Pick a Winner for Me.

J

jemelby

Joined
Feb 20, 2005
Messages
280
I'd like your suggestions, please.

I have my own ideas about what I'm looking for, and have found a couple knives that fit the bill. Ultimatly, my own "feeling" will pick the right knife. But I'd like to fish here a bit and see if there is a model I might have missed. Here is the criteria for what I need:

  • 2.85"-3.15" blade length.
    S30V steel (because I don't have one yet)
    Handle Materiel (in order of pref): G10, CF, Micarta, linen, Al.
    Action Pref: Auto(VERY prefered), AO, Manual.
    Plain Edge only
    Non-Coated only (brushed or blasted is OK)
    Price: $200 or less.
What do I need it for: General pocket carry. This will be my "treat" to myself prior to my next deployment. I get issued an M9 for hacking, and carry a BM 9053 as my primary. This will be a pure utility knife for opening MREs, cutting 550 cord, and generally fidgiting with.

Knives I own and like are:

  • Kershaw K.O.s. I know, they have cheap steel, but they have a heck of gadget factor that has not worn off since I bought my first one 18 months ago. I carried a Leek on my last tour, and it held up fine. And I enjoy sharpening anyway.

    Al Mar Falcon Talon. I just love the lines of this knife. The action is a bit stiff, and the knife overall is too light, but it has decent steel, and has held up very well. Pretty Pretty.

    BM 5093SBT. I don't really "like" this one. I would not have chosen it for myself. It was issued. I've heard it described as a "brick with a blade", and that is accurate. It sits in a sheath on my LBV, and that's where it stays. It has a snappy spring, and holds an edge quite well, but I just don't feel connected with it, and it gives me no pleasure. Also, the serrations and black coating are worthless for my applications. A PE Mini reflex would be more my speed.
I know alot of you prefer the very excellent knives from spyderco. While they are arguable some of the best knives available, I have never liked their lines, and have removed them from consideration. I have only ever owned their lower end models.

Thanks for your comments!
 
wow, that's pretty specific :)

honestly, i don't think you'll find an automatic with g10 handle and cpms30v blade for under 200........not happening.

maybe you'd like a Protech Godson or a Benchmade benchmite 3100, or something similar?

from your description i can make that you have a thing for gadgety knives, auto's and ao's.....so my advice would be to check out the line-ups of these brands: protech, dalton, benchmade, whitewolf, microtech, piranha, lone wolf, camillus cuda, kershaw, paul chen,.................

hope this helped at least something :confused:

d
 
Laser: Thanks for pointing out the Avalanche. I see some venders list it as S30V, while others claim it is 440V. The Kershaw site is down, so I can't check there. Six is half a dozen on either of those. Both great steel. I don't know for a fact, but I think they are the same thing. Both made by Crucible, at any rate. This is just the info I am looking for.

Dennis: You're right about the gadget-ness. I 'd like something well made and clever if I can get it at that price point. I've investigated every maker you listed. Some previously, and some for the first time. Again, just what I am looking for. thanks
 
lasersailor184 said:
Well, the kershaw Avalanche has better steel then all the rest. It might be something you want to look at.
Click to expand...
I've been looking a bit more at this knife.

I'm realy liking it. It's too bad that it seems to come only with the TiNi coating. I wonder if there is a solvent or treatment that will remove that?

Has anyone ever tried to polish it out?
 
A Microtech UMS would probably do you nicely. Aluminum handles aren't very high on your list, but the UMS has grip inserts if traction is why you want G10. S30V steel, 3.4" blade, automatic.
 
if you like gadgets try to find a protech magic. I love the one I have but if you haven't handled the knife before you better make sure you understand the instructions. :D
 
Planterz: Bullseye. The UMS was on my pre-post (is that an oxymoron?) short list. I would rather go smaller than larger than the length citeria I posted, and at 2.5 inches, I wish the UMS Mini came in S30V. Also, the UMS is a bit chunky. Sorta like the BM AFO. Exactly the type of suggestions I am looking for. Thanks

Kam: I went and looked at the magic on their site. That sounds like just the sort of gadget I would like. And it's right at the edge of my pricepoint. Thanks.
 
How about a Benchmade 705 or 707? May not have the steel you want or be an auto but they're darn nice. If you can find a Mel Pardue Auto by BM that may suit you fine too :)
 
FoM: Thanks for the suggestion. I considered another BM. But I don't really connect with the BM 9053SBT I'll already be carrying. I'm really stuck on the S30V steel. 154CM is great steel, but I already own some :-)
 
jmelby,

Micarta is linen (with epoxy), and my understanding is that G10 is just a synthetic fabric instead of cotton, so I don't know if there's really that much difference.

I too would suggest the Microtech UMS but it is larger than you want. I don't know if there are many automatics out there with blades that short.

If you're willing to get a non-assisted knife you'd have plenty of choices....Spyderco Paramilitary, Naitive II, Benchmade RSK MKI (A.K.A. "Ritter Grip"), but only the Naitive II would fall into your blade length requirement.

I'm sure there are a few knives out there that will fill all your requirements, but I can't really think of even one.

Happy shopping!
 
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