Reccomend assisted opening

M

monkfish4

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
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I own a few high-end autos that I just don't want to carry arround and use as an EDC.

I would like to try an assisted opening knife for an EDC, and have narrowed down to these three:

1 SOG Flash II

2 Camillus Heat

3 Kershaw Leek

I would like to get all your opinions about these knives, I have never even handled one, so all responses are welcome.

There may be other brands of assisted openers that I have left out, so feel free to add them to the list as well. I like a blade lenght longer than 3 inches, that is why I left out the Sizzle, Twitch and Scallion.
 
The handle on the Heat feels really cheap to me, wasn't impressed with the spring strength on the SOG, and I love my Leek. Just my opinion.


Adam
 
I have handled a lot of assisted knives and a Kershaw Leek with G10 handles and S30V steel would make a nice choice. The g10 handle on this one is real nice. Kevin
 
I would go with the new leek or the old one. the new one has an s30v blade which makes it superiour to the previous model. Either one is great and will work for what ever you need.:thumbup:
 
Out of those three I like the leek the best. The heat felt like junk to me, and I like the sog, but the leek functions better.
 
monkfish4 said:
There may be other brands of assisted openers that I have left out, so feel free to add them to the list as well. I like a blade lenght longer than 3 inches, that is why I left out the Sizzle, Twitch and Scallion.
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First of all, my thoughts on the three you mention:
  • Sog Flash II: handle has an odd shape and squarish section, and seems bulky compared to the rather slim blade. The opening spring on mine is sufficient, but could use a bit more "snap". The blade is kinda small and thin, but came extremely sharp, and has always cut very well. The lock release isn't very southpaw-friendly, if that matters to you. However it has a reversible, very deep carry clip: no handle at all shows when it's in your pocket.

  • Camillus Heat: my favorite of the three. Fairly beefy high-ground blade, came very sharp and takes a great edge. The AO action is very positive, but you must use the flipper; the thumbstuds are difficult to use, and are mainly there as blade stops. The handle seems a bit small, and is very light, but in my experience is very sturdy and extremely comfortable in the hand. If you're one of those folks who think a Spyderco Endura is flimsy because of the zytel handle, you probably won't care for the feel of the Heat either, but if not, it's worth a look.

  • Kershaw Leek: Very slim, very thin; excellent AO action, but like the Heat, only with the flipper. Nice pointy blade, and comes freakishly sharp like most Kershaws, but the semi-wharncliff profile has virtually no belly for slicing. The original metal-slab handle can get slippery, and there's not much handle to hang onto anyway; the new G-10 handled version is better in that regard.

Now, a couple of my favorites you might consider:
  • Camillus Dominator: Everything there is to like about the Heat, but with solid titanium handles and S30V blade steel. :thumbup:

  • Kershaw Blur: My favorite of the Ken Onion designs so far. (Haven't gotten around to trying a Bump yet, though...) Much more substantial than the Leek, with an excellent recurved blade, grippy handle inserts, and one of the few Onion AOs that can open easily with the thumbstuds. I love the red aluminum handles, but it's also available in more subdued black or gray, or with a tanto blade grind, if that floats yer boat.
 
Gryffin said:
First of all, my thoughts on the three you mention:
  • Sog Flash II: handle has an odd shape and squarish section, and seems bulky compared to the rather slim blade. The opening spring on mine is sufficient, but could use a bit more "snap". The blade is kinda small and thin, but came extremely sharp, and has always cut very well. The lock release isn't very southpaw-friendly, if that matters to you. However it has a reversible, very deep carry clip: no handle at all shows when it's in your pocket.

  • Camillus Heat: my favorite of the three. Fairly beefy high-ground blade, came very sharp and takes a great edge. The AO action is very positive, but you must use the flipper; the thumbstuds are difficult to use, and are mainly there as blade stops. The handle seems a bit small, and is very light, but in my experience is very sturdy and extremely comfortable in the hand. If you're one of those folks who think a Spyderco Endura is flimsy because of the zytel handle, you probably won't care for the feel of the Heat either, but if not, it's worth a look.

  • Kershaw Leek: Very slim, very thin; excellent AO action, but like the Heat, only with the flipper. Nice pointy blade, and comes freakishly sharp like most Kershaws, but the semi-wharncliff profile has virtually no belly for slicing. The original metal-slab handle can get slippery, and there's not much handle to hang onto anyway; the new G-10 handled version is better in that regard.

