Knife choice help

T

tapper

Joined
Jan 25, 2006
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I'm looking for a folding knife with a 3-3.5" blade, weighing less than 4 oz. or so, one-hand opening, perhaps assisted (I've never tried a one-handed opening knife or assisted), under $75 or so, and suitable for good all-purpose use (backpacking). I made a list of what I think fits the bill and I'm wondering about what you all think about these, and whether one stands out or one bottoms out - and should I consider anything else. Thanks!!

BM Griptilian (probably 551) - I've read good things in the forum but is pricier than the others and non-assisted

Kershaw Blur (KE 1670)

SOG Flash II

Camillus CUDA
 
The Kershaw Leek would fit your needs well and is, IMO, better than the Blur.

The Griptilian is a great knife and opens so smooth it might as well be assisted. It flicks open with amazing ease, and closes so easy it seems to have assisted closing as well.
 
I have to agree with some of the others, I think the Leek is a very good first choice for an AO knife. I'd even say that in some ways the plain stainless Leek is better than the scaled version.
I have both and prefer the solid SS model.

The only thing I'll add is: the knives you picked are a little larger than the Leek, so you might find the handle of the Leek too small. I have a Flash II in Aluminum, it has a much larger handle than the Leek and is also a high quality knife.

I can't really comment on the Grip , I ordered one but I haven't received it yet. If it comes in soon I'll let you know how it compares to the Leek and FlashII.
 
You might also consider the AG Russell FeatherLite One-Hand-Knife. Very thin and lightweight (1.5 oz), one-hand opening is a breeze, secure lock, available in two different blade shapes with AUS-8 or ATS-34, and priced at $35-$50 depending on steel choice.

It's also available with a neck sheath for $15 extra.

Personally, I currently backpack with very small and lightweight fixed-blade knife, the AG Russell Hunter's Scalpel (0.8 oz.). In the past I've always carried an Opinel, but always lost them. The Hunter's Scalpel has a lanyard and hard quick-release sheath and I haven't lost it yet. You might consider the fixed-blade Bird and Trout knife from AG Russell. It's the same design and sheath as the Hunter's Scalpel, but the same size as the folding knives you're considering.

Enjoy your hiking!
-Bob
 
If you spend a bit more you can get a BM707. It never leaves my pocket, and hasn't been replaced by even my new small micarta sebbie.
 
If I were you I would go with the Griptillian. I own the Grip and have handled te Leek but feel that it may be a little small for all around use and backacking. The Grip is one of the best knives you can get for the money without a doubt. Also with the axis lock you can flick open and flick closed all of their knives just as fast or faster than and Assisted opener.
 
From your list, I'd go with the griptilian. And for about your price range, you can upgrade to the Cabela's D2 griptilian for great edge retention.

Assisted openers are fun, but with practice, you're going to be able to open your grip roughly as fast. Also, a lot of people talk about one hand closing ease, but nothing comes close to the axis lock (except for *maybe* the compression lock). You can actually flick it closed, if you can imagine that. It's got partial steel liners for beefocity, and the full sized grip actually has pretty good ergonomics, if you can handle the cheap feeling (but surprisingly tough) FRN scales. And in my opinion, you can't buy a higher quality knife than an American Benchmade.

We also expect the upcoming G10/S30V Leek to be around 80 bucks, and to be honest with you, I think it might be worth the wait. I've had great luck with S30V, I love G10, and it has assisted opening (Kershaw has some of the best AO in the biz). Comes out sometime in March, something to keep an eye on. Only "problem" is that it's a liner lock, and I'm not a huge fan of those, but I really don't think they're nearly as bad as some people make them out to be. Just check the lockup on yours.
 
I appreciate all the comments. A dealer told me that not all of the Griptilians have the newer balde steel. If I go that route, is there much difference (should I wait)? Also, is the Cabelas' D2 steel worth the extra $$?
 
I have BM 551 and it is very good knife for $50. It opens fast and easy. Axis lock is very strong. 440C steel takes very good edge and holds it well. You can get for $47.50 at gpknives http://www.gpknives.com/store/Benchmade-Knives.html?page=2
My son owns Kershaw Blur, it looks very good and it is fun to play with.
I wish it had better steel.
If you can stretch you budget to $80 I would go with Benchmade D2 Steel Griptillian from Cabela's
 
New from Buck knives is the spring assisted TEMPEST. This knife comes with 420 steel but for about 10 to 15 dallors more you get 154 cm. It opens off the back like the kershaw leek and has a easily accessable safety lock on the back.
 
Grip in D2 or Ritter M2. Best bang for the buck. If you can wait the Spyderco Delica ZDP will be best buy, best user ...
 
shark tooth said:
New from Buck knives is the spring assisted TEMPEST. This knife comes with 420 steel but for about 10 to 15 dallors more you get 154 cm. It opens off the back like the kershaw leek and has a easily accessable safety lock on the back.
Click to expand...
Newby here:

Just got a Tempest (ATS-34) and waiting on a Ritter Grip... The Buck seems GREAT! Opens smooth and fast. Great looking knife as well, It didn't come as sharp as my other ATS-34 Buck (Alpha Hunter), but I'm sure that will clean up well.

One thing I'm unsure about on the Tempest is the scales. A skeletonized grip feels a bit funny in the hand. Also the lock (liner I guess) isn't as robust as the axis lock, but this thing seems tight and strong. I really like it!
 
I like the Buck Rush, Tempest, and Sirus as well. I own a Rush and I like it almost as much as my Leek.

But I feel the Ken Onion designs are slightly better overall (talking about looks and ergos mainly).
 
Ugh...I really hit my wallet and bought a BM 940 because it was a little smaller and lighter than the griptilian which I was leaning towards. It's funny how I went from my $50 limit, then stretched to the D2 griptilian (now at $85) up to $115 for the 940...

The knife is beautiful and I'm a happy camper. Except I may just be hooked on knives now. ALL the suggestions for knives were really great - and having researched them, I want to buy those now too!

I'm struggling a bit with the open/close of this knife having sliced my thumb on my first attempt at using the thumb stud - I've never owned a one-handed opening knife nor a knife this sharp. But I sure like practicing so hopefully it will become 2nd nature soon. BTW - I can flip it open which makes it as quick as an assisted I suppose, but it also ocassionally slips out of my hand when I do that; just missed my toe on one of the tries. The toll of carpal tunnel I suppose.

Thanks again for all the help!! You all sure helped my initial learning curve on this new world.
 
Nobody can buy a knife that nice and not buy a few more...

Welcome to our world, prepare to be parted with rediculous amounts of money :D

Also as far as the opening and closing goes, don't even touch the blade. Just pull back on the Axis lock and the blade should be smooth enough that just a slight wrist flick will open and close it. You shouldn't have to flick it hard enought that you will drop it if you pull the Axis lock back first. Save those fingers!
 
Some studded knives I find easy to open by sliding my thumb along the scale and catching the stud with the top of my thumb-nail, then slightly flicking up. The 710 respondes well to this technique.

The "axis-flip" works well, but can be judged hard on the knife (I do it sometimes, showy you know).
 
Thanks. I seem to be able to open it using my thumb better with my left hand so I'm now thinking the clip is causing me problems. Plus maybe my jeans are too tight, but clipping to my pocket also makes it hard to get in there for something else. So I'm going to try removing the clip, or moving it to the other side, as soon as I get a tool to do it. The clip looks like it will come in handy when I hike, but for EDC maybe not...
 
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