Good Morning,
I am in the market for a solid or thick steel pocket knife with assisted opening, or wave feature, blade length under 3.5 inches, stonewashed blade, I will be using it in a retail environment and don’t want to freak the people around me. I do not want a tanto blade, I would prefer a drop point or similar blade profile.
Cost should be around $120.
What are your suggestions?
Thanks for your help.
Gil
Have you looked at the Benchmade Griptilian series or are you looking for a thicker blade?
Spyderco Manix II, or Manix II XL. Tremendous blade, and value.
for $120 I would just pick a Spyderco model you like and go with it
among others, the ones I like that should fit your length requirement are the Native and Paramilitary II (good luck finding one in stock)
the Native would be my choice for price, quality, and utility
this is an exclusive version with cts-xhp steel, I like this steel over s30v:
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP41PBN/spyderco-c41pbn-native-lightweight-folding-knife-carpenter-cts-xhp-blade-brown-frn-handles-kc-exclusive
Benchmade Steigerwalt Design ComboEdge Torrent with BK1 Coating, Locking-Liner with Nitrous Assist or Benchmade 890 Torrent Steigerwalt Design Knife.
If you don’t mind non-assisted - DPx HEST/F 2.0 Olive Drab, RH Configuration - I have one and LOVE it.
I will 2nd this but I recommended the Benchmade because of your specified price point. The DPX HEST 2.0 goes where I go daily and has been used from opening boxes to used as a pry bar (the blade is substantially thick and locks up very well).
This. While I personally lean towards some of the “higher end” folders, (such as CRK, Hinderer, and lately Grayman) at the size and price-point you described the Manix II is pretty hard to beat for an all around EDC. They are usually pretty available, and come with a good edge out of the box.
Can I ask why you have excluded Zero Tolerance from your search?
I picked up a ZT0566 a few weeks ago and I think it meets all of your criteria. I think it runs about $20 more than your given price point but you can probably find one for less.
The knife has a great feel and the deep carry pocket clip makes it absolutely disappear in a pocket.
That said, I’ll probably sell it because I’d prefer something with a bigger blade.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
May I ask why your ruling out ZT’s? I really like and recommend the 056X series. The 0360 is really nice for a liner lock. Have you considered a PM2? If you can add a little to the budget the Spyderco Southard is awesome as well!
People will freak out at any knife you carry that might look remotely tactical. Likely, your workplace has a policy in place that you are not even allowed to carry a non-locking penknife, so if someone sees you with a knife and tells management, you’re screwed.
For small, folding knives I’m partial to Emersons. People have thought I was crazy with just my Emerson mini CQC-7B (2.9" tanto) or CQC-14 (2.7" drop point). The Emerson CQC-14 fits your bill perfectly and has a full length handle, making it very good in the hand. It is my favorite “legal almost anywhere” knife. You can find them used in your price range; new they are a little more.
I love my Torrent and carry it every day. Tough and very useable in my big hands.
Neither the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 nor the Benchmade Griptilians have assisted opening but they’re so smooth it’s not needed IMO.
Levi
I have used one for about five years now as my EDC. No complaints with the AXIS Lock, excellent S30V steel, reversible carry clip, solid manufacturer. Is having an assisted opening really necessary for your intended use and environment? Benchmade makes this as an exclusive product for KnifeWorks, so you won’t find it on their website.
http://www.knifeworks.com/DougRitterRSK.aspx
Benchmade also provides this service for their knives
http://www.benchmade.com/services/lifesharp_service
Or you can go and customize a Griptilian.
Kershaw Blur, they have a new Blackwash line out at $109 price point.
http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/blur-blackwash
IIRC Kershaw makes Zero Tolerance knvies.
I have a few Benchmade assisted open knives and prefer my Spydercos. If I had to get another assisted opening it would probably be this one:
http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmade810-1401contegomilledblueblackg10handlem390steelknifeworksexclusivepre-order.aspx
I prefer m390 steel to s30v and I am a sucker for sprint runs, exclusives, and limited editions when it comes to knives.
I know the cost is higher but you gain a lot of value in that you can turn around and sell it for profit when they cease to be made
I also own a HEST 2.0. Great knife, DPx has great customer service. The bottle opener works as a wave.
My main complaint is that the pocketclip is not reversable. I may have to send mine in since I think the threads in the spacer got stripped and no longer secure the clip reliably.
I carry a Spyderco P’Kal every day but I wouldn’t choose it as an EDC if you’re going to be opening boxes and such. I love my Spydies but I’ll be damned if not every single one I’ve owned has developed either the dreaded broken tip syndrome or a chipped blade. S30V has NEVER performed well for me from any manufacturer - I’m not sure why so many people seem to have luck with it. If you don’t mind maintaining your knife a bit, go for a Benchmade with a M4 blade - like a Contego or something. That way you won’t have to worry about chipping your edge on a cardboard box (ahem, Spyderco). Seriously, if you’re going to be using it in a retail environment, just buy an Opinel. They’re completely non-offensive, super-inexpensive, cut like the dickens, and can be sharpened by a chimpanzee… and as an added bonus, if a fellow employee ganks it off of you, they’re easy and painless to replace.
EDIT:
I also suggest against a waved knife if you don’t want to scare the sheeple. Everytime I pull my P’Kal around strangers, I give someone in the room a heart murmur.
Also, what’s your price range? I have a lot of famous custom knife maker friends who can make you exactly what you desire… for the right price.
I use this knife’s big brother pretty much every day. It’s not my favorite knife, but it is my most carried.
+1 for Benchmade Griptilian 550. Its very smooth and like the thumb hole opener. I picked up an extra just in case since its said they are being discontinued.