knife for tired old man (pictures appreciated)

[FireCloud9]

So, thus far we have the following recommendations a few that I had been looking into. (Are the Spyderco's on this list assisted opening?) [table="width: 500"]
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[td]1. Benchmade Griptilian[/td]
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[td]2. HK 14715BK[/td]
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[td]3. Spyderco Stretch[/td]
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[td]4. Spyderco Manix 2 XL[/td]
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[td]5. Spyderco Endura[/td]
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[td]6. Spyderco Para Military 2[/td]
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[td]7. Kershaw Skyline[/td]
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[td]8. Kershaw Blur[/td]
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[td]9. SOG Flash II[/td]
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[roosterscrow]

Objective: Purchase an EDC folder overall length 7.5" to ~8.5" Large hand size | 3.25"+ blade | 4.25"+ handle | < ~5oz | Good full hand grip | Good pocket clip | Good long lasting steel & Good value | $30 to ~ $100 | (no tanto blades please) | US / Japan made is preferable but not a deal breaker.



-CB

Check out the Ontario Rat 1

Fantastic value :thumbup:

 

[salehonasi]

I'll second the Kershaw Blur - comfy in hand, right around your specs (3.375" blade, 4.5" handle, 4.2oz). You can get one with 14C28N steel for $50, S30V for around $75 (less if you want to grab a blem) or Elmax for about $100. I prefer Elmax, but all are great steels for their price.

Also, it's thumb stud operated assist, but you can easily remove the torsion bar if you don't like it for a regular thumb stud opener.

So, thus far we have the following recommendations. (Are the Spyderco's on this list assisted opening?)

I don't think Spyderco has ever made an assisted opening knife, just some automatics. Speaking of Spydercos, I'll also throw out the Manix2 LightWeight in BD-1 (~$85) or S110V (~$110). It's smaller than the Manix XL, but the handle is actually the same size as the Paramilitary2 already. A lot of people pan Spyderco's lightweight knives as feeling flimsy, but they're incredibly durable and much, much lighter - I've gone on hikes with a Manix2 in my shorts pocket, and it doesn't bother me at all.

Something else to consider for steel choice - how are you for sharpening? You've mentioned you've owned Bucks, SAKs, and a Gerber, which typically run softer steels that are pretty easy to resharpen. You can get S110V on the Manix, and it's incredibly good at holding an edge, but if you don't have experience/equipment for really hard steels (like diamond rods), sharpening will be an incredible pain. If that's the case, the BD-1 version holds an edge pretty well, at least as good if not better than steels like VG-10, and is very easy to sharpen. The 14C28N on the Blur is likewise a solid steel that sharpens well.

 

[FireCloud9]

Salehonasi,

You bring up a very good point. My knife sharpening skills are very limited. Last blade I sharpened was my lawnmower blade.

I was thinking of getting one of these

 

[FireCloud9]

Check out the Ontario Rat 1

Fantastic value :thumbup:

Thanks for the recommendation roosterscrow.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Salehonasi,

You bring up a very good point. My knife sharpening skills are very limited. Last blade I sharpened was my lawnmower blade.

I was thinking of getting one of these

I would stay away from that. Pull-through style sharpeners are often very aggressive and can chew up the edge on a good knife pretty badly. Maybe look into a Lansky Turnbox or, for a bit more cash, a Spyderco Sharpmaker.

 

[Bill1170]

I second the warning not to use or buy a pull-through sharpener like the unit pictured. The Sharpmaker is very good and versatile. The Spyderco Endura, Stretch, and Paramilitary 2 are all great knives, and the Para will be easier to open and close due to the type of lock it has. The Griptilian and Skyline are also excellent knives. The Rat 1 is an incredible value but mine doesn't hold an edge very well, and it is heavier than the others on your list. Skyline is the only one I just mentioned that I don't own, but a trusted friend loves his, uses it as a work knife.

 

[FireCloud9]

Thanks IM, Bill,

What would you recommend that is portable? I've seen some nice sharpening stones and other sharpening gear, but it's bulky. I prefer to buy things that I can use on a regular basis and store in a BOB so light and portable is important to me.

