*Updated- found one!* Looking for a nice tactical knife around $100 with conditions

S

soghog

Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
25
Hello again all,

Let me preface this by saying I was on a quest to find a good Karambit, but after a trip to the surplus store today, I think I am going to shift my interests.

I went to the store looking for a Karambit. The guy didnt have any in stock but there was a uniformed officer there who was extremely knowledgeable about them. Pretty much could recite the entire history and all the pros and cons. He recommended I find a different knife because even if I was in my right to use it, an attorney would destroy me in court. Being a criminology student, his reasoning made sense.

Anyways, enough story time, on to purchasing options :D

He recommended a Cold steel AK-47 because of its durability and usefulness. It was also under 100 at this store. I was looking at a few other models but I am not really finding what I want.

I want a large durable folder that has some sort of assistance mechanism. Whether it be wave design or the arc assist that is on my trust SOG pentagon Elite. Steel quality needs to be adequate. At the end of the day its going to be mostly a tool but SD is always a consideration. No real preference on blade style.

I like my sog but I have some money to spend so I am really open to anything as long it is sharp, solid and reliable.
 
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i would recommend something spyderco.

a spyderco police 3, endura 4, the new spyderco black g-10 persian, spyderco chinook, the spyderco military etc...

all big knives, very reliable and strong. they dont have any assist mechanisms though.
 
If you can find one, get a Kershaw Spec Elite. It's got g10 scales and an S30V blade. It's assisted opening too. It doesn't open quite as fast as some of the other assist knives, but it's reliable and quiet. I personally like the funky lock on it too.
 
The Zero Tolerance 0350 seems to fit the bill perfectly: assisted, very durable/well-built, excellent blade steel (S30V), and backed by one of the best warranties in the business. The MAAP is $112, but you can often find them for less than $100 on eBay or on the Exchange section here.
 
Benchmade 890 Torrent, Nitrous Assist $109 classy

Benchmade 580 Barrage, Axis Assist $110 faster than nitrous bigger knife

+1 on Zero Tolerance 0350

Google them :)
 
I'm getting pretty disenchanted with AO-flipper-type folders, and I've gotten rid of most of mine- but having said that, if I was looking for an AO folder at that price I'd still go with Kershaw/ZT-the ZT 350 is rock-solid, as are the Kershaw Junkyard II Composite Blade and the Spec Bump- all Kershaws are excellent IMO and their customer service is great. And for $100.00 you have no reason not to buy something made in the U.S.A., and pretty much all the better Kershaws are U.S.-made.

BUT.....if you can find an AO Benchmade for around $100.00 -DO IT!!!!
BENCHMADE RULES!
 
I have had a spyderco before. It was nice but the tip broke when I was cutting a plastic bottle. I am interested in the Endura 4 wave and the zt 0350. Is the endura easy to open? I have read that a lot of people don't like cold steel and a lot think its a piece of junk. Any thoughts on that?

As far as AOs go, I had a kershaw for some period of time before my friend lost it. I liked it but I am not sure how I feel about the mechanism. My sog has been great, steel isn't bad and that arc lock is QUICK. Flick it open, flick it shut. I have a family member who just gives me sogs whenever there is a holiday or a bday so I am a little tired of them but they work well.
 
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I don't have a waved Endura, but I do have a bunch of other Enduras (it's one of my favorite knives), and they're very easy to open using the spyder hole. It really is one of the most simple, foolproof opening mechanisms out there. So even if you don't get the hang of the wave feature, you still have the hole to ensure easy, reliable deployment.

As for Cold Steel, the negative comments about them tend to be directed at their rather over-the-top marketing, not the quality of their products. There's also some debate over how good a value for the money their knives are; criticism here tends to focus on their use of AUS-8 steel and the availability of knives with better steels at a similar price point to the Recon/Lawman/AK-47. (I'm just trying to briefly summarize what's been said about Cold Steel in response to the OP's question -- I really don't want this thread to turn into yet another heated debate about the company.)
 
soghog said:
I have had a spyderco before. It was nice but the tip broke when I was cutting a plastic bottle. I am interested in the Endura 4 wave and the zt 0350. Is the endura easy to open? I have read that a lot of people don't like cold steel and a lot think its a piece of junk. Any thoughts on that?

