Need help choosing a new folding knife.

baraqyal

baraqyal

Joined
Nov 30, 2000
Messages
860
Hi all. I need help - I'm having a hard time deciding. Recently, I lost my everyday carry knife (a spyderco native) while trying on coats. About a three months before that, I broke the tip off my spyderco endura. Currently, I'm carrying a kershaw and a crkt kiss, but, I'd like something a little nicer as my everyday carry. (X-mas is coming!)
I'm looking for a blade that is over 3" but less than 4". I prefer some serations.
I've been looking at some of the new locks - e.g. axis, compression, etc. - and here is my list of what I think looks good.

BM 710hssr(or the 710sbt)
BM 800sbt
Spyderco Howard Viele
Spyderco Military
Emerson CQC-7b

All of these are within my price range, and pretty much fit what I'm looking for. I thought about the spyderco gunting, but decided that I'm no martial artist. (Generally, I only use my knife to fight with the odd apple or a box)
So, my question is this: Which knife should I choose, bearing in mind that I can only choose 1 (for probably at least the next 6 months) and that it better be good, cause most of my other knives are worn out, broken, or no longer in my possession. Which one would you choose? Any other suggestions?

Wish I had a bigger budget for a sebenza..

Thanx,
Rob
 
Those are all nice knives. The Emerson seems a little out of place since its a chisel-ground tanto blade, though.
The BM 710 is the strongest, the Viele's the best looking, the AFCK (800) and Military are both awesome, too.
I'd try to handle each of them, and get the one that is the most comfortable. Personal preference would be the deciding factor for me. Always is.
 
BM 710 Axis is pretty tough to beat. It's just so well made, even if it didn't have an Axis lock. It's got a near 4" blade, and the opening is just so smooth. It's also state of the art in terms of the new lock. I wish -- in hindsight -- that I had bought an M-2 version. However, the ATS-34 version is still more than I really need.

After that, Spyderco Military; although Spyderco anything is good.

Emerson? It's come to my attention that there are a lot of Emerson owners who question the fit/finish, and overall QC of the products. I love the "wave" feature on the Commander though but you don't need it for an everyday use knife. The CQC7 is rather mundane and, well, kinda shrimpy.

Can't afford a Sebenza? Then consider a BM 750 Pinnacle. I bought one and it has none of the BM QC problems often talked about. Mine is perfect. The lock up is perfectly/solidly aligned, and the blade is dead center when closed. Best of all, I like it's solid, no frills design and prefer it to the Axis. I think it can outlast any of the Axis knives (which have a few cases of broken Omega springs). However, the opening -- although mine isn't fully broken in -- is not quite as smooth as the 710 Axis.

[This message has been edited by Full Tang Clan (edited 12-04-2000).]
 
I would still give the Gunting consideration, even if you think it is too "martial." The things that make it a great martial arts knife (secure, comfortable handle, strong lock), along with the good general purpose blade-shape make it a pretty good everyday carry knife.
 
Change your UserName to something like "Totally Jane" and you'll get 50 replies in two days.


bug
 
Rob, welcome to the Forums!
smile.gif


You have really hard choice! SPYDERCO Howard Vielle (I haven't any experience with it) looks rather like gentleman's knife though the rest of your mentioned are true tactical folders.
BENCHMADE model 710 has innovative Axis Lock and some advantages more.
BNCHMADE model 800 AFCK fits my hand like a dream (not certainly will work as well for you, please check before buying). This is my favorite everyday carry.
SPYDERCO Military is my favorite around-the-household-carry. It is great performer with it's fully flat ground blade, my wife assumed that it is the greatest knife for sandwich field making
biggrin.gif

Please think also about SPYDERCO Starmate, BENCHMADE Ares and BENCHMADE Osborne.
Or maybe KERSHAW Boa would work well for you? Or maybe KERSHAW Avalanche?
Or BENCHMADE Pinnacle?

Hope I didn't make your choice even harder
rolleyes.gif
?




[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 12-04-2000).]
 
Originally posted by Paul Work:
Get another Native.
smile.gif

Paul
Click to expand...

I agree with Paul. However if you want to try another nice Spydie, then choose the Military.
 
I don't have many of the knives you're considering, but I might be able to help you out a bit on the AFCK and Military.

I bought an AFCK in M2 and loved it! It was perfect in every way except that I didn't feel like the knife blade was very secured by the ball detent in the closed position. I messed with the tension for quite sometime and couldn't get a good balance (for me anyway) between nice-smooth opening and a somewhat secure closed position. I took it back to my knife dealer and told him my concern and he told me that my specimen was in his opinion one of the best he'd ever seen in every aspect. So I returned it. It just didn't "complete me" like my other knives do. I haven't heard many bad things about the AFCK, but with liner locks I'm cautious because I don't want to take any chances of the knife opening accidently in my pocket if I fall, or jump/run around a lot.

