In Search for EDC knife w/Frame lock and Assit Opening, help?

C

czechinthepipes

Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
178
Hello all, this is my first thread on here; please bare with me especially if I should have posted this somewhere else.

As the title states, I am interested in finding an edc knife, blade no longer than 3 1/4 inches; that has a frame lock and is assisted opening. I am also trying to keep the price as cheap as possible, so under $100.

Color and handle material really aren't that important, yes I would want to like the looks of the knife and for it to have a good feel to it, but overall that is not as important as the main factors mentioned. Furthermore, yes I want the blade to be good quality but that isn't the main thing I am looking for obviously, and lastly if it had the flipper opening (like on kershaws) that would be great.

Can anyone help me out?
I was thinking about the kershaw leek, but I have heard mixed reviews about it and I am worried about how thin the blade is. I like the Zero Tolerance 0350 but it is over $100.

Is there a knife out there that fits my interest(s)? I am asking here because I am definitely a knife newbie and only have limited experience with popular brands and don't believe most of them have what I am looking for.

I greatly appreciate any help, I am sorry if this is mundane or boring, but I really could use the help. :jerkit: (sorry I have always wanted to use that smiley, ha).

Thanks again,

_Czech
 
Leek 1660
The OD-1 seems more sturdy though, it's not really assisted however.

leek1660%202.jpg
 
+1 on the Leek -- it's a very good knife.

You might also like the OD-1. It's technically not an assisted opener, but it flies open like one thanks to the gear system its flipper is hooked up to. It also has a thicker blade than the Leek, a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer for the framelock, and a G-10 scale on the side opposite the framelock. Even though I like the Leek, I much prefer the OD-1 for EDC.
 
Shallot
images


Pic is borrowed from a member of britishblades.com couldn't find who. Shallots are pretty solid knives, but really the leek isn't flimsy at all, especially the random leek. Its a 3-1/2" blade, 1/4" too long it seems.

+1 on the OD-1, stout little knife and the flipper is pretty clever.
 
The benchmade HK nitrous assist has a 154cm blade so I think a better choice then the Kershaws.. Most of that HK series has switched to cheaper steel in the blades, so I don't want to appear to endorse that whole line. But it still has a few good pieces in it.

Whatever you decide on, search the for sale section of this forum. Many of us are compulsive buyers and resell at a loss without ever carrying the knife or even slicing a single piece of paper.
 
cckw said:
The benchmade HK nitrous assist has a 154cm blade so I think a better choice then the Kershaws.. Most of that HK series has switched to cheaper steel in the blades, so I don't want to appear to endorse that whole line. But it still has a few good pieces in it.

Whatever you decide on, search the for sale section of this forum. Many of us are compulsive buyers and resell at a loss without ever carrying the knife or even slicing a single piece of paper.
Click to expand...

That's a nice knife, but I've never seen it for under $100 NIB.

I'll second the recontamination on the OD-1. It's not really assisted, but it might as well be. It opens faster and easier than my SOG Flash II.
 
The Leek is great. Get the composite blade version with the D2 blade; and excellent value. But if you can deal with a slightly larger blade, I like the Shallot better.
 
Wow, a lot of replies and so quickly.. Thanks a lot everyone for the advice.

The shallot looks good, but a little on the big side. The advice on the leek has been great, I still am leaning towards it. The grip on the all silver one, does it have any texture to it? Or is it very slick and hard to get a good hold onto it?

I checked out the benchmade HK nitrous assist and it is nice, but I couldn't find it for under $100; that is what is making the leek so attractive is the price, you can get it for around $30.

Has anyone had good/bad results with the Kershaw Skyline? I know it isn't assisted opening nor a frame lock, but it does have a flipper and I don't know why it just seems like I would like it.

More help is greatly appreciated everyone, thank you very much.


_Czech
 
Don´t forget to check out Benchmade Nagara! Not assisted and not a framelock but it´s superfast and a very strong Nak-Lok. And it´s got Titanium handles!! I love mine.

Nagara.jpg
 
czechinthepipes said:
Hello all, this is my first thread on here; please bare with me especially if I should have posted this somewhere else.

As the title states, I am interested in finding an edc knife, blade no longer than 3 1/4 inches; that has a frame lock and is assisted opening. I am also trying to keep the price as cheap as possible, so under $100.

Color and handle material really aren't that important, yes I would want to like the looks of the knife and for it to have a good feel to it, but overall that is not as important as the main factors mentioned. Furthermore, yes I want the blade to be good quality but that isn't the main thing I am looking for obviously, and lastly if it had the flipper opening (like on kershaws) that would be great.

