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

SMKW has been selling a lot of the CRKT Mirages for $10; can you buy them at their wholesale or was that a special purchase? I know several e-bay vendors are offering them at around $12, so somebody must be unloading them in quantity. Sounds like the knife you're talking about. ;)
 
Along with the Cold steel Tuff-Lite, you might consider their small clip-point Voyager, 3" blade. Also, a Buck 110 or one of the better copies, I think Schrade does one, and Puma has a few similar models.

Camillus has a military version of a boy-scout style knife, (canopener, bottleopener, awl, spearpoint blade, and a strong bail) that's all stainless-steel, and is a tough and cheap workhorse.

If we are looking to equip people in general, to "sell" the populace on carrying knives, let's hold off on hawksbill or serrated blades for now, useful as we know they can be. One step at a time! SAK and Opinels are a good way to get a lot of people interested. Even a keychain SAK at least makes the point that knives are not a criminal item in and of themselves.
 
I think that the knife you are looking for is the Victorinox Tinker (around $15.00)I carried one (the same one) for 15 years at work. It's the best bang for the buck around.
 
Outdoor Edge has some options, but probably not much cheaper than the Delica. The Impulse in the small size is fairly cheap and a great knife for money.

The various Field-Lites from OE are also good knives, but again, similar price range.

Moving down to $10, the OE Wedge is fairly functional and is a fixed blade, so it may have jurisdictional carry problems.

Bear MGC might have something, I don't really know their line up.

Some of Mike Turber's Dragon Forge line were less than $10 and may be of sufficient quality. Never actually seen one though.

Phil
 
John, how about a CRKT Mirage or Apache III? If they are too pricey what about a Victorinox soldier or Pioneer? The blade doesn't lock but the price is right and the tools are much heavier duty than the ones on the plastic handle versions. I recently saw Pioneers going for $12.99 at SMKW.

phantom4
 
I have a Mirage and just do not feel it makes a good defensive weapon. Boy, trying to come up with something inexpensive that might be a life-saver is tuff. The best I can do is an Apache or a CRKT M-16. Delica sure fits the bill, but what is the intent/purpose? Raffle/give-away/mass purchase at a "steal price"???? If it is to get us to ALL carry the same EDC, FOR-GET-IT!!!!!. If it's to get a super-duper price PLEASE call Tom Mayo, tell him how Heroic I ONCE was and how I wish for a TNT. Then get a good price on a dozen and I will Maybe be able to afford one........(yup, for a TNT, I would beg!!!!, throw out I am disabled, Played hero at a SWAT call and got Swat-ed!!!ANY-THING for one of dem Tom Mayo masterpieces!!!!) YUP I am an *******......wolf;)
 
John,
Given your criteria, I think that a small lockback from either Camillus or Schrade might be the answer.
 
Purpose is defined as follows:

1. Intent is for the knife to be carried by those adults in our society, that at present do not carry any form of blade.

2. Self defense is not the primary intent of this, but a desire to have as many as possible in our society carrying the most basic tool known to man, for emergency situations when a knife could save a life.

3. It would be carried by both men and women alike and would need to be appropriate in size and style for any occasion one would leave the house for.

Right now, I guess I am favoring the delica after all. But am still open to ideas.

Here's how I'd like to offer it.

1. It would be offered in a special at or near wholesale price by me and marketed to the extent possible with my existing resources.

2. I would propose an identical plan to other online dealers, as many as I know to carry and promote the exact same knife at the exact same price. How many would go for it would of course be out of my control.

3. If the idea took off, then some sort of advertizing campaign could be developed.

4. I'm not interested in this being an exclusive Cumberland Knives offering at all, and have the full intent of getting the knives to the public from whatever sources are available.

Now for another question:

How do you market something like this to the general non-knife carrying public ? I'd like to see knife nuts buying and giving these things away to those they care about, then letting them know about the program, etc. Some sort of "Prepared Americans" campaign. Ideas ?
 
Marketing knives?????????Kitchen knives, no one raises any red flags. Collectible swords, people just seem not to be frightened by an 1860 replica cav sword. a USMC Officer's Sabre does nothing to inflame, but all of a sudden, a folding knife is being described as a weapon in the same light as a firearm in light of 9-11-01??? Does the public believe the weapons were "just" box cutters?. What if they were the CIA created Non-metal knives, like the all G-10 Shomer-tec sells for almost $200. Could have slipped that baby in your sock and walked right thru an X-ray, and YA STILL CAN. They sell three different Non-Metal LARGE "knives" from 20 bucks to 200 bucks, and of course they would have melted in the devastion and the intense heat. No one survived to say what type of weapons were used but a pair of cut off bound ( tied) hands were found. Do that with a box cutter???????? It is time to stop the tree-hugging BS propaganda and just tell it like it is. The acts of terror on 9-11 was perpetrated by Terrorist hell-bent on seeing Allah and had more than just a few razor blades. To market knives, we need to wake up folks to understand they are tools. The favored tool of the Hells Angels? A ball-peen Hammer. Who is yelling abount Ball-peen hammers? NO ONE!!! Knives need to be marketed as tools to cut, not weapons that kill......wolf
 
Well, personally, I think that's a great idea. I think the Delica would really "fit the bill". Maybe you should email Sal about either a new model knife, or perhaps a special run. It seems to me that one with a different handle color and blade material (cheaper steel, to reduce costs) would delineate it from Spyderco's normal product offerings, and maybe prevent the sales of the cheaper version of the delica from cutting into the sales of their normal products.

I like the idea of a knife that is meant to be given away. I think that if this caught on it could only do good things for our hobby, the knifemaking companies, and for society.

--Matt
 
CRKT Mo' Skeeter.

Familiar lockback configuration, close to 1/2 the retail of the Delica.
 
I just got one of the Gerber AR series. It is a really nice knife for the 25.00 it cost.
Nick
 
Medium Cold Steel Voyager. In clip-point style. Inoffensive looking,(versus the tanto point-at least in most peoples eyes) and Cold Steel just reduced the price on most of their products.


Flinx
 
There have been some good suggestions, but if I wanted to hand out affordable, quality knives, that were sheeple acceptable, I would go with Opinel's. There's a nice variety of sizes available, the lock is very reliable, and because ot the wood handles it may help people learn to keep their knives dry and clean, (and hopefully sharp). Throw in a piece of 320 grit sandpaper and they'll have a way of sharpening their knives. ;)
 
this is one good knife pretty ergonormic as well easily deployed in situations where the knife has to be drawn quickly. very good price not much maintanence needed as well. plus point if u are getting it for new people who might be interested in owning one. in fact im gonna do a revierw for this knife check it out if u must...
 
i'd have to say something from crkt would be all that i could think of. Either that or an SAK. A delica would be so much better though.

Pete
 
Just got one in today. Only cost me 18.95 retail off the net. Solid lockup, if a bit stiff to open. Just a hair shorter overall than my med. Voyager, but wider in both blade and handle, totally non threatening appearance.
 
- Good (Adequate steel, secure lock up)
- Cheap (relatively speaking).
- 3" or thereabouts for ease of pocket (or handbag) carry.
- Non black-coated (else it screams "weapon" to the unknowing)

Sounds like the CRKT Urban Shark or Mirage. Very good quality and finish for the price. I've given away a couple of the Mirages to friends and received favourable reactions. Its a nice elegant design that even non-knife knuts can appreciate. The wife carries a Mirage in her handbag.

The CRKT M16 Zytel is a better design (IMO) than either knife but may be too "tactical" for some. The spyderco delica also sounds like a great choice.

Andrew Limsk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top