I got a Military a few weeks ago and this knife does it all. It's perfect. Since it's still new I haven't used it too much, but it cuts like crazy, the steel really takes and seems to hold an edge, it's pretty easy to sharpen, and the handle is super comfy. It's been with me every minute since I bought it.

I agree that if you can, go to your local knife store and look at, and handle all of the ones you're considering. Hold them in various hand positions, clip them on in different pockets and to the waistband. Try to really get the feel for each knife as much as possible and pick the one you like best. After all you are the lucky one to carry, use and enjoy the knife every day!

I would consider any of the axis locks, especially the 720 which often gets overlooked. It's probably my favorite Benchmade, with the Pinnacle a close second.

Let us know what you decide and enjoy the knife!!

By the way, how did you break the tip off your Endura?
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Frag:

By the way, how did you break the tip off your Endura?</font>
Click to expand...

A pretty embarasing story - I dropped it on the floor tip down. It went right through the carpet and pading and hit the cement underneath. Basically, it bent the tip at a 90 degree angle, to the point where it wouldn't close. I ended up using a pair of plyers to straighten the tip, which was a big mistake too. (Not that it mattered anyway, the tip was already beyond repair.)
Now I have a fully serrated standard screwdriver. Oh well. I do like the enduras alot, and someday will buy a couple more.

Thanks everyone for all the input. I'm think I'm alot closer now, although the search was put on hold for a few days. I went to a knife store and messed around with the BM 710, the AFCK and the military. Honestly, I wish that there was an axis lock AFCK. I like aspects of all three.
As for getting another native, I think thats going to be a pass. I never really felt to confident with the size and posistion of the hole, which seemed too small for my hand. Also, the clip was very annoying, and caused the native to repeatedly fall out of my pocket in public places. Otherwise, its a good knife, but I dont think I want another one for my everyday carry.
Oh yeah - thanks Sergiusz Mitin for the awesome reviews. My biggest problem now is forcing myself not to buy all of them.
Thanx,
Rob
 
I hate to add to any confusion, but look at the Al Mar SERE 2000. It is a very solid knife, very precisely made, and, IMHO, a real bargain. If it does not suit you, I'd go with the military.
 
The Al Mar SERE 2000 is a great choice. Also look at the new Benchmade BM770, wow! I also like the Microtech LCC. Other very nice knives are the Spyderco Gunting and Bob Lum Chinese Folder.
 
You woudn't be dissappointed with the quality and performance of 710 family. I like serrations on those as they take only 1/3 of the blade and are still quite useful.

Military has little big handle for everyday carry (that's what I think of course
smile.gif
). Still great knife. But Starmate would do the job just fine.

Can't really comment on others.

Have fun picking,
Kris.
 
Rob,

There is a NIB Micro Tech mini-SOCOM currently on the FOR SALE forum. This knife would also make a great choice for your needs.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by baraqyal:
My biggest problem now is forcing myself not to buy all of them. </font>
Click to expand...

You've just proven yourself a knife knut. Don't worry, give it a few months and you'll have all of them, and a few others, and you'll need more. Welcome to the addiction, the affliction, and the Forums, where one knife is never enough.

------------------
Jason aka medusaoblongata
-----------------------
"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra
 
Hi there, baraqyal. May I suggest that you consider either a Spyderco StarMate or a BenchMade 940 Osborne. I have both, and have been raving about the StarMate for aboout two years (I bought mine very soon after they came out) as I truly love it. It is very comfortable to carry, stylish and durable. I have frequently said that it comes very close to the ultimate in a folding knife and I have compared it favorably to the highly vaunted, but highly expensive, Sebenza. I still feel that way about it, but I have found a new love of a different sort, the BM 940 Osborne. It is their latest Axis lock knife and it is a sweetie. It is not a large knife like the StarMate, the BM 710 or 720, or the Micro-Tech LCC. It is a very svelte and sculpted gentleman's (or lady's) pocket knife. The scales are a pleasing series of sweeping curves and the blade is hard to describe; they call it a reverse tanto, but I don't think that does it justice. I call it very gracefull. AND it comes in colors other than basic black; green, red, and blue at the moment. I truly love my green one and carry it when I am going places where my StarMate might seem a bit too aggressive; you see, I am a Quaker and some of the members of my Meeting do not understand my hobby, others do, but some don't and I would rather not frighten them unnecessarily.

------------------
Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
baraqyal,
A couple of folks have mentioned the manual action MicroTech LCC. I'm just curious if you've seen this one or given it any consideration? IMHO it's one heck of a lot of knife for the money.

------------------
Semper Fi

-Bill
 
Just handle each one of the knives that you are considering and go with the one that feels the best to you. Consider a full sized Calypso.

------------------
Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top