Perfect knife for me?

J

JuAln

Joined
Jun 21, 2000
Messages
5
I am looking for a top quality knife. As far as I can tell MOD and Microtech seem to be the best brands for a tactical folder type of knife. While I do not love their prices, I am not scared by them. Here are my needs. I want a slim knife that can easily be carried in my pocket without being bulky, uncomfortable or visible. I want it to be easily opened and closed with one hand, and I want it to be a well machined high quality durable knife that will last and hold an edge. I am not in law enforcement, and god willing I do not foresee needing to use this knife in any kind of a defensive fighting situation. I do like the MOD knives, incluing the new Duane Dieter CQD, but it looks awefully bulky for pocket carry. I would like as large a blade and knife as possible without being illegal or uncomfortable to carry. I have looked at the Klotzli Cristian Wimpff and others online, and they look reasonably durable and well constructed, and are very slim. Does anyone know about their quality? or better knives in their size range? I need ideas for what to buy. Thanks
 
Knife laws differ from state to state (and in some cases city to city) so it is hard to answer that one. I can say the second best practice is not to attract attention and to try to stay out of areas were trouble can be easily found unless you have a reason to be there. Those two are a part of the legality equation when it comes down to some L.E.O.'s. The first best practice is to know what the law is in your area.

All the knives you mention are fine factory knives and there are many more. What would be the main use or purpose of your carry knife. Are straight knives out of the question? Then there is the question of how much do you want to spend. (Might surprise you how great of a custom you could get that come close to high end factory folders costs.) (I have been known to collect and use both types.)

Welcome to the forums. Give us a little more info and you will get quite a few excellent suggestions from the gang here.

Gus

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" I am continually reminded of the rewards of dealing with custom knife makers and the custom knife community." Jeff J.

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 06-21-2000).]
 
JuAln, let me say first of all welcome to the Forums.
My guess is that you're going to get a lot of different suggestions, but the simple fact is until you get your hands on a bunch of different knives, you're not going to know what fits your needs. Try to decide what you feel comfortable spending, there are many good choices in just about every price range. You didn't say where you live so find out just how big you can go, and stay within the law. Spend some time doing some research before you spend your money. Because the final decision will be yours.

If you're a true KnifeNut, the search for the Perfect Knife will be never ending.

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
Homepage: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=254126
 
I live in Norhtampton MA. I do not know what the specfic laws here or, or how I would find out. My main purpose in carrying a knife is for utility. I hardly ever find myself in a situation where I could foresee using a knife for self defense, as I avoid those types of places, however I want a knife that would be useful for such a situation should it arise. I would not carry it on a belt or in such a manner as would be plainly visible. I wear mostly either blue jeans, where is would be carried in a front pocket, or cargo pants, where it would possibly be in a cargo pocket but most likely in a front pocket, to avoid it swinging and hitting em in the leg. Light weight it nice, but not the ultimate goal. Slimness is very important so it is not uncomfortable nor bulky and easily visible while in my pocket. One handed opening and closing is good for the obvious reasons. Automatic opening is out. A good durable blade that will keep a razor edge through repeated uses is desired. A clip so it will be carried upright and not fall to the bottom of my pocket. For these reasons a nice tactical folder seems to be the best match. I just need some suggestions for what is good. Microtech and MOD as I mentioned make the best quality factory knives from what I have been able to find out so far. I bought a Gerber Applegate Fairbairne Covert folder, which I carried for a while. I have since given it to a friend, since I owed him one. I was fairly please with its weight size etc, but there was a problem with the locking mechanism. A small round piece, I am not completely sure of what it was called, broke off of the liner lock. The knife still seemed to function ok, and the blade was still rigid while open, but I could find no way to reattach the piece. If you are not sure of which piece I am talking about, I am fairly sure its primary purpose was to hold the blade closed, but it also had a role in securing the blade open. This breaking may have been a freak thing that happened to my knife, but for this reason I would be hesitant to buy another one. Rarely have I found a knife for which the overall thickness is given, but the Klotzli's have this dimension given on bestknives.com. They seem very thin and lightweight. I notice that their blades are of 440C steel, which although it is not a fancy new alloy, seems to be an old favorite. I did own a knife with a blade of 440C it lasted ok, but was by no means miraculous. The ATS 34 in the Gerber seemed to be tough for the short time I owned it, but I didn't really get a chance to try it out too heavily. I really have not seen or handled many knives, especially not these top of the line ones so I do not know how they are. There are no longer any knife specialty stores in my area, the few there were have disappeared. The Army Navy stores nearby have only junk for the most part. There is no way I can go and handle these knives in person. For this reason I am asking you folks who have had a chance to do so. I would prefer to spend something in the $150-$175 range, however I am not scared of the $220 range. Also if there was something really nice for say $250, that far surpassed all others I would not be afraid to spend it, but I would really rather not. Well, I thiknk my first novel here has gone rather well.
smile.gif
Thats it for now hopefully, I will keep looking and I would appreciate any suggestions.
 
There are more that a few made by Spyderco that might foot the bill also.
Military, Police, Centofante II, Starmate, JD Smith, Shabaria come to mind. A manual SOCOM, The Deiter seems to be a well made knife I like it and it is doing well but it does not meet your slim requirement.
Rekat Carnivor might be a thought. And then you have a gaggle of fine Benchmades.
As Phil said check a bunch out and pick one you like.


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" I am continually reminded of the rewards of dealing with custom knife makers and the custom knife community." Jeff J.
 
