ChocolateLab33
Flashlight Enthusiast
SOG Flash is a great knife! There's one clipped to my pocket right now.......
Small Knife Suggestions
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Kanai
Newly Enlightened
I like Kershaws. The Leek (all black) is my EDC.
PlayboyJoeShmoe
Flashaholic
I don't trust assited opening to be rattling around in my pocket.
I do like Kershaw knives! Another nice one is the Vapor.
I DEMAND a locking blade in my EDC, as slip joints have a way of slipping when I don't need them to!
I will be in a situation today where a "scary" knife would be most unwelcome. I think a little SAK gets the nod. I'll likely have the LFK or Vapor also, just won't get them out unless neccesary.
Because 2 is 1 and 1 is none!
And what was the point of this post???
OH YEAH! Kershaw has some kool knives!
I do like Kershaw knives! Another nice one is the Vapor.
I DEMAND a locking blade in my EDC, as slip joints have a way of slipping when I don't need them to!
I will be in a situation today where a "scary" knife would be most unwelcome. I think a little SAK gets the nod. I'll likely have the LFK or Vapor also, just won't get them out unless neccesary.
Because 2 is 1 and 1 is none!
And what was the point of this post???
OH YEAH! Kershaw has some kool knives!
kitelights
Flashlight Enthusiast
I 4th the SOG Flash 1. It's by far the lightest and slimest profile of most everything else discussed here, but its blade size in ratio will surprise you. The handle is very comfortable; the finger cutouts make it comfortable and secure to hold.
And it's an assisted opener to boot. You can find them for $25 to $40.
And it's an assisted opener to boot. You can find them for $25 to $40.
Jefff
Enlightened
Hi you might check with Phil Elmore from the Martialist He has some really good prices and reviews on his products .. may have something of interest to ya.. Let us Know what ya choose
TonkinWarrior
Enlightened
In that $50 price range, your best overall buys are:
1. Spyderco Delica (3 inches, G-10 blade steel), or
2. Benchmade Mini-Griptilian (2.9 inches, 440C blade steel)
The Kershaw Ken Onions definitely have cooler styling and "wow" factors. However, their steels (420, 440A) are a bit softer and a cut below Spyderco's and Benchmade's, though very adequate for everday use. You'll just need to sharpen them more often. The Kershaw Leek (3 inches) is the coolest, but I found Kershaw's "assisted opening" tricky to use under "all thumbs" stress (i.e., a self-defense scenario), especially their small Chive and Scallion. That opening system IS fun to play with, although I've heard of guys wearing out their Kershaw Onions this way. However, Kershaw does have good customer (repair) service.
Bear in mind that the "assisted openers" are marginally legal in certain jurisdictions, and poorly-informed cops have been known to confiscate them as "switchblades."
FWIW, Kershaw (based in Oregon, like Benchmade) is owned by a Japanese co., but their stuff's mostly made here. Spyderco's in Colorado, but most Spydies are made in Japan.
Unless you live/work in places populated (regrettably) by politically-correct, weapons-averse Sheeple ("Eeeuuww, whatya need THAT nasty-looking knife for?", "This is a weapons-free zone. Zero tolerance", blah-blah, etc.) all these should be socially acceptable. The Delica's aggressive point might scare pacifist grass-eaters, while the colorful variants of the Kershaw Onions may elicit "How cute!" responses from ditzy babes (whose crime-victim-in-waiting Weapons IQs are equal to a dooknob's).
The Delica's steel is the best (followed by the Griptilian) and it's been a time-tested best-seller. Benchmade has the best lock-up system and seems to generate the strongest owner loyalty, followed by Spyderco. All 3 manufacturers have helpful "user forum" websites where you can gather honest opinions by actual owner/users.
Try 'em all. Like flashlights, you'll never be happy with just one. The more you know, the more you'll want.
1. Spyderco Delica (3 inches, G-10 blade steel), or
2. Benchmade Mini-Griptilian (2.9 inches, 440C blade steel)
The Kershaw Ken Onions definitely have cooler styling and "wow" factors. However, their steels (420, 440A) are a bit softer and a cut below Spyderco's and Benchmade's, though very adequate for everday use. You'll just need to sharpen them more often. The Kershaw Leek (3 inches) is the coolest, but I found Kershaw's "assisted opening" tricky to use under "all thumbs" stress (i.e., a self-defense scenario), especially their small Chive and Scallion. That opening system IS fun to play with, although I've heard of guys wearing out their Kershaw Onions this way. However, Kershaw does have good customer (repair) service.
Bear in mind that the "assisted openers" are marginally legal in certain jurisdictions, and poorly-informed cops have been known to confiscate them as "switchblades."
FWIW, Kershaw (based in Oregon, like Benchmade) is owned by a Japanese co., but their stuff's mostly made here. Spyderco's in Colorado, but most Spydies are made in Japan.