So, thus far we have the following recommendations a few that I had been looking into. (Are the Spyderco's on this list assisted opening?) [table="width: 500"]

Update: Just came back from a trip to the knife shop and can refine this list further as I handled several on the list. Comments below. Suggestions welcome. Also noted that I might just prefer single handed close (not a dealbreaker though).
[tr]
[td]

[/td]
[td]1. Benchmade Griptilian - Really enjoyed this knife. About the only nitpick I have with it is the clip - I'd prefer deep carry. [/td]
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[td]

[/td]
[td]2. HK 14715BK - Just handled that knife. Loved it, but a bit heavy for what I'm looking for.[/td]
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[td]3. Spyderco Stretch - Another knife that I really enjoyed handling. [/td]
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[td]4. Spyderco Manix 2 XL[/td]
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[td]5. Spyderco Endura - Excellent knife, but too big for my hands. I'm a large. This would be good for XL or XXL hands.[/td]
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[td]6. Spyderco Para Military 2 - Sadly, they did not have a PM2 to check out - though I'm guessing the handle is as large as an Endura which leaves too much handle hanging out for my taste. [/td]
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[td]7. Kershaw Skyline - No Skyline to check out.[/td]
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[td]8. Kershaw Blur - No Blurs to handle.[/td]
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[flarp]

Another one to consider night be the Kershaw Spec Bump (or Speed Bump). It's an assisted opener that can be opened via either the flipper or thumb studs. Its assisted action isn't quite as snappy as, say the Blur or 0770, so it might not irritate your fingers as much. It does still open smoothly and securely every time. The stud lock is strong and can be disengaged ambidextrously by pushing the thumb stud forward. Because of their placement, it doesn't require a great deal of dexterity to disengage the lock. The handle on it is very comfortable and a good size. The Spec Bump has 3-D contoured handles (vs. flat on the Speed Bump), which make it mold to the inside of your hand that much better.

The Spec Bumps came in CPM-154 and S30V, and the Speed Bumps come in 14C28N and 8Cr13MoV. The former will obviously have better edge retention. They're discontinued, but you can still find them on the secondary market for around $100.

Spec Bump on top, Speed Bump on bottom:

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Thanks IM, Bill,

What would you recommend that is portable? I've seen some nice sharpening stones and other sharpening gear, but it's bulky. I prefer to buy things that I can use on a regular basis and store in a BOB so light and portable is important to me.

DMT makes some diafold sharpeners that are quite light and portable, and they also make some sharpening cards the same size and shape as a credit card. I carry a set in my wallet for touch-ups on the go. Just be aware that you want a light touch with those options, the diamonds cut very aggressively.

For a slightly pricier, but super fun option, check out the Fallkniven FS3 and FS4. They're essentially switchblades with a dual sided sharpening stone rather than a blade. Not as practical as the diafold options, but still good sharpeners and super addictive.

 

[FireCloud9]

Thank you Flarp, I appreciate the recommendation. I'll take a look online and see how it matches up with my revised specs.

I'm making some slight revisions to my specs (after handling the HK)

Objective: Purchase an EDC folder overall length 7.5" to ~8.5" Large hand size | 3.25"+ blade | 4.25 - 4.75" handle | < ~4.5oz | Good full hand grip | Good pocket clip | Good long lasting steel & Good value | $35 to ~ $125 | (no tanto blades please) | US / Japan made is preferable but not a deal breaker.

Assisted open is preferable, but quite frankly, most of the Spydercos I handled today felt very comfortable even though they were not assisted open.

Update: Just came back from a trip to the knife shop and can refine this list further as I handled several on the list.

Comments below. Suggestions welcome. Also noted that I might just prefer single handed close (not a dealbreaker though).