Greetings, and welcome to the forums! I'm a big fan of Microtech products. The MT mini-SOCOM might be worth looking into. Slim profile, good for smaller hands, excellent performance 154CM blade. Mike Kyle at M&M Tactical had some with different colored handles (not just basic black). I got one from him with red handle/black blade. It is my new favorite daily carry knife. Check one out, I bet you won't be disappointed.
smile.gif
 
Gus; you had the audacity to say:

And then you have a gaggle of fine Benchmades.
Click to expand...

Since Les has been nice to me lately, and answered some technical questions, I am not going to bring up the word oxymoron.
wink.gif


JuAln; I would second Gus' suggestion that you consider a custom made knife. Many people are quite happy with production knives until they hold their first custom. Then they are faced with one (or many) production knives they need to convert into cash so that they can get another custom.

Go to the front page, www.bladeforums.com ; you will find a wealth of information there under 'knowledge base' things like steel and other alloy types, blade geometry, sharpening FAQ's - all sorts of stuff. Remember, while you have just started thinking about knives, some really smart people have been thinking about them for some time. Their opinions are very valuable (I should admit I've only been interested in this field for a few years, so am pretty much as much a neophyte as you are).

If you click on 'links' while at the front page, you will find your way to almost every knife maker and dealer there is. Custom, production, everything. Happy browsing.

My suggestion? A Kit Carson #16 or #18 folder (difference is in length). They run about $350, but are worth it, as they are lifetime investments. I carry a #18 with CPM 420V steel every day. Smooth, sleek, fits into jeans without a bulge...YEAH!!

Happy shopping, Walt


 
I would reccomend a Spyderco Wenger Jr. It is light, slim, sharp, strong, well made and soon to be unavailable.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
JuAln,

It's like being a kid in a candy store!

There are "numerous" fine blades to pick from! You have your choice of customs and productions ~ and within the production lines you have high-end to cheapo's!

Sit back and relax a while. Cruise this forum and other knife forums. Ask massive questions of all the knife knuts that hang around. Basically, become a sponge and soak up as much info as possible....... Don't be coerced into buyin' something that you may later regret! Like I said......you're gonna see huge quantities of eye candy! Very shortly you'll get this twinge to empty your pockets of frog skins...... STOP ~ TAKE A DEEP BREATH ~ WAIT SEVERAL DAYS......then start looking again!

Just take you're time. I'm with Phil and Gus..... Try "hard" to put your hands on the knives before you buy.... I'm sure that you'd do the same when buying a car.....

Good luck!


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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"

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"I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it."
 
julan, Whitewing makes a model called the Lightwing which has cpm3v blade steel and titanium handles. the knife is under a 1/4 inch thick except where the clip is and at that point the knife is 3/8 of an inch thick. the closed length is 4 1/2 inches with a blade length of 3 3/8 inches. to see one check out my website.

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Chris http://www.members.tripod.com/ctexknife
 
Got to handle some of the White Wings at Blade. That one is one to consider too.
Was great to meet you WhiteWing.
If you are considering a high-end factory knife, like Walt said, you owe it to yourself to think about getting in touch with Kit.
Gus
(Admittedly prejudice towards customs, but I tried to be good
smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 06-21-2000).]
 
In that price range you are also getting dangerously close to affording a Chris Reeve small Sebenza or Umfaan. Also deserving of consideration IMO.

Jack
 
Welcome to the forums!!

Here are the knife laws for your state. Take care.

Massachusetts - Chapter 269, Section 10... (b) Whoever,
except as provided by law, carries on his person, or carries on his person or under his control in a vehicle, any stiletto, dagger, or a device which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife..., dirk knife, any knife having a double- edged blade, or a switch knife... shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two and one-half years nor more than five years in the state prison... except that, if the court finds that the defendant has not been previously convicted of a felony, he may be punished by a
fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction.
- C. 269, Section 10... (b) Whoever, except as provided by law, carries on his person, or carries on his person or under his control in a vehicle, any stiletto, dagger, or a device which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife..., dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade, or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release
device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches... shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two and one- half years nor more than five years in the state prison... except that, if the court finds that the defendant has not been previously convicted of a felony, he may be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction.
- C. 269, Section 12. Whoever manufactures or causes to be manufactured, or sells or exposes for sale, an instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as a dirk knife, a switch knife... or a device or case which enables a locking knife to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife... shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months...
- C. 269, Section 12. Whoever manufactures or causes to be manufactured, or sells or exposes for sale, an instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as a dirk knife, a switch knife or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches or a device or case which enables a locking knife to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife... shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than
one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months...
Massachusetts Case Law:
- "Knives described as 'kitchen knife,' 'folding type knife,' and 'Swiss army knife' may not fall within category of dangerous weapons." (1994) http://www.knife-expert.com

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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive"
 
Any northern state can be tough on knives. Hell you can't even tint your car windows (thank god I live in FL) Go check out a Microtech Mini Socom, you can get one for 100.00 or so now, or look at the MOD Trident. Little bit bigger than the mini socom with a wider slightly longer handle. Both have blades under 4". The only thing is they ride kind of high in your pocket. By looking at it in the pockect there is no mistaking that you have a knife. Good luck!
 
I would put in another recommendation for the soon to be scarce Wegner Jr. This is by far my favorite knife in terms of ergonomics, blade style and finish. I use mine mostly for hunting and camping, but it would be fine for defensive carry. The tip is very strong. The only downside is that it has a shiny stainless steel pocket clip. In fact, if you go to the blade-tech.com website, Tim Wegner discusses the tactical possibilities of the design. Just my 2cents worth.

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Steve
 
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