Need help getting a real knife

W

White.

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So I have carried knives for a while now. Before recently I thought those knives at WalMart were just good knives. So I have carried a bunch of junk knives around, and thought that it would be normal for me to need a new knife every few months after they started falling apart. So what I need help with is finding a new knife, I'm aiming for like a 3.5 inch blade and looking to spend anywhere from 40 to like 75$.

I was at a knife store in my area but everything was very expensive and I'm not sure what I'm looking for. While i was just trying the different locks to see what would be best suited for me. Silly me i only thought there was 2 types of locks before but there are a bunch. The only type i didn't like was on a Benchmade branded knife, Despite it being much more expensive then i was willing to pay i did not like that I don't know what you would call it, the lock that's like a pin going through the knife and you have to pull it. I just didn't like it. After looking i liked the liner lock and the bigger liner that is part of the handle, sorry I'm not sure what its called. I also did not care for the lock back i tried it on a cold steel american model I think that was its name, and it just seemed very hard to close or maybe my hands are just weak lol.

All i really use my knife for is general purpose things. Nothing too hard duty I mostly like to carry it just for the "In case I need it, Its better to have it and not need it" kind of philosophy. Just in case something needs to be cut or opened, food a package or god forbid someones life.

Im looking for i guess a larger sized blade? I called my local police station and they informed me that the law prohibits a locking folding blade that is more then 4 inches in length, my last knife witch was a flea market no name brand was right about 3.5 inches and it felt like a good size, i didn't like the serrations on the blade though they felt like they just ripped stuff and didn't cut.Hope you guy can help me out.
 
One of the Benchmade Grips, Kershaw Skyline, Spyderco Endura or Delica. All should be in your price range if you buy from one of the better internet dealers.
 
Whitedog said:
One of the Benchmade Grips, Kershaw Skyline, Spyderco Endura or Delica. All should be in your price range if you buy from one of the better internet dealers.
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I dont think he would like the grip since he said he does not like that lock.
 
You have frame locks - liner locks - lock backs? Yes all kind of locks.
Why a lock if you are just want to carry for light use?
You need to get you a nice slip joint knife (yes it locks, just a different type) and carry it.
In your price range - and I know after carrying it and using it, that you would like it.
Then you could save your dollars and get a real nice "Liner Lock" or "Flipper"?
Some were in the price range of $500.00 and up < You would really know the difference in quality.
 
Pocketknifesheaths said:
You have frame locks - liner locks - lock backs? Yes all kind of locks.
Why a lock if you are just want to carry for light use?
You need to get you a nice slip joint knife (yes it locks, just a different type) and carry it.
In your price range - and I know after carrying it and using it, that you would like it.
Then you could save your dollars and get a real nice "Liner Lock" or "Flipper"?
Some were in the price range of $500.00 and up < You would really know the difference in quality.
Click to expand...

What kind of a slip joint?
 
I would look at a few different companies.

Spyderco tenacious, spyderco endura.

Kershaw should have some good ones in your range.

Ontario Rat 1 it's also highly regarded.
 
The one with the pin is the Axis lock.
The "Lock Back" on the Cold Steel is actually the Triad Lock and much harder to operate one handed than a Lock Back.
The lock you like that is like a Liner Lock but part of the handle is the RIL(Reeve Integral Lock) or Frame Lock.

In your price range, I would say to pick up the Kershaw Junk Yard Dog 2.2 Composite Blade. The JYD 2.2 is a manual flipper with no assist.
Or pick up the Kershaw Rake Composite. The Rake is Spring Assisted but if you don't like that feature you may be able to remove it.
Both should be able to be found for around $75. They have a good steel and a D2 cutting edge.
Best bang for your buck in the price range and right around the size you mentioned.

A great option in your price range would be to go to Kershaw Guy(www.kershawguy.com) and get the Kershaw Speedform 2 at $75(the blade is a little under 3.5" at 3.25") with Elmax super steel, manual thumbstud knife with G-10 handles and a Liner Lock. Elmax is a great steel and this knife may be your best option for bang for your buck if you don't mind the blade being just a tiny bit shorter.

