CKRT M-16 series

 

Im with 223Shooter on this one, go to Amazon.com and there are several choices/styles available in the CRKT M-16 series and if those don't suit you try the M-21 series, you can pay anywhere from 17$-40$ for some of the many MANY different configurations they have including the special forces models which have a double quillion.

I can say from experience that these are fine quality knives, I own the M-16 SF in desert, the M-21 04, M-21 02, and the CRKT Ignitor assisted opener. The first three are quillion flipper knives were you basically push on a rear stud and it forces the blade to swing into locked position, the first two have four position pocket clips for left/right hand tip up/down carry, the third is right hand tip up/down, and the last is tip down right hand only.

All of the steel is AUS8 equivalent with the exception of the SF which is AUS4. All feature very grippy Zytel scale handles, and feature Autolawks which almost makes your folder as solid as a fixed blade,and if you don't like the autolawks you can easily remove it without affecting the knives function.

Don't let these other guys talk you into an inferior knife, for the money most CRKT folders cannot be beat. IMHO when compared side by side with sog, gerber, buck, kershaw, spyderco, cold steel, benchmade, and even Al Mar, CRKT folders cannot be beat in a dollar for dollar value, or with the exception of benchmade and Al Mar which are easily 4x the cost plus some cannot be beat in quality. The best ROI (return on investment) in a folder, out of all my knife collection has been CRKT. And I own a lot of ****, my only regret is that I didn't discover CRKT knives sooner, as I followed the other high dollar knife sheeps and just had to pay more than 100$ for a folder, anything less was trash. Well all that resulted was a small knife collection that really wasn't any better than had I bought a small CRKT collection, the difference would have been that I would have had more money left over and still have excellent quality knives.

The above statements are my opinion only, and I don't mean to offend anyone that chose to waste money, as I have, on super expensive knives that are of no better function or quality than CRKT.

Ultimately the choice is yours, good luck on you search.

 

From personal experience, the Spyderco "Tenacious" is a very nice budget
knife. Opens smooth as silk. The clip is is removable and can be mounted
in a variety of configurations. Smaller variants of that same product line
are the "Persistence" and "Ambitious" models. Look good, but haven't
had either one of those in hand.

Kershaw makes some nice budget knives also. My EDC is a "Clash".
Flipper style assisted-open. Also has the reversible/removable clip.
Very solid knife, but a little heavy. I have a smaller Kershaw on my
key-ring -- the "OSO Sweet" (wow, is THAT stupid name). Light,
very smooth opening. You got to watch some of the Kershaw models.
Some of their knife models snap open with real authority, others,
not quite so well designed. Best if you can actually lay your hands
on one before buying, to make sure it works well. The Clash and the
OSO open very well. Their smaller "Chive" for example, I've found to
be a little weak when opening, and doesn't always lock open.

All the Spydercos and the Kershaws listed above can be found for
right around $30. Seems like a good price-point for a folder. Solid
knives that will stand up to some abuse, but not a heart-breaker if
you manage to lose or bust it.

Edit -- Oh, just FYI, there was a thread floating around on this forum
a while back about someone with a Spyderco Tenacious that was rusting
very badly. Not disputing the case -- I'm sure the guy knows whether or
not his knife is rusting. Just sort of seemed like an odd case. Don't know
if he got a bad batch of steel from Spyderco, or maybe even got ripped off
with a counterfit knife (I got scammed on a counterfit flashlight recently.)
None of the other posters on the thread seemed to be having that rusting
problem, but just wanted to throw the info out there. My Tenacious has
held up spotless, and I carry it a lot in the summer when we go walking.
Heat, sweat, humidity -- not a hint of rust on mine.

 

I bought one of these Kershaw Crown knives at Wal mart for $17. I've had it a few months now, it's been great.

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/s...tore.html?ttl=Kershaw Crown and Crown II&srch=waDESCRIPTIONdatarq=kershaw crown

 

Buck Vantage. They come in a range of materials from $20-70.
I have the Paperstone model, which uses 420HC steel. The blade shape and grind are excellent for utility. It holds an edge very well and the high hollow grind is very easy to sharpen.
The pocket clip is on the butt of the handle for a tip up carry, and is reversible for right or left hand carry, and it is ultra deep in the pocket.

 

Hey, that's kind of cool -- Like you said, available in an interesting variety
of steels to suit your preferences and budget.

 

SPYDERCO NATIVE.
Sounds like it is exactly what you are after.
S30V steel too at around 50.00 plus it is US made.

 

The ontario rat 1 is in my opinion the best folder under 40 bones.

 

Imho

 

I want to think everyone for the suggestions. Instead of easier it just gets harder. Definitely will check out the Kershaw Clash and the Spyderco. The Kershaw's flipper is amazing in the vids I watched. Thanks.

 

Take a look at the big folders from TOPs

 

Find the knife you want and look around... and around... and around. I've always had good luck waiting and watching equipment exchanges, craigslist, and potentially even ebay. I've gotten a few surefires for 1/2 msrp or less (one nib, the others barely used), guns for way less than market (benelli m1 super90 for 425!), and just recently upgraded my pocket knife.

