- Joined
- Jan 5, 2006
- Messages
- 29
I posted This thread a few days ago, searching for recommendations for a great everyday carry folder to replace my Smith & Wesson SWCH400DL that failed on me.
This was my first "expensive" knife purchase. I had previously been buying "cheap" knives (sub $50) with the justification that I'd lose or break an expensive knife and then be saddened by my lost money. I realized that I was making the same justification for cheap knives as I had been making for cheap sunglasses; I would end up spending more money in the long run and potentially be caught out in the cold without a knife when I needed it the most if a cheap one failed on me in a critical situation.
After my S&W broke, in the two days that I was without it, I found myself reaching for it a dozen times a day and wishing that I still had it. I quickly realized just how much of a useful tool it really was and how inconvenienced I was without it.
So, I went to a local cutlery store and handled all the folders that I thought that were in my pricerange. I specified sub-$100, but I quickly found them to feel inferior in my hands. I didn't like the way the grip felt, I didn't like the action and I wasn't bonding with the knife at all.
Then, I found the glorious Benchmade 635 mini-skirmish Blackwood. This knife felt absolutely perfect in my hands and the action was liquid smooth in every way. I instantly liked everything about this knife.
I spent a little more than I originally intended to (This one ran me $180+tax), however, I do not regret my purchase in the slightest. From the first time I held it I was able to open it with zero effort and it felt like I'd already owned it. Without hesitation I laid down the money for it and I'm very glad I did.
The only thing that bugs me is the questionable legality of the blade length. It's just under 3.5" and in the city of Los Angeles, required blade length is under 3". I am not terribly worried about it, as I will be using this knife every day for work and can probably get by since the officer may consider it to fall under a tradesman classification if I explain to him why I carry it.
All in all, I love it. It feels fantastic. My knife is #201/1000 from this run.
This was my first "expensive" knife purchase. I had previously been buying "cheap" knives (sub $50) with the justification that I'd lose or break an expensive knife and then be saddened by my lost money. I realized that I was making the same justification for cheap knives as I had been making for cheap sunglasses; I would end up spending more money in the long run and potentially be caught out in the cold without a knife when I needed it the most if a cheap one failed on me in a critical situation.
After my S&W broke, in the two days that I was without it, I found myself reaching for it a dozen times a day and wishing that I still had it. I quickly realized just how much of a useful tool it really was and how inconvenienced I was without it.
So, I went to a local cutlery store and handled all the folders that I thought that were in my pricerange. I specified sub-$100, but I quickly found them to feel inferior in my hands. I didn't like the way the grip felt, I didn't like the action and I wasn't bonding with the knife at all.
Then, I found the glorious Benchmade 635 mini-skirmish Blackwood. This knife felt absolutely perfect in my hands and the action was liquid smooth in every way. I instantly liked everything about this knife.
I spent a little more than I originally intended to (This one ran me $180+tax), however, I do not regret my purchase in the slightest. From the first time I held it I was able to open it with zero effort and it felt like I'd already owned it. Without hesitation I laid down the money for it and I'm very glad I did.
The only thing that bugs me is the questionable legality of the blade length. It's just under 3.5" and in the city of Los Angeles, required blade length is under 3". I am not terribly worried about it, as I will be using this knife every day for work and can probably get by since the officer may consider it to fall under a tradesman classification if I explain to him why I carry it.
All in all, I love it. It feels fantastic. My knife is #201/1000 from this run.