Anyways good luck with your search!
 
White. said:
What kind of a slip joint?
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Slip joints are traditionals like Case knives.

I'd recommend just browsing through some spyderco or kershaw knives to find what you like. You should find plenty in your price range and you can't go wrong with pretty much anything they offer.
 
White. said:
What kind of a slip joint?
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I would say "CASE" to start with - Why? good knives - lots of choices - and as you carry a knife?
There will be memories? You and the knife - you using it.

The knife will even have memories? When you've carried an than pass it on to someone else.
They I think fill that in the knife?
I have one from my granddad and I can just imagine him using "THAT" knife.

Know what I mean?

Welcome to Bladeforums! White
 
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I'm talking work oriented slip joints here:

Case, Great Eastern Cultery, Buck (US Made ones), Boker (The German Made ones), Queen Cutlery, Victorinox.... those are good slip joint manufacturers.

If you want a cheapie, but a goodie: It's hard to beat a Case Sod Buster, Case Sod Buster Jr, Buck 300 series


Leathermans are good options, but some are locking and some are not.
 
I'm obviously new to the forums, and even knives in general. However, I have done some extensive reading on various knives and I suppose for your price range my recommendations would be:

Kershaw Blur - S30V (Got mine for $74)
Buck Pro Vantage
Spyderco - Native
Spyderco - Endura
Kershaw - Leek

To name a few. I'm sure other more experienced members would have a much better list however! I hope you find what you need!
 
White. said:
What kind of a slip joint?
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My favorite slipjoint is my Douk-douk, it cuts wonderfully and is quite strong. Only like $25-30, too. For a locking knife in that price range I like the Endura4 FFG.

endura4ffgdouk_zpsa6f7805a.png
 
There are a lot of options in your price range, while some of these knives are slightly shorter than 3.5, I think they would work well for you. None of these have the Benchmade axis-lock you didn't like.

Ontario Rat 1
Kershaw Blur
Kershaw Skyline
Spyderco Tenacious
Buck vantage Pro (large)

These are a few popular knives that would be in you price range, and have close to the a 3.5 blade length, also all of these knives have a liner lock.
 
BladeChick777 said:
The "Lock Back" on the Cold Steel is actually the Triad Lock and much harder to operate one handed than a Lock Back.
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^This. You were probably looking at an American Lawman. The Tri-Ad locks on the Lawman and Recon 1 series are notoriously stiff when new and take a good bit of time to "wear in." Most lockbacks are not like this, even Cold Steel's Voyager series, which has the same lock. Not sure why this is, but it's a known issue. Just don't let the experience dissuade you from buying a lockback if that's what you finally decide you want.
 
G. Scott H. said:
^This. You were probably looking at an American Lawman. The Tri-Ad locks on the Lawman and Recon 1 series are notoriously stiff when new and take a good bit of time to "wear in." Most lockbacks are not like this, even Cold Steel's Voyager series, which has the same lock. Not sure why this is, but it's a known issue. Just don't let the experience dissuade you from buying a lockback if that's what you finally decide you want.
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Oh alright, I didn't know that they had a different type of lock back. I'll keep that in mind
 
What do you guys think of Columbia river knife and tool? I'm looking at the m21 04g online ad it looks like a nice knife for 40$. Pretty big but under 4 inches had a liner lock I think. I just don't know about quality
 
White. said:
What do you guys think of Columbia river knife and tool? I'm looking at the m21 04g online ad it looks like a nice knife for 40$. Pretty big but under 4 inches had a liner lock I think. I just don't know about quality
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I had a couple CRKT M16s, -14D and -13 somthing. They are okay but the liner seemed kind of thin. The blade seems pretty heavy for the thinnish liner, mine had a tiny bit of vertical blade play. The AutoLAWKS system shouldn't bother anyone, some people seem to have a problem with it but I never found it an issue. The flipper is quite fun. The higher-priced models seem to have better fit and finish than the lower-priced models. The AUS8 steel wasn't that great as far as I can remember.
 
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