Sub 3.6” Closed – Tanto or Combo Knife for Cheap?

[TripleB67]

I think I’ve finally decided that my first +$50 quality knife is going to be the Spyderco Chaparral. Unfortunately going with a $100 knife means I’m going to have to wait for my wife to give me the knife for my birthday (June). The upside is that I can pick up another cheaper knife to go with my Rat II, Cryo, Pazoda II, and Robin II while I wait.

In looking at the knives I have, it seems I’m missing a Tanto blade and also a Combo blade. So I first started looking to see what knives are available under $30 that get great reviews, are under 3 5/8” closed, under 3 ounces, and offer either a Tanto Blade or a Combo Blade.

In that process I came across the CRKT 5510K KISS 2.25” knife for $27 that offers all of the specs I was looking for and it comes with a combo blade that is also tanto.

http://www.crkt.com/KISSK?srch_pid=126&child=126&search_id=1506768

Does anyone have any experience with this knife? If so, what are your thoughts?

Are there any other <$30, <3 3/8” closed, <3 ounce, tanto blade, combo blade, or both, knives you would recommend?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

TripleB67

 

[simioh]

If you're just looking to round off your collection then go for it and get the KISS. I haven't owned one so I don't really know how it'll preform, I'm also biased because I don't like combo edges or tantos.

My third or fourth quality knife that I bought was a Griptilian with tanto and combo edge, I really liked it at first and was very impressed with the quality but after a couple of weeks of carrying it I didn't care for it anymore. The good thing is that you can trade it or sell it if you don't like it.

What Chaparral are you going with? You can't go wrong with Spyderco.

For a cheap tanto I would recommend the Kabar Kharon, I have the Baconmaker (same knife different bladeshape and color) and it's a pretty nice overall knife for the price.

 

[TripleB67]

What Chaparral are you going with? You can't go wrong with Spyderco.

The standard G10 one right now: https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=672

Thanks for the input!

TripleB67

 

[Lycosa]

I have a Sampson KISS in my pocket today.
For BASIC cutting, it's all you need.
rolf

 

[TripleB67]

I have a Sampson KISS in my pocket today.
For BASIC cutting, it's all you need.
rolf

Great to hear!!!

I see Gerber also has something very similar for the same price: http://www.gerberknivesdirect.com/ridge_45898.html

TripleB67

 

[Lycosa]

Thanks.
My buddy carries that^ little Gerber.

 

[Colorodo]

http://kershawguy.com/products-page...-knife-with-bottle-opener-paracord-accessary/

 

[strategy9]

I'd say skip the combo edge... They serve their purpose, but on larger blades, where there is room to share space. 99% of daily cutting tasks are more then adequately taken care of with a (sharp) straight edge, and on a blade that small, the real estate just isn't there to share. You take away so much from your edge for just a couple serrations, and then lose the benefit of both more then you gain.

Get yourself the non combo K.I.S.S. or a Cold Steel Micro Recon (no clip) and stick it on your key chain, and you got a great tiny tanto to round your collection.

Buck Mini Bones is another cheap little option if you really want a little clippable option.

But then you don't have a Wharncliffe-esque either, now that Cold Steel Mini Tuff starts looking more attractive...

 

[strategy9]

I'd say skip the combo edge... They serve their purpose, but on larger blades, where there is room to share space. 99% of daily cutting tasks are more then adequately taken care of with a (sharp) straight edge, and on a blade that small, the real estate just isn't there to share. You take away so much from your edge for just a couple serrations, and then lose the benefit of both more then you gain.

Get yourself the non combo K.I.S.S. or a Cold Steel Micro Recon (no clip) and stick it on your key chain, and you got a great tiny tanto to round your collection.

Buck Mini Bones is another cheap little option if you really want a little clippable option.

But then you don't have a Wharncliffe either, now that Cold Steel Mini Tuff starts looking more attractive...

 

[morvlorv]

how about the kershaw/emerson CQC-7K collab?

This is a tanto blade and here are the specs...

Blade length: 3.25 in
Closed length: 4.5 in.
Open length: 7.75 in.

 

[Kwon Kwang]

Try the Buck Bones. It's a great knife. I sold mine, but I want another one!

 

[Valdezrl]

If you can find this one on eBay or other site you will not be disappointed....http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1985ST-Serrated-Folding-SpeedSafe/dp/B010KBQQJM

3.6" blade, solid handle and great blade shape. I had to sharpen mine up a bit, but have been happy with it from the day I bought it.

 

[Knave]

I'm with strategy9 on the issue of the combo blade. In my experience, serrations are a love them or hate them thing. Personally, I hate them. YMMV, of course.

 

[Velitrius]

My son uses the Kershaw Brawler. BHQ has one with an LED flashlight for under 30 bux.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Brawler-Pack-Assisted--32195

 

[hermit dave]

Cold Steel Micro Recon 1

They go for about twenty-twenty five bucks online. Pound for pound, the strongest folder on the planet.
MICRO RECON 1 TANTO POINT
Specifications:
Blade Length: 2"
Blade Thickness: 2.5 mm
Overall Length:4 3/8"
Steel: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless with black Tuff-Ex™ Coating
Weight: 1.1 oz
Handle: 2 3/8" Long. G-10 Griv-Ex™ Style

 

[ThePeacent]

Kershaw took this design and made one of their knives, but the original HARNDS Nyx is hard to beat for a smallish (reverse) tanto combo folder,

best G10 in the Chinese folders market

Assisted opening, sharp out of the box

nice durable coating, agressive saw teeth and solid lockup.

I bought 2 of them for less than $20 shipped.

[/IMG]

 

[Velitrius]

Peacent, look at side-by-side images of that Harnds and a Kershaw Brawler...

The slabs are identical. Wonder if the price is identical.