knives work and carry.

[Nanashi]

Who make a good American knife or any decent knife really.

My current work knife is a CRKT M16 KS10, it's nice because it's length isn't to bad and it's width is thin making it easy to get in tight places on a car.

I'd like to get the Benchmade 915sbk org as my carry knife. The reviews are good and it looks handy for in a pinch.

 

[Nanashi]

Here are the pictures.

 

[beamrider]

M21-04 here, and a Kershaw Onion. The gap in between the handle scales at the bottom of the Onion is perfect for opening gallon paint cans. It doesn't seem to hold an edge very well, tho. The M21 stays razor sharp with just a few strokes daily on a strop.

 

[gagreen]

I'd really like to get a benchmade for daily carry but can't decide on a model. Handled a few at a show and loved them

 

[techenthusiast]

I bought a kershaw leek but I don't like the feel of the blade and knife, it feels kind of weak, but now I use this knife I got from the snap on truck called Dash, it's a green knife with a black kershaw blade with speed assist and it's pretty beefy looking... But i can't find any information about it anywhere even from kershaw or the snap on website.
The snap on dealer that I got it from said its a special... Does anyone know anything else about this blade?

The snap on part number is SO88G and it was
Pretty pricey. Looks like it's not listed anywhere?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bulletpruf]

I have a Benchmade 154cm Mel Pardue for daily carry. Nice piece of gear.

 

[ajchien]

Hm.... Lots of nice USA brands come to mind...

Great eastern cutlery
WR Case
Buck
Chris Reeve Knives
Benchmade
Emerson
spyderco

Many more...

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I carry a Mora knife. They go for about 12-15 bucks. Hard to beat for the price, made in Sweden too.

 

[TexF18]

benchmade h20 griptillian x15-tn blade with g10 grips and a zero tolerance 350bw. when at work i carry a jiffy cutter.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Buck zipper why bother with a folder if you're going to spend over 50 bucks on a knife. (this ain't actually over 50 bucks though).

Otherwise gerber gator (any model): 30 ish.

Otherwise gerber lst "federal" discontinued (any model): under 15 bucks.

Yeah...none of these are fancy but knives are for use not for show. That's why the spyderco tenacious is a popular model; not what I would buy and not u.s. but a sign that people are buying these knives for use, not to impress the ladies.

I think people prefer the emerson knives if you want a high end knife but there's always the problem that you won't want to use it for fear of messing it up.

If you want to be nick cheap...there are plenty of kershaw chinese models for around 10 bucks that will set you straight or one of the sanrenmu tactical folders for around 15. Sog taiwan blade for around 20. I have a bunch of these knives (mentioned) and I haven't been severely impeded by using cheaper knives. Granted I could've purchased a couple of the better knives with what I've spent but I have that issue about being afraid to use nice stuff, rather stuff I've spent a lot of money on.

 

[Jere]

I have bought a Chinese copy of a ckrt and the steel they used was junk. The teeth on the serrated edge chipped off when I chopped a limb from a low tree.

I think you will be hard pressed to find a tougher folder than the larger crkt m16 series unless you get spendy. Just look up the blade steels and get the aus8 or twainese equivalent. The auto LAWKS really makes a difference in strength. I have had a Kershaw blur and while it makes a nice toy the liner lock failed after only a couple of months and the spring assist every 2 months.

always act like the smallest lobster in the grocery store tank

 

[exmaxima1]

Who make a good American knife or any decent knife really.

I have dozens of nice folders ranging from $30-300, and the one I carry the most (by a large margin) is a Spyderco Stretch with the ZDP-189 blade. That steel holds an edge much longer than any other I own.

You can get one for around $100

 

[Harrison2]

Kershaw. Find one to suit your needs.

 

[redwrench60]

American made and high quality? Easy sharpening and good edge? Classic design and affordable price?

Buck model 110 folding hunter.

There's a reason it's been popular for 50 years. Where else can you get a USA made knife with decent blade steel, excellent fit and finish and a leather belt sheath for about. $40 new.

I know everybody seems to want a 'tacti- cool' knife but a 110 is the perfect size for work and I can put a scary sharp edge on one that lasts.

 

[Canoe50]

American made and high quality? Easy sharpening and good edge? Classic design and affordable price?

Buck model 110 folding hunter.

There's a reason it's been popular for 50 years. Where else can you get a USA made knife with decent blade steel, excellent fit and finish and a leather belt sheath for about. $40 new.

I know everybody seems to want a 'tacti- cool' knife but a 110 is the perfect size for work and I can put a scary sharp edge on one that lasts.

My first thought was the classic Buck 110. Great knife....great company. Can't go wrong with a 110 on your belt.

