Looking for an assisted opener, Want it to be made in 'Merica.

J

JackAColeman

Joined
Jul 7, 2012
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48
Can somebody recommend a knife that is an assisted opener for -50$, might go up to 75 or so if i really like it, want it to be made in america, and preferably, from a company with all their knives built here. I'm asking because i know very little about knives, i have a 20$ Mtech, and a 20$ balisong. but im looking to carry a knife every day for utility purposes and i don't want a cheapo anymore. so if you could recommend a knife based on what i'm looking for, that'd be great. OTF knives are great but i heard they're not good for utility and they aren't durable. so i guess a conventional folding knife would be best.

Looking for a tactical look, as opposed to like a wood or anything. Im not sure about serrated or not, ive heard mixed things about it, some say it cuts certain things better, and some people say its just useless and hard to sharpen. also not sure about blade type, my cheap knife is tanto, but i don't know anything about drop point vs. tanto. Open to suggestions about the lock but i want to be able to close it one handed fairly easily. But i want it to be made in america, thats the most important.
 
I have a buck paradigm pro which is a little over your price but it's awesome. Great steel and great feel. I believe they do a paradigm avid which is cheaper. Also my brother in law has a SOG flash 2 and it's also sweet. May be closer to your price. Light too! Good luck.
 
Kershaw and Buck are going to be your best bets, I'd just look at their line and see which models you like the look/steel/lock the best of, check to make sure its made here and go with that. Next step up in price would be a Benchmade but that would be around a little less than $100 for a 580 Barrage.
 
Well,

It's a little more $ than you asked for but my EDC is the Warn Version of the Benchmade Mini Barrage. You can get them for about $100. It has a Tanto D2 steel blade and G10 Scales. It's assisted opening and made in the US. I have and use the serrated version. I don't care how sharp your plain edge knife is, try cutting through a plastic clothes hanger for example. Or some wet rope. Or a wet fire hose. Good luck.

I also have, carry and recommend the regular version of the Mini Barrage. You can get a plain satin or black blade. Or satin or black serrated blade. They are modified drop point shaped.

Between the two the Warn version is a little heavier but it feels good in the hand to me.

EDIT TO ADD:

They are easy to close one handed.

Pull back the Axis lock with your thumb and index finger. Hit the top (not sharp side) of the blade against the side of your thigh and the knife closes.

They both have a safety. I've carried one or the other for three years and never use the safety. Just make sure when you clip it in your pocket, the top of the blade is against the seam of your pocket. I'm left handed so I had to flip the clip to the other side.
 
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I don't reccomend SOG.
Kershaws are great, but SOG folders are usually jammed full of bladeplay.
So much as to I don't want to use mine. Im actually scared it will fail it is so loose.
 
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JackAColeman said:
Why wouldn't i just get one from a place like bladeops?
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Because the recommendations are for getting the most knife for your dollar...
The Benchmade 580 and 585, Barrage and Mini-Barrage, are very nice one handed, lefty or righty, assisted opening knives. But they exceed your price range.
 
JackAColeman said:
Why wouldn't i just get one from a place like bladeops?
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Price.

Another good knife to look at is the Kershaw speedbump. They are on here fairly often for $50. Blade shape is very useful. Lock is easy to disengage with one hand and made in the USA.

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The Kershaw Blur is a great knife too, the scalloped serrations on them work very well.
 
Okay, so ive been perusing kershaw guy's website and im thinking im going to get a blem, but does he tell you what the blemish is? also can he get knives in that aren't on his website?
 
JackAColeman said:
Okay, so ive been perusing kershaw guy's website and im thinking im going to get a blem, but does he tell you what the blemish is? also can he get knives in that aren't on his website?
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Usually the blem is a slight cosmetic defect. Dont worry about it because if you get it and are not happy he will replace it. You can do through the forums too. Here is his list.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ro-Tolerance-Blem-offerings?highlight=kershaw

What did you decide on?
 
BobSig said:
Usually the blem is a slight cosmetic defect. Dont worry about it because if you get it and are not happy he will replace it. You can do through the forums too. Here is his list.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ro-Tolerance-Blem-offerings?highlight=kershaw

What did you decide on?
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Looking at that speed bump, but also looking at the Blur, the problem with both, i can't seem to find either with a combo edge drop point style in a Satin. probably like the speed bump better.
 
JackAColeman said:
Looking at that speed bump, but also looking at the Blur, the problem with both, i can't seem to find either with a combo edge drop point style in a Satin. probably like the speed bump better.
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The red blur has a bead blasted blade and I believe it can be had with a ce. The bump is a really good knife and I think Kershawguy has some, saw them on his site last time i browsed it.
 
If I were you I'd maybe rethink the combo edge thing. I own and carry both full serrated and plain edges, but in my opinion, a combo edge doesn't give you enough of either to be very effective. In essence a combo edge is the worst of both worlds.
 
How about a Kershaw Shallot? I love mine. :) Its my edc, I never go anywhere without it. :cool:
 
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