Sub $50 Spring Assist

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fhetw

Joined
Jan 26, 2010
Messages
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I've been looking to make my first knife purchase, <$50 spring assist to use daily for work. Didn't want anything longer than 3" blade. Through my limited research I've narrowed it down to a Kershaw Leek ($35) and the S&W SwatB ($30). The Kershaw seems to be very popular, but I havent been able to find much on the SwatB. In fact, I couldnt find much on S&W knives on this forum in general. Does anyone have an opinion on either of these 2 or other suggestions?
 
Kershaw Leek = :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I haven't found a S&W knife I wanted to buy.
 
+1 on the Leek.

There's a guy selling Kershaw factory blems in the classifieds here. Some EXCELLENT deals.

I picked up 2 Composite-blade Leeks, $38 each, shipped (they're about $100, new). Only defect is a minor bend toward the tip. So minor it actually took me several hours of inspecting the knife to notice it.
 
Go with the Kershaw. S&W knives aren't that good, they're not terrible, but for that extra $5 for the Kershaw you'll get double or maybe even triple the quality of the S&W.
 
I just bought a kershaw skyline from walmart for 26 american dollars. You can't beat that. I can't wait till it gets here. I strongly suggest the kershaw, i have owned s&w knives and they are not nearly as good as kershaw. I will also suggest a mini mojito from kershaw as it is my current edc, at least until my skyline gets here.
 
Kershaw Leek or Needs Work are great. I think there are also a couple of CRKT models in that price range with assisted opening.
 
I'm firmly in the stay away from SW crowd, and I like just about all of the Kershaws. You cannot go wrong with a Leek, or a Shallot. I really, really like the Shallot. I also really like the Camillus Heat, but I think the quality took a hit when the name was sold a while back.
 
Cant say whats allready been said other than , Kershaw ! :)

Great knives , great warranty , great company , made in U.S.A. ( if thats important to you ).

Tostig
 
looks like the opinions are pretty unanimous. Thanks a lot all, Im gonna buy a blem from that thread, maybe more than one. I guess if anyone else is looking for a similar product or has questions they can continue this thread.
 
I havent bought a blem yet , I hear nothing but good about them sold thru here.


Tostig
 
Any Kershaw Blem from kershawguy would make you a happy guy and make sure you got excellent bang for the buck. Aside from the Leek, make sure to give the Blur a good look...it's a modern classic.
 
Stay away from teh S&W blades they are JUNK I had a S7W automatic blade a while back when I was just getting into blades and the rubber on the handle kept falling off (had to resort to my back yard engineerin skills and glued it back ) and the spring that engaged the blade broke after light use over a year, I know better now and have learned from my mistakes.. Kershaw makes good blades for the money I own a Kershaw Onion and love it...
 
The Kershaw Scallion was my first "real knife", and I was more than happy with it. That was almost 10 years ago and I still carry it! Still locks up solid and keeps a good edge. Kershaw is a great knife with a good price!!
 
Great advice. A Kershaw is the way to go if you want an assisted opener for under $50.
 
I really like the Kershaws, but be aware the Leek is not the most versatile blade shape, and the tip is very slender to the point that I could easily imagine breaking it (not that I have ever done so). The Leek also uses a liner lock that is very slim - while I have never had one fail, it doesn't inspire a ton of confidence for hard use. That said, it's a very well-made, easy-to-carry knife (as long as you're right-handed), and mine have always come to me with laser-like, scary sharpness from the factory.

I know SOG is persona non grata here, and fairly so, but I really like the Aegis as an assisted folder, though it is a little bigger than you are asking about. The black/satin one can be found for less than $50. The Flash I is a good small AO knife, and much less than $50.
 
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