Recommendations for new knife

[ShayM]

I'm looking for a folding knife I could use at work while up on a 12 foot ladder. It should:
- Be very easy and safe not just to open one handed, but also to close one handed... which probably rules out lockbacks, but then I've only used one of those, many years ago, and it might have been a terrible design.
- Good quality and durable enough in case I were to drop it as I can't use a cord. I routinely test new cell phones by throwing them against a brick wall. If it can handle that, I don't need to worry about it. I shouldn't have to give a second thought to whether a knife will break either.
- Be suitably sized for EDC.
- Not too expensive... definitely under $100, $50 or less would be better. I've already lost two knives.
- Bonus points if it has "rescue knife" features ie safe seatbelt cutting and window breaking, but this is not required.
- Nothing that screams "weapon" or is likely to be confiscated (I live in Canada) so no switchblades, flick/gravity knives, assisted openers, or overly aggressive looking mall ninja knives.

I used to have a benchmade mini-griptilian which was fantastic. If not for the last point, I'd probaby just get another one of those. I wasn't aware when I ordered it that customs might have seized it. Fortunately they didn't, but I ended up losing it anyway. Before that I had a kershaw leek which might be questionable too, but it was free. I really miss my mini-griptilian... so easy to open and close in under a second with little effort.

In the meantime I have a Victorinox "soldier" SAK which is horrible to open, and a Kabar which is obviously not meant for EDC lol

 

[Slowstarter]

Leatherman Expanse e33b. Great steel, superb one hand opening and screwdrivers to!

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

When I was reading your post I was thinking Griptilian. But if you don't want one of those then how about the Kershaw RAM? Has a flipper that works great as well as a great lock that is easy to close. Slightly bigger than a mini grip but it has a choil which makes it feel bigger in the hand than the handle length suggests.

Edit: It might be too aggressive looking to you. Some online stores will tighten down the pivot so it doesn't open as easy so it might pass customs 'tests'. There is also supposed to be a good Canadian store called warrior and wonders so you don't have to deal with customs.

 

[R.H.Clark]

Is it not possible to just use a simple Stanley retractable blade utility knife? IMHO even though it isn't very cool it would probably be safer for you and anyone on the ground.

 

[ShayM]

Leatherman Expanse e33b. Great steel, superb one hand opening and screwdrivers to!

Interesting idea, I didn't realise Leatherman made normal knives also and that puts them on the list (I never use 90% of what they put on a multitool)

When I was reading your post I was thinking Griptilian. But if you don't want one of those

Oh, but I do...

There is also supposed to be a good Canadian store called warrior and wonders so you don't have to deal with customs.

For now I think I'll see what's out there, but it's good to know I can have another without worrying about confiscation. Thank you for the link.

Is it not possible to just use a simple Stanley retractable blade utility knife? IMHO even though it isn't very cool it would probably be safer for you and anyone on the ground.

I absolutely hate those things... I've never broken a pocket knife blade, but I've broken several utility blades. I don't feel safe using them.

 

[peacemaker482]

+1 on Warriors and Wonders. I have ordered from them and they are great. Sounds like you need an endura or a delica. You can have them waved too and that makes them easier to open with one hand since it opens on the draw.

 

[savagelh]

I would read over the canadian knife laws again if I were you. We are definately allowed assisted openers. Just no push knifes, balisongs, switchblades or knives that open with only centrifugal force. You are definately allowed another griptillian. Also you may want to check out anything spyderco esp. endurance (about $55)

I just bought a CRKT folding razel and am very impressed. I'm an electrician and this blade is just about perfect for me other than being a little large in the grip but its very comfy in the hand.

 

[GingivitisKahn]

Becker Necker:
* in your price range
* tough as nails
* doesn't look as though a mall ninja would lust for it
* 0 handed opening (though you probably ought to use one to draw it)
* it's a Ka-Bar you *can* EDC

 

[ShayM]

You are definately allowed another griptillian.

Well then if I get one I will just order it from within Canada as I have heard of them being confiscated at customs, and Warriors and Wonders seems to sell them.

