Messed up my friend's Kershaw 1670 :( Replace with Manix XL? Help, please.

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futant

Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
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Hey all.
Been too long since I've been in here.
Maybe because I've been trying to spare my thinning wallet.
It's my 1-step program for the knife addict... stay away from BladeForums.
So...

My friend has (had) a Kershaw 1670BLK that he had broken a good 1/2" of the tip off of.
Using it as a pry bar, of course.
The liner lock wouldn't engage well, either.
It was catching about a millimeter of the base of the blade.
He was kind of fortunate to had not discovered this more painfully.

Anyway, I offered to fix it for him.
I did a pretty damn good job on reshaping the blade with a dremel.
Then I went to work on the liner lock.
I decided to remove material from the flat on the blade rather than try to reshape the liner lock.
That was probably my first mistake.
My second was to measure once and grind twice.
I took too much material off and now the blade has noticeable play on its pivot.
I thought he was going to cry when I returned the knife to him.

So I'm looking to replace his knife.
He'd been wanting a larger blade, I know (larger than the Kershaw's was even before he snapped it).
I want it to be a good EDC and I'd like to introduce him to a different type of locking mechanism.
I carry a Benchmade 720 and I love the Axis lock.
Last, it needs to have a good, aggressive look to it.
Nothing with spikes and integrated brass-knuckle handle but perhaps a knife that has a slight tactical look without sacrificing EDC function.

I've been looking at the Spyderco Manix XL.
I've found it for about $110 shipped.
I'd like to spend less, if possible.
What do you all think?
How's that ball bearing lock?

Any other recommendations would be appreciated, I've been out of the loop for a couple of years.
Thanks much for your input.
 
Para2 I don't know of a better edc I have Sebenzas and the like but I carry the Para2 the most
 
Thanks for the suggestion, Jwolf.
You mean the Spyderco Para-Military 2, correct?
I'll take a look.

I should also mention that he might prefer an assisted opener or something like the Axis where it's easily flicked open.
 
Benchmade Warn model 583-1 D2 blade and assisted opener to boot. Also an axis lock. Usually they can be had for under $100 to the scrutinizing buyer...
 
The Para 2 has a smooth action and flips open very easily, it is smoother than the first Para. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the knives listed.
 
Howes has manix XL for 89.00 shipped they pay BF dues so i can say their name... that's a smoking deal.. If he' gonna use the knife as a prybar i wouldn't spend a lot of cash on him a folder that hes just gonna break again. I suggest teaching him what a folding knife is made to do and explaining the limitations before investing 100+ dollars on a knife just to be broken again. Thats just my $0.02 though
 
If I damaged a guys knife I would give him the cash retail value of that knife. You say that you want to introduce him to a different locking mechanism, is this what HE wants or what YOU want for him? I'd say, give him the money and let him choose. Maybe take him to a knife shop if there is one available so he can check out different knives and different locks for himself. If you have a knife with a particular lock that you think is the best then let him handle it and decide for himself.

Unless he instructed you to just pick a knife for him I'd say he should be deciding what knife he gets, not anyone else.
 
Thank you and thank you.
I looked at the 583 and it fits the bill except for one thing that I failed to state originally.
He doesn't really like tanto blades.
Sorry, 1Shot, I tried to be thorough but I neglected to mention that.
The Para 2 seems like it might be a great choice.
It's a little more than I was wanting to spend but if it'll serve him well then maybe I'll have to sell off one of my older knives to help fund it.
I'll keep looking, though.
 
Hey Killgar.
Yeah, he kind of asked me to pick one out for him.
Overall I've got more knife knowledge than he does--and less than most of you--so it's my call but I wanted some help with it.
No, I wouldn't want someone to pick a particular knife for me to carry around.
He doesn't really know what he wants, he bought the Kershaw years ago at REI because it was the best they had in-store and it was on sale.
He's not partial to liner locks and kind of indicated that he wouldn't mind trying something else.

Giving him the cash retail makes plenty of sense but I'm feeling bad about messing up his (already messed up) knife to begin with and feel obligated.
I'm going through a guilt-fueled generosity.
Perhaps that's best, though, and he can come up with the extra money if he wants to upgrade.
I can give input or relay suggestions at that point.

I'll take him down to MB Retting near here, they've got a great selection that he can look through.
Please, though, don't stop giving me suggestions if you've got 'em.

Thanks, all.
 
