What knife am I looking for...?

roguesoul · Jun 15, 2001

The CF Spearpoint is flat ground.
The steal in my WH Kestel is so
sharp I call it my little scalpel.
For $166 the CF Spearpoint is easly
the best bargin and will be the
next knife I buy.
As for QC of BM I own three and all
are very good. If you would like
a fixed blade the BM Nimravus Cub
in M2 is an excellent all around
knife.

Originally posted by Professor X:
Good call roguesoul!

That CF Spearpoint sure does look sweet! Is it a flat-grind? Would like it just a liiitttle bit longer, but I could probably overlook that

I've not heard of William Henry knives before. For that price, I would assume that they make good quality knives, but perhaps others could chime in here?

Thanks,

Matthew

Starfish · Jun 15, 2001

medusaoblongata -

William Henry knives are excellent quality, but they're definitely gentleman's knives, and you wouldn't want to use one nearly as hard as you would any of the other knives mentioned.

What is meant by a gentleman's knife? One that is suitable only for very light cutting tasks, due to (lock strength, blade steel, etc.), or a knife that could be used well, even heavy use, if not for the fact that one might scratch the knife, and thus, ruin the "refined" look?

Otherwise the decision between a 735 and LCC would be a tough one without getting the knives in your hand first. The LCC will should have better fit and finish, and can be had with CF scales; the 735 is lighter and has the Axis lock.

I will definitely be trying both in the hand first before deciding! What kind of scales does the LCC normally come with? Looking at this <a href="http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/images/microtech/mt-lcc-ma-all.jpg">picture</a>, what scales are on these LCCs?

Thanks, and no you guys aren't making this decision any easier

Matthew

[This message has been edited by Professor X (edited 06-15-2001).]

NIB · Jun 15, 2001

Originally posted by Professor X:
What kind of scales does the LCC normally come with?

The LCC normally comes in carbon fiber scales which is the kind in the picture on the link. They also come in micarta scales which personally I find more appealiing.

The LCC is an excellant knife, you won't be dissappointed.

Starfish · Jun 15, 2001

You guys are really getting me excited about this search again! I was starting to get a bit pessimistic about finding the right knife, but apparently I was not looking hard enough!

Now stop it before I have to sell my firstborn!

Matthew

Paul Work · Jun 15, 2001

Welcome to the forums. My advice would be to save your money and buy the Sebenza. A truly awesome piece.

Paul

Starfish · Jun 15, 2001

Thanks for the welcome, Paul. As I stated above, however, I have already owned and sold a large Sebbie. So it's not exactly an option right now for me (especially since I know what my wife's reaction would be...

)

About the LCC - does this blade have a flat grind or something else?

Matthew

rdangerer · Jun 15, 2001

My favorite production folders in your stated niche:

Benchmade 710 and 800.
Spyderco Starmate & Wegener.
Microtech LCC.

rdangerer · Jun 15, 2001

Originally posted by shootist16:
The Al Mar SERE 2000 is also a great knife. There were some reports of spine whack failure, but here again these appear to be exaggerated. More people say it locks up like a bank vault than not.

Some of the early reports were very, VERY true. I know. I was a disappointed SERE 2000 owner for a few weeks. Startlingly easy whacks on rubber mouse pad and it folded up so fast I couldn't believe it. First of probably 40 production folders I'd ever owned that didn't pass. It's Gone.

I think this was more of a QC issue than a design issue per se. I.e. mfg tolerances must have lead to poor lockup.

Greatly exaggerated? No. The few of us who were unlucky were probably vocal though, those that got good ones were just happy and theirs locked up fine.

Originally posted by shootist16:
More people say it locks up like a bank vault than not.

More people than not is how far past 50%? What percentage of spine whack failing knives from Al Mar would be an acceptable percentage? 5%, 10%? That sounds like a QC problem to me.

It really just speaks to probabilities... you have a probability of getting a SERE 2000 with spine whack problems, not a guarantee. If you get a bad one, but like the knife otherwise (I had other issues with the sharp thumb stud and liners myself), send it back until you get a good one.

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 06-15-2001).]

Jason Burns · Jun 15, 2001

Originally posted by Professor X:
About the LCC - does this blade have a flat grind or something else?

Matthew

YES! It is a flat grind of immense proportions.

Cuts like mad too!

