Intro

[RuLEoF2]

Hi all...

A friend recommended Bladeforums so I thought I'd check it out. I'm on a few forums of varying interests so I'm pretty familiar with the way things work. Which is why I've taken a moment to say "Hi" and introduce myself.

I've been working with knives and edged tools since I was about 9-years-old. I'm 43 now and with over 30 years of practical knowledge and experience, 6 years as an armed officer, I'm far from being a newbie in that respect. However, I won't pretend to be particularly knowledgeable when it comes to things like brand names, metallurgy, technical design and so on.

I'm a moderate enthusiast. My collection isn't very impressive. I have fixed and folder models from Spyderco, SOG, Benchmade, CRKT, Buck, Leatherman and Kershaw. At least a third of my collection is what I call "disposables", flea market brand-C folders with very short lifespans. Some are more elaborate novelty pieces but most are fairly practical.

So, I'm here to learn and socialize a bit. Hopefully do a little buying and trading too.

Thanks for having me. Looking forward to being a part of the Bladeforums community.

 

[adamlau]

What is you preferred duty carry? And which make/model is your outright favorite and why ?

 

[RuLEoF2]

I carried the Sig 226. That is and always has been my favorite. Great feel and balance. Accurate, reliable and durable. Recoil is very manageable.

I also have an H&K USP 40 and my wife has a Sig P290. I've worked mainly with semi's in addition to mine, include Glock Ruger, S&W and Beretta. The M9 broke my "cherry". I actually liked that one quite a bit but after doing the research, went with the 226. My least favorite was the Glock 17. I just couldn't get cozy with the feel of the grip. The trigger safety bugged me too.

 

[adamlau]

lol...I meant your preferred knife for duty carry as well as your outright favorite edged tool

 

[RuLEoF2]

Ah, sorry. In those days, I carried the Spyderco classic straight edge. I liked it for the slim design and light weight. I also liked the point-up configuration and thumb hole design for quick deployment and how the black poly handle/clip blended with my black uniform trousers.

Today, my favorite day-to-day is my CRKT Crawford Kasper 6773. I've read some people knocking it because its not the greatest steel and whatever but I love it. It's a beast of a knife which fits my large grip nicely. Solid and durable. I've had it for at least 15 years and other than the black finish wearing off a bit, it's just as solid as the day I bought it. The secondary lock is a nice feature too.

 

[RuLEoF2]

I believe my Spyderco was the Endura Clipit. I'm not 100% positive. This one isn't mine but it was just like this guy.

It's been close to 20 years since I carried that. Today it just seams too light. I like a knife with some weight to it. More steel than plastic. Which is why I like the Crawford Kasper so much. The blade has such heft to it that when you deploy that thing with assurtion, it slams open. You know that you're ready to go because that lock is strong and loud. However, the thumb-stud is so well placed that if you need to be stealthy, you can easily thumb the blade out slowly until it locks. Plus, I like a tighter swing so the heavy blade and adjustable pivot screw make that easily achievable without compromising functionality.

 

[adamlau]

I also liked the point-up configuration and thumb hole design for quick deployment and the how the black poly handle/clip

That would be a first generation Endura a.k.a. ClipIt as you previously mentioned. Pretty old school .

Crawford Kasper...blade has such heft...it slams open...lock is strong and loud...easily thumb the blade out slowly until it locks...tighter swing...

That description reminds me of the Benchmade Barrage . Though a steathy deployment will require a bit of counterforce...

 

[kaozer]

That endura is a damn good knife! And ill just say one thing ive learnt since ive been here is that weight does not mean quality but welcome to bladeforums i hope you have fun and that you have tight control over your wallet!

 

[RuLEoF2]

That endura is a damn good knife! And ill just say one thing ive learnt since ive been here is that weight does not mean quality but welcome to bladeforums i hope you have fun and that you have tight control over your wallet!

Yeah, I know what you mean. I have a few in the $200 range and I know there are plenty out there that are well over that. It's real easy to spend a lot of money on a single piece.

Thanks for the hospitality.