medium sized tough carry?

anther vote for Spyderco. i bought a Native awhile back and for what youre looking for thatd be an excellent choice
 
ThePharce said:
That pretty much limits you to the Spydercos and Kershaws, then. I agree with the notion of looking at kershawguy's site and getting some blems.
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Explain blems to me because i know they dont have a warranty from kershaw witch means if i ever need anything fixed im beat.
 
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Seems to me what you need is a Cold Steel Rajah 3. I'm surprised only one person has recommended it so far. Right at $50, it's a pocket kukri. It isn't made in the U.S. (at least the steel isn't), but in your price range you're generally going to get a better knife going foreign. Of course an endura is a great knife, but I have personally used it for working with trees, clearing vines and small (>1") branches, and it didn't perform so well. There just isn't enough heft to it. It didn't fail or anything, but it often developed blade play and grit gets in the lock easily and the delicas/enduras are very difficult to take apart and clean properly. That's just my two cents.
 
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If you want an inexpesive knife then you're pretty much SOL for US made, if its going to be decent quality. And I understand the budget thing and that it seems like a lot of money, but most of us consider $100 knives users.

From my point of view you;re farther ahead to save longer and buy a somewhat more expensive knife. A quality $100(street price) knife will be more useful and last longer than two $50 knives (unless you go for something like a Kershaw blem. ) See kershayguy's website, for blems and what that means.
 
Manix2 said:
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Seems to me what you need is a Cold Steel Rajah 3. I'm surprised only one person has recommended it so far. Right at $50, it's a pocket kukri. It isn't made in the U.S. (at least the steel isn't), but in your price range you're generally going to get a better knife going foreign. Of course an endura is a great knife, but I have personally used it for working with trees, clearing vines and small (>1") branches, and it didn't perform so well. There just isn't enough heft to it. It didn't fail or anything, but it often developed blade play and grit gets in the lock easily and the delicas/enduras are very difficult to take apart and clean properly. That's just my two cents.
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seems like a good price for the rajah
 
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i mean even if i raise my price everyone would just reccomend a pm2, i dont really want a thin ffg blade i want a more heavy duty type blade.
 
Just another idea I don't think anyone else brought up yet.

I would also look into a Buck Vantage, the select is the base model, avid is the middle range, and pro is the top, buy the level you want to pay for, as steel and handle scales get better, you will pay more.

You had already said Buck's 420hc did the job for you, but you could move up to Bos treated Sandvik (avid level) and still find one in your price range. And the pro level isn't too far out of the price range either.
 
Explorerkid said:
Just another idea I don't think anyone else brought up yet.

I would also look into a Buck Vantage, the select is the base model, avid is the middle range, and pro is the top, buy the level you want to pay for, as steel and handle scales get better, you will pay more.

You had already said Buck's 420hc did the job for you, but you could move up to Bos treated Sandvik (avid level) and still find one in your price range. And the pro level isn't too far out of the price range either.
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i in theory could spend more then what i said i would but the knife really has to seem worth it to me.
Popular suggestions on the forums i dont see what makes them worth it and im not willing to buy it to find out.

things like PM2 Manix 2 ZT's. i dont see what makes them all the rage (wont ever know and dont care to know though)

Ill look into that, whats the difference between the vantage and the vantage force?
 
The Force has jimping and a thumb ramp on the top of the blade near the pivot, and the avid and pro version of the force have textured/machined scales. I have both, and prefer the force.

I think that is the major differences.

Some knives do have distinct upgrades once you get near the $100+ range, better fit and finish, better handle material, blade steel, etc.

But unfortunately the only real way to tell is through use, and I can say that the manix 2, pm2, and ZT's are examples of better quality at a slightly higher price over something like the cold steel's or even the vantage. (I do like the shape of the vantage or ZT blades over the pm2 or manix 2 for my uses though.)
 
Treeman,

I love the Endura and Delica, but don't think they are a good fit for your work needs. The reason why I think this is because you mentioned getting a lot of debris in your pockets. The back locks on the Endura/Delica are easily fouled by pocket debris to where they won't lock. They are easy to clear out with a toothpick or small nail, but the danger is that you will be barely locked open and not realize it until the knife unexpectedly closes in use. This is dangerous.

A well-made liner lock is much better in a messy pocket as it is self-draining. The junk that falls in can fall right back out, and can be hosed out or blown out with compressed air. Since you want to stick under $50.00, and want made in USA, then I think you will do well to look at offerings from Kershaw and Buck that are made here. Besides, the Delica and Endura are made in Japan.

Was your computer made in the USA? It cost more than $50.00, I'll bet.
 
Bill1170 said:
Treeman,

I love the Endura and Delica, but don't think they are a good fit for your work needs. The reason why I think this is because you mentioned getting a lot of debris in your pockets. The back locks on the Endura/Delica are easily fouled by pocket debris to where they won't lock. They are easy to clear out with a toothpick or small nail, but the danger is that you will be barely locked open and not realize it until the knife unexpectedly closes in use. This is dangerous.

A well-made liner lock is much better in a messy pocket as it is self-draining. The junk that falls in can fall right back out, and can be hosed out or blown out with compressed air. Since you want to stick under $50.00, and want made in USA, then I think you will do well to look at offerings from Kershaw and Buck that are made here. Besides, the Delica and Endura are made in Japan.

