New Knife Recommendation

[alamogunr]

I've been considering getting a new "pocket" knife for some time now. I thought before I committed some of my retirement $$, I would get opinions from some of you that have more experience than I.

I've got a few pocket knives that I pick up depending on possible need. I'm not a collector, just a user. I recently lost a very small swiss army knife that was in the bottom of my shaving kit. It was confiscated by a TSA inspector along with my spare razor blades. Obviously, I don't fly much.

As to the sort of knife I'm considering, I have looked seriously at the Benchmade Adamas. A huge knife as pocket knives go but it will give you an idea of the type I am looking for. Probably wouldn't carry it often and might just leave it in the door pocket of the truck.

Any and all suggestions will be considered.

[RayinNH]

Columbia River Knife & Tool knives are well made and reasonably priced. http://www.crkt.com/

[jmort]

I just got this and really like it 4.25" blade

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AWOLV8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=27UO44IFJYUFC&coliid=I2IJPXWKBAWMMF

Next one is going to be either the 5.75" Voyager plain clip point or the 4" made in USA Buck

http://www.ltspecpro.com/Product/VOYAGER.20_SERIES/VOYAGER_SERIES.aspx


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EI0VYS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=27UO44IFJYUFC&coliid=I1MTMU754ZRBQS&psc=1

[Blammer]

I kind of like this Gerber, forget the model number but it's one of the assisted folding knives.

I processed two deer with it and gutted and quartered another before I felt I needed to sharpen it again. This pic was taken in 2007, I still have the knife and it still works great.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/2007%20Deer/DSCN6194.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/blammer8mm/media/2007%20Deer/DSCN6194.jpg.html)

[Blammer]

If you want something that's really light to take afield that will definitely allow you to gut, skin and quarter, heck dang near get it all ready to wrap and freeze, I would recommend the Piranta. It's what I toted with me all over CO incase I got an Elk and we had to debone afield to get it out.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

I like Benchmades, Kershaws, SOGS, and Gerbers. Any knife, no matter how much it cost, isn't worth a darn if it isn't sharp. I would invest in a GOOD knife sharpening kit (Lansky, Spyderco, EdgePro, etc). I use the Lansky and can easily get my $30 knives just as sharp as my more expensive knives (they may not hold their edge as long, though). Also, stropping will take your knives to the next level of sharpness.

[Cmm_3940]

I have a Benchmade that I am very happy with. Mine doesn't look like anything fancy, but is very solidly made. Kind of pricey at $140, but I am satisfied with my purchase. I find the assisted-opening is especially helpful with my arthritis/neuropathy fumblefingers. I gave it the full treatment with a Lansky set about 6 months ago, and haven't needed to touch up the edge since then. YMMV, I don't use it to cut copper wire or anything like that.

[Houndog]

I'm presently carrying a Queen gunstock trapper with D2 tool steel blades. It is absolutely the best pocket knife I've ever owned! Think straight razor sharp and it stays that way longer than anything else I've ever owned!

[alamogunr]

I guess I should have mentioned that I don't hunt. When I was growing up and in my younger days, there weren't enough deer in this area to hunt. The mosquitoes in Sept convinced me that squirrel hunting in the bottoms wasn't worth it. Then I got involved in career, family, etc and just never got into it. I know some of you can't imagine being interested in guns, reloading and casting and not being a hunter.

The knife I finally decide on will be a utility tool and for emergencies that I hope will never happen. BTW, the CRKT knives look very interesting.

[crabo]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Fastback-Utility-Knife-48-22-1901/202206146

This is my favorite knife. I keep a 50 pack of Irwin Blue stripe blades in my trucks, my desk at home and at school. You can flick it open or closed easily. You should buy one even if you buy a nice knife just for the utility it gives you.

You can abuse it, replace the blade and you are ready to go again.

[jcwit]

I just received one of these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261609825132?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Ya, I know, it came from china, but so does some of the most expensive and best cameras in the world.

I fail to see the need to spend in the 3 figures for a knife, after all what is the purpose of a knife? To cut, right? My 6 dollar knife will shave, so I guess I got more than my moneys worth.

Ya, I know, no U.S. workers involved, but they were not involved in the making of the computer I'm typing on either. Nor the $300 dollar pair of shoes on my feet.

[Ickisrulz]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LNR5YM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like this one.

[silverado]

I have a buck. Made in USA for around 20 bucks and works just fine for a regular pocket knife.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003XHZ8HM/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SS115&simLd=1

[Ickisrulz]

I just received one of these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261609825132?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Ya, I know, it came from china, but so does some of the most expensive and best cameras in the world.

I fail to see the need to spend in the 3 figures for a knife, after all what is the purpose of a knife? To cut, right? My 6 dollar knife will shave, so I guess I got more than my moneys worth.

Ya, I know, no U.S. workers involved, but they were not involved in the making of the computer I'm typing on either. Nor the $300 dollar pair of shoes on my feet.


I agree with this. Any knife that would be left in a truck, potentially confiscated by the TSA or might be lost somewhere should not be of heirloom price in my opinion. $30 buys a lot of knife these days. Some are even made here in the US.

