Need help finding a high quality "sleeper" knife

JeremiahWeaver09 said:
basic spyderco endura or delica
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19-3ben said:
No way. What part of that meets up with the narrow blade, and natural material handles that the OP is looking for?
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Probably kind of like whenever someone asks a gun-related question.

Everyone knows the answer is "Glock 19."

Even if the question is "What's the best side-by-side 12-gauge for quail?"
 
Chambriard makes some really nice single blade folders. The Compagnon has a 3.5" blade and there is a smaller version that has a 2.75" blade. I have one in each size and they are a very good knife.
 
ddcronk said:
I'm not against saving money! I just assumed I'd have to spend $150 to get what I want. If I can get it for cheaper, I'm all for it.
I actually looked at the Boker Urban Trapper before making my original post. It has a lot going for it; it certainly looks like a good knife. My only problem is that it looks a little too much like a modern weapon:
I really would like to find something that, visually, falls on the "Grandpa's letter opener" side of the spectrum, rather than "Yes your honor, exhibit A is the murder weapon."
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Check out some youtube videos - it really is more of a letter opener when you see it in person (thin/slender).
That said, as Wowbagger mentioned - definitely not sturdy, sturdy, sturdy.

For sturdy, natural handle materials, and completely non-threatening, the slipjoint may be the perfect answer.
Or an SAK with wood scales?

Light weight, slim, non-weaponized are hard to reconcile with sturdy and SHTF self-defense.
I am enjoying the suggestions though.
 
foofie said:
Light weight, slim, non-weaponized are hard to reconcile with sturdy and SHTF self-defense.
I am enjoying the suggestions though.
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I should specify that the primary use of this knife is not as a self defense weapon - what I am looking for is clearly not most suited for that task. However, if I am going to be carrying a knife with me every day, it must not be totally unsuited for it, either. So I sacrifice aspects such as ease of access (pocket clip) and ease of opening (thumb stud), but do not compromise on quality of construction or appropriate blade length.
 
I own an Urban Trapper, and I have to be careful about opening it, and forgetting it on the kitchen counter. It looks like a kitchen paring knife, and I'm afraid my wife will throw it in the dish washer. Tactical, this this is not. A smooth operator, it most definitely is.

Oh, and on the dish washer thing,.....I know. Try to tell it to her.

Good luck....
 
I'd put in a good word for the A.G. Russell Folding Gents Hunter II lockback, which by your criteria would have to be in the Cocobolo option. Coming with a 3-5/8" blade, it is only 3.2 oz and is very sleek since it features nicely cut and radiused thumb notches instead of thumb studs or flipper discs or tabs. True, it is only one-hand opening and not one-hand closing, and its blade steel is "only" 9Cr13CoMoV, but my green G-10 model is very well made for $85 with the Cocobolo model just $10 more.

Sticking to A.G. Russell offerings but something a bit beefier, consider the Arkansas Hunter with India Stag handles. Like the Folding Gents Hunter II above, I chose to get mine with green G-10. It, too, is a traditional lockback that offers one-hand opening via oversized nail nicks. That its blade steel is the somewhat despised 8Cr13MoV is a possible deal breaker for some, but I have to say that for $69.95 I surely got more than I expected. Add $30 for India Stag when available.
 
Those AGRussell knives are well made. The 8c and 9C chinese steels do pretty well actually. The GEC knives are nice but the lock back 64 and 65 models are hard to find. They come out in batches unfortunately. The model 72's are available ( lockback/1095) in Rosewood, bone, stag, and my favorite, african blackwood/Ebony.

Queen lockback mountain man knives in D2 and various wood/bone covers are nice. They make an ATS 34 variant in black synthetic covers with thumb stud and pocket clips in a couple sizes.

Moki ( VG10 and Aus8) are beautifully made, like the Al Mars. There are others too. I enjoy this type of knife. Well made, good slicing but low key and non aggressive in appearance. Good luck DDCronk. You will find more than one knife that you like. This hobby gets under a persons skin. :)

Joe
 
Swiss Army Knife is a great suggestion. Nobody can fault you for carrying one of those. If you've never tried an alox model like wensynch posted, they are fantastic.

Otherwise, go with a GEC. Build quality is great and many come in 1095. I'd suggest a Mudbug but it may be hard to find (not in production currently).
 