Was your computer made in the USA? It cost more than $50.00, I'll bet.
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Thats true, but you cant say anything is wrong with wanting a good old fashioned made in usa work tool. I mean hey if it cost more then 50$ and you think itll be what im looking for you can feel free to suggest it, i can spend more if the knife really is that "wow thats exactly what i need" type of thing.

Im all for a tool lasting forever, i know things arent made like they used to be, a 110 would last forever but when i got that there wasnt much other options for a folder, let alone a locking one.
Things change so does price i know that, ill definitly spend 50, possibly spend more if the knife is right, or if its a good deal for the price type of thing.

right now im looking at a buck/tops csar-t avid its 70 bucks, im not so sure about its rubber handle inlays though thats whats stopping me from getting it, rubber doesnt seem to have a life long last to it but i could be wrong.
 
treeman8008 said:
Thats true, but you cant say anything is wrong with wanting a good old fashioned made in usa work tool. I mean hey if it cost more then 50$ and you think itll be what im looking for you can feel free to suggest it, i can spend more if the knife really is that "wow thats exactly what i need" type of thing.

Im all for a tool lasting forever, i know things arent made like they used to be, a 110 would last forever but when i got that there wasnt much other options for a folder, let alone a locking one.
Things change so does price i know that, ill definitly spend 50, possibly spend more if the knife is right, or if its a good deal for the price type of thing.

right now im looking at a buck/tops csar-t avid its 70 bucks, im not so sure about its rubber handle inlays though thats whats stopping me from getting it, rubber doesnt seem to have a life long last to it but i could be wrong.
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Nothing wrong with it at all. You have to remember that one-hand opening/closing folders aren't so very "old fashioned" as for example the Buck 110. I personally like the Paramilitary 2, but it is double your stated budget and you already posted that you fail to see the value of it, so did not want to insult you by suggesting it.

I still think Kershaw folders are closest to meeting your stated requirements for price, quality, customer service, and they make many of them in their Oregon factory. I'd recommend a manual over an assisted, since manuals are easier/safer to close one handed and overall more reliable and more debris tolerant. I have done some tree work and ended the day with my front pockets just loaded with wood chips and filth, hence the recommendation for liner lock. The compression lock is also good, but not available in your range of size/price/etc.
 
Bill1170 said:
Nothing wrong with it at all. You have to remember that one-hand opening/closing folders aren't so very "old fashioned" as for example the Buck 110. I personally like the Paramilitary 2, but it is double your stated budget and you already posted that you fail to see the value of it, so did not want to insult you by suggesting it.

I still think Kershaw folders are closest to meeting your stated requirements for price, quality, customer service, and they make many of them in their Oregon factory. I'd recommend a manual over an assisted, since manuals are easier/safer to close one handed and overall more reliable and more debris tolerant. I have done some tree work and ended the day with my front pockets just loaded with wood chips and filth, hence the recommendation for liner lock. The compression lock is also good, but not available in your range of size/price/etc.
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dont worry it wouldnt insult me, there is just something about that knife that i dont see that alot of other people dont i guess its one of those different people different things kind of thing, i personally prefer regular old drop point or clip points and what not and not really that leaf shape.

As for a manual folding kershaw what would you suggest? Alot of the guys i work with use assisted knives but they also tend to say about broken torsion bars so i 100% agree with the manual part, BTW i will extend my budget for a bit seeing that the average price for a knife seems to be 50-80, so lets say ill go for in the 50-80 mark.

What do you suggest at that price point?

And on your note of pockets being full of crap at the end of the day is 100% true also, wood chips leaves pine needles dust and god knows what other nature particles are in there. The only thing that keeps my 110 from being engulfed in debris is i have it in the nylon buck sheath. I also do have to blow it out alot and i have had issues with it opening it one handed where id nick myself (mine is very worn in so i can just push my thumb on the nail nick and push it open)
Anther thing id like is to be able to adjust my pivot too, i get blade play and on pinned knives i cant adjust it i got to send them back to get it adjusted (sent it back at xmas time and its starting to develop it again)
 
I just bought a kershaw blur for 30 bucks at my local knife store so im going to give that a shot for a while, no more reccomendations please.
 
I'm not recommending anything but the truth of it is... I used to think the same way you do.
"I don't see why they are so popular and worth that much and don't care to find out."
The truth.. you will never know until you own something of amazing quality that is over $50. You'll never respect the knife fully until you own, carry, and use it. Once a knife is in your hand and you're using it, you're learning about and trying different steels, materials, types of knives, you gain a new perspective.

Just give one a try one day. Not today, but someday. Start to learn more about steels, materials, manufacturers, etc.

But.. once you do this.. you'll probably be bitten by the knife bug.. and once that bug bites.. there is no cure for the knife fever.
 
I was going to suggest a blur as an option from Kershaw, but it was an assisted open. Great knife, and I hope it works out for your needs.
 
Made in usa? Bk11, although it is not a folder it is indestructible, inexpensive ($35), has good edge retention, relatively small, lightweight, and a host of other good things.
 
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