Delica.

Edit:
I guess I could give reasons, since this is a "knife for the masses", not for me:
-Good quality for the price range.
-Good steel for the price range.
-Blade is long enough to be practical, short enough to be legal just about everywhere.
-Ambidextrous.
-Lightweight and simple (easy to carry/easy to use)
-Good manufacturer with excellent service.
-Available serrated and plain-edge so it would appeal or be useful to a wider range of people.
-and it's PC (:barf:.), won't raise eyebrows
 
John,
I think that is a great idea and any of the small Spyderco knives should fit the bill nicely. Native, Delica, Calypso Jr., Rescue Jr., etc. All are fairly inexpensive, very high quality, have a common lock that most people are familiar with, clips, and they are common enough that just about everyone has seen them before (so they are non-threatening). It would also be easy to get large quantities of them, too.

Good idea John.
 
I second the Delica and also suggest looking at the Benchmade 350, Ascent, TSEK, and Griptilian offerings to give it some more range.
 
too expensive guys. I'm talking about something you, and the average citizen, wouldn't flinch too much to get a dozen to give out to the knife needy .

I'd love to get everyone into a delica for example, but how many folks would shell out $396.12 for a dozen. Maybe I'm wrong...convince me.
 
....here is one that i susually carry....its proved durable (really easy to sharpen) and well the name alone says it all, the BladeLOCK....:
BLADLOCK.JPG

Blade: Overall length: 3.44” (8.7 cm)
Cutting edge: 3.25” (8.3 cm)
Thickness: 0.14” (0.35 cm)
Steel: AUS 6M, 55-57 HRC
Knife: Closed length: 4.50” (11.4 cm)
Weight: 4.6 oz. (130 g)

....the msrp is $79.99, but you can find them online for like 55 bucks....

P.S....most will say the aus-6 steel is trash....but its really good....if you plan on only using it occassionally (like for knife fights....ha ha ha)

P.S....with practice this knife can open as fast or even faster than anything out there (most wont believe me, but i have a friend that can open and close it faster than a scallion or chive....infact faster than an axis or frame lock)....

P.S....its an elegant knife and i personally think its quality in craftsmenship is on par (maybe even better) than a spyderco delica
 
....when you mean cheap....you mean REALLY cheap....you wont find anything for cheap that you would be willing to risk your life on....but if you wont believe me....then i invite you to sho for a knife set at Shop@home....you can find it on tv....they always have tactical folder deals....and if you want inexpensive ones and a lot....you might even find a set of 40+ knifes for like 60 bucks....just you never know if the knives will come as poor qaulity or average....never better
 
no, i don't want cheap sh#$ just inexpensive. I know this is a challenge, there's got to be something of average or better quality. I won't sell that TV garbage at any price.
 
Ok, how about the Victorinox Recruit? Cost is probably around $10.
2 usable blades, screwdriver, bottle opener, can opener, tweezers (trying to get out of this without mentioning the toothpick:rolleyes:.)
Good little knife. I carry one every day, and it is invaluable. I've given them as gifts, with a Photon II attached. Very practical for John and Jane Doe, a decent product, and the price is right.
 
....dont think you will find a knife thats really affordable to the average joe/jane that is reliable also....all i can think of is maybe the K.I.S.S.....or P.E.C.K....both are made by crkt....you can find them if you are lucky for 20-30 bucks....other than that....i cant think of anything....maybe a neck knife?

....maybe you should check out smith and wesson knives....:
sw-hrt2-hrt2b.jpg

sw-990s.jpg

....those go for around $15-20 bucks....
 
Ok, here's some of my ideas, see what you think

Columbia River Urban Shark
KISS
Camillus Sierra Series
and I guess I wouldn't be opposed to a SAK
 
SOG Mini Autoclip folders.

-Retail for $27-$40 (inexpensive), so dealer cost is much less. And yes, I'd risk my life with mine. A knife does NOT have to be expensive to be of high quality.
-2.9" blades in clip or drop point, standard or serrated; very legal and non threatening. Good for utility or self defense.
-Ambidextrous one hand opening
-Adjustable pocket clip (great)
-Solid Lockbacks
-Good Stainless that really holds an edge
-Come razor sharp
-Very lightweight
-Also come in larger size, but cost more

Everyone adult in America should have one on them always.
 
How about the SOG Access Card and Spydercard? They are nice one handed openers, lower in price, and fit quite easily into a back pocket or wallet so they don't attract the (sometimes)unwanted attention of a pocket clip.
 
Back a few years ago I saw a standard Wenger SAK that had a push button lock opposite the spine for the main blade, also had all of the standard implements.

I think it retailed at around $30 so my guess is cost would be around $15.

May be perfect...
 
John, I'm not quite sure I completely understand who you are aiming this towards. If the idea is a charity drive of some sort, I bet if you pitched your idea to Sal you might come away with those Delicas at a much more reasonable price. I can attest from personal experience with Sal/Spyderco that they really like to help those in need.
 
I would start with a Leatherman Micra. It's a useful little tool that would appeal to sheeple and ride comfortably on a key chain. At under $20 MSRP it sounds like the right ball park. Useful and cheap but non-intrusive.
 
My first suggestion as well would be a Delica, as I would guess these could come in under $30 if purchased in large enough quantities. Regarding the CRKT KISS, I would assume you're referring to the straight KISS, as I had one of the folding ones, and I wouldn't carry it on a dare, as the lockup was truly terrible. Comparable to a slip joint, but scarier because there's hardly anything to hang on to. Many SAKs I think have a blade too thin for "emergency cutting"; I'd be very concerned about the blade simply snapping on a hard contact that wasn't dead on. Not familiar with the Camillus Sierra series. But maybe a straight Kiss would work well. Thought about an Opinel? They're not "tactical" in speed of deployment or anything, but they are simple, cheap strong knives that generally come very sharp.
 
You are talking about the large Mayo TNT.

Just kidding.

Check this out: the Cold Steel Tuff-Lite (this is right up your alley)
AUS8 blade (only 1.75" long)
Zytel handles
simple, durable lockback design (reportedly holds 40 lbs)
small and unobtrusive (only 0.6 oz)
they come with a little lanyard clip that attaches to a keychain or zipper
for a bunch of them, you can get it for less than $20 each
 
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