Need Advice

I have only two words for you. Well actually, one word that sounds like two words and then three numbers. If that isn't clear, this should be:
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Benchmade 721.

Go for it!
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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Go for the Emerson CQC series. They even make a mini version if the regular size is to big. Those knives take a real beating, and can definately be used as a defensive weapon.
 
I can't speak for the defensive aspects of these three knives, as I luckily have never had to use them -- but I wouldn't carry something I didn't feel comfortable relying on in a defensive situation.

My first real folder was a Gerber EZ-Out. Easy to handle, easy to deploy.

Then I moved up to the Kershaw Black Out. You do pay some for the name (as the above post-er mentioned), but this blade performed just great for me. It is "assisted opening", so it is out in a flash. Solid feel in the hand, seems to hold an edge pretty darn well.

Finally, I now carry Gerber's Applegate-Fairbairn Covert Folder. I think that part of this knife's defensive appeal is that it just *looks* nasty. Nicely weighted, it deploys nicely. (I can't speak to the durability, as I've only carried it for about a week.)

Best of luck in your search. From what I've seen, you've found the best site for advice on your sort question!!
 
Wow, I can't believe all the responses already, thanks everybody. You have given me a lot to look into, I will check them all out
and let you know what I decide. I want to make sure I get one with a strong lock, too, wouldn't want it to close on me at an inappropriate time. <G> Sounds like these are all quality knives, so that shouldn't be an issue.

BTW, I am in Canton, I'll stop by Kames tonight, thanks for the tip, Hal.
 
If the lock is important to that extent, get the AXIS lock or the FRAME lock models.

710, 705, 721 AXIS.

750 FRAME.

All are great knives

Hoodoo, how is your 721 holding up? Interesting blade design.

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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
ZorrosGirl:
I have watched my friends offer help to you for three days now. While they showed you some great knives and top makers, these are all clip hanger knives, if you are used to carrying a knife at the bottom of your pocket I have three for your consideration. Bought from me they can be tried and returned if they do not suit.

The original one hand knife: http://www.agrknives.com/agrussell/k87-ph.html

out light weight knife: http://www.agrknives.com/agrussell/featherlite.html

If you are looking for a less expensive knife with a proven lock behind it and you prefer a little more weight in your pocket and hand, then look at this one:

http://www.agrknives.com/agrussell/k-94.html

Hard to buy better at anywhere near the price. With all due respect you fellas left out some great values. A. G.
 
Zorro's Girl,
Small world heh? I live up in Akron. Kames has a good selection to look at and feel, plus you can take it home right away, something buying over the Internet doesn't offer. The downside of course is that you often pay more compared to internet buying. Once you get your feet wet, there's a ton of good values out there. You might want to check out the gun shows at Summit County Fairgrounds also. There's usually 3 or 4 knife dealers there as well as a couple of custom makers.
Enjoy!
 
I highly recommend the Kershaw mini-Task, speed safe, Wharnciffe blade, handy size,nice appearance, high quality, ATS-34 steel. RKBA!
 
I highly recommend the Kershaw mini-Task, speed safe, Wharnciffe blade, handy size,nice appearance, high quality, ATS-34 steel. RKBA!
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by The General:
Hoodoo, how is your 721 holding up? Interesting blade design.
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The other day I whipped it out of my pocket and flipped open the blade--all too quickly--and it flew across my basement, slammed into a metal door, and went point first down into the concrete. Didn't hurt it one bit! And that's the second time I've dropped the thing on concrete (I've got to lay off the caffeine).

Funny thing about that blade design. There was a local gunshop that had a 720 for a year and every time I went in there I'd look it over and it just didn't appeal to me. And then one day it hit me!--what an idiot--it was like a revelation! The design was perfect for a boffo outdoors utility/hunting/survival folder. How could I have missed it all this time???? Flat grind for strength, some good curve to the blade for skinning and plenty of straight edge for tough chores, and a fine but strong tip for making those delicate initial cuts on small game or whatever. Not to mention the AXIS lock, the most kick-butt lock on the market! And the price was $99. After that I was addicted so naturally had to buy the 721 when it came out. A little lighter but plenty tough. I can guarantee you it won't fall apart if you drop it on some rocks in the wilds of Borneo. BTW, it takes and holds a pretty darn nice edge.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
1 stop knife shop is a good place to go to look at knives. I have a united cutlery omega liner lock (one handed manual) and it was only 20.00
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Im new at this to and I suggest going to a knife shop and trying some on for size

have fun
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Well guys, I went to Kames the other night, they have quite a nice selection. I found out one thing, though. Knives that open by using a hole like the Spydercos rather than a little knob don't work out too well if you have long fingernails. Probably not a problem you all have. ;-) So, I turned my attention to a few others they had there. I absolutely loved the Benchmade McHenry & Williams. It said mini on the box so I guess it was the 705. It deployed and closed so easily, it was great, slightly above the target price, but I still may be tempted. I also liked the CRKT Point Guard. It also opened easily, but was tougher for me to close one handed. I liked the extra lock on it, too. It seemed a bit more cheaply made than the Spydercos and Benchmades, though. They showed me a Kershaw, but they couldn't find the box at the time, so I don't know the model, it cost $59.99, if that helps. It had an assisted opening that I really liked and it used a liner lock and required two hands to close. One thing that concerned me about the axis lock was I wondered if it was too easy to accidently hit the button and close it on yourself. What do you guys think?