 

[WilltheEngineer]

Kershaw Turbulance, for med size pocket knife:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQ6C1D2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For a small pocket knife:
Kershaw Scallion
For USA Kershaw knives (and I don't recommend China Kershaw), look for USA under the lower right of the Kershaw logo, or on blade...

I personally don't like the Leek, the ~straight blade leaves less angles when cutting. A slight curve blade will let u find a good approach angle faster and hold angle...

Speed safe feature is great!... And can be used in switchblade illegal states
Hope this helps

 

[n8n]

Agreed on 110 but the problem with it, if it is a problem, is that it has to be carried in a sheath rather than in the pocket - it's heavy, and there's no pocket clip available. Also, as with many things, a vintage 110 is possibly a better knife than a new one, and another drawback to the 110 design is that it is pinned together not screwed (if you break something, you just replace the whole knife.)

My pick for an EDC knife of about that size that addresses many of those issues is a Benchmade Griptilian - it's light, has an ambidextrous pocket clip, is fully serviceable, and the ambidextrous pocket clip works for tip up carry both right and left handed. The Axis lock once broken in is fantastic as well. Not the sexiest looking knife out there, and a little on the expensive side (I bought mine right before Benchmade cracked down on online retailers selling far below MSRP) but it really works well. Like has already been said, it's for cutting stuff, not for impressing anyone. I carry a SAK in my back pocket next to my wallet for the bottle opener, can opener, little saw, etc. but the Grip is usually the go to blade for just general cutting use.

A more expensive Benchmade would step up your style game a little bit but I doubt would be more practical. I've got a serious jones for something like this

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Extreme-Lite-Carry-Starburst-Pattern-Cocobolo/productinfo/WTK-ELC-COCO/

but I don't know that it would be any more *practical* than a Grip, just classier.

Something to keep in mind is that the standard Grip uses 154CM steel which is good stuff but not anything earth shattering. The Doug Ritter model uses S30V, and if you order a custom knife direct from Benchmade, you have a choice of four steels 154CM, D2, S30V, and it looks like they've added the option of N680 which was not available the last time I looked. A discussion of what is the ideal blade steel could take pages. Also, I was pretty disappointed in the sharpness of the blade when I received my Grip, and even 154CM was a little hard for my old school carborundum stone (probably my grandfather's or great grandfather's...) so I just had all my pocketknives professionally sharpened which surprisingly was cheaper than purchasing even one good diamond stone.

 

[bobcatdan]

American made and high quality? Easy sharpening and good edge? Classic design and affordable price?

Buck model 110 folding hunter.

There's a reason it's been popular for 50 years. Where else can you get a USA made knife with decent blade steel, excellent fit and finish and a leather belt sheath for about. $40 new.

I know everybody seems to want a 'tacti- cool' knife but a 110 is the perfect size for work and I can put a scary sharp edge on one that lasts.

On my belt everyday of my life. I've worn it to weddings. In my mind, the perfect working man's knife. I don't really consider it a knife, its a tool.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

Parents bought me a Buck 110 back in the early 80's, I bent the tip then snapped it attempting to straighten it. I tossed the knife in a drawer when I joined the Army and never saw it again. I never knew Buck had a warranty like they do until one of the guys at work got all excited about getting his back. New blade, new pins, brass polished, looked like a brand new knife.

Ebay has some decent 110's, if I ever buy another knife thats what I'm getting.

 

[redwrench60]

On my belt everyday of my life. I've worn it to weddings. In my mind, the perfect working man's knife. I don't really consider it a knife, its a tool.

Working man's knife. I agree completely. To me it's the perfect knife for work and chores. Good size blade and full size handle. What some call a downfall of it having to be in a belt sheath I call an advantage because it frees up precious pocket space while still being handy to the task. I also use it and view it as a tool so if I've got pants on, my 110's on too.

 

[redwrench60]

Agreed on 110 but the problem with it, if it is a problem, is that it has to be carried in a sheath rather than in the pocket - it's heavy, and there's no pocket clip available. Also, as with many things, a vintage 110 is possibly a better knife than a new one, and another drawback to the 110 design is that it is pinned together not screwed (if you break something, you just replace the whole knife.)

I hear ya, all this stuff is mostly personal prefrence but i thought I'd mention a few points:
A few companys offer pocket clip conversions for 110s if desired, that look good.

It is heavy (it's made of real parts )

The new 110s I've seen still have excellent fit and finish along with very good blade steel (420HC) when you consider the $30-$40 price point.

And lastly, if it ever has any problems like a rivet or pin comes out or whatever, it's warrantied for life.

