low maintenance good performance

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siguy

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Aug 26, 2006
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I am looking for a folding knife, sub 4" blade, closer to 3" would probably be better.

I need it to be low maintenanace, it is for a non-knife person that needs a knife for various tasks. She works at a landscaping business, and aparently between her and two (sometimes three or four) other guys, they never have a knife when they need one (she mentioned cutting PVC pipe :eek:, small overhanging branches, cutting open salt bags in the winter, etc). I am available to sharpen it, so that's taken care of.

I am specifically looking for decent steel, so she doesn't dull it immediatly cutting stuff, high corrosion resistence (that salt does a number on blade steel, along with snow and sweat), a strong, simple lock, and a lanyard point. A clip is not important, and may be removed anyways.

In a perfect world, I am hoping for less than $40, with $30 being around optimum. She doesn't understand paying more for a knife, after all its just a knife :rolleyes: so suggesting a higher dollar knife would be a very hard sell.

So here is what I am thinking so far;
One of CRKT's more practical designs
One of spyderco's sturdy, simple folders
A cheap spyderco knockoff from a gas station somewhere, get a couple for her so that when she breaks them they are quickly replaced...

So any particular model suggestions in those two brands that I mentioned, or another brand/model that would fit those criteria? Close fits welcome too...

Thanks for all the help guys...I know that people come in here asking questions like this all the time, and that it gets old...but she is looking for something outside of my comfort zone, so it is really helpful...
 
I use cheaper knives to chop off thorn branches along hiking trails and the best for the money I've found is the Kershaw frame-lock model #1475 plain edge (Storm) You can get one off eBay for about 30 dollars or from a dealer for less than 40. The knife is made very sturdy and has a recurved blade that cuts well,stays sharp longer than most cheaper knives I've used. I used a Buck 110 before the Storm and I'm finding the Kershaw cuts better and holds an edge longer, plus it's not a bit harder to bring back to a very sharp edge fast. The Kershaw has developed no slop in the blade side to side, or lock-up and the Buck did very quickly.
 
I would suggest the A. G. Russell FeatherLite...one hand open, 3 1/8 inch blade made of AUS-8, lanyard hole...sounds perfect, and only 35 bucks to boot.
 
Look at some of the Spyderco Byrd's. The Kershaw Needs Work would also be a good choice for the work you describe.
 
check the Benchmade Pika's! Great edge holding, great corrosion resistance, good strong simple lock, excellent price!,,,VWB.
 
I would recommend the Spyderco Native ($40 at Wal-Mart), Delica, Salt I, Rescue 79mm, or Saver Salt. The S30V, VG-10 or H-1 should hold up to any corrosion issues she might meet using the knife, and if you can sharpen serrated knives, I'd suggest going with the SE edge option. Working in the field, I would probably opt for one of the Salts with the yellow handles, as the pink Delica's might be hard to come by and more expensive. Yellow would probably be easier to spot if it is put down and forgotten about than black.

I might also recommend any of the sub-4 inch Byrd knives. Inexpensive, decent steel for hard use and easy to resharpen.

The Benchmade mini Pika or mini Ambush are other options. 440C (Pika) and AUS-8 (Ambush last I checked) are good hard use steels in inexpensive but sturdy knives.

The Kabar Dozier folders are also awesome bang for the buck and again use a good steel (AUS-8 last I checked)

Buck also has some inexpensive lightweight folders. I had a Buck Lite and my brother carried a Bantam when I took him commercial fishing with me. He actually lost it climbing the ladder on the wharf and found it a few days later when the tide was out. It had been fully immersed in seawater and exhibited no real corrosion issues.

Good luck with your hunt and let us know what you pick. And keep us updated on its use!! :)

Pete
 
thanks for all the opinions guys...i had totally forgot the byrd knives. i think i will look into those, maybe even get one for myself to play with...

thanks again guys, it was really helpful
 
per your specifications re: low maintenance it is my opinion that one of the spyderco salt series would best suit your needs.

i bought one of the original salt delicas shortly after they were offered, and it has been an outstanding knife in every way.

easy to sharpen, holds a great edge (relatively speaking), and is as maintenance-free as any knife could possibly be.

i regularly swim with mine in the salt water ocean (as well as chlorined pools) and it is the only knife that remains rust-free w/o a freshwater rinse or lubrication of any kind.

$50.00 well spent, and though it's scratched up and the clip has lost it's finish it is still as solid as ever....no doubt sal makes a damn good product.
 
siguy said:
thanks for all the opinions guys...i had totally forgot the byrd knives. i think i will look into those, maybe even get one for myself to play with...

thanks again guys, it was really helpful
Click to expand...

So when you check out the Byrds (an excellent option) also check out the KaBar Doziers. Somewhat different styling. Same price range.
 
siguy said:
I am looking for a folding knife, sub 4" blade, closer to 3" would probably be better.

I need it to be low maintenanace, it is for a non-knife person that needs a knife for various tasks. She works at a landscaping business, and aparently between her and two (sometimes three or four) other guys, they never have a knife when they need one (she mentioned cutting PVC pipe :eek:, small overhanging branches, cutting open salt bags in the winter, etc). I am available to sharpen it, so that's taken care of.
Click to expand...

I say you get her a Griptilian and a pair of ratcheting branch/pipe shears.
 
I would say your best bet is a serrated Spyderco Salt1

3" blade
Immune to rust
Comes in bright yellow handles (easy to see and quite NKP friendly)
Light and easy to carry
Serrated - will make short work of PVC pipes and branches

It's a bit more than your budget but fits the bill...
If that doesn't work for you, you can try a Tenacious, it's $30 and comes in full SE.
 
I agree with a few of the guys here, the Salt series from Spyderco is a good choice. A serrated version sounds like it will handle the job
 
Andre V said:
I agree with a few of the guys here, the Salt series from Spyderco is a good choice. A serrated version sounds like it will handle the job
Click to expand...

Actually, that's probably the best bet if she insists on using the knife to cut branches and PVC pipe. Spyderco serrations would be the way to go.
 
I guess if all she wants to do is cut the PVC pipe serrated will work great. If there is any reason to leave a clean as possible cut I think you will need a saw. A plain edge is going to cut it cleaner than a serrated I'd think. I don't like serrated blades because they are more trouble to sharpen and a plain edge is much more precise. Something to consider if you are the one doing the sharpening cause they may cut longer, but they will become dull and need sharpened.
 
If her primary need is a blade with high corrosion resistance but would like a saw handy for an small branch here or there, how about an Alox SAK Farmer? On the other hand if she is doing branches and PVC frequently, carry a blade, pruners, and a saw. Even then, I would consider the Farmer as they are only $15 and you've got a backup saw along with the blade, screwdrivers, a punch and bottle/can opener.
 
Spydercos are decent, CRKT's are a cut below that and I would never buy the knock offs you are talking.
 
Let me suggest a different option. Kershaw recently released a new folder called the "Skyline." It does not have a dramatic design like some of Kershaw's other recent knives, but it's an excellent basic folder.

Here are the features:

- Made in USA

- 3" Sandvick 13C26 blade

- Well-made liner lock

- flipper opening

- flipper doubles as guard

- G-10 scales

- Lanyard hole

- very slim, pocktable profile

- removable pocket clip

I bought one recently at:

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=11325

Now that I have one, I'll likely order more to give away as gifts.
 
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