If he really wants to look non-threatening, a small traditional is the way to go. Perhaps a GEC #15 or #25 in a sheepsfoot? Better yet, one of the Barlow versions.
 
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After reading through this thread, I personally would go with the GEC #65 Ben Hogan if you can find one. It has a long slender blade, slim and disappears in your pocket, and the blade is very slicey and functional. It really isn't much of a weapon, but certainly a good knife to have in your pocket. Another that you might like is the Northwoods Madison Barlow, one blade (4.25" closed length and about a 3.25" blade). They seem to sell out rather quickly unfortunately at KSF. The two blade version is much heavier in the pocket, but is generally my personal choice. Have both.
 
The small GEC #14 Boys Knife (3" closed length) is a wonderful little pocket knife. I suspect it is just too small for the OP. For most normal things, it is all anyone needs and it is all about personal preference.

Another consideration is the LionSteel Opera in stag. I have the small Opera in stag and it is a very nice pocket friendly knife with a blade length just shy of 3". It fits between the traditional and modern in terms of design with more traditional. Runs about $110 or there abouts. I think it needs a nail nick for easier opening, but it still opens very easily as designed. The larger is just a bigger version of the small Opera. My Opera is in D2.
 
For what it is worth, along my usual knives, I usually carry an alox pioneer x every day.

Gesendet von meinem SM-T813 mit Tapatalk
 
ddcronk said:
Requirements:
  • Build quality first of all. Blade steel and overall construction must be excellent. Sturdy sturdy sturdy.
  • Natural handle material. Handle scales must be bone, wood, stag, etc.
  • Blade should be between 3-4" long. Long enough to be used as a weapon in a last-ditch, SHTF scenario.
  • Price: hopefully in the $150 range. I'm willing to pay more if I find the right knife, of course.
  • Light weight and slim enough to be comfortably pocketed.
  • Slender blade profile. More Texas toothpick than chopper.
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Ah... Quality.

Pirsig said (roughly) that quality is that which produces peace of mind.

Is "quality" tied to price for you? Could you live with a knife that costs much less than $150 or would you stay awake at night worrying that you own a cheap knife?

Can you say more about what sort of quality you want in a blade steel?

Can you way more about what sort of sturdiness you want? No vertical play? No blade wobble? Strong lock?

I have a knife that will tick all your boxes but it won't give you a lock that resists hard closing forces. It also has a very traditional fine grained steel that takes a scary sharp edge but won't have the edge hold of a more carbide rich steel. It also costs 1/10th of your desired price and that may be a deal breaker for you. But it's probably as sturdy or more sturdy than anything else that's been mentioned and in my experience, the most friendly knife in an urban/suburban setting.
 
pinnah said:
Ah... Quality.

Pirsig said (roughly) that quality is that which produces peace of mind.

Is "quality" tied to price for you? Could you live with a knife that costs much less than $150 or would you stay awake at night worrying that you own a cheap knife?

Can you say more about what sort of quality you want in a blade steel?

Can you way more about what sort of sturdiness you want? No vertical play? No blade wobble? Strong lock?

I have a knife that will tick all your boxes but it won't give you a lock that resists hard closing forces. It also has a very traditional fine grained steel that takes a scary sharp edge but won't have the edge hold of a more carbide rich steel. It also costs 1/10th of your desired price and that may be a deal breaker for you. But it's probably as sturdy or more sturdy than anything else that's been mentioned and in my experience, the most friendly knife in an urban/suburban setting.
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Well, there has been a lot of very sturdy knives mentioned so this knife must be very special! Don't leave us hanging!
 
Anyone who quotes Pirsig is okay with me. :thumbup:

pinnah said:
Ah... Quality.

Pirsig said (roughly) that quality is that which produces peace of mind.

Is "quality" tied to price for you? Could you live with a knife that costs much less than $150 or would you stay awake at night worrying that you own a cheap knife?

Can you say more about what sort of quality you want in a blade steel?

Can you way more about what sort of sturdiness you want? No vertical play? No blade wobble? Strong lock?

I have a knife that will tick all your boxes but it won't give you a lock that resists hard closing forces. It also has a very traditional fine grained steel that takes a scary sharp edge but won't have the edge hold of a more carbide rich steel. It also costs 1/10th of your desired price and that may be a deal breaker for you. But it's probably as sturdy or more sturdy than anything else that's been mentioned and in my experience, the most friendly knife in an urban/suburban setting.
Click to expand...
 
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