As far as AOs go, I had a kershaw for some period of time before my friend lost it. I liked it but I am not sure how I feel about the mechanism. My sog has been great, steel isn't bad and that arc lock is QUICK. Flick it open, flick it shut. I have a family member who just gives me sogs whenever there is a holiday or a bday so I am a little tired of them but they work well.
Click to expand...

hard to believe unless you were stabbing or using it like a hammer. Keep reading...;)
 
I understand about cold steel. I agree, a flame war is not needed :D. I really like how the AK was such a big heavy knife with the skull crusher- er pommel at the of it. The spyderco I had didn't feel as tough, especially after the tip broke. I wasn't applying that much torque on it either. Anyways. Considering the price I suppose I could get a waved endura and an AK and carry whichever I like more on that given day. I carry a gun 90% of the time I go somewhere so I am not exactly depending on the knife with my life. I just need it to be there that 10% when I can't carry.

Where do you guys reccomend buying whatever knife I end up going with?
 
If you have a conceal carry permit and the reason is for back-up self defense there are lots of small fixed blades, like the Spyderco Street Beat or Ka-Bar TDI for weapon control. Street Beat is about $110 - $115 with a G-clip for IWB or belt through carry w/variable positioning.

If you're wanting self defense, a pointed tip and extreme slicing ability the Street Beat is great - unless you're fighting robots or something. :)

Any of the Spydercos, like the Endura 4, Military, Police 3 are wicked tactical folders. I believe, that if you're wanting a knife to pry wood with the tip, be fast, and very sharp for slicing through a coat, clothing and flesh it's not happening.

You're going to need a keychain crowbar for your prying and buy something like one of the above or a small fixed blade.

No one knife does it all - hard use stabber - a wicked slicer and assisted opening? Good luck. :(
 
here is a nice young lady giving a quick review of a spyderco endura, you can see how it is opened/deployed.

i dont know about the knife throwing part though.

[youtube]c8_rHvdeMng[/youtube]
 
Consider the Emerson CQC-8. It's waved and once you master the deployment your set right out of the pocket.

CQC-8003.jpg
 
I don't think you would break the tip of a Spyderco Chinook and they are very rugged and easy to open. Other option a Zero Tolerance ZT 0200.
 
If you're set on keeping it under $100 I'd have to steer you in the direction of the Spyderco Endura with the Emerson Wave feature. Model number C10PGYW.

You'll find it all day long on fleabay for 70 dollars plus shipping.

It's as good as it gets for that price point + all the features you're looking for.

BTW, if you really liked the the Cold Steel AK 47, it can be had for far less than the C-note you set as your limit. KnifeCenter.com has them for around $50 with aluminum scales.

But I'd really encourage you to at least hold an Endura before you decide.

Whatever your decision, let us know what you pick out and review it for us. I feel somewhat invested at this point.:D
 
You guys have put forth some really good points. I really like the big brutish nature of the AK-47 but it seems like the endura is a superior knife. As a result I think I am just going to get both. I can't decide between one or the other and I will undoubtedly put them to use. I am an ROTC guy so the next few years should give me plenty of chances to really put the quality to the test.
 
Endura wave or ZT 0350(should be under $100 on eBay). The Endura wave itself should be everything you want in a tactical knife: Light, long, fast opening, and at a price point where it's easily replaceable(around $70). However, I personally find the thing to be TOO light if there is such a thing. It feels like I'm holding a pencil in my hand rather than a knife.

Now the ZT 0350 is more heavyweight and fills your hand better. It also leaves me with the impression that I could shove it through a car door. Plus, the novelty of flipping the blade open and closed never really quite gets old.

Maybe it's just me, but I generally find that a good hard use knife also turns out to be a good "tactical" knife, if not typically sold as the same thing.
 
soghog said:
You guys have put forth some really good points. I really like the big brutish nature of the AK-47 but it seems like the endura is a superior knife. As a result I think I am just going to get both. I can't decide between one or the other and I will undoubtedly put them to use. I am an ROTC guy so the next few years should give me plenty of chances to really put the quality to the test.
Click to expand...
I think you'll be very happy with this combination. :thumbup:

Also, you asked earlier about where to get the knives online. Prices are pretty similar around the 'net (~$70 for each knife), so just go with a place that has good service and has both in stock (Knifeworks, Knifecenter, etc.).
 
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