[rking22]

I can't handle not having a pocket knife with me. On a trip to Colorado I was without and found and bought a CRKT Ignitor T in Sportsmans wearhouse. That was 3 years ago and it has become my everyday knife. I liked the blade shape and the steel was acceptable. It has been used almost everyday since then and has held up well. It has 2 features I really like, 1; the pocket clip carries it closed with point down, and 2 it locks closed as well as open. Lock still functions crisply. It is a fairly large knife, by my standards but rides fine in a jean pocket. It is easy to sharpen and holds a good edge. Not D2 but plenty good for a 50$ knife. I don't find it pretty, but pretty is as pretty does!
i know many want the clip on the other end ,but I had a Benchmade(shaving sharp) lifted from my pocket by a thread on my jacket. I found the knife hanging . OPEN, blade down on my jacket. It was way to close to tender parts had I sat down or bumped into something. That knife now does not have a clip.
My truck knife is a machete, rides under the drivers edge of the rear floor mat. Get's used for thissles, treel limbs and oher needed stuff. cost about 15$

[dragon813gt]

I am a Benchmade fan and collect them. Most of them see no use at all. But there are two that do. When I'm not hunting a MiniGrip is in my pocket at all times. It's a plain edge drop point in N680. That one is made from their custom knife maker as I couldn't get one w/ orange scales and N680 any other way. When I hunting I carry a H2O Griptilian. This is the full size version in N680 w/ same blade profile. For years I carried a MiniGrip in D2 w/ a serrated drop point BK coated blade. I snapped the tip off and it worked great as a screwdriver at work :) the D2 was a chore to keep sharp which is why I had one built in N680.

You can't go wrong w/ any of Benchmades offerings. But I really trust my fingers to the Axis lock which is why the Grips are used heavily.

This pic doesn't do a good job of showing how much bigger the Griptilian is compared to the mini. The yellow one is the wife's and it's in 154CM.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/Mobile/2005EB7E-F166-4FBF-933E-591F4DD68F2A-3334-000001C91D48CF89_zps3ecdf65a.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/dragon813gt/media/Mobile/2005EB7E-F166-4FBF-933E-591F4DD68F2A-3334-000001C91D48CF89_zps3ecdf65a.jpg.html)

[DCM]

Leatherman

[alamogunr]

It seems that I'm in good company. I've got a couple of identical Buck lockback knives that I got free with some kitchen knives I ordered from a now-defunct company in Georgia. One stays right here by the computer. I don't leave home on any trip in the car or truck w/o my original Leatherman. I have a couple of other Bucks, one is a 3 blade stockman. Too thick to carry in my jeans pocket. I also have a Gerber linerlock that I don't remember the name of. Also a leftover from younger days, a Microtech automatic. Not very practical.

[Lumpy grits]

Look hard at Chris Reeve Knives.
Been carry'n a Sebenza for 15 years now. Never an issue.
http://www.chrisreeve.com/
LG

[MaryB]

If you don't mind used and can sharpen it I have carried around a Buck Selector for years. Regular blade,bone saw blade, and a gutting blade. Bone saw and gutting blade are swappable and the other stores in the sheath.

[Idaho Mule]

Old Timer, they have lots of different "pocket" knives. The blades are easy to keep sharp if one knows how to hone a blade, they also have a full replacement warranty but you don't need to use it very often. Buck also makes some very high quality knives but their blades are a bit harder to sharpen if really abused. JW

[OptimusPanda]

My personal favorite knife is my benchmade mini griptilian. I used to favor the spyderco delica but then found out that benchmade makes a mini griptilian with the spyderco thumb hole and never looked back.

[Minerat]

I carry two pocket knives. The small one is a Remington upland that has a choke tube wrench and a gut hook. The other is one of the first Spiderco knives in stainless with a 3.5" serrated blade got it as an anniversary gift 26 years ago.
I just can abide a plastic handle. My hunting knife is a folding Gerber with a hook. It stays sharp thru quartering and trimming 2 elk. Then a quick touch with a ceramic rod and its ready to go again. It would be a passable pocket knife and was reasonable (under $50 as I recal).

[MtGun44]

Take a look at these.

http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-small-dozier-trapper-with-green-g10/p/RUS-CD14G10/

If you can stand a fixed blade, this is in D2 which with Dozier's heat treat will hold an edge
like nothing you have ever seen when skinning. Also, Doziers are usually a LOT more than this one.

http://www.agrussell.com/dozier-kings-river-semi-skinner-african-wild-olive-handle-vertical/p/DK-K5AOWV/

You will need a diamond to sharpen it.

Bill

[dolang1]

Mora is hard to beat for less than $20. A buddy got me one last year and I use it all the time.