Can anyone help me out?
I was thinking about the kershaw leek, but I have heard mixed reviews about it and I am worried about how thin the blade is. I like the Zero Tolerance 0350 but it is over $100.

Is there a knife out there that fits my interest(s)? I am asking here because I am definitely a knife newbie and only have limited experience with popular brands and don't believe most of them have what I am looking for.

I greatly appreciate any help, I am sorry if this is mundane or boring, but I really could use the help. :jerkit: (sorry I have always wanted to use that smiley, ha).

Thanks again,

_Czech
Click to expand...

I was going to mention the ZT0350 even though it's liner lock but it's a heavy duty liner lock and I love mine it's my favorite edc. Look up KershawGuy on this forum he sells new in box Kershaws and Zero Tolerance and also has many factory 2nds and I have been happy with both. I got my new in box ZT0350 from him shipped for $5 more than your budget. He has by far the best deals I've ever been able to find on any Kershaw product and super fast shipping. Here's his email which he usually answer pretty quick steelhead15@juno.com
 
It doesn't hit all your wants but take a look at the Kershaw RAM. It's not assisted, but I'd be surprised if anyone felt the flipper opening on the RAM is lacking. It has a Hawk-Lock which keeps your thumb(or fingers) out of the way of the blade when closing it. Since it's unassisted you're not fighting against a spring to close it when you have the Hawk-Lock button pulled back--just tilt the knife or give it a slight flick and it pretty much closes on its own. 3 1/8 inch blade. The RAM is borderline big and heavy for me as an EDC, but on the other hand, it's solid, comfortable, and grippy. One of my favorite knives.

I have a Leek, and it's also a good knife. Much sleeker than the RAM. I think the Leek is sturdier than it looks, but the RAM is better for heavier chores. The Leek definitely presents a less "threatening" appearance if that's a concern for an EDC knife.

Since you said you're new to knives, I hope didn't mind the recommendation that wasn't an exact fit for your wish list. The RAM is worth a look for sure though. Just thought it might be something you hadn't seen or considered.
 
I would say the leek. i would also second the composite leek suggestion. the aluminum handle does not have a very grippy surface, but it is still really nice to hold on to. this is coming from a guy whose favorite knife is the ZT 0200. if you want G10, there is a leek with g10 handles and S30V, but it is not a framelock.
 
Well, I guess that's it everyone, thanks for all the advice, I am pretty certain I am going with the leek, now I just need to come up with the money.

If anyone else has suggestions or ideas please feel free to post.

Thanks
_Czech
 
Now that I am pretty sure that I am going with the leek, has anyone heard bad things about the serrated ones? I was thinking about getting instead of just the plain edge the combo edge (I guess you would call it).

I am asking because I have read a few reviews of people saying the serrations are weak. Any truth to this?
 
cckw said:
The benchmade HK nitrous assist has a 154cm blade so I think a better choice then the Kershaws.. Most of that HK series has switched to cheaper steel in the blades, so I don't want to appear to endorse that whole line. But it still has a few good pieces in it.

Whatever you decide on, search the for sale section of this forum. Many of us are compulsive buyers and resell at a loss without ever carrying the knife or even slicing a single piece of paper.
Click to expand...

Actually, 154CM should have worse edge retention than CPM-D2, and isn't much better than Sandvic 14c28n, if at all. Also, Benchmade gives their knives a very conservative heat treat, so any given steel from them won't hold an edge as well as one from Kershaw or Spyderco.

Great advice on the sales section, though. I just discovered it and have come away with a couple of great knives.
 
czechinthepipes said:
Now that I am pretty sure that I am going with the leek, has anyone heard bad things about the serrated ones? I was thinking about getting instead of just the plain edge the combo edge (I guess you would call it).

I am asking because I have read a few reviews of people saying the serrations are weak. Any truth to this?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that the serrations are weak, but I don't think they'd be that useful. Like most serrations, they aren't as well designed as Spyderco's, and combo edges aren't very good anyway. Especially with a smaller blade like the Leek's, you'll most likely find that you don't have enough edge length of either type to do much. Combo edges are the worst of both worlds.
 
Buck Vantage Pro - you just can't beat it for the money. Under $60.

S30V blade, G10 handles, Lifetime Warr.

edit: Just noticed you want assit open - not on the Buck - sorry.
 
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