I'm going to checkout a few more places, but so far I think Benchmade is in the lead, though I'd rather have the 710 because it's bigger.

I think you all are getting to me, I want to buy more than one knife, now. I may be in danger of becoming a knife nut, too. :-)
 
What do I think?

You're doomed
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Doomed to be a knife knut. LOL! The good news is that you've been one all your life, but didn't know it.
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Good choices. Yep. The CRKT's aren't built quite as well as the Benchmade's, but they are 2/3 the cost. For the $$, they're hard to beat. While you're out looking, take a look at the Spyderco sharpmaker too. It's the quickest and easist way to keep a decent edge on your knives.(<---Notice the plural
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I would have to go with the Microtech Mini Socom if I were sticking to the $100 limit. I think you should raise your limit to $200. Then you have several knives from Microtech to choose from. Maybe you should raise your limit to $300 so you can get a SMALL SEBENZA. You might as well get the best to start with, and forget about all the other junk.
 
Hal pegged it, You are a goner. Folding knives lead to fixed blades, which lead to bowies, which lead to... It is an endless quest to find the "perfect" knife or to have a knife for every occasion. Just stay away from the Himalayan Imports forum here, HIKV is terminal.
 
ZG,

Seems like they have answered all your questions. If you want really good prices check out the knives for sale on the forum. I have a BM730 with the axis lock its solid.

Wolf
 
I asked the same question here some months ago.
As Phil says, I actually owe to the forumites my choice:
I eventually picked up Benchmade 710 Axis plain edge ATS 34 and have been quite satisfied.
The answers here were very helpful.

Have a good luck with your choice.

Standa
 
1st choices:
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Benchmade 710 (4") or 705 (3") Axis lock
Benchmade Pinnacle 750 (3.6")
Spyderco Starmate (3.75")
Benchmade AFCK 800 (4") or 812 (3")
Spyderco Wegner (3.6")

The Wegner is really designed to be a very versatile utility knife, one that happens to be useful for hunters, but any good quality, ergonomic folder with a good lockup like the Wegner is fine for defense purposes.

Spyderco's come very sharp out of the box. Benchmade is sloppy...some are very sharp, most are only marginally sharp. You'll want to learn to sharpen very soon if you use the knife anyway, sooner with Benchmade. Search for sharpening recommendations with search engine.

Use the search engines to locate threads that contain multiple of the knife words recommended in this thread and you'll find a wealth...this question pops up about every other week it seems, which means there are a bunch of similar threads.

If you really want a defense knife, you need to be able to deploy in a reasonably quick manner. This argues for pocket clip carry, but if you can't stand that, a thumb stud/thumb hole/thumb disk is a necessary feature, and a good solid lockup as well.

I really think the BM 710 and 750 are standouts that meet those criteria very well, and both have recurved rear portions in the blade, which can make them a bit harder to sharpen, but it also makes them both very good slashers within the confines of good utility knives.

If you are new to knives, I wouldn't bother with the subtle claimed performance advantages of M2 carbon tool steel over ATS-34. Just get ATS-34 and enjoy the corrosion resistance. Then you are free to choose Black T coated blades or just plain.

If you are new to knives, don't buy out of a catalog until you've handled a bunch of knives locally (if you can't get a good price locally). You may see a lock that looks simple and easy on paper, but that in fact can't be easily manipulated with one hand.

I would guess that most of us that have used the Axis Lock have found it to be more secure for hard work and for defense purposes than a liner lock in a general sense. There are great liner lockups that are recessed, but you are less likely to encounter lock failure probably with Axis or REKAT's Rolling Lock. I wouldn't worry about "pushing the button" on the Axis. Note that a stabbing thrust motion tends to cause the Axis button to move tighter into the locked direction. A clenched grip tends to have your full hand behind the axis button. And under adrenaline rush, you'll have a clenched fist all right.

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 03-30-2001).]
 
Benchmade 710 is a great choice and I just bought one from nwcutlery.com for $99.

If you want to see it and feel it before you buy and if you live near Cleveland (I see your from Ohio), Newmann Outfitters in Solon and Beachwood stock them, their price is $169 so you may still want to buy on the web.

Let me know if you need help finding them, the one in Solon is new so it may not be in the phone book.

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"I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6"
 
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