Jeff Manney · Jun 16, 2001

It really just speaks to probabilities... you have a probability of getting a SERE 2000 with spine whack problems, not a guarantee. If you get a bad one, but like the knife otherwise (I had other issues with the sharp thumb stud and liners myself), send it back until you get a good one.

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 06-15-2001).][/B][/QUOTE]

I tend to agree more with shootist16. I think the lock up problems were more of a result with a knife that was highly hyped. If a knife is not that hyped, and not necessarily well known, people are not going to necessarily complain about it vocally on the boards. Because it was hyped, it appeared there were many specimans that had bad lock ups. It probably was less than it appeared. Or it may have been a QC problem. Anyways, the one I got is suberb. It will not fold until you want it to. It makes me chuckle to think I only paid $120 for this thang. Having said all this, the BM 710 in M2 steel is still a better knife. It is a user, plain and simple. BTW, X, I didn't respond to your directed question on the M2 steel because another poster got to it before I did. He answered quite satisfactorily.

FullerH · Jun 18, 2001

ProfessorX, I own a number of Spyderco liner locks, including the Military and the StarMate, both of which have the newer design of the eccentric pivot that Spyderco makes. This allows the ramp on the tang of the blade where the liner engages to lock the blade open, to be adjusted to maximize the lock-up contact. What this means is that Spyderco liner lock knives are singularly securely locked knives and I have never heard of one that is properly adjusted closing at the wrong time. Now, t may have happened, but I cannot see how.

It is my own, personal, opinion (yes, I know it's redundant) that most of the negative reputation for liner locks is the result of the early ones and the newer cheapies, not the current well made ones.

All of that said, I would recommend that you look hard at teh StarMate. I love mine, even preferring it to my Military, to my REKAT Carnivour, or to any of my larger Axis lock Benchmades. By the way, of the BenchMades, I would recommend the 940, it is a stunning design that is both handsome and fuinctional. The REKATs are tanks.

------------------
Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller

ferguson · Jun 18, 2001

BM 730/735 - what is the difference between the two? This does seem to be a very good choice. Looks like a good heavy-duty knife with a lot of class.

730 is Red/black, 735 is Green/black. I have a 735 and LOVE it. Very tough steel, silky smooth, excellent ergonomics, carries well in the pocket of my khakis.

Steve

RattlerXX · Jun 20, 2001

Welcome!! I collect many different brands, and styles of knives, but I am usually carrying one of two. They are the Spyderco Police G-10, or the Spydie Tim Wegner. I think you would like the Wegner. It is a little smaller than the Police, with a tight lockup, and just plain mean. Check one out.

Thanks,

RattlerXX

FullerH · Jun 19, 2001

I feel the need to explain what I meant when I said, "The REKATs are tanks." What I meant was that they are built like tanks, very strong, very durable, very over-engineered even, and rather heavy. BUt if I were going where I was regularly placing my life or well-being in hte balance with the knife on the other side of the scales, then I could not think of a better choice than REKAT for exactly those reasons. I have looked at the BM 710 and I do not believe that it can hold a candle to a Carnivour. Yes, it takes some time to break a Carny in, just as it takes time to get a pistol to feeling "just right", or did when I was younger and we didn't have lots of money to spend with tuning smiths. I have spent the time with the only one of mine that has actually needed it, my Carny Cub, and it now even flips open just fine should I wish to abuse it. And there is no way on earth a 710 can even begin to compare with a Sifu!

Now, don't take this as a knock on BM, I love their 720 Pardue, 940 Osborne, and 990 Osborne. I do not, however, like the 930, as it does not fit my arthritic hands, but that is personal. If it fits you, it is a wonderful knife, and it so seemed when I bought mine. It just didn't fit me. I would recommend the 720 Pardue over the 710 any time, except to a left-hander, since it is not switchable, but I really like the aluminum scales and the sculpted shape fits my hands very nicely. The same for the 940, but on a somewhat more svelte scale, and the 990 is one of the prettiest dress knives that I have seen this side of a custom. It has cf scales and very nice file work detailing on most surfaces, up to and including the thumb pegs, the pivot screw, and the lock release toggles. I showed to a young woman last night, at her request, and she asked me where I had bought it so that she could get one, she liked it so much and the price bothered her not at all. She felt that $120, more or less, was a very reasonable price for the knife.

------------------
Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller

allenC · Jun 20, 2001

Welcome to the forums.
Although they are no longer being manufactured, try to find a Spyderco Calypso Jr with micarta handle. Beautiful knife! And cuts real nice and smooth.

Good luck,
Allen.