I used to have an al mar secret service that my dad got me... that one grew legs . Had a half decent gerber that walked off at some point too. Found 4 NIB benchmades for $200.... a griptilian, two mini onslaughts, and a full size onslaught. I'm still debating between the mini onslaught and griptilian as an EDC, but the full size onslaught is heading to Afghanistan is a few days along with 1/3 my magpuls... son of a gun better bring me a few of them back!

 

Rat 1. Available for $29.99

 

It matters not what knife you choose to me I just want to warn you NOT to buy any knife with ATS-34 blade steel if you ever hope to re-sharpen it.

AUS-8 stainless & 1095 carbon are two really user friendly blade steels.

 

I have knives with blade steels of 154CM, S30v, ATS-34, 420, 440, 1095, 1085, INFI, 14XXXXwhatever, and have no trouble sharpening any of them,
Except for my RAT3 in D2. That D2 is a challenge.

 

Tenacious. Done.

 

I have a Tenacious and a Ambitious. Love em both. Ambitious fits very well in the bottom of my pocket and the clip on both is reversible for either tip up or tip down carry. Had a Kershaw Blur tanto blade, ok knife but like the Spyderco's better.

 

It's hard to beat the Tenacious. I have heard great things about the Buck Vantage, but I would lean towards the Tenacious especially since you are already familar with Spyderco's products. I have beat the snot out of mine and have zero complaints.

 

For the $

All about the Ontario Rat 1. Solid lock up, tough, Aus 8*. I have batoned with this thing (obviously small pieces, but oak nonetheless) and stripped two 3 ft branches as walking sticks for my nephew and daughter, and feather sticked and trimmed, all on the same two day camping trip. The edge held (obviously not hairshaving but very good), the blade play I expected never showed, and the opening and closing stayed smooth as silk and quick as un-assisted can be. What's best about this knife is that I won't do that with my $$ knives because of their price point! I wonder if they could even hold up! It is now my go-to heavy abuse folder.

29.95 at Knifecenter

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/ON8847/ontario-rat-model-1-folding-knife

I buy from them frequently. Only one hassle that was cleared up at the first sign of my dissatisfaction before I knew they had received my complaint! After many purchases, mind you. Highly reccomend.

*Aus8 is easy to resharpen to poppin' hairs again, even if the fine-ness doesn't last as long as VG-10 or equivilant.

 

Cold Steel Voyager, new version. $40 or so. 3-5'' blades. STRONG. SHARP. One hand flick or one hand with the 'stud' opening. CS Ti-lite is a good EDC defense tool, not as functional due to piercing stilleto blade. I have Kershaw, Gerber, Buck, CKRT, etc. Dont like 'em. They have their purposes, tool box, fishing kit, even Altoids tin...

 

Serrated edges can be sharpened with a chain say file of a small round file. Also, can be touched up if not too small with rolled sandpaper of the proper grit. The regular section of the blade is done as usual.

 

I hate to say it but you can not beat the Buck 110. It doesn't have the dodads you ant but I have field dressed several deer, even cutting through the rib cade and pelvis/hip joints.

 

Yes, there are knives with a lot of "toy" factor then there are knives that work for a living. The Buck 110 is a dependable ol' work horse with little to no "toy" factor to entertain the child in us all.

If there were any chance that my life would depend on the knife I carried at the time I hope I've got my Buck 110 on my belt that day.

 

I recently bought a SOG Sogzilla in 3" for $22. It is my current EDC (non-leatherman) knife.

 

Well I went ahead and bought the Kershaw Clash. I really like the assisted one hand opening. I appreciate everyone's opinion. I did like all the Buck 110 advice. I have a Schrade Uncle Henry LB7 from the late eighties that I carry on my belt on the farm. It is nearly identical to the 110. However at work it just would not work, not business causal if you know what I mean.

 

Well I went ahead and bought the Kershaw Clash. I really like the assisted one hand opening. I appreciate everyone's opinion. I did like all the Buck 110 advice. I have a Schrade Uncle Henry LB7 from the late eighties that I carry on my belt on the farm. It is nearly identical to the 110. However at work it just would not work, not business causal if you know what I mean.

Enjoy your new "city" knife. The LB-7 is a worthwhile competitor of the Buck 110 that will also serve you well on the farm.

 

Well the Clash arrived today. Switched the belt clip to the butt end and it is pretty much perfect for what I need. I like the Spydercoes better, but this knife is nice. It came razor sharp and the assisted opening is awesome. Belt clip holds it very secure.

 

Well the Clash arrived today. Switched the belt clip to the butt end and it is pretty much perfect for what I need. I like the Spydercoes better, but this knife is nice. It came razor sharp and the assisted opening is awesome. Belt clip holds it very secure.

Clash is a good bit of knife for the money, should serve you well.

- OS

 

CRKT/Ken Onion Shenanigan now on Amazon for $27.