[table="width: 500"]

Update: Just came back from a trip to the knife shop and can refine this list further as I handled several on the list. Comments below. Suggestions welcome. Also noted that I might just prefer single handed close (not a dealbreaker though).
[tr]
[td]

[/td]
[td]1. Benchmade Griptilian - Really enjoyed this knife. About the only nitpick I have with it is the clip - I'd prefer deep carry. [/td]
[/tr]
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[td]

[/td]
[td]3. Spyderco Stretch - Another knife that I really enjoyed handling. [/td]
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[td]4. Spyderco Manix 2 XL[/td]
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[td]7. Kershaw Skyline - No Skyline to check out.[/td]
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[td]8. Kershaw Blur - No Blurs to handle.[/td]
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[FireCloud9]

DMT makes some diafold sharpeners that are quite light and portable, and they also make some sharpening cards the same size and shape as a credit card. I carry a set in my wallet for touch-ups on the go. Just be aware that you want a light touch with those options, the diamonds cut very aggressively.

For a slightly pricier, but super fun option, check out the Fallkniven FS3 and FS4. They're essentially switchblades with a dual sided sharpening stone rather than a blade. Not as practical as the diafold options, but still good sharpeners and super addictive.

Thanks IM, will look into those.

Any insights into the Spyderco Tenacious G10 and Kershaw Blur? There seems to be quite a few variations in those knives. After handling all these knives, I liked quite a few. I was planning on just buying one knife, but I just might end up with two (or more)....

 

[Raymond1000]

Thanks IM, Bill,

What would you recommend that is portable? I've seen some nice sharpening stones and other sharpening gear, but it's bulky. I prefer to buy things that I can use on a regular basis and store in a BOB so light and portable is important to me.

Benchmade will send you a deep carry clip for free. Call them at 1-800-800-7427.

You’ll need a good quality Torex screwdriver, T6 size, to make the switch.

If you can learn to hand sharpen, I recommend the credit card size diamond sharpener.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Thanks IM, will look into those.

Any insights into the Spyderco Tenacious G10 and Kershaw Blur? There seems to be quite a few variations in those knives. After handling all these knives, I liked quite a few. I was planning on just buying one knife, but I just might end up with two (or more)....

The Tenacious is a great budget work knife with pedestrian steel that has seen its cost creep slowly upwards due to its popularity and the strength of the design. Good entry level knife, but not nearly the value option it once was.

The Blur is a classic that will net you a significantly better steel for not much more money. I prefer the blade shape of the Tenacious, but I think the Blur is the better value, particularly one of the versions running S30V or Elmax.

Almost forgot, a nice bonus is that you can de-assist the Blur by removing the torsion bar if you find you don't care for assisted open. It's very nice as a manual knife.

 

[flarp]

Thanks IM, will look into those.

Any insights into the Spyderco Tenacious G10 and Kershaw Blur? There seems to be quite a few variations in those knives. After handling all these knives, I liked quite a few. I was planning on just buying one knife, but I just might end up with two (or more)....

I like the Blur quite a bit more than the Tenacious. Better ergos, steel, and build quality. If you are interested in something like the Tenacious, I'd strongly suggest looking at the Delica or Endura instead. They don't cost that much more, and, IMO, they are superior to the Tenacious in every way. The Delica is one of my favorite Spydercos, behind only the Caly3.

Here's a Blur and Tenacious next to some others you had mentioned having handled (Griptilian and Stretch). I don't have a Manix2 XL, but this does show a regular size Manix2. The Manix2 XL specs show it's a little longer than the Endura with a slightly shorter blade. The Manix2 is already pretty wide, so I'd expect the XL will have an even larger footprint.

 

[FireCloud9]

Benchmade will send you a deep carry clip for free. Call them at 1-800-800-7427.

You’ll need a good quality Torex screwdriver, T6 size, to make the switch.

If you can learn to hand sharpen, I recommend the credit card size diamond sharpener.

That's very good info Raymond! Thank you.

The Tenacious is a great budget work knife with pedestrian steel that has seen its cost creep slowly upwards due to its popularity and the strength of the design. Good entry level knife, but not nearly the value option it once was.