 

[Larch]

My everyday carry is a Gerber Paraframe. They are good knife's made in USA. For hunting and fishing, I have a couple of Kershaw's they are awesome, sharp and keep an edge forever. I have lost a few of the Gerbers, but they are only twenty bucks at Walmart so it isn't the end of the world if they go missing. The kershaws are more expensive, that is the only reason I don't carry one everyday.

 

[Aura]

Work knife is a stanley classic 99
It ain't cool, but edc is a Swiss Army Tinker. Just don't have any need for some huge toad sticker.

 

[n8n]

I hear ya, all this stuff is mostly personal prefrence but i thought I'd mention a few points:
A few companys offer pocket clip conversions for 110s if desired, that look good.

It is heavy (it's made of real parts )

The new 110s I've seen still have excellent fit and finish along with very good blade steel (420HC) when you consider the $30-$40 price point.

And lastly, if it ever has any problems like a rivet or pin comes out or whatever, it's warrantied for life.

Oh, the 110 is a classic, no doubt, and still a great knife. I look at it this way - would I drive a '53 Studebaker to work every day? Well, yeah, I probably would, because I like cool stuff with history, and it's still a viable daily machine - just not as convenient or comfortable as one 50 years or so newer. It *does* have a certain classic style that a modern car just doesn't have. I'd probably carry a 110 myself if I had a good one... if nothing else remembering the one that Grandpa had would make it worth it to me. But I probably would recommend something from Benchmade, Spyderco, Emerson or Kershaw to someone who asked simply "what is the best knife for me to EDC?"

A 110 will do most everything a modern folding knife will do, but it'll be slower, heavier, and require two hands to deploy or fold.

Now to take my prior comparison farther, would I buy a '53 Studebaker hardtop if it were half the price of, say, a new Subaru BRZ or something like that? Oh hell yes, in a heartbeat. So your argument in favor of the 110 isn't exactly the same as my comparison, as in most cases a true classic will be as expensive or more so than its modern equivalent, instead of significantly less expensive.

 

[Bobdog]

I carry a Leatherman to work every day and have for years. Well made, functional and last a long time.

If I'm in the woods, Buck Model 110.

If I'm running around town, I carry an old Smith & Wesson folder clipped to my back pocket. Had it for years, cheap and good quality, but it won't win any awards.

If I think I might need a defensive knife, I have a Cold Steel Tanto that I bought back in the late 80's. Anything from Cold Steel is first rate quality and built like a tank. Not cheap, though.

 

[Bobdog]

A 110 will do most everything a modern folding knife will do, but it'll be slower, heavier, and require two hands to deploy or fold.

I beg to differ.

I learned to open mine with my right thumb on the draw 30 years ago and can do it just as fast as I can my S&W cop knife with the thumb stud. Just because it's old school, doesn't necessarily mean it's obsolete.

I also happen to have one that's been converted to a switchblade. My brother found it at a gun show a few years back. Thing is wicked cool, but I wouldn't want to get caught with it.

 

[Jere]

I have carried a 110 for a few years and ended up ebaying it. It was a good choice 20 years ago but technology has moved on a little. 420 stainless isn't that great anymore compared to the newer knife steels. It takes any edge easily but at the same time losses it quickly. The blade is nice for whittling and slicing apples but you do have to take care not to snap the tips off. Even though buck warranties them so do other companies in the price range. And I don't like shipping knives off and going without for a month or so.

I guess it all depends on what you want to get out of your knife. Are you afraid of getting caught in a cliche about being tacti cool, do you want a knife that gives you sentimental feelings from the past, or do you look at the knife as a tool and just want a tool that holds up the best?

always act like the smallest lobster in the grocery store tank

 

[countryroad82]

For general cutting and junk I've been carrying a Buck lately, it's just a cheapie my FIL gave me for Christmas. Plastic handles and a belt clip, I love it. For my good knife, such as eating and such, I've been packing a Case trapper lately.

 

[n8n]

Another thought, the comments about "tacti-cool" are worth considering; many "tactical" knives make excellent EDCs but some are simply designed to give mall ninjas a feeling of satisfaction when they flip it open.

Personally I think that assisted opening, etc. is a gimmick and one that I can do without. If I'm in a situation where the slight increase in speed of opening of an assisted knife makes a meaningful difference over how fast I can deploy a good modern folder like a Benchmade or Emerson with the thumb studs alone, I've apparently made some poor choices in my life. Also keep in mind how some people are very nervous and fearful... if you have an overly tactical looking folder in your pocket, simply pulling it to open a box or envelope or something can get you some sideways looks and maybe a comment like "who does this guy think he is, Rambo or something?" (also, unassisted opening helps here too, the loud "snick" of an assisted folder flipping open can result in OMG SWITCHBLADE and a visit from the local rentacop or a talking-to by HR, whereas if you're not in a hurry, you can open an unassisted knife slowly and quietly...) This is why I'm partial to non-black, non-camo, typical drop point non-serrated blade shape etc. It's sad that we have to take this into account, but we do, and I don't want to unnecessarily put people off just because I carry a pocketknife that is large enough to not be a toy.

