Need help picking knife

R

Rollin

Joined
Jun 9, 2001
Messages
5
I need help picking a new knife. In the past I've used various Spydercos, a mini-Ambush, and for several years now a Camillus CUDA EDC. When getting a new blade I just cruised forums like this to find something I liked, but there seems to have been a MASSIVE expansion of available hardware since the last time I went shopping. Hopefully you guys can point me to a quality piece of gear.

Price: Under $100, preferably under $75

Blade:
  • No more than 3 inches
  • I like the shape of the CUDA, drop point with a recurve blade
  • No Tantos or serrations

Opening:
  • Slight Preference for studs, but holes are ok. Never tried the 'wave' but would be open to it

Lock:
  • Button on the side. Really nice feature on the mini-Ambush
  • I Would slightly prefer a frame lock over a lockback, but either is OK
  • NO linerlocks. Just can't stand them

Other Stuff:
  • Large clip. The CUDA EDC and Spydercos had decent clips; the mini-Ambush's was small, thin and tended to hang on stuff. It eventually broke off.
  • No AUS 6 or 8 steel. Never seemed to hold an edge for me. Would prefer something harder, but don't know enough about the different steels to say what.:o
  • Thickness. The EDC was nice and thin at 5/16" thick, but the mini-Ambush seemed pretty chunky.

Thank you for all your assistance.
 
Hi Rollin -

I see you've some pretty good ideas about what you're looking for, but i'd encourage you to re-consider AUS8 with Cold Steel's heat treat - it seems pretty good (not that i'm in any way knowledgeable about stuff) to me.

I'm no expert, but i've been slicing and dicing cardboard, lotsa paper and other stuff with my American Lawman and the edge is still (factory) hair-popping sharp. The lock up on it is almost unbelievable - it "clacks" into place with authority and gives me complete confidence. The handle is large (for my medium sized hands) enough for a full-strength grip.

The only gripe i have is it's a little on the large side so harder for me to easily deploy from my pockets.

One of the best things is that it's easily found for around $65.
 
Maybe a kershaw RAM? a little longer than you would like and a short but sturdy pocket clip but a rock solid user knife
 
What about an axis lock?
It would lack the simplicity of a frame lock but i think it is much easier to use (open, close) and probably at least as strong as a frame lock.

Examples could be a mini-griptilian (BM555,556,557, all of them 154cm), mini-ritter-griptilian (558 and s30v), a barrage (BM585, 154cm and assisted opening) or a BM707 Sequel (154CM - my favorite ;)) - i think the scales are terrific but it also feels a lot smaller than the mini-griptilian (although it's about the same size).

I guess the ritter and the sequel would be close to the $100 or exceed them but the others should be at 65 to 80. You could look for all of them at the shop that sells knives that work and use the BM coupon.


The Spyderco counterpart of the griptilian is probably the delica - could be interesting to you, too. I prefer the axis lock and thumb studs. ;)

s_f
 
Lots of excellent recommendations; thank you all.

I occasionally go to places with a specific blade length rules, so anything over 3" is just too much. The Boker's handle looked a little squarish/uncomfortable. Some Benchmades were mentioned, but the pocket clips on all but the griptilian seem to be skeletonized which is what I think caused the last one to break. If the Axis lock is the sliding button that was on the Ambush, it was definitely very handy. Think the mini-Grip w/blue scales is going to be the way to go. It's the right size and the colored grip should soften up it's appearance.

Thanks again; you've been very helpful.
 
The Ambush has a different lock and the clip pictured here differs from the regular BM clips. The Ambush was a red class Benchmade - so the (now discontinued) low-budget BM setup.

I've never had a BM clip break on me and they seem pretty sturdy to me (but i dont abuse them - i clip them to my jeans pocket or IWB...)
If they break or if you lose them or if the paint* goes off you can order a new one from Benchmade for free: section "CARRY-CLIP REQUESTS"

Good luck finding a new knife! :)

s_f

*: BM uses split-arrow clips and its regular clips. The split-arrow clips are parkerized as well as some of the regular clips - the rest of the regular clips are painted which doesnt look that good after some wear. If you ask for new ones i'd advise you to explicitly ask for parkerized clips.
 
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