Allen, missed your note on Howe's earlier.
That's an excellent deal on the Manix 2 XL.
Maybe I'll do that and return it or sell it if he doesn't like it.
Or maybe I'll just buy him an $8 folder from Big 5 and pick that up for myself.
Of course, I'm liking the $300 Lion Spy way too much.
 
Paramilitary 2 all the way! very smooth action, can be flicked open, compression lock and can be had around the $100 range.
 
futant said:
Hey Killgar.
Yeah, he kind of asked me to pick one out for him.
Overall I've got more knife knowledge than he does--and less than most of you--so it's my call but I wanted some help with it.
No, I wouldn't want someone to pick a particular knife for me to carry around.
He doesn't really know what he wants, he bought the Kershaw years ago at REI because it was the best they had in-store and it was on sale.
He's not partial to liner locks and kind of indicated that he wouldn't mind trying something else.

Giving him the cash retail makes plenty of sense but I'm feeling bad about messing up his (already messed up) knife to begin with and feel obligated.
I'm going through a guilt-fueled generosity.
Perhaps that's best, though, and he can come up with the extra money if he wants to upgrade.
I can give input or relay suggestions at that point.

I'll take him down to MB Retting near here, they've got a great selection that he can look through.
Please, though, don't stop giving me suggestions if you've got 'em.

Thanks, all.
Click to expand...

Understood.

You're a stand-up guy to replace the knife and your friend is lucky to have you as a friend. He's also lucky that you have enough knife knowledge to get him something good.

I have no experience with axis lock knives so I'm unable to suggest one. But I'm sure there are plenty that would serve your friend well and make him happy. In fact, after he gets his new knife, he'll probably be glad that his Kershaw bit the dust.
 
spydercofan said:
Paramilitary 2 all the way! very smooth action, can be flicked open, compression lock and can be had around the $100 range.
Click to expand...

Agreed, a para 2 sounds perfect.

On a side note, I totally know what you mean about saving money by staying away ffrom bladeforums...I recently returned after a several year hiatus and it has cost me about $700 in the last 2 months...
 
Just be sure you teach him that you are not to pry with the blade before you give him anything, except the $8 knife you mentioned!;) The Kershaw Rake, with speed assist and composite blade, would be one to look at, as would the Kershaw JYDII with composite blade. Both are going to be under the $100 threshold and can be had even less if you check out kershawguy here on the forums.
 
If you look around you can get the Paramilitary 2 with black G10 and a black blade for$106 shipped. This site is back ordered but it's a great deal.

That price from Howes is a fantastic deal though.
 
Is the Para 2 larger than the Blur?
If he wants larger then maybe a Military model would be better. I love my Para 2s, but I don't know if it's really larger than a Blur. I too would recommend the JYD2 as it is one of my favorite designs.
 
Tony8179 said:
Is the Para 2 larger than the Blur?
If he wants larger then maybe a Military model would be better. I love my Para 2s, but I don't know if it's really larger than a Blur. I too would recommend the JYD2 as it is one of my favorite designs.
Click to expand...

The actual cutting edges might be close to the same length but the para2 FEELS like a much larger knife than the blur.
 
Killgar, thanks for the kind words. And you're right about him ending up glad that the Kershaw's dead. He still mopes around about it but I can tell that he's secretly excited. "Well, as long as I haaave to settle for another knife... maybe a bigger blade... and one of those fancy Benchmade locks... and a laser gun in the handle."
Yep, MK. I'll have to lobotomize this place out of my head once I start getting a steady paycheck again.
Cutter, I've already had the pry bar talk with him. I actually just looked at the Kershaw Rake a little while ago as another friend of mine sent a link to show me the composite Leek that he ordered yesterday. I hadn't seen the JYD2 but it actually fits the bill pretty well and the standard model is around $50 which I like.
I think I'll go with something like that for him and get a Para-Military 2 or Manix XL for myself.

Thanks again, all.
You've steered me right and I think I can take it from here.
I love this place and it's good to be back.
And sorry about my wallet.

Take care.
 
Enlan EL01, buy him 3. Tough for daily use, thick tip that should stand light prying, you don't get broke and he gets quality knife (knives).

Why 3? It comes in 3 color handles, black, grey & khaki. It takes some breaking in, but once smoothed out, flips nicely.

Also the look is quite tactical.

A more gentleman look would be EL02 with axis design.

These are in my EDC list. You might have made up your mind, just to offer you alternatives.
 
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