The Blur is a classic that will net you a significantly better steel for not much more money. I prefer the blade shape of the Tenacious, but I think the Blur is the better value, particularly one of the versions running S30V or Elmax.

Almost forgot, a nice bonus is that you can de-assist the Blur by removing the torsion bar if you find you don't care for assisted open. It's very nice as a manual knife.

Thanks for the explanation IM, I was wondering why it was so popular on Amazon. Which reminds me, aside from Amazon, what are the top 2-3 online stores you guys buy knives from?


Dang Flarp! Do you own a knife store? I'll take a look at the Delica and Caly3. Already looked at Endura (too large a handle for my taste).

I like the Blur quite a bit more than the Tenacious. Better ergos, steel, and build quality. If you are interested in something like the Tenacious, I'd strongly suggest looking at the Delica or Endura instead. They don't cost that much more, and, IMO, they are superior to the Tenacious in every way. The Delica is one of my favorite Spydercos, behind only the Caly3.

Here's a Blur and Tenacious next to some others you had mentioned having handled (Griptilian and Stretch). I don't have a Manix2 XL, but this does show a regular size Manix2. The Manix2 XL specs show it's a little longer than the Endura with a slightly shorter blade. The Manix2 is already pretty wide, so I'd expect the XL will have an even larger footprint.

 

[FireCloud9]

ok be back later - heading back to the knife shop...

Update: Delica is smaller than I'd like, didn't like the Manix2 as much as the others. It's a wider knife than I'm looking for.

Objective: Purchase an EDC folder overall length 7.5" to ~8.5" Large hand size | 3.25"+ blade | 4.25 - 4.75" handle | < ~4.5oz | Good full hand grip | Good pocket clip | Good long lasting steel & Good value | $35 to ~ $125 | (no tanto blades please) | US / Japan made is preferable but not a deal breaker.

Assisted open is preferable, but quite frankly, most of the Spydercos I handled today felt very comfortable even though they were not assisted open. Also noted that I might just prefer single handed close (neither is a dealbreaker though).

Comments below. Suggestions welcome.

[table="width: 500"]

Refined list:
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[td]1. Benchmade Griptilian - Really enjoyed this knife. About the only nitpick I have with it is the clip - I'd prefer deep carry. (problem solved) [/td]
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[td]3. Spyderco Stretch - Another knife that I really enjoyed handling. [/td]
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[td]8. Kershaw Blur - No Blurs to handle.[/td]
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[/table]

Any other recommendations that fall within the specs? Tips on good online knife shops to purchase? Blade recommendations (serrated vs. non-serrated)? Type of metal?

 

[blades&wrenches]

Kershaw Knockout in standard 14C28N or upgraded Elmax version

 

[FireCloud9]

Kershaw Knockout in standard 14C28N or upgraded Elmax version

Thanks B&W, has very good reviews on Amazon though aluminum handles is not a good option for my old hands...

 

[flarp]

Some of the older Knockouts had G10 handles. I forget when they changed over to aluminum, but you might still be able to find one of the G10 ones on the secondary market. The Piston is a bit larger and does have G10 handles. It's also an assisted-opener that can be operated with the flipper or thumb studs.

Here's a Piston and Knockout next to the Blur for comparison:

There's also a version of the American Lawman out now that uses CTS-XHP steel. Performance is supposed to be comparable to D2, which is an awesome steel, but CTS-XHP is stainless.

Here's a shot that has the Lawman next to a Grip and Stretch:

Of the three you still had listed (Griptilian, Stretch, Blur), the one I like most is the Blur. There are a couple of limited runs that I believe are still available within your stated budget. There's a blue one with silver twill inserts and S30V blade, and a couple of Elmax ones with brown handles and either a stonewashed or blackwashed blade. For the large Griptilian, if you are willing to go a few bucks more, there is the Ritter Griptilian with M390 steel. It has a wider blade than the 551 Griptilian, and personally, I like the Ritter blade shape better. That, and M390 is a terrific blade steel.

I ended up dressing my Ritter Griptilians with some aftermarket scales, which seems to be not uncommon.