All About Pocket Knives

Gentlemen, I've been reading here and online about the various tactical knives, and I think I'm more confused now than ever! I know what I like in traditional folders, but I confess I'm lost in the tactical world. So I need your help.

I don't intend to go all Rambo, I don't need an automatic, and I don't care for tanto points or some of the other different looking tactical blades. I just need a good solid daily user with a good stout lock. Oh, and USA made is always a plus too, and definitely no china stuff.

From what I've read and the pictures I've seen I like the Benchmade Griptillian. The Spyderco Manix 2 interests me too, but the fact that the ball bearing lock is housed in polymer gives me some concerns as to its long term stability. Maybe I'm being too old fashioned here.

So educate me please as to brands I should look at and particular knives if you have opinions. Teach me o experts!

My suggestion will be of no surprise to anyone. Kershaw. Any Kershaw with the Speed Safe assisted opening system. I'm especially fond of the Leeks at 4" closed and the Scallions at 3-1/2" closed. Slim, light, well made and SHARP right out of the box. I don't call it 'Kershaw sharp' for nothing. I've never carried one so I can't speak to the durability but I've seen others brag on that aspect.

You know AAPK by now. You're going to get a ton of advise and few will be the same.

Good luck.

+1 on Kershaw.
I have a Kershaw Scallion I carry quite often.
I just bought the Kershaw Clash, and it is a good knife, but made in China.
Have a Kershaw Cryo on my wish list.

+2 on Kershaw.

I love the LEEK. Scored it a 10.0 Steel Sahlutes in a knife review earlier this year in my blog.

Thanks guys. What kind of lock do the leeks use?

Leek has a frame lock.

Some. Others have liner locks. I'm not sure how all that got that way but the Leeks have both.

Thank you guys. Now I have my own opinions, but I'm curious as to what you think of liner locks vs some sort of frame lock. Which is stouter?

LEEK

The only EDC that I never go without (for several years now). Others are added to the mix in rotation but the leek stays clipped in the RFP or next to my wallett in the BRP. It is comfrotable to carry either way Razor sharp, holds an edge well, easy to resharpen with my lansky sys. and as fast as a switch.

It took me a day or so to get used to it which included bandaids because they are soooo freaking sharp out of the box. After you get the hang of it and respect for the sharpness they are addicting.

Colonel26 wrote:Thank you guys. Now I have my own opinions, but I'm curious as to what you think of liner locks vs some sort of frame lock. Which is stouter?

I'm not sure which is stronger, but I prefer the liner lock. I don't like to feel the lock mechanism when the knife is in my hand, and with a frame lock you can feel it. I guess it is something you can ignore or at least get used to, but I haven't.

One other thing to think about on the Kershaw knives: On the spring assisted patterns, they offer both the thumb stud and the "flipper" type. I have some thumb injuries, so the thumb stud doesn't work well for me. I much prefer the flipper type. It is easier to open with either hand as well.

I'll cast a vote for the Mini Grip. I prefer the axis lock to any frame or liner lock. For one thing, you don't
have to put your fingers in the path of the blade to close it.

I vote for Leeks as well. They are very durable and have solid lockup imo. My Rainbow Leek has been with me for about 5 years now and one time I even snapped the tip of it while prying something with it. It was no problem to resharpen it and it was good as new, the important thing was that it never loosened up in the frame at all. that impressed me.

Thanks guys. Wow, lots of love out there for the leek! It must surely be a good knife. I have heard more than one story of breaking the tip though. I thought it looked like a weak tip design, it looks like it probably is. I'll probably pass on it as I'm sure with using it around the garden and such I'd probably break it too!

I will keep looking at the kershaw line though. Thanks for pointing me in that direction!

Wade -- In my opinion (and this is just my opinion), you don't break a knife unless you're doing something with it you shouldn't be doing.

You want something a little stronger you can abuse a little more freely without being concerned about breaking the tip? Have you ever considered a Kershaw Needs Work? It ain't pretty. It ain't sleek. It is, however, a whale of a knife.

No knife is indestructible.

I'm sure most of these guys will agree to chek out this site for Kershaw. Maybe they know some other dealers as well. http://www.kershawguy.com/

My favorite Kershaw eBay seller these days in 'knifegirl1'.

Thank you guys!

