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Chucksw40

Joined
Jun 15, 2008
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Ive been looking around and I just cannot find what I'm looking for. Granted, I probably have not looked hard enough. Here is the general specs of what I would like to purchase.

Tip Up Carry
Frame/Liner maybe axis lock
3-3.5" blade
Under $150

Basically, I really like the para-military but I don't like tip down carry at all.

Any recommendations are appreciated, thanks a ton for looking.
 
Spyderco Sage

S30V Steel
Liner lock
Tip-Down, deep wire clip carry
3-inch blade
Carbon Fiber scales
~$90-$100

The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have a backspacer. That's all.
C123_L.jpg


http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=332
 
All from benchmade:
Axis locks
HK series 14205 - 3.5 inch blade - 120 US*
HK series 14200 - 3.4 inch blade - 115 US
HK series 14010 - 3.0 inch blade - 100 US
BM520 - 3.4 inch blade - 115 US * (presidio)
BM707 - 2.97 inch blade - 93 US * (mchenry and williams sequel)
BM710 - 3.9 inch blade - 100 US * (mchenry and williams)
Blackwater 16707 - <3 inch blade - 80 US (appears to be a 3 inch 710)
BM615 - 3.45 inch blade - 143 (smaller ruckus) *

Liner locks
BM 913 - 3.6 inches - 100 US (also, there is a mini nitrous stryker, like 3 inches) *

* indicates a knife that I personally own. I own some others that dont fit into your requirements so I didnt bother listing them.

as for benchmade, really all of them are quite good, eh, some of them are ugly as sin so personally I wouldnt buy them, I also refuse to buy a knife with a deployment hole, I prefer thumb studs. Also, I really dont recomend the 913, its assisted opening with studs only, and um, I really dislike assisted opening unless its a flipper because I really, really dont want my hand to be anywhere near a blade that is being opened by anything other than force I am directly applying to it. But hey, maybe thats your thing, but for me, the lack of control scares me, I want my fingers far far away.

If you can go auto, go with the 5000 presidio. I really like autoaxis and the ones I get to test out when I go visit relatives always impress me, but I cant even own them in my state and Im a good little boy D:

But really, if you can find it, I have to recomend the microtech socom mini elite manual, 3 inch blade, great lockup, 150 US IF you can find one. Ive got the larger manual one and its one of only 3 knives I own that arent benchmade and honestly, if it didnt cost 200 dollars I would probably own two. I got lucky and got one new in box for like 175 because I knew a guy and got employee discount. Not a big fan of microtech designs, but the socom manual is really, really good. I just feel its a gyp that you can get an auto socom for 250 =/

I realize that this probably wasnt the most helpful post in the world, eh honestly when I first started buying knives I had a really, really hard time chosing so I just bought every one that looked good to me. Since tip up carry seems like a big deal to you, I would go with the 710d2 just because the extra length despite being very light is really nice for situations that you seem like you want to be prepared for. Also, I dont really know brands other than benchmade since their designs appeal to me so much and I havent really seen anything else that I can afford that is better than their designs.
 
Kershaw leek is my blade o' choice and it has a modifiable clip for tip up or tip down i love the damn thing and on some models you can get this odd sort of bumpy serations which cut like a dream and ittl only run you about 30-50 depending on the style this is mine

KE-1660CKTST.jpg

"tear" sniff so good
 
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There are SOOOO many options that it really becomes a matter of personal aesthetics, what design calls to you. If you like the Paramilitary then I'm guessing you like a decent-sized handle and a wide non-recurve blade, as well as G10 handles (but allowing for a frame-lock means those aren't required). Ruling out all the good lockback options, and remaining within your price point, the first knife I think of is the Ti/ZDP Kershaw Mini-Cyclone (price in link is way high but it has good pics)

http://www.mdtactical.com/kershaw/minicyclonetizdp.html

Of course that's IF you can find one, which is hard to do nowadays. Or if you are willing to go with a liner-lock and more pedestrian steel choice, regular minis and full-size Cyclones are readily avalable. And they all have tip-up/down carry options.

Another knife that might fit the bill is the Kershaw NRG, which although the blade is not as wide as the Para, has a lot going for it:

http://www.kershaw-knives.net/Kershaw-NRG-2-Ener-G2-1745.htm

this has a really cool flipper mechanism, if you like flippers, and it's easy to replace the handles with something else if you want to and are reasonably handy with tools.


If you can live with a recurve blade, the Kershaw Lahar is top-quality too

http://www.knivesplus.com/kershawknifeke-1750.html

Not trying to pimp Kershaw alone, but these come to mind.



However I've gotta agree with P Mcmanis about the Microtech mini-socom elite manual - I've had one for several years now and nothing seems to knock it out of my pocket for very long. but they are tough to find.
 
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These have all been mentioned, but I'll give each of them a second. The Spyderco Sage, the H&K 14205, and the Kershaw NRG should all fit within your specs. The 14205 may be the absolute strongest of the three all 'round, but the Sage is going to feel better in your pocket (at least, mine does).

I haven't held or used an NRG, but they look like a good solid user. A Kershaw Blur in S30V might also be a good choice. It has the blade length you want. It's an A/O knife with a slight recurve to the blade and the pocket clip can be changed to tip down if you want.

A couple of other choices that haven't been mentioned would be the Al Mar Nomad or SERE. The Nomad will be a 3" blade, the SERE will have a longer blade. Both are set for tip up carry and both have VG10 blades. They are available for just under your $150 price limit.

Personally, I'd take the Sage first and probably the 14205 second.
 
Kershaw RAM. Fast, tip up, very functional blade shape. Not quite the lock you specified, but very good nonetheless.
 
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