Hrm... I will put it in chronological order as well as I can remember. I also decided to comment out each entry. (I'm bored at work.)
1) CRKT M16-04
Nice flipper action, big menacing knife. Pretty smooth, dislike the liner lock though (too thin). Makes me want a custom Carson very badly.
2) Benchmade 720
Action of the Axis lock has turned buttery- smooth with use, blade flicks out with ease. Unpopular blade shape, I think, but perfect for the messy utility work I dish it out. Also, coating lets me cut down on blade maintenance. Oh yeah BM edge is a little thick, but lasts forever. No nicks or rollovers even with some moderate abuse.
3) Won CS Imperial Tai Pan here
(thanks BarnZ)
Boy this sure made my day. Nice knife, just not my style.
4) Al Mar SERE 2000
One of my favorites. So well made, without a doubt the highest quality knife I had at the time. It's still in the running, on par with LCC. Sharp liners and pointy thumbstud took some getting used to, but it's still probably by favorite carry knife, along with Seb.
5) Won big ats34 gerber EZ-out
(thanks Bayou Lafourche)
I understand some people scoffing at the constuction of the newer Gerbers, but this has proven to be a very solid performer for me. It came very sharp, hold a good edge, the Zytel-like handle keeps the whole package very light, and it's nice and thin, comfortable to carry. Oh yeah the lockback is real solid too with no play or wobble. I don't care much for the clip being fasted by one hex type nut, though, or the resistance opening, but I still think its a lot of knife and a good value.
6) Kershaw/Ken Onion Blackout
A lot of fun opening, but the constuction just didn't seem on par with my standards. Rough edges, thin lock, flexy handle. I really like the blade shape, though, and the handle shape. Makes me wish I was a rich man to afford customs of the designs I like... oh well, it is almost enough to know they are out there.
7) Traded Tai Pan for... [
]
a)MT LCC M/A
-a big, thick knife. very well put together. not as ergonomic as the SERE, IMHO. Pretty materials and very tight precise contruction, though. Despite it's weight and relatively uncomfortable (to me) handle, sometimes I just can't put it down. So nice....
b)Spyderco Bob Lum
-I love the grind on this one, so interesting with the impression of lots of tip strength (I am not an expert). Ti scales scratch easy and it is not at all smooth to open (except for the convenience of the spyder-hole). Still, it is razor sharp, nice and thin to carry, and usually draws compliments from the marginally-knife-aware people I tend to associate with. I dislike the weird grind marks on the scales and liner near the lock, and the sharpness/difficulty in releasing said lock. I also though the higher numbered first run ones (996) were supposed to have Ti liners, but mine's steel. Oh well, steel wears better anyway.
c)Sebenza, small, decorated
-everything the CRK fans say about this knife is true.
d)MOD tempest
-kind of a disappointment. Another tacitcal knife *yawn*. I don't care much for all the lettering on the blade, the kraton? inserts on the handle. It is pretty comfortable to handle with a functional finger guard/ dropout sort of thing. I especially like how the (thumb ramp)? is sort of double- angled for choking up on the blade when doing precise cutting (I have not done this, but it is still a comfortable grip
)
8) sold Blackout
Sold it to a roommate, it has since developed a rattleing sound. Also, 440A (I believe it is made of this) is a disappointment in edge holding.
I've been quite lucky this first year of serious knife aquisitions. Nothing to compare with some of the big time knife enthusiasts, but hey, I'm on a budget
.
Sorry for long-winded post.
--traded sebbie for d/a mt lcc--
-IPR
[This message has been edited by chief dignitary (edited 12-15-2000).]
