So, what's "the knife" right now?

[average gimp]

The opinion of someone who clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. CRKT has plenty of bad knives, but the Squid is not among them. Neither is the Eros, the Ripple, the No Time Off, the Carajas, the Hootenany, the Eraser, or the Swindle, to name just a few.

After this experience, I don't need to know. CRKT made nothing but total crap when the incident occurred, and I don't care to know anything more about their folding knives. The Minimalist is a good design with a remarkably good sheath for a factory knife, and is lightweight and cheap enough to be disposable in a defensive situation. That still doesn't make it a good knife, nor would I use it for any other task.

 

[brancron]

After this experience, I don't need to know. CRKT made nothing but total crap when the incident occurred, and I don't care to know anything more about their folding knives. The Minimalist is a good design with a remarkably good sheath for a factory knife, and is lightweight and cheap enough to be disposable in a defensive situation. That still doesn't make it a good knife, nor would I use it for any other task.

[Edit: removed argumentive language because arguing won't get us anywhere!] Well you might want to give them another shot, at least the ones I've mentioned.

I have owned hundreds of knives, from $5 Sanremus to $1000 customs, and I'm telling you that many of CRKTs knives are excellent. I know what I'm talking about, I promise!

Second bonus photo:

 

[CSSA]

I would vote for the Benchmade 940, 940-1, or 943. All three are similar, very light, compact, and capable knives with a blade just under 3.5 inches. Next I would put the Emissary 3.5. The Emissary is a little bit heavier and a little larger, but is still light and small enough for EDC. All four have sleek and functional designs as well as great steels and sturdy handle materials.

 

[FW JSB]

I think there's so many good options now, across many brands and price points, that it's hard to say one knife is "The Knife."

 

[FW JSB]

Don't care so much for current trends, Benchmade 940 is the current knife for me. Spyderco just barely ranks above Cold Steel IMO...Too much of the same sameness.

Well, I can disagree with that one right now, and no offense intended; Cold Steel is junk compared to most Spyderco models, not to mention their stuff is made in China. Just this man's opinion.

 

[FW JSB]

And people say the PM2 isn't overrated or over hyped. All I say to that is lol.

My opinion for "the knife" right now is a Ontario rat 2. I don't own one but I would say its a matter of time is all.

It's weird when someone gets a chubby for a knife of all things. A politician, a mediocre quarterback, stupid law, ok, but a knife?

 

[FW JSB]

It's the griptilian, and has been for awhile

Too much plastic for my tastes. If you want to stay at this price point, though, Kershaw makes a lot of U.S.-made knives that seem to get overlooked for some reason. The Blur is a good example, as is the new Camber or any number of other models. Good quality, affordable and useful.

 

[FW JSB]

It was a VERY nice gesture which is coming back to haunt you...every two weeks. For this coming Christmas, consider this... I bought a few of the "Greens" and passed them around...seemed to work okay. I carry one in my wallet. You can shop around at our dealers...see who has the best price on "a few.."
The link shows the product lineup...
http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Diamond-Card-Sized-Sharpener-P19.aspx

FWIW: I ALWAYS seem to come back to PM2's...love these things...even in basic S30V.

Any knife I can carry in my wallet is not the knife for me.

 

[FW JSB]

The opinion of someone who clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. CRKT has plenty of bad knives, but the Squid is not among them. Neither is the Eros, the Ripple, the No Time Off, the Carajas, the Hootenany, the Eraser, or the Swindle, to name just a few.

Bonus photo of an Eros:

A handsome knife, to be sure, but made in downtown Beijing. Sorry, but no cigar.

 

[craytab]

Well, I can disagree with that one right now, and no offense intended; Cold Steel is junk compared to most Spyderco models, not to mention their stuff is made in China. Just this man's opinion.

First, where something is made is not an opinion. It is a verifiable fact. Second, your "opinion" is wrong. Most of Cold Steel's stuff is made in Taiwan. May want to fact check a bit before you make such abrasive statements.

 

[brancron]

A handsome knife, to be sure, but made in downtown Beijing. Sorry, but no cigar.

