Recommendation? I need help looking for a similar knife like my old one.

All jokes aside, none of us here want you to feel like you’re being judged for your personal preferences. Turning newcomers off to the community is the LAST thing we want to do. But to be completely honest with you, there are very few if any individuals, that will be willing to help you pick out a gas station/ thrift store knife, and for very good reason. With objects like knives, quality and safety go hand in hand, and those type of knives are of the poorest quality, which generally makes them unsafe to use. Sure, you may only intend to use it for light duty tasks, but what if you find yourself in a situation that requires that knife to perform above the duty you originally called it to do? It could happen right? What if that knife isn’t up to that unexpected task, comes apart during use, and potentially seriously injure you? As an Eagle Scout, “Be prepared” is a good motto that I try to live by, and I encourage others to as well. You don’t have to buy $500 knives to be a part of this community, there are plenty of members here more than willing to point you towards a good quality knife that falls within your budget. But if you’re dead set on a tac Force knife, then you may be on your own, I’m sorry to say.
I get that, but some of their knives are... Well at least somewhat well built. But I will admit I wanted the original mainly for the looks. It was a nice deep metallic blue, but it was surprisingly well built for a tac-force. Other than that I just wish I knew what I was talking about so that I could better explain what I am looking for.
 
Just to be clear, at least on my point of view, I do not believe that "cheap" knives are automatically useless, or unsafe, or junk. I've been surprised several times by "cheap" knives. As long as they are used within their limitations (like any knives), "cheap" knives can be useful for a variety of tasks.

My most expensive folding knife cost $300 (Bradley Alias), which is a lot to me. I have several others that cost between $100 and $200 (Benchmade, Spyderco, Al Mar, Viper). But I purchased the knife pictured below on a whim for $17. I simply liked the handles. And it's actually a very decent lockback folder. I'm sure the steel is on the very low end, but it takes a shaving-sharp edge, and I was unsuccessful in my attempts to force the lock to fail, or otherwise force the knife to close when open. I keep the knife out on a table for convenience to open packages and other light duties.

The OP was/is looking for a replacement "forever" knife (I guess this is a new term), which is probably the only folder he/she will own. For such a knife I recommended that they look for something of higher quality than a Tac-Force, just as I would certainly choose something much better than the knife below if I could only choose one folder. But again, in no way was I suggesting that "cheap" knives are useless or outright junk.

My only complaints with the knife below was that it had no thumb stud, or blade stop to prevent the blade from being squeezed against the internal spring and dulling the edge when the knife is closed. But I solved both issues by installing my own thumb stud (it also acts as a blade-stop). I particularly like how extremely light and thin the knife is. It's the lightest, thinnest folder I own in that general blade length. It locks up tight, and it opens smooth and easy.

I'm not offering this knife as a recommendation to the OP, I'm just using it as an example of a "cheap" knife I purchased that surprised me with it's level of quality.

T0f3iq0.jpg

6hvbbvE.jpg
 
Last edited:
I don't like that I am picky about this but I am just looking for a cheap and good quality spring assist knife similar to the one in the picture. The finger grooves are optional but I will not complain if they are there as well. Other than that plain blade style, no serration, and somewhat heavy if possible.
s-l640.jpg
 
I don't like that I am picky about this but I am just looking for a cheap and good quality spring assist knife similar to the one in the picture. The finger grooves are optional but I will not complain if they are there as well. Other than that plain blade style, no serration, and somewhat heavy if possible.
s-l640.jpg

There's nothing at all wrong with being picky about what you want in a knife. Believe me, the members here are certainly particular about what we like and look for in our knives. ;)

I hate to make your search for a new knife any more complicated, but one warning I would give you is this- it is believed by many that blade coatings (like the black coating on the blade you posted) can contain toxic chemicals. If the knife you are going to purchase is going to be used with food, particularly if it is an inexpensive knife (likely made in China), then I would suggest a knife with a bare steel blade, no coatings.

I can't say for certain which coatings are toxic and which are not, or the likelihood of any toxins leeching into food, or in what quantity, but if you are going to use the knife on any acidic foods then I would be concerned about the coatings used on cheap Chinese knives. I don't think the manufacturers of such knives care if their blade coatings are toxic, nor do they provide warnings with their knives.
 
Is that the concern with the Tac Force Tactical-Rescue-Outdoor flipper the black coated blade then? This is the reason I should just discard it?
 