Also you may want to check out anything spyderco esp. endurance (about $55)

I'm really going to have to try Spyderco knives in person to see if I like the holes, and especially the lockback.

I just bought a CRKT folding razel

That one looks very interesting and I may get one later for other uses, but not as a main knife.

Becker Necker:

Ah but it's not a folder.

Sounds like you need an endura or a delica. You can have them waved too and that makes them easier to open with one hand since it opens on the draw.

What do you mean by waved? Actually the opening part isn't as big of a deal as closing is, simply because easy to open knives are very common. I just have to pick one that has a thumb stud or a hole. Safe and easy one hand closing is another matter.

 

[the lone gunman]

Go to Lowes and pick up a SOG Flash . Big , very light , Just a flick with your thumb will open it,Thumb release to close. Awesome pocket clip. Its not real popular but its what I carry most when no ones looking .

 

[peacemaker482]

The wave is a opening feature normally found on emerson knives (great knives, tough not for every task due to their grind) that allows the knife to be opened as you draw it from your pocket. Its faster than an auto and its totally legal in Canada. It works like this: there is a small hook near the base of the blade that catches the edge of your pocket as you draw, opening the blade in a single motion. So basically you have a folding fixed blade in your pocket. Its really great but since its patented by ernest emerson, you can't have it on every knives. The only ones besides emerson knives are the spyderco endura or delica. And a wilson combat knife made by fox cutlery. If you want to see it in action go on the emerson knives website, there is a video. Bye the way, the endura or delica are really easy to close one handed because the lock release is in the middle of the knife not like a buck 110. As I will always say: you can't go wrong with spyderco. Benchmade is great but i'm not a fan of the axis lock. Pm me if you want a almost new mini griptilian 555HG. I'm looking to get rid of mine.

 

[ShayM]

It works like this: there is a small hook near the base of the blade that catches the edge of your pocket as you draw, opening the blade in a single motion.

I'd rather not have that feature to be honest. Legality aside, I'd find that annoying most of the time.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I second the Emerson. I'd go with a CQC10. It just screams utility.

 

[A.P.F.]

Just grab a Grip at W & W. All the AO knives are legal in Canada and there is also a Customs ruling to that effect.

 

[ShayM]

I stopped by Warriors and Wonders and tried their Spyderco knives. They seem well made, and the opening hole works a lot better than I expected it to, on par with thumb studs. The lockback completely ruled them out though, as I was expecting. One handed close just wasn't happening.

I did end up buying a Honeybee for my keychain, but I suspect I'll end up choosing another mini-griptilian. After having visited the store in person, I think I should have added "not black" to my list of requirements, and a curved blade. I like a fairly round tip, which is another point for the griptilians.

 

[Planterz]

Any of the FRN handled lockback Spydercos can be closed one-handed easily enough. Hold the handle with your index finger close to the end, push the lock, and a flick of the wrist drops the blade. There's enough choil/ricasso to hit your finger that the edge doesn't. From there, just move your fingers out of the way and flick it closed.

But being in Canada, any knife that can be easily flicked closed can just as easily be flicked open and could therefor be illegal and confiscated. An AXIS lock Benchmade might be more appropriate, because you can at least tighten the pivot down so it's not freely flickable, but you can still closed it with one hand easier than a lockback.

 

[goodeyesniper]

There are several ways to easily close a good back lock one handed.

You can often just hold the knife horizontally, edge down, press the lock and let the blade fall partially down due to gravity, then finish with your hands.

I also often use my leg to push on the spine of the blade when closing it. Just depends what I'm doing. All of these motions are second nature and can be done quickly and efficiently. I definitely wouldn't rule out a good back lock.

 

[Jason B.]

Check youtube for all kinds of ways to close a spidie 1 handed.


+1 waved endura or delica.

 

[ShayM]

I did look for those videos before I went to the store, and tried doing it that way. For whatever reason, it didn't work for me.

 

[Jason B.]

All knives need time too break in, its also common that you must adjust the knife for proper pivot tension.