[Rick Hodges]

I am a fan of Kershaw's...particularly the #3650 Volt. Yes it made in China but for under $20 it takes and holds an edge, opens with the flick of a finger and is solidly made. The pocket clip is reversible and/or removable. ;);)

[Firebricker]

http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Onion-Black-Smooth-Folding/dp/B0009VCA0I/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1416709505&sr=1-1&keywords=kershaw+blur
This is the American made Kershaw I carry but also like Case Sod Buster Jr with carbon blade and the mini trapper. A Swiss army knife is always handy too. Lots of good options if you are considering anything with a fixed blade check out Bark River they are pricey but excellent quality. FB

[jsizemore]

My edc is a Benchmade Griptilian #550 with the thumbhole that fits my hand. The blade is 154CM and takes a utility edge pretty easy. I have 2 #551 Griptilians with the thumb studs. The beater utility knife has a 154CM:X blade that I picked up at State Surplus that was a TSA confiscation at the airport. The other has a D2 blade and is my backup edc. All are adjusted exactly the same and feel the same so I don't cut myself opening, closing, and using. My boot knife is a 5000 Pardue Auto. Scales on this knife are aluminum where the others are G2 All the knifes use the Axis blade locking system which is about the best around. The auto was $150, the 550 and new 551 were $75 each, and the surplus 551 was $20 with some blade profiling necessary. I use a Gatco diamond sharpening system with the addition of a ceramic stone to strop. It took about 2 months to get the technique and feel to get scary sharp quickly. My 9 Old Hickory's are a breeze to keep sharp. I still use my Buck Pathfinder from seed sales when I was 13 years old.

[rking22]

Another +1 on Bark River, really nice. And I have carried a small fixed blade Barkie as a pocket knife in the past. Worked just fine and actually that is what the CRKT replaced.

[TXGunNut]

My everyday carry knife is a Cold Steel, tough enough for working and keeps a good edge.

[jmort]

Cold Steel has a stronger lock than the high priced Benchmade folders. Benchmade does have a high quality steel.

[GabbyM]

I like case knives. Still made in USA and they make about anything a fellow could want.
I have the full size trapper and a Sod Buster JR.

[starmac]

Well this thread should have fixed the op right up, now he has more choices of everybodys favorites to choose from than he can shake a stick at. Everything from 6 dollar chinese to 200 dollar benchmades, from folders, lock blades to fixed blades. I happen to carry a tomahawk, but use an ulu for slicing and dicing. lol In my pocket I keep a small lockback case and a meduim size us made buck, but have owned many different knives over the years, used to carry eye brand, but don't know if they are even made anymore.

[GabbyM]

Well this thread should have fixed the op right up, now he has more choices of everybodys favorites to choose from than he can shake a stick at. Everything from 6 dollar chinese to 200 dollar benchmades, from folders, lock blades to fixed blades. I happen to carry a tomahawk, but use an ulu for slicing and dicing. lol In my pocket I keep a small lockback case and a meduim size us made buck, but have owned many different knives over the years, used to carry eye brand, but don't know if they are even made anymore.

You summed that up pretty good, lol.

For kitchen wares. pots and pans. Chiefs knives.
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/

You can purchase made in usa pots and pans for less $ than the Chinese junk at Wal-Mart. Plenty of other vendors too.

This is the best argument I have against the hate America crowd that hates Labor workers in America and hate me.

American companies actually have to pay taxes. To Feds, States and Municipals. Imports are tariff free. Couple weeks ago my neighbors in Illinois just voted in another 1% sales tax to help the children. There is a possibility here that we may be pissing into the wind.

[butch2570]

If you don't mind used and can sharpen it I have carried around a Buck Selector for years. Regular blade,bone saw blade, and a gutting blade. Bone saw and gutting blade are swappable and the other stores in the sheath. I have the same knife MaryB , carried it for years as my hunting knife only ,a little big for pocket size for me, but since 1990 I 've used nothing else for gutting and quartering deer ,turkey and a couple bears and quite a few steers with it. Only a few licks on a oil stone and strop her down, and she's good to go again, wonderful knife.

[Petrol & Powder]

I've been carrying the same all stainless steel (AUS 6) Spyderco for over 20 years. It's just under 4" closed and has a 2.75" plain edge blade. Nothing fancy or exotic, just a faithful workhorse. It has a stainless steel pocket clip and a hole in the handle for a small key ring. They don't make that particular model any more but the current Delica II is close and actually has better features (reversible clip and better steel)
If I ever lose or break my current one I'll replace it with the Delica II.
Plain, functional, not too big and proven to be durable.

[Menner]

I have Bucks, Gerbers, Old Timers But the Knife I carry every day is a Kershaw I looked and I think the model is the Scallion ( it is smaller than you are looking at but I think the next size up is the Leek ) it is spring assist open with the lock inside the handle one hand open and close probably not the longest lasting edge but the blade is heavy enough to do a little prying and Kershaw has a over the top warranty break it they fix it I know they have sent me at least 3 new knives at about $50 they are not going to break you. I have three one on me all the time one for when I break one and have to send it back ( its going to happen) and a backup I use my knife everyday and I give this knife as a gift and everybody I have given them to really likes them
Tony

[Nicholas]

I have lots of knives that I have accumulated over the years, but the one in my pocket day to day is a quality swiss army knife with the features I want. There is a good selection of these available and you can have one from basic to way too big for your pocket. The blades are a bit soft but take a good edge easily. For hunting and other outdoor activities, I carry something specific to the activity ranging from a sheath knife through machete to hatchet.