Need help finding a high quality "sleeper" knife

[marcinek]

Well, there has been a lot of very sturdy knives mentioned so this knife must be very special! Don't leave us hanging!

Indeed! I mean even something like an Opinel fits the description pinnah gives in that last para, but I don't think an Opinel (as much as I like them...I'm carrying one!) fits what the OP is looking for...Opinels aren't at all like an Al Mar Falcon Classic.

So I am looking forward to hearing what pinnah has in mind!

BTW I like that Boker Urban Trapper the OP mentioned. That knife ticks my boxes! :thumbup: With the wood scales I don;t find it weapony at all, on the contrary, I find it elegant/civilized.

 

[cbach8tw]

I also suggest you check out some of the knives(AG Russell brand) offered from AG Russell, good quality and good designs, even if they are Chinese. I liked the medium version of the gunstock.

 

[craytab]

Indeed! I mean even something like an Opinel fits the description pinnah gives in that last para, but I don't think an Opinel (as much as I like them...I'm carrying one!) fits what the OP is looking for...Opinels aren't at all like an Al Mar Falcon Classic.

So I am looking forward to hearing what pinnah has in mind!

BTW I like that Boker Urban Trapper the OP mentioned. That knife ticks my boxes! :thumbup: With the wood scales I don;t find it weapony at all, on the contrary, I find it elegant/civilized.

I'd consider something from Almar or Fallkniven myself. Those two companies seem to make some higher end option that blend the modern and traditional styles.

 

[Wallace Mutt]

I just got this nice little knife. The Grohmann Mini Russell.

 

[BuckShack]

^^ I was just going to mention that, but with a clip blade for that campus pirate look.

 

[Wallace Mutt]

^^ I was just going to mention that, but with a clip blade for that campus pirate look.

That one was a close second, and only $40 CAD!

 

[cchu518]

Loveless design by AG Russell in Vg10

I'm probably going to get a crk mnandi for myself as an end of year present. That one fits the bill or anything William Henry.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[BuckShack]

That one was a close second, and only $40 CAD!

Aye matey!

 

[ocnLogan]

I finished grad school almost 4 years ago now, and was looking for something similar (albeit with a lower budget).

I ended up with a boker exskelimoor II. CA knife laws are ok, but San Francisco and Oakland both have 3in blade limits. So depending on where you live/travel in the bay area, you might want to consider if that is important to you. They do make a larger version of this knife as well.

Its not made of anything spectacular (440C), but its done just fine as my EDC for the last ~6 years now. I work in an office nowadays, and no one here gives it a second look. With some practice, you can easily open it one handed as well.

Not my images, but its this blade.

Good luck finding something that works for you :thumbup:.

 

[NDJeep]

Benchmade Summit lake.

Pretty cool... was unaware of this Benchmade.
Checks most of OPs boxes...

 

[tltt]

The Al Mar "Bird" series was the first one to come to mind, and it's the first that I offer up when asked similar questions. I also like a lot of the G. Sakai tradition line, but I'm not sure who in the US carry them. Also something like the Moki Kronos would work -

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Also an old school pick that might work is the Gerber Folding Sportsman -

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These came in different sizes and handle scales, and were popular with the suit and tie tactical crowd in the 70's - 80's. You can still find them in new or excellent shape for little money with some looking.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Knives are going to be all opinion and it's going to come down to what tickles your fancy. Because regardless of the knife, if you stab and kill someone with it, it's still going to be in a bag labeled evidence and there will be a PRK DA declaring you a knife toting homicidal maniac.

To me, that Al Mar knife looks more like a weapon than those wood handled Benchmade knives. A skinny toothpick blade says belly pokin' shiv compared to a wider blade with lots of belly. Unless after you stab your assailant you proceed to skin them. But every person is going to have their own vision of a weapon, and if you use something as a weapon you are going to be defending yourself regardless whether it's a pencil or a Glock.

I personally think a knife is not a very good weapon unless you have extensive training using one as such, and I wouldn't even begin to contemplate using a traditional slip joint knife without a lock as a weapon. I'm about 6 months out from surgery to repaired a severed tendon and that would be the last thing I'd want to be dealing with while fighting for my life.

My suggestion is get a knife you want and like and that is legal for you to carry. And a SAK classic for your keys so you can cut a thread in front of any leg wobbling sheep. But in my experience the way others react to a knife has more to do with the way you look and how you carry yourself. If you whip your knife out and wave it around or hide in the corner looking over your shoulder acting like you're doing something wrong, people will react badly. And if you have a sleeve of tats and baggy jeans hanging around your thighs you aren't doing yourself any favors. On the other hand, if you are clean cut and confidently perform a normal task without quick movements like you are doing any common mundane activity, most people won't bat an eye at you cutting up an apple or sharpening a pencil on campus.

Just my take on things. I use my knives in public and have never had a bad reaction that I know of. But I have seen others act strange or dressed more alternative, use a knife and get weird looks. If you are within the law you shouldn't worry too much regardless.

Hope you find a knife you like and feel comfortable carrying.

 

[Carrdoc]

^^this is a great recommendation. I also really like my wooden 484 if your looking for something one handed.

