I would like your opinion please...

S

SAKguy

Joined
May 26, 2005
Messages
227
Hey folks,

I have only owned Spyderco and Benchmade knives. I've also owned Victorinox SAK's.

I would like to try out another company as I have to believe that the three that I mentioned are not the only ones that can make good knives. I'm not able to afford a Sebenza or anything else in that price range. I've never held or used any other knives. I've heard that Al Mar, Emerson, Buck, and a few others are good. This is all however just "hearsay".

I believe that most of Spyderco's stuff is really darn good stuff. I also think that the BM Griptilian is some heavy duty bang for your buck. I've heard that CRKT is "crap". Again, this is only hearsay. I would like to hear about YOUR personal experiences.

I have owned about 6 Benchmade's and 23 Spyderco's. I have never owned anything else. I'm going to buy another knife soon and I just wanted to try out a different brand.

If some of you would not mind letting me know about your experience with other knife companies I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for reading! :)
 
How about a SOG vision, I have the g-10 handled version and it is Awesome!!! Also, I never had a "bad" experience* with SOG and they are just about the only company I have ever bought from. If you hurry up you might be able to find a Night vision (g-10 handled version) on E-bay.



* my powerlock had a defective saw but they sent me a new one no questions asked.
 
I own at least one knife from Benchmade, Spyderco, Al Mar, CRKT and Buck. Overall my experiences with each of them has been excellent. Buck's quality doesn't seem to be what it was a few years back. Spyderco has diversified into all sorts of models, but I still love the basics - the Endura, Delica, Police and Military. Benchmade has high quality stuff but their customer service can be hit and miss - I spent 37 minutes on the phone with 4 different people one day trying to find out how to get my AFCK repaired :rolleyes:
Al Mar is consistantly excellent - few products made to the highest standards; Al would be proud!

Now onto CRKT - IMHO this maker provides quality products at an affordable price. They allow one to get a high-end knife without the high-end price. For me, this has been sort of an appetizer; makes you want to get one of the "real" ones to see what the fuss is all about :)
 
SAKguy, CRKT knives are not crap. I would probably avoid the lower end ones that have changed to 420J2 steel...Im no steel snob, but that steel is generally unacceptable for blades (ok for liners though). On the other hand, CRKT is nothing special either.

You simply must trust me here...everyone who is serious about knives simply MUST have a Buck 110. Get it at Wally-World, lowest price and the same quality as other dealers...there is no "Wal-Mart" version of the 110 other than it might come with a nylon sheath instead of leather.

I would never steer ya wrong here...repeat after me...get a 110...get a 110.
 
The only CRKT knives I've liked were the Mirage Wharncliffes. I've had Point Guards, Stiff Kiss, Corkum, Ryan something or other. Except for Mirage, they were all junk. And the Mirage will not hold their edge in AUS6.

I have a SOG I like. A bunch of Benchmade's I like, and a few BMs I love. An AGRussell Featherlite I love. Some Outdoor Edge I like from their foray into "tactical" knives. Three excellent Bark Rivers. Some SAKs and GAKs that have their place.

My go to folders are the BM RSK and the Featherlite.

Phil
 
A side note. I also wanted to say that I think that the Lone Wolf knives look freaking awesome. Specifically the ones with Green Canvas Micarta handles. Anyone ever owned those?
 
Don't forget Kershaw... sure, they use low-end steel in a lot of models, but their higher-end stuff is killer. I'll add a second vote for Bark River, also. Great, clean, well-built knives.
 
Al-Mar, Emerson, Buck....heresay????
You can't go wrong with anyone of these fine manufactuers- trust me. :)
 
CRKT knives are OK by me. I buy them more for the unique mechanisms and interesting designs, but they are quite useful too. The think to keep in mind, the low-grade CR knives are priced accordingly, and they still make many models in AUS-8.

You won't be sorry with Buck knives as long as you stay clear of the Chinese imports. You'll especially do well if you select one of the traditional tried-and-true models, such as the 110 or the 119.

