Need help picking a Spring assisted knife for Father-in-law

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ctf58

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Oct 13, 2015
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My father-in-law is wanting a spring assisted knife Sub 3.5" for Christmas. He is not a huge fan of liner locking folders. I have a budget of about $75.

Looking at the SOG Aegis Mini

What else is out there meeting the criteria

Sub 3.5"
No liner lock
$75.00 or less


Thanks
ctf58
 
Kershaw Speed Bump is discontinued, but still available some places for around $30. Blade is just a hair over 3 1/2 at 3 5/8", but it has a very interesting locking mechanism and good blade steel with a snappy assist.
 
Kershaw Scrambler... Great all around knife at about half your budget, and just the right size...
Checks every box: from style & design, to form and function...
*a very traditional look to it too, nothing Tactical or "new age" to it... If that matters.

*with the money saved on many of the suggestions here, you can also pick him up a victorinox classic To compliment his new flipper.
 
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Kershaw Knockout
Kershaw Shield
Kershaw Amplitude 3.25
Kershaw Cryo 2
 
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I don't want to assume too much but maybe he doesn't want a frame lock either? Are you hoping it will be completely ambidextrous and thus looking at lockbacks and axis type locks? Or just axis type as you mentioned? Spring assisted is kinda a limiting factor so with that budget you're pretty much looking at sog and kershaw.... If you can find a kershaw dimension that would be pretty cool, titanium handle, button lock, spring assisted flipper.
Otherwise stick with the sogs if you really want that lock type.
 
SOG twitch xl is a nice slicer in your range, (non framelock)

Also, a little above the budget, but Buck makes one in the avid line called the paradigm with a sandvik blade, (a step up from their standard 420hc, also has a pricier s30v blade model)... It's A "Bolster lock"... I almost ordered one up a couple different times, but never pulled the trigger, so i can't comment on Buck's a/o action or the lock design, but who doesn't respect the name "Buck", esp. those who have limited knife knowledge...
 
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The Speed Bump is probably available on the Bay or the A way below your budget price. It's a good deal for the materials and stud lock system used. But both the blade style and stud lock take a little practice to get the full benefit of the design. Sometimes the stud lock can be a little sticky but it smooths out pretty quick with use.
 
Sorry, but the SOG Aegis is rubbish. I'd take an assisted opener from Kershaw any day of the week over a SOG. That said, you aren't going to find many solid and good quality assisted openers under $75 that aren't linerlocks or framelocks. If your father-in-law can deal with a framelock (of sorts), I'd recommend the Kershaw Knockout. Sandvik 14C28N steel, American made and way better than any SOG assisted opener. Otherwise, I'd say increase your budget and get him a Benchmade Barrage.
 
+1 ^^^
I have a few spring assists, Kershaws and Benchmades, and the Benchmade is by far the better knife.
Keep an eye on the Exchange.....they come up quite often at great prices.
 
I gave my dad a composite blade leek for his birthday, great little knife. The composite d2 blades one is a framelock.
 
Thanks for all the replies, it is greatly appreciated.
The reason for no liner locks is because he has one and cut his thumb pretty good closing it. A framelock with a flipper might work because the flipper will help "remind" him to move the thumb out of the way when closing it by placing the spine of the blade against his leg as he moves the locking mechanism. That was how he cut his thumb the fist and second time! All I can say is he is an old dog that can't learn new tricks real fast.

This will be his EDC and get abused on the farm. Don't want to spend to much, it took an entire day looking for his wallet after it fell out while cutting trees. That is why the budget is what it is.

He will want a knife that can cut rope, small branches out of the way on a trail or help field dress a deer at the barn. He keeps a honing rod at the barn, so something that he can run across it a few times to straighten the edge during field dressing would be a plus.

Again many thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
ctf58
 
Are autos legal where he is? A button lock would work well. The Kershaw Launch knives are all great, I'm partial to the Launch 2. I'd probably buy him the Launch 1 though.

If the auto won't work I'd forget about the assisted open and go with a very easy to open manual lockback like the Spyderco Native 5. The lightweight one is in your price range, opens very easily with the spydie hole, has a lock back that he'll feel right at home with and a finger choil that will keep his digits attached. Great knife.
 
Kershaw Scallion Framelock! Great knife and if your Pops is like mine he will love it!
 
The Kershaws look like it might be a little slippery when wet?? Not very much to help hold your grip if it is raining or bloody dressin an animal out.
Is the Kershaw Speed Bump hard to sharpen on a flat stone with that extra curve??
If I am wrong let me know because I've never handled a Kershaw.

He wants a assisted open because he has never had one and yes auto's are illegal here.


Again many thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

ctf58
 
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