Unless you live/work in places populated (regrettably) by politically-correct, weapons-averse Sheeple ("Eeeuuww, whatya need THAT nasty-looking knife for?", "This is a weapons-free zone. Zero tolerance", blah-blah, etc.) all these should be socially acceptable. The Delica's aggressive point might scare pacifist grass-eaters, while the colorful variants of the Kershaw Onions may elicit "How cute!" responses from ditzy babes (whose crime-victim-in-waiting Weapons IQs are equal to a dooknob's).
The Delica's steel is the best (followed by the Griptilian) and it's been a time-tested best-seller. Benchmade has the best lock-up system and seems to generate the strongest owner loyalty, followed by Spyderco. All 3 manufacturers have helpful "user forum" websites where you can gather honest opinions by actual owner/users.
Try 'em all. Like flashlights, you'll never be happy with just one. The more you know, the more you'll want.
TonkinWarrior
Enlightened
Scudinc:
I just noticed you're located in Washington (D.C.), so that adds significant legal and political elements to your carry-knife decision.
1. Wash.D.C. is 100%, weapons-averse PC Sheeple Central. Be careful what kind of knife/blade length you carry, and don't advertise it. Friends there tell me you'll be "turned in" by all the frightened-at-the-sight-of-'em Yuppie elites and lawyers. The town's thick with multiple 3-letter agency (plain-clothes) types with exaggerated self-importance -- mostly good guys, but living in Condition Red since 9-11. And, you got metal detectors at half the buildings there. (You, uhh, some kinda terrorist, son?)
2. IIRC, D.C. outlaws "serrated" blades, too. They're considered to be the moral equivalent of Evil Black Rifle "assault weapons", semi-automatic finger-nail-pulling torture devices, and electo-magnetic pulse guns capable of throwing the Earth off its axis and accellerating global warming.
Stealth -- with selective power projection -- is everything. Dress well, but low key. Live and drive low-profile. No pimp-mobiles. No boomin' music. No Arrest-Me-Red cars. Absolutely NOTHING that's "semi-automatic" -- even if it's a toaster -- because that's an Assault Weapon. Drive either (a) a fully-armored black Lincoln Town Car with 9 radio antennae, or (b) some cute little sub-miniature/75 mpg PC tree-hugger-mobile. (Hey, if you die in a collision with a humming-bird, you'll be eulogized on NPR by Bill Moyers.) No tatoos. No NRA bumper stickers ("Save Vegetarian Bi-Sexual Whales" and "Million Mindless Mommies For Bambi" stickers are OK). Bathe regularly. Trim your nostril hairs. Pay your photo-radar tickets on time to avoid stop/search warrants.
It's an extra burden, but remember: It's For The Children (*barfs*).
I just noticed you're located in Washington (D.C.), so that adds significant legal and political elements to your carry-knife decision.
1. Wash.D.C. is 100%, weapons-averse PC Sheeple Central. Be careful what kind of knife/blade length you carry, and don't advertise it. Friends there tell me you'll be "turned in" by all the frightened-at-the-sight-of-'em Yuppie elites and lawyers. The town's thick with multiple 3-letter agency (plain-clothes) types with exaggerated self-importance -- mostly good guys, but living in Condition Red since 9-11. And, you got metal detectors at half the buildings there. (You, uhh, some kinda terrorist, son?)
2. IIRC, D.C. outlaws "serrated" blades, too. They're considered to be the moral equivalent of Evil Black Rifle "assault weapons", semi-automatic finger-nail-pulling torture devices, and electo-magnetic pulse guns capable of throwing the Earth off its axis and accellerating global warming.
Stealth -- with selective power projection -- is everything. Dress well, but low key. Live and drive low-profile. No pimp-mobiles. No boomin' music. No Arrest-Me-Red cars. Absolutely NOTHING that's "semi-automatic" -- even if it's a toaster -- because that's an Assault Weapon. Drive either (a) a fully-armored black Lincoln Town Car with 9 radio antennae, or (b) some cute little sub-miniature/75 mpg PC tree-hugger-mobile. (Hey, if you die in a collision with a humming-bird, you'll be eulogized on NPR by Bill Moyers.) No tatoos. No NRA bumper stickers ("Save Vegetarian Bi-Sexual Whales" and "Million Mindless Mommies For Bambi" stickers are OK). Bathe regularly. Trim your nostril hairs. Pay your photo-radar tickets on time to avoid stop/search warrants.
It's an extra burden, but remember: It's For The Children (*barfs*).
Icebreak
Flashlight Enthusiast
I got the Kershaw Blackout not too long ago. The assist is pretty cool but I think I can deploy an old non-assited Buck Odyssey much quicker. I still like the Blackout because it is so stealthy. It feels much lighter than my Odyssey.