Have you browsed AG Russell's website? His knives are made all over the world, many are his own designs. You should check out his One-Hand FeatherLight knife, for example.

Ditto what others said about Spyderco. Excellent products.

Don't know where you could find one, but I have a Soque River knife that's absolutely top quality. They were a short-lived Japanese company.

I've had mixed results with Camillus. Just depends on the model. Ditto K-Bar. Both of my Kershaw knives are good quality, especially considering the low price. Myerco doesn't use the greatest materials, but their build quality is good.

Into fixed-blade hunting knives? Bark River, Northwoods, Helle, Karesuando... all excellent.

Just wanted to toss you a couple more names to check out.
Happy shopping,
Bob

edit: I took so long to write my post, that many of my suggestions were 'stolen' already. :)
 
SAK the Lone Wolf knives with green micarta scales, both fixed and folders, look terrific in their online pictures. Thank you for the tip. I want to see them in the flesh. Creative choice that green canvas micarta.

I handled a cocobolo T2, William Harsey design, today in Portland at a show. Of all the blades I saw today this one registered bombastic :eek: on the Richter knife scale. Head and shoulders above the muted walnut scaled version (which looked better in pictures). The scales were extraordinarily beautiful wood. Maybe the best looking wooden handled knife I've ever seen. It looks stabilized. Like it was made to be permanently gorgeous and tough. Great finish, smooth operation, solid liner lock lockup, good balance, perfect feel in the hand. I know I want one. I will be looking at Blade West at the end of this month.

Best,

oregon
 
I can think of a couple that I have owned that you might like to try.

Al Mar - Sere 2000
Kershaw - Boa
Emerson - Commander
Kabar - Thorn
Microtech - LCC or SOCOM
Chris Reeve - Sebenza
Camillus - Cuda E.D.C.

These are a few of the knives from a few companys that I have had the privilage of handling.
 
I'm from the other side of the fence, I've owned Bucks and SAK's only.
Maybe I can persuade you to try a few Bucks, the prices are reasonable. How about something traditional? A 110, or 112, or maybe an Alpha Hunter?

medium.jpg


34351980.jpg


34351981.jpg


Buck 112

34539218.jpg
 
Thanks for all the replies so far :D

Wow that Alpha Hunter from BUCK looks really nice. It looks a bit thick though.
 
The Camillus "Heat" is a quality knife and is an assisted opener. It's got a nice flat ground blade that slices great.
 
SAKguy said:
Thanks for all the replies so far :D

Wow that Alpha Hunter from BUCK looks really nice. It looks a bit thick though.
Click to expand...

It's thick, but it is also very heavy. You don't want to carry it in a pocket, and even on a belt it might be annoying.

A lot of the new Buck models with liner locks are not well made. The liner does not have a consistent engagement point from one unit to the next, and sometimes it can even be pushed all the way to the opposite liner.
 
I would like to suggest a couple of company/designer pairs that you should try:

Kershaw/Ken Onion
Camillus/Darrel Ralph

Both companies produce plenty of low-end stuff, but they have also proven that they can compete with anyone out there in the high-end class. Working with exceptional designers has allowed them to produce some world-class knives.

My favorite Kershaw/Onion knives are the Boa, Bump, Chive, and Leek.
My favorite Camillus/Ralph knives are the Aftermath, Maxx Bowie, and Dominator.

--Bob Q
 
I rank my CRKT M16 and D2 minigrip (benchmade) about equally overall, but I do feel that my M16 has noticeably higher quality and production values (at 40 dollars) than my 75 dollar benchmade. The absolutely lowest quality knife I own is a Spyderco, actually (though I love it, nonetheless).

CRKT's high end is nicer and better priced than benchmades low end, in my opinion, if you can give up the axis lock and the availability of more exotic steels.

Try an M16.

Oh, and try some Kershaw also...anything from Onion....it's almost impossible to do better for their 30 dollar range of knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top