Jerry, that looks like my style right there! I don't purposefully abuse my knives, but in the course of raising a big ol garden, working on the house, and working on stuff things sometimes happen. I'll give that needs work a look. Oh, and I looked up that Ebay seller of yours. She does have some good prices.

OK, I'll toss a couple pennies in …

The Kershaw Leek, as many others have said, is probably one of the best values in a 'tactical' folder. I have one or two myself. I can also vouch for the Needs Work and the Blur. If you're testing the waters you really can't go wrong with any of those - even if you decide you don't like it, you can easily sell it for nearly what you paid. But I would be surprised if you didn't keep it - great knives. If durability is your main concern, Zero Tolerance (also made by Kershaw) makes some big and beastly tough folders, but they can get pricey and IMO they are kind of big to EDC. (By all means check 'em out, they're pretty cool).

That being said, I would certainly also endorse the value in one of the USA or Japanese made Spydercos. There are many, and the price range is pretty wide. One thing you should be aware of is that the two very popular 'entry level' Spydies - the Tenacious and the Persistence - are both made in China. Worthy of note is that the quality of China made Spydercos is very good. In fact their high-end Chinese offerings are excellent. I personally do not buy the Chinese Spydies (except for one*), but that is for other reasons (do not want to start that debate here, just sayin' …). Some Spyderco knives may look a little "weird" at first sight, but this is due to their practice of 'form follows function', and the wisdom in the design generally shows itself pretty quickly. The Spydies cost a bit more, but they use some excellent modern steels that have great strength and edge retention properties, and they are solid, well made knives.

I say all that in order to point you to what are IMHO some of the best tactical EDCs available …

Spyderco Paramiltary 2 (Para2)
Spyderco PPT* (heavy duty blade)
Spyderco SuperLeaf (heavy duty blade)
Spyderco Manix 2 (heavy duty blade)
Spyderco Native
Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Calypso ("Caly") 3 or 3.5
Spyderco Dragonfly (little big knife)
Spyderco Centofante 3 or 4 (lightweight and excellent full sized EDCs for khakis / dress clothes)

Also excellent knives:

Benchmade Griptillian or Mini Grip
Benchmade Aries
Benchmade Barrage or Mini Barrage
Benchmade Mini Dejavoo
Benchmade Onslaught

I own all of these, and each has its strengths. I would say that the two knives that you would almost certainly be happy with are the Spyderco Paramiltary 2 or the Benchmade Griptillian. Both of these are part of my regular EDC rotation; they are smooth, tough, solid knives. The Paramilitary 2 is one of my most carried tacticals; it is truly a knife you have to carry and use to fully appreciate it.

Sorry for the long post, got on a bit of a roll …

If you get into it and start to get overwhelmed, shoot me a PM - be glad to help.

Let us know what you decide. And don't agonize over it too much - I'm betting your first won't be your last …

~ Edge

Gotta put a plug in for Spyderco also. No better quality for the money.

I'm always doing something in the house or shop and I've come to really love any Kershaw that has a flipper.

....So what did you end up going with Colonel?

<BUMP> …

So did you ever come to a decision, Colonel?

Inquiring minds and all …

It's been almost a year since the OP. Don't tell me you're stuck in indecision.

Colonel26 wrote:Gentlemen, I've been reading here and online about the various tactical knives, and I think I'm more confused now than ever! I know what I like in traditional folders, but I confess I'm lost in the tactical world. So I need your help.

I don't intend to go all Rambo, I don't need an automatic, and I don't care for tanto points or some of the other different loo
blades. I just need a good solid daily user with a good stout lock. Oh, and USA made is always a plus too, and definitely no china stuff.

From what I've read and the pictures I've seen I like the Benchmade Griptillian. The Spyderco Manix 2 interests me too, but the fact that the ball bearing lock is housed in polymer gives me some concerns as to its long term stability. Maybe I'm being too old fashioned here.

So educate me please as to brands I should look at and particular knives if you have opinions. Teach me o experts!

You would not go wrong with a griptillian and a Kershaw is a very good way to go. I have a CRKT bluepoint that I have carried for several years and have never found anything wrong with it. One thing,when it comes to tak knives a lot of good one's come from out of country. I would go with the Benchmade griptillian if I wanted to spend the cash on it.

trey wrote:I'll cast a vote for the Mini Grip. I prefer the axis lock to any frame or liner lock. For one thing, you don't
have to put your fingers in the path of the blade to close it.

+2 On the Axis Lock, they really are the Best!