Then I read a BF discussion about it and became concerned. So, I looked up the law in my state. It's based on prima-facia. IOWs if the by the face of it the knife was disigned for stabbing humans i.e. switchblade etc. you can be in some serious trouble if caught carrying one. There is no specific law about assisted carry knives but I just wonder if the Blackout might cause me some trouble. I'd like to carry it.
Then I read a BF discussion about it and became concerned. So, I looked up the law in my state. It's based on prima-facia. IOWs if the by the face of it the knife was disigned for stabbing humans i.e. switchblade etc. you can be in some serious trouble if caught carrying one. There is no specific law about assisted carry knives but I just wonder if the Blackout might cause me some trouble. I'd like to carry it.
Trashman
Flashlight Enthusiast
I know I've posted this before,but I don't see it, so here goes again:
My personal carry is a Beretta Air-light. It's the smallest version, I believe, with a 2.5 inch blade (I think)(Los Angeles legal). The blade is made in Japan, have serrated, and SuPeR sharp. I've used it plenty and the edge still feels brand new. It's got a Zytel handle and the blade is Skeletoned, all making it the lightest knife I've ever felt. My postage scale says it's .9oz. The Beretta emblem on the handle does look a bit cheesy, but it's a great knife. Not assisted, though. It's even lighter than my Benchmade Benchmite (which is smaller).
My personal carry is a Beretta Air-light. It's the smallest version, I believe, with a 2.5 inch blade (I think)(Los Angeles legal). The blade is made in Japan, have serrated, and SuPeR sharp. I've used it plenty and the edge still feels brand new. It's got a Zytel handle and the blade is Skeletoned, all making it the lightest knife I've ever felt. My postage scale says it's .9oz. The Beretta emblem on the handle does look a bit cheesy, but it's a great knife. Not assisted, though. It's even lighter than my Benchmade Benchmite (which is smaller).
Check out the Blade-tech Mouse-lite
George1
Newly Enlightened
I definitely second cdf's suggestion of a Strider PT. Strider knives are extremely strong and will perform flawlessly.
I'm not sure how small you want to go; if you want a keychain knife, I'm very happy with the Spyderco Jester. It's small yet strong and nobody except a deranged TSA security goon will ever confuse it with a weapon. And it's flashaholically correct since it comes (optionally) packaged with a matching Photon flashlight:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=57
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=57
If you like the Kershaw assisted opening knives, you can currently get the Scallion for $20 at ... Tada! ... WalMart. Not in the retail stores, but buy it online. Shipping adds $3. Sounds like a deal to me. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3205704 The picture on their website sure looks like a Scallion, except there are three holes near the top of the blade. I don't remember those in a Scallion, but some other Kershaw has them (the Boa?) Maybe they just got the picture wrong ... I can't imagine Kershaw makes a Walmart-Special version of the Scallion. Or I could just be confused about those holes - maybe they ARE standard on a Scallion.
Personally I prefer the non-assisted opening Kershaw Vapor, which is what I carry daily. WalMart also sells these are their retail stores for $19-20. Or the larger Vapor II for a few bucks more.
I sound like a WalMart shrill. I'm not. I think I've only bought three things there in my life. One of them being the Vapor.
Personally I prefer the non-assisted opening Kershaw Vapor, which is what I carry daily. WalMart also sells these are their retail stores for $19-20. Or the larger Vapor II for a few bucks more.
I sound like a WalMart shrill. I'm not. I think I've only bought three things there in my life. One of them being the Vapor.
That is a great price for a really nice knife. Peculiar though as the original price is $25 and the Chive is priced higher than that at $29.96. I just lost/misplaced my Scallion 2 weeks ago and purchased a Mini-Gryptilian. The M-G is a very nice knife, based on my memory the edge is quite a bit sharper than the Scallion and reportedly should hold that edge better. I've only had this knife for one week but my initial impression is that it is a much finer blade. That being said it is more than twice the price of the Scallion, which makes the Scallion an excellent value.
On the downside it is on the verge of being too large for EDC both in length and in thickness but I guess I'll suffer /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I think that the thickness is what really is most objectionable.
One thing I like a lot about both these knives is that they can be opened and closed with one hand very quickly yet don't seem to be prone to accidently closing. Hard to go wrong w/ either.
On the downside it is on the verge of being too large for EDC both in length and in thickness but I guess I'll suffer /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I think that the thickness is what really is most objectionable.
One thing I like a lot about both these knives is that they can be opened and closed with one hand very quickly yet don't seem to be prone to accidently closing. Hard to go wrong w/ either.
I like my Spyderco Jester much better than my Kershaw Chive. The Chive is hard for me to open because of the thin scales. It also opens in my pocket if I don't use the safety slide bar. Using the safety slide bar makes it even more cumbersome to open.
I like the simplicity of the Spyderco Jester. Nice small, sturdy knife that I can actually use.
I like the simplicity of the Spyderco Jester. Nice small, sturdy knife that I can actually use.