Now, a couple of my favorites you might consider:
  • Camillus Dominator: Everything there is to like about the Heat, but with solid titanium handles and S30V blade steel. :thumbup:

  • Kershaw Blur: My favorite of the Ken Onion designs so far. (Haven't gotten around to trying a Bump yet, though...) Much more substantial than the Leek, with an excellent recurved blade, grippy handle inserts, and one of the few Onion AOs that can open easily with the thumbstuds. I love the red aluminum handles, but it's also available in more subdued black or gray, or with a tanto blade grind, if that floats yer boat.
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Great post. You weren't put off by the Heat's handle? Love the ROBO spring action, but the handle makes it feel like a toy to me.

Adam

Edit: I love the handle of my Endura.
 
Gryffin said:
First of all, my thoughts on the three you mention:
  • Camillus Heat: my favorite of the three. Fairly beefy high-ground blade, came very sharp and takes a great edge. The AO action is very positive, but you must use the flipper; the thumbstuds are difficult to use, and are mainly there as blade stops. The handle seems a bit small, and is very light, but in my experience is very sturdy and extremely comfortable in the hand. If you're one of those folks who think a Spyderco Endura is flimsy because of the zytel handle, you probably won't care for the feel of the Heat either, but if not, it's worth a look.
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Love my Heat, a typically well done/thought out design by DR, the handle is solid with the dual nested liners and a great loud thwack when opening.

The only thing I didn't like was the pocket clip, that was helped by installing a fold-over clip from a well known knife kit website.

Absolutely no problems recommending the Heat to other knife lovers.
 
I like the Heat and the Kershaw whirlwind and blackout. The heat is faster because of the finger flip gaurd but as i have stated before assisted opening is more of a novelty than a necessity and a neck knife or boot knife clipped inside the pocket or under the shirt is not only stronger but much faster in a defense or casual cutting situation. I have never cared for switchblades or autos either but will admit i used the kershaw whirlwind everyday for at least a year and found it convenient.
 
A fairer comparison would be the Blaze and the Leek, since they are closer in size. Why not a BM with a AXIS lock? They are lightning fast, or as mentioned above, the Apparition, although the scales are a little slick. They open very fast. You flick the thumb switch and keep you thumb out of the way.
 
korbiaka said:
You weren't put off by the Heat's handle? Love the ROBO spring action, but the handle makes it feel like a toy to me.

Edit: I love the handle of my Endura.
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Huh... makin' a liar outta me, huh? ;)

Maybe it's just me, but I really like the Heat's handle. I don't have real big hands, and it does seem a little small compared to the size of the blade, but it feels very good to me; more than I expected, in fact.
 
BenchmadeNut said:
Don't forget about the benchmade apparition! I love the 4 that i have.
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I've got one, too, and I love it!

I hesitated to recommend it, though, because some folks really don't like the "faux kudu" handles (they feel to light compared to the rest of the knife, but provide TONS of grip, and look very cool), and because I've heard a few too many reports of dodgy lock-up (although mine is solid as a rock).
 
pageophile said:
The only thing I didn't like was the pocket clip, that was helped by installing a fold-over clip from a well known knife kit website.
Click to expand...
I was considering the same thing for mine. Do the screw holes line up, or did you drill new ones?
 
If you need an AO knife you need a Kershaw. They have the best out there!!!

I would for sure grab a G10 Leek with S30V from Kershaw. :thumbup:
 
My favorite would be SOG. I have a Trident, a Flash II tanto, and a Flash II spear point. All great knives for the money, and they've handled everything I've thrown at them so far. The Trident actually gets carried as much as my Benchmade 710.
 
Gryffin said:
I was considering the same thing for mine. Do the screw holes line up, or did you drill new ones?
Click to expand...

They line-up perfectly :D Not too sure why, but I'll caulk it up to DR being a really smart fella ;)

Make sure you get the silver one, I know that one fits.


Take care,
 
I can only speak of the SOG as I had a Twitch II and the spring wouldn't bring the blade out unless it was loosened to the point of serious blade play. The spring actually broke after a month or so. The lock was weak as well. I didn't even bother sending it back for repairs; I just got rid of it at the surplus store after I took out the broken spring. Unfortunately, it left me a bit sour with their knives.
 
I too collect autos that I don't want to carry. My choice is the leek, got one in my pocket right now. I think you will like it.

NP
 
Thanks for all your responses. I thought about the Dominator, but I need a carry "work" knife. If I payed the asking price for the Dominator, it would sit in my drawer with my many other nice knives.

Through careful consideration, I think I will get all 3 and decide what I like the best. I can get them for a good price from my wholesaler but have a $100 minimun. That will cover the cost of all 3 pretty much, as long as I don't get the fancy optional finishes.
 
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