Folding Knife Suggestion

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Pebble Pup

Pebble Pup

10 Year
Joined
Jun 19, 2011
Threads
12
Messages
67
Location
Twin Falls, Idaho
I found myself wanting a good folding pocket knife and I was wondering if I could get some suggestions. I'm looking for about a 3-inch long (want to be careful about concealed weapon laws especially since I currently live in SoCal) folding knife that clips-on. A bonus would be a locking blade. Prefer American made, but open to quality foreign knives (no Chinese or Taiwanese mass produced blades). Like to keep it less than $150 with $50 an ideal cost.

Thanks
 
I'll probably go back to something like an Uncle Henry for my next folding knife. Less of a tactical look, something that people won't look at twice.

You could probably get away with a 3 1/2" blade, even in Kalifornia, if it looks like something your Grandad carried. :D
 
^^^ took the words right out of my mouth. Love mine.
 
Emerson CQC-14 "Stubby"

Link: Emerson Knives

Compact blade (legal), full size handle (excellent grip), Locking, US Made. The "Wave" feature also works as a handy bottle opener!

Good luck.
 
This is the next knife I am going to get. This model has 4" blade, but they have some others that may suit your needs if this is too long. Check out the video clip.

Recon I
 
I'm liking the looks of Benchmade 915 Triage. The safety cutter and glass breaker seem really cool to have. Though both the Emerson and Cold Steel knives mentioned above are hard to pass up.
 
cruiserjunkie said:
Benchmade hands down for the money can't be beat. They are made in Oregon and if you send them return
Return postage they will sharpen it and send it back
Click to expand...

I was a CRKT guy before I got my first Benchmade. I really liked the CRKT m16z's. Cheap, sharp, handy and well ballanced. Then I picked up a mini-Griptillian. Hands down a better knife. I picked up a full size Griptillian too, but I carry my mini everyday.
 
I really dig my SOG Flash II with tanto cut. The open assist is incredible, it has a blade lock (which I never use, but you mentioned it), the blade is very resistant to corrosion, easy to clean, etc. I carry it with me all day every day and use it at least a handful of times throughout the day on random things.

OH! And most importantly the clip on this thing is AWESOME! The clip actually rides over the top/butt of the knife so there is no part of the knife exposed when clipped in your pocket. It rides very deep and very stable.

http://sogknives.com/store/TFSAT-8.html

Amazon.com: SOG Knives Flash II Pocket Knife with Black Zytel Handle and Black TiNi Tanto Blade: Sports & Outdoors

31RLr3SbOuL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
Well after so much review, I decided on two knives. I got the Benchmade Triage for a field/camping knife. But based on its size, I decided that I needed a smaller EDC knife, so I went with the SOG Blink. A small, quick opening knife.
 
Personally I've gone through a lot of folding knives including most of the brands already mentioned. Still have most of them but for the last several years I've been carrying Kershaw knives with the speedsafe assisted opening option, most of them designed by Ken Onion. My daily carry knife varies but it's generally one of the Blur variant's but since the factory sale last fall in Portland, OR, the one I'm carrying now is from their ZT line, the 350 model. It's a great compromise between size, weight, steel (S30V) and price. The Blur's are smaller and probably the better EDC though I tend to be in cargo pants most of the time so the size difference isn't a big deal in this wardrobe. The opening is very fast, lockup solid, good steel and useful blade design and price is right (especially during the sale).
 
I too recently got a ZT knife. I love it. Everyone I have show it to is also impressed. Very heavy duty. American made and quite possibly the sharpest knife I have ever taken out of the box. GOt my 350 for right at $100. They are about 10% smaller than the 300.

Zero Tolerance Knives at The Kershaw Store
 
cruiserjunkie said:
Benchmade hands down for the money can't be beat. They are made in Oregon and if you send them return
Return postage they will sharpen it and send it back
Click to expand...

Great products from them, though some are made in OR and some overseas. I have a couple of Griptilians (small and regular) and they are great. Light, easy open/close, good clip, easy to clean. I'm a fan of the fact the blade hinge is in your pocket, etc., so when you whip it out the blade opens out, unlike some brands where you have to turn it in your hand. And, that feature is also reversible if needed.
 
I use the Gerber Paraframe, costs about $24. I carry it everywhere I can legally, I've been carrying this model for almost 10 years. Very light, can open with your thumb really easily, sharpens easy and seems to hold an edge just fine. Closes with one hand as well. I collect knives and axes, I've got some really expensive fancy knives, and I have a German OxHead axe I shaved with once. But for everyday, something that I might lose, the Gerber works great.
 
BJTLC100 said:
This is the next knife I am going to get. This model has 4" blade, but they have some others that may suit your needs if this is too long. Check out the video clip.

Recon I
Click to expand...

I have this knife and I have to say i'm not overly pleased with it. Didn't come very sharp, hard to open one handed and impossible to close one handed. Trust me that's an important thing. I do like how it sits low in my pocket though. Also this isn't American made. Its Taiwanese.

I recently spent $25 on a kershaw storm II and I am in love with this knife. Came super sharp, good steel, quick one handed opening and thanks to the inner frame lock can be easily closed one handed. Also American made. Rides high in the pocket though.

As for cali laws, the overall state laws are pretty lenient. Make sure you research local ordinances though.

Look up these companies: spyderco, esee, crkt, Ontario knife Co., bench made, kershaw. Find a style that you like and go with it. Any knife is better than no knife.

Also check out the knife forums for great reviews
 
I picked up the Gerber Metolius folder version yesterday. Very sharp out of the box. I took it apart to reduce some side play and applied Loctite. I like the weight and it fits my hand well. For everyday use and on the trails this should do fine for myself.
 
Another vote for Benchmade anything.

True story-My son traded 1/2 bottle of scotch (:rolleyes:he's away at college) for an old benchmade "Ruckus" in pieces. It was missing fasteners, the clip and some other bits. I sent it to Benchmade for rehab and a check for $50 to cover parts, assembly and sharpening. They reworked the whole knife, all new fasteners and pivot, new clip, sharpened it and sent it back with the check and a nice note. Truly epic customer service.

They are very clear which of their knives are imports, and infact I think they dropped the imported line. Most if not all of their knives are Made in the USA with USA steel. I like the S30V blades, but even the D2 is great stuff. Highly recommended.
 
I have to cast my vote for a benchmade as well. I picked up two while I was in afghan. I have an auto presido which is an unbelievable knife. It is spring assisted and opens with a button, extremely sharp and high quality steel. The second was a fixed blade, can't remember the model, however this was the knife I carried daily for the entire deployment. One night we had an emergency with our power supply and I had to cut through a 60 amp cable with my knife. Granted the serrations were done after that, I still can't believe that I was able to do that. They are well worth the money.
 
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