I second this one.received one for a gift and it is great

 

[pinnah]

Well, there has been a lot of very sturdy knives mentioned so this knife must be very special! Don't leave us hanging!

Do you personally own any of these very sturdy knives mentioned?

Willing to put any of them up for some abusive side by each testing on a bet for a six pack? If we can agree on some tests and if you're willing to capture it all with pictures, I'll send one of these knives. I'll bet you a six pack that the knife I'm thinking of will be as "sturdy" as any mentioned on this thread. Only thing it won't do is resist strong closing forces.

But, I'm not recommending anything yet for the OP till he clarifies what he's really looking for. To be honest, I don't a knife exists that covers all the bases. Flat peened traditionals like the Case and GEC knives mentioned won't take much lateral stress. Most traditional lockbacks and liner locks eventually develop vertical play. And then you have the whole issue of lack of modern steels in most traditional knives, so if you want modern steels you get modern looking knives like the Benchmade and Lion Steel mentioned.

I sorta suspect that the OP wants a $150 knife and won't feel good about the quality for much less than that.

 

[craytab]

Do you personally own any of these very sturdy knives mentioned?

Willing to put any of them up for some abusive side by each testing on a bet for a six pack? If we can agree on some tests and if you're willing to capture it all with pictures, I'll send one of these knives. I'll bet you a six pack that the knife I'm thinking of will be as "sturdy" as any mentioned on this thread. Only thing it won't do is resist strong closing forces.

But, I'm not recommending anything yet for the OP till he clarifies what he's really looking for. To be honest, I don't a knife exists that covers all the bases. Flat peened traditionals like the Case and GEC knives mentioned won't take much lateral stress. Most traditional lockbacks and liner locks eventually develop vertical play. And then you have the whole issue of lack of modern steels in most traditional knives, so if you want modern steels you get modern looking knives like the Benchmade and Lion Steel mentioned.

I sorta suspect that the OP wants a $150 knife and won't feel good about the quality for much less than that.

Do you? Did you read his criteria? Did you actually look at all the suggestions? Maybe even what I suggested? And just throwing out that lock backs or liner locks are no good is a complete cop-out. It is changing the goal post.

I'd break your opinel in under a minute and it wouldn't even be difficult. Then you'd be out $20 or depending on the cost of the six pack. I don't drink cheap beer very often but I could make an exception for you.

His specifications were very clear. And they don't include $12 non-sturdy knives with a weak lock. But alas, it doesn't really matter what any one says here. Your agenda is infallible!

 

[22-rimfire]

Benchmade Summit lake.

This one caught my eye too. I want to see it in person. Might be adding it to my accumulation. It is very similar to the LionSteel Opera. There is a small and a large Summit Lake just like the two Opera's.

 

[pinnah]

Do you? Did you read his criteria? Did you actually look at all the suggestions? Maybe even what I suggested? And just throwing out that lock backs or liner locks are no good is a complete cop-out. It is changing the goal post.

I'd break your opinel in under a minute and it wouldn't even be difficult. Then you'd be out $20 or depending on the cost of the six pack. I don't drink cheap beer very often but I could make an exception for you.

His specifications were very clear. And they don't include $12 non-sturdy knives with a weak lock. But alas, it doesn't really matter what any one says here. Your agenda is infallible!

I read his criteria very carefully. I concluded that he's not quite clear on what he's looking for yet, so I asked for clarification.

Yes, I've looked closely at the knives mentioned in the thread and have been not so surprised that so many with pocket clips and thumb studs have been suggested, despite the OP saying that's NOT what he's looking for.

Which of the mentioned knives do you own and are willing to put up for side by each test for "sturdiness"?

Can you suggest some tests for sturdiness?

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Anyone who quotes Pirsig is okay with me. :thumbup:

More like paraphrasing.

More appropriate

...Steel can be any shape you want if you are skilled enough, and any shape but the one you want if you are not. ...

― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: Some heavy reading that'll make you think.

As far as a sleeper goes, look towards what was popular 10-15 years ago and see if you can find NOS or NIB or even gently used. The old Gerber International stuff was very well made and many of their lockers were optioned in wood. You'll just have to be satisfied with discontinued but they're out there. Don't get hung up on current production, think more like vintage usable.

 

[pinnah]

OP, if you can live with 1095 and you want a good out of the box experience, you might consider the GEC-made Smith and Sons Mudbug. Essentially a high end lock back Sodbuster. I can suggest a more durable knife but it likely won't hit your "quality" criteria.

 

[craytab]

I read his criteria very carefully. I concluded that he's not quite clear on what he's looking for yet, so I asked for clarification.

Yes, I've looked closely at the knives mentioned in the thread and have been not so surprised that so many with pocket clips and thumb studs have been suggested, despite the OP saying that's NOT what he's looking for.

Which of the mentioned knives do you own and are willing to put up for side by each test for "sturdiness"?

Can you suggest some tests for sturdiness?

Nope, I'm not willing to waste anymore of my time on your crusade for the simple fact that you contradicted yourself in your recommendation of a lock back and that I already know your argument on the opinel. I and most others don't agree. The OP won't either. You already know that. Of course now you will say that is not what you were going to recommend. Change the goal posts again. Classic stuff. Really.

You take care now!