Thanks. And I know they are cheap, but like in every brand there is at least one decently made product. The blade of my old one was a little loose, but I used it a lot so the bolt may have loosened from use. Also, would there be a plain edge knife similar to the ones you showed me?
Not sure what you mean when you say "plain edge".
When used here it means "no serrations" on the cutting edge of the knife, which none of the ones I showed has.
 
There's nothing at all wrong with being picky about what you want in a knife. Believe me, the members here are certainly particular about what we like and look for in our knives. ;)

I hate to make your search for a new knife any more complicated, but one warning I would give you is this- it is believed by many that blade coatings (like the black coating on the blade you posted) can contain toxic chemicals. If the knife you are going to purchase is going to be used with food, particularly if it is an inexpensive knife (likely made in China), then I would suggest a knife with a bare steel blade, no coatings.

I can't say for certain which coatings are toxic and which are not, or the likelihood of any toxins leeching into food, or in what quantity, but if you are going to use the knife on any acidic foods then I would be concerned about the coatings used on cheap Chinese knives. I don't think the manufacturers of such knives care if their blade coatings are toxic, nor do they provide warnings with their knives.
Is this for certain? And nothing to prevent?
 
I get that, but some of their knives are... Well at least somewhat well built. But I will admit I wanted the original mainly for the looks. It was a nice deep metallic blue, but it was surprisingly well built for a tac-force. Other than that I just wish I knew what I was talking about so that I could better explain what I am looking for.
I agree.

I am neither afraid nor discourage by the perceived quality of the knife. If it is a cutting implement it is interesting enough to explore further. Many of these entry level knives make up the mainstay of what the general public uses. I have owned a few Mtech knives and have been pleasantly surprised by some of them. Remember Mtech is a huge company producing a wide variety of brand names. Don’t get me wrong, these bottom end knives can fail in any number of ways and I certainly would rather not rely on one unless I was experienced with it. But, if it pleases you and can do what you need it to do, then knock yourself out.

I would rather invest in something of better known quality; something with the backing of an establish name and customer service department. But, that is your choice to make.

n2s
 
Tac-Force/Mtech discontinue things without any warning. If it's been more than three years, they may not be making it, anymore.

You could try an image search, but we're not going to be much help.
 
Thanks. And I know they are cheap, but like in every brand there is at least one decently made product. The blade of my old one was a little loose, but I used it a lot so the bolt may have loosened from use. Also, would there be a plain edge knife similar to the ones you showed me?
No. That brand makes no good products. They are junk made for people that dont care about quality. You can buy a $20 Kershaw that will be decent. The Tacfarce will eventually fall apart, hopefully without closing on your fingers.
 
Last edited:
I just want a plain edge knife, with a flipper, and ergonomic grip. As far as looks or weight go, I am no longer picky. I will look into all suggestions. Thank you all.
 
Why don't you go to a flea market and look around?
Gun shows can be a great place.
You could find a good knife you would happy with......
Maybe even find one like you lost.
Here on the forum......the hunt is as much fun as the find.
 
I just want a plain edge knife, with a flipper, and ergonomic grip. As far as looks or weight go, I am no longer picky. I will look into all suggestions. Thank you all.

I guess the last real question is budget. What is the price range?

One thing to keep in mind on finger grooves, unless you can pick up the knife and handle it, it is hard to determine if it will fit your hand well. I wear a 2xl glove, most knives with finger grooves don't fit me well and my large(r) than average paw.

I'll throw a few suggestions out. Linked from BladeHq for easy reference.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Sinkevich-Atmos-Liner-Lock--90131#product-reviews
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Steel-Will-Mini-Intrigue-Liner-Lock--99173
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Natrix-Sub-Frame-Lock-Knife--88101
 
I have found two that I like. Thank you for all your help. If I can't make up my mind I may have two good quality go-to knives. I found the Kershaw outright, and as a suggestion I also found the Kershaw concierge. I thank you all for your help. Now do I leave the thread as it is or can I close it?
 
I have found two that I like. Thank you for all your help. If I can't make up my mind I may have two good quality go-to knives. I found the Kershaw outright, and as a suggestion I also found the Kershaw concierge. I thank you all for your help. Now do I leave the thread as it is or can I close it?
Good to hear.
Just make sure that they are not too short for you.
I got the impression that the one you lost was at or above a 3.5" blade.
Both of those are under 3.5", and the Outright is right at 3". While that's a fine length. It will feel almost minuscule if you are used to 3.5" or longer.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top