Please help me choose the right knife!

M

MattG293

Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
5
Hello!

I previously owned a Kershaw Duojet, but the screw that holds the slabs and the blade together seems to have randomly fallen out and has gone missing, so...time for a new knife.

As I’ve been researching, I’ve found a few features that I’d really like to have on my next knife. And I’m hoping someone can help me find a knife that meets these requirements (if it exists!).

I’d like:
  • Assisted Open
  • Flipper (not front)
  • Deep pocket carry clip
  • Tip Lock (not sure if that’s Kershaw’s name or the industry name)
  • Frame lock
  • Smooth action
  • Good hardworking steel, not top of class
  • The more “Gentleman” looking, the better
  • 4” blade or less
For all intents and purposes, the Kershaw Onion Leek fits most of the bill. And barring any suggestions, that is probably what I’ll end up with. But, I have a hunch something better exists. Plus, I don’t love Kershaw’s billboarding, not to mention my last experience with Kershaw is the reason I’m knife shopping again.


Thank you so much in advance. Cheers!
 
Can you add a budget you'd like to stay in to your list? That should help narrow down the answers you receive to stuff that's actually viable.
 
A budget would be helpful but those are narrow requirements. The "Tip-Lock Slider" is that little safety doodad on the Leek and the Scallion. I don't know that it was used on very many knives. Here are all the frame-lock versions of the Leek over on BHQ:

https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Kershaw-Leek-Knives--401#/filter:lock_type:Frame$2520Lock

My office carry for years was a fancy Leek. I grew to hate the Tip-Lock Slider. It was an extra step for opening. At least on my Leek, it was also a necessary step. Otherwise, the flipper could get pressed in pocket just enough to expose the tip without triggering the assist. It could hang out and I caught my finger on it once. :eek: Not having the Tip-Lock was part of the reason I retired my Leek in favor of the Dividend.

Now for the real question. How committed are you to assisted opening? In other words, have you experienced the joy of a sweet manual action?
 
Kershaw makes several models of assisted framelock flippers but most are the same quality as the duojet
 
M MattG293
If the only issue with the duojet is a missing screw, why not simply replace the screw? If you just want another knife, buy all means get one... but don't use a missing screw as your excuse.
 
Fixall said:
Can you add a budget you'd like to stay in to your list? That should help narrow down the answers you receive to stuff that's actually viable.
Click to expand...

Doh! I forgot to add that. Sorry, folks.

I’d love to stay below $100, but I’d probably go up to $150 or possibly $200 if it’s “the perfect knife”! Thanks!
 
hhmoore said:
M MattG293
If the only issue with the duojet is a missing screw, why not simply replace the screw? If you just want another knife, buy all means get one... but don't use a missing screw as your excuse.
Click to expand...

You’re right! But as I started looking, I realized I could use this as an opportunity to upgrade a bit. Plus, this Duojet has opened a few times in my pocket which is an experience I’m not too keen on.
 
Chronovore said:
Now for the real question. How committed are you to assisted opening? In other words, have you experienced the joy of a sweet manual action?
Click to expand...

I would say I’m not, but rather I am inexperienced. I really do like the flipper, as I’ve never been very good at using thumb studs. I really like being able to open with one hand using the flipper. So, if you’re telling me that there is a smooth, manual open flipper out there that does the trick, I’m very interested! :)
 
The Brad Zinker designed Boker Urban Trapper.

Not assisted, but it doesn't need to be. It's an IKBS ball bearing flipper.

Frame lock, deep carry clip, very gentlemanly and light enough that it will ride just fine in suit or jeans.

VG-10 steel is hard working yet easy to maintain.

Comes in a variety of sizes and configurations, one of which is sure to suit you.

https://www.knifecenter.com/series/boker-knives/boker-plus-urban-trapper
 
If you have to have assisted open, Kershaw Dividend Composite, $80. It's a liner lock, though. If you really want assisted, Kershaw is probably your best bet short of upgrading to a Benchmade or ZT.
Kershaw-Dividend-Assisted-Opening-Olive-Composite-1812OLCB-BHQ-105989-jr.jpg

For manual, how about Ruike P135
Ruike-P135SF-Wharncliffe-Gray-Satin-BHQ-75907-er.jpg

Real Steel Flying Shark,
Real-Steel-Flying-Shark-CF-SW-RS7821-BHQ-70461-jr.jpg

If you consider manual, there are a lot more choices for a frame lock flipper.
 