Also research your local laws as to what you are and aren't allowed to carry in your area. Believe it or not, knives are as tightly regulated as firearms although it doesn't seem to be as widely publicized that that is the case. Around here (VA) I can't legally carry a blade longer than 3" in a school, for example (and it must be a folding blade; apparently fixed blade knives are completely prohibited) and my CCW gives me no exemption whatsoever from any knife laws; in VA a CCW is strictly for handguns only.

In most cases, a knife longer than 2.5" is prohibited in Federal buildings - including post offices - although some places may prohibit knives altogether. Just how silly this is is evident when you realize that most SAKs have a primary blade longer than that, as do most traditional trappers etc. But that is the law... I do have one "short" knife for just such an occasion (Kershaw Scallion) but it is assisted... only thing I could find. C'est la vie, I'm sure if I ever get confronted about it I'll have to give it up, but it's one of those things, like having a flashlight on you, or a lug wrench and jumper cables in the trunk of your car, without which I feel naked leaving the house...

 

[jeffmoss26]

I'm a big fan of Kershaw. I carry a Leek all the time.

 

[Southern]

I've been a fan of Leatherman for a long time, even though I ******' hate multi-tools. They make the Freestyle™ which is just a 2.5'' or so blade (1/2 serrated) and a pair of pliers. All fits in a nice little package with a pocket clip. Lifetime warranty, US made, I really wouldn't be without it.

 

[franzdom]

Hinderer XM-18.

 

[Trucky]

American made and budget friendly (ish)...

the common ones:
Kershaw
Buck

slightly less common:
Spyderco
Benchmade

There are others but those are the most well known. Benchmade recently (few years back) discontinued any knife that wasn't US made... AKA they're all made in the US. And they're very good... I have a 950 Rift (heavy sonnabee)
and two griptilians, one full size 154CM and a mini with M4 tool steel. The M4 has held up very well.

As for kershaw, just look on the packaging. Same with Buck. I find that they have a decent selection of US stuff for the price... considering that they're a bit cheaper than BM.

 

[Katodog]

There's no way I'd carry a $400 (or more) knife as an EDC for work, not as a maintenance mechanic anyway. How about a Hinderer clone, cheaper and built pretty good. Using the maker's name though, I don't care much for that and as soon as I can figure out a way to remove it without ruining the material it's gone. Anybody knows of a way to do it let me know. Sadly I'm the type of guy who, while I don't like people using maker's names on knock-offs, I'm not opposed to using knock-offs either, so if the name isn't on it I won't feel too bad using it. I'm a cheap *******, and broke most of the time, so cheaper is always better.


Hinderer Clone 001 by Ed Durbin (Katodog), on Flickr

Hinderer Clone 004 by Ed Durbin (Katodog), on Flickr

 

[Exceller8]

I'm a lifelong knife collector and I've had some really nice knives in my day. In the shop I'm down to using utility knives. I've always sucked at sharpening so this is just so much easier.

I still have probably 100-200 knives in my collection so I just carry whatever I feel like for that day. I would agree that Benchmade makes a great EDC knife that won't break the bank.

Stay away from anything Smith & Wesson.

 

[Exceller8]

Hinderer XM-18.

This isn't the USN (Usual Suspect Network) my friend!!!

 

[Trucky]

I don't mind clones.... but I have a real problem when the brand name they are copying is directly on the product.

 

[Katodog]

I don't mind clones.... but I have a real problem when the brand name they are copying is directly on the product.

So do I, but to be honest, it won't make me not buy it or use it. I can take the name off...whether the material survives or not is no big deal, I just don't want the name on there. I'm not a gung-ho "no clones" type of guy, but using the name is kind of a ***** move if you ask me. I made sure I bought one that had it "written" on the handle instead of stamped into it, because I knew I could get rid of it somehow

 

[exmaxima1]

How about a Hinderer clone, cheaper and built pretty good.

The problem with those counterfeit knives is the unknown blade steel. I see no point in having a knife that won't hold a keen edge.

If you like the Hinderer design, get one from his collaboration with Kershaw/Zero Tolerance:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KOFDEG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the ZT0561 and it is exceptional is every way EXCEPT it is a tad heavy. While the titanium keeps the weight to around 5 oz, it's still more than I care to carry on a hot day. The Elmax blade is awesome, and since it rides on ball bearings it opens with ease.

 

[reptilezs]

emerson or if on a budget kershaw