i need some good advice on the purchase of a knife

C

chazz

Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
189
i have been looking around for a while for another knife. i tend to abuse knives so i need something i can knock around a bit. i was going to get the kershaw boa, i heard some good things. then i saw the microtech socom mini, and wow that knife is nice. after looking around i see they are relitivly the same price, the socom a lil bit more. i need some advice on the purchase of one of these knives. and mybe a reveiw on both or one of them. ty
 
The Boa isn't a particularly tough knife. It's sturdy, but not to any extreme degree and the SpeedSafe spring has a tendency to break. The knife will still work but the smooth action is gone until the spring is fixed. I've never used the Mini SOCOM.
 
looking into the mini socom i fouund it has a "frame lock" over a liner lock, how does this work? and i think it is on the back of the knife and you press a button, am i right?
 
A frame lock is like a very thick liner lock. There is no liner and the frame itself bends over like the liner would. The mini socom has both a liner and part of the frame moves with it to lock the blade. This allows them to use aluminum for the frame where other framelock knives are at least steel and usually titanium.

I would reccomend a benchmade griptillian. I have knives that cost twice as much (including the Boa) which all sit in a drawer while the grip gets to ride in my pocket. It is very tough, but if you need bleeding edge, cabelas has a D2 version and Ritter makes a s30v version. I only have the standard and it is a great knife.

Never had a mini socom.
 
I second lostmymirth's suggestion about the Griptilian. I have a mini-Grip in S30V and it's been great for the short time I've had it. I looked at Cabels'a D2 version, but I don't like black blades and I think the S30V is supposed to be slightly better at corrosion resistance (not sure about this).

Whatever you get, I would suggest sticking with either an AXIS lock (Benchmade) or a lockback like Spyderco's Manix. I have no confidence in liner and frame locks. I won't even buy one for actual use. The only ones I have are drawer queens that I bought just for their looks, although I must add that I've never used a custom liner or frame lock. The only ones I'm familiar with are low to mid-range in quality.
 
I have to disagree with Roadrunner about the Boa. It is not the toughest knife on the market, but that doesn't make it a wimp. I would rate it as equal to other high-end liner locks like the Al Mar SERE 2000 and the Spyderco Military. And you don't hear too many people complaining about those being inadequate for serious use.

Also, keep in mind that even if the assist spring breaks, which does happen but is not common, the knife is still perfectly functional.

--Bob Q
 
thanks for the thought, but … you may call me crazy i dont really like the opening on the bm grip, neither do i like the looks.

does anyone know a reputable place that can give me a good price on a knife like the mt
 
glad someone shares the my veiw on the grip. i just got on this forum and i been hearing alot about the grip. i would never purchase one
 
in my personal opinion if you dont have an emerson you should I have two and I couldnt ask for a more quality knife good feel and good steel and if you like to pry with your knife check out the buck-strider
 
I agree with micron, I have the Buck/Strider full size folder (spear point), solid lock up and can take alot of abuse. I know its not one of the blades you were looking into, but I would give it a shot.
 
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