Velitrius said:
The Brad Zinker designed Boker Urban Trapper.

Not assisted, but it doesn't need to be. It's an IKBS ball bearing flipper.

Frame lock, deep carry clip, very gentlemanly and light enough that it will ride just fine in suit or jeans.

VG-10 steel is hard working yet easy to maintain.

Comes in a variety of sizes and configurations, one of which is sure to suit you.

https://www.knifecenter.com/series/boker-knives/boker-plus-urban-trapper
Click to expand...

Wow. That looks very promising. Thank you! I’ll have to dig into it a little bit further. You mentioned that the action is smooth enough, I won’t miss the assisted open. Will I need to be concerned about it opening in my pocket accidentally? That happened with my previous DuoJet a few times and I didn’t care for it! :)
 
Flippers have tabs sticking out so they are more susceptible to opening in pockets then knives without. But with an assist spring a slight bump can engage the spring an open it a lot further in the pocket. And a good flipper doesn't need the assist to open anyway.
There are tons of options but for a cheap classy flipper I really like my kershaw 4037. I carry it more for office duty than my urban trapper (which is great) just bc it's smaller
 
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This knife meets almost none of the criteria that you listed, but it won't fall apart. You will probably be stuck with this one for a long time.
s-l300.jpg
 
MattG293 said:
I would say I’m not, but rather I am inexperienced. I really do like the flipper, as I’ve never been very good at using thumb studs. I really like being able to open with one hand using the flipper. So, if you’re telling me that there is a smooth, manual open flipper out there that does the trick, I’m very interested! :)
Click to expand...

That's good a thing. This is a good time to be getting more into knives. There are tons of great knives with smooth manual flipper actions out there. Thumb studs are okay with a good manual action but flipper tabs are my preferred way to open a knife. With a proper detent, it shouldn't open in your pocket. If you are carrying with the knife clipped tip-up in your right pants pocket, you'll have additional protection.

Your budget opens up a lot of possibilities. Since you mentioned being inexperienced, I'd recommend exploring the world of quality budget knives. Refine your idea of "perfect" before you sink over $100 into a knife. The reality is that you can take a huge step up in quality from the Duojet and get a great EDC knife without going much over $50. For instance, the Ruike knife recommended by Hackenslash Hackenslash is right around $50. If you are open to liner locks, which I think are fine in a quality knife, then you'll get a lot of great options from companies like Ruike, Bestech, Kizer, and Civivi.

Civivi is arguably the leader in budget knives right now. Spend a little time window shopping. I have no reservations in recommending any of their knives. Here are all the Civivi knives at BladeHQ: https://www.bladehq.com/cat--CIVIVI--3293
 
MattG293 said:
Wow. That looks very promising. Thank you! I’ll have to dig into it a little bit further. You mentioned that the action is smooth enough, I won’t miss the assisted open. Will I need to be concerned about it opening in my pocket accidentally? That happened with my previous DuoJet a few times and I didn’t care for it! :)
Click to expand...

Never had an issue. You shouldn't either.
 
Kizer Envoy: 90 bucks
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Envoy-Frame-Lock-Knife--52475

Titanium framelock
Deep carry clip
Quality s35vn blade steel
Ball bearing pivot so it's super smooth, no need for assisted with this

CIVIVI Asticus: 80 bucks
https://www.bladehq.com/item--CIVIVI-Asticus-Liner-Lock-Knife-CF--109012

Liner lock
Carbon fiber handle covers
Deep carry clip
Beautiful damascus blade
Also on bearings, no it's not assisted either.

You'll find that in the $100+ range there are less assisted knives. The tolerances are better. So most will open easily without it.
 
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I strongly recommend getting away from the assisted opening and move towards a knife platform designed for safe and easy 1-handed open and close.

I have several assisted knives and I like them, however the propriety locking mechanisms on a Spyderco or Benchmade are flat out superior....especially Spyderco.

A gentleman's knife typically is a smaller and slender knife with a clean appearance. They also are not as functional, safe, or practical.

Fundamentally, a gentleman's knife is a polite knife, that wont alarm people in an office setting, or among polite company, such as at church.

My one recommendation is the Spyderco Lil Native. Despite the size, you're gonna have a full grip due to the choil. You can open and close one handed without fighting a spring and the Lil Native can be hard used up to the limits of the steel.

$126

Screenshot_20200617-170136_Chrome.jpg
 
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