Made in Taiwan (as are Spyderco's highest end models), but regardless, I don't understand your sentiment. Does it have any bearing on the actual quality of the knife in question? What if I told you it was made on the moon?

 

[fsatsil]

Well, I can disagree with that one right now, and no offense intended; Cold Steel is junk compared to most Spyderco models, not to mention their stuff is made in China. Just this man's opinion.

Most Cold Steel folders are made in Taiwan not China. I've never been a Cold Steel fan either but lately they have really stepped up their game with the tri-ad lock and new blade steels and IMO they are now pretty much equal to similarly priced knives from any of the other big companies like Spyderco, Benchmade, Kai....etc.

 

[Topcatpt]

Well I think the pm2 is still one of if not the most recommended knife on here still.
Also you still hear the vic cadet mentioned alot.
as for the cold steel thing I agree with fsatsil. For the similarly priced knives cold steel has stepped up their game good lock,good steel,good geometry as for the country where their made well that is what it is. Taiwan produces some very good quality knives, some people dont buy stuff made over seas thats there perogative and choice nothing wrong with that either.

 

[cchu518]

Most Cold Steel folders are made in Taiwan not China. I've never been a Cold Steel fan either but lately they have really stepped up their game with the tri-ad lock and new blade steels and IMO they are now pretty much equal to similarly priced knives from any of the other big companies like Spyderco, Benchmade, Kai....etc.

I checked out their lucky slipjoint it was made in Italy. Great ff, if it didn't have the clip it would be my edc.

 

[Moxy]

Spyderco. It doesn't matter which one. The Hole wins and Sal is too cool.
rolf

This.
I have a feeling the Gayle Bradley 2 will be the new "The Knife" for me.

 

[ourgon]

PM2 is for sure knife to consider as edc if:

- you like spyderhole
- you want 3,5" blade with some better steel than Aus8
- you expect from edc: cutting, cutting and more cutting, mostly food

But here are plenty good knives in some aspect better than PM2.

BM 551, 940 and 710 are iconic trio since ~2002.

Endura4 is good and cheaper than PM2.

CS Code4 CTS-XHP can be very good edc with some more durability.

Sebenza 21 is elegant edc for everyone with $400 to spare for pocket knife.

CQC7 is knife and pry bar in one.

In Europe Manly Comrade is more and more popular.

etc...

Better question - which knife from newest productions will join to the list of the most popular folding knives - BM 710, PM2, Griptilian, Endura, Police, Sebenza, BM 940 etc.

 

[whitty]

In our shop right now the top 10 biggest selling folders over the past 3 months in order are:

ZT0452CF
ZT0562CF
Kershaw Knockout
Benchmade Mini Grip
ZT0801
ZT0900
Benchmade Grip
Kershaw Link
Southern Grind Spider Monkey
Kershaw Blur

The only reason the Para II is not on the list is because we can never get enough in to match the others. When we do get them in they sell out the fastest! Read in to that however you want!

Keep in mind with this list, that outside of a few DPX exceptions, we only sell knives made in the USA!

 

[FW JSB]

First, where something is made is not an opinion. It is a verifiable fact. Second, your "opinion" is wrong. Most of Cold Steel's stuff is made in Taiwan. May want to fact check a bit before you make such abrasive statements.

Nothing abrasive about it. I stated my opinion and stand by it. If you take offense to someone's opinion about a knife, perhaps you are too close to the subject to have a clear view. If I'm wrong about where the knives are made, then I stand corrected. I still don't care for Cold Steel products, based on ones I've handled.

 

[FW JSB]

Made in Taiwan (as are Spyderco's highest end models), but regardless, I don't understand your sentiment. Does it have any bearing on the actual quality of the knife in question? What if I told you it was made on the moon?

My experienced is based on handling them at a local retailer. I've no issue at all with Taiwanese-made knives and own several of the Spyderco models you referred to.

 

[22-rimfire]

Spyderco Delica and Endura are probably two of the most recommended knives in the last 10 years and going strong.
The Buck 110 is still recommended a lot. Sometimes I wonder why, but it is often recommended for an outdoors knife.
Kabar Becker BK-2. Not recommended as much these days.

The Spyderco PM2 is still one of the most recommended knives today.