Best Pocket Knife?

[GottaB 591]

I’ve owned three Chris Reeve knives. Small Sebenza, large Sebenza and one other that I can’t remember the model number. The shape didn’t work on the other one so I don’t own it anymore. The two Sebenzas are drop point and I’ll keep for life. They are really nice.

I don’t carry them daily like I do a lot of the Benchmade’s I have. I prefer a deep carry clip and I don’t want to get a custom clip just to get it to ride lower in the pocket.

I don’t regret buying one (or two) but it does make it easier to justify other more expensive knives.

[Armybrat 40759]

I have never carried a real knife before, just a little tiny Victorinox on my keychain. 
Now am considering this medium size  Kershaw for EDC, but I know nothing about them.
What say y’all?

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Launch-18-Automatic-Knife--192064

[fattyflattie 4637]

6 hours ago, Armybrat said:

I have never carried a real knife before, just a little tiny Victorinox on my keychain. 
Now am considering this medium size  Kershaw for EDC, but I know nothing about them.
What say y’all?

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Launch-18-Automatic-Knife--192064

What do you want to do with it? 

[Armybrat 40759]

General purpose knife - I don’t like having to go to the kitchen crap drawer, the workbench, or back to the car to fetch a knife to cut something. 
Plus I like the switchblade auto opening feature, as my current cheap knife is kinda clumsy to open & close.

 

 

[huge 3789]

18 hours ago, Armybrat said:

I have never carried a real knife before, just a little tiny Victorinox on my keychain. 
Now am considering this medium size  Kershaw for EDC, but I know nothing about them.
What say y’all?

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Launch-18-Automatic-Knife--192064

The answer is always yes.

[GottaB 591]

I have never carried a real knife before, just a little tiny Victorinox on my keychain. 
Now am considering this medium size  Kershaw for EDC, but I know nothing about them.
What say y’all?
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Launch-18-Automatic-Knife--192064

I tried to buy this knife from optics planet and they cancelled the order. The rules for shipping auto knives across state lines are grey to them. They would not ship to Texas unless I was military /LEO.

[PilotsError 2286]

Bought this cheap Gerber for twelve bucks off Amazon. Nice sharp blade. 

[ChickenNuggets 1620]

I am fully expecting to get flamed for this post... but.... (cringe) has anyone bought a William Henry pocketknife and felt it was worth it? I kinda want a FU pocketknife to carry for dressier occasions.

[UnivTex34 1763]

12 minutes ago, ChickenNuggets said:

I am fully expecting to get flamed for this post... but.... (cringe) has anyone bought a William Henry pocketknife and felt it was worth it? I kinda want a FU pocketknife to carry for dressier occasions.

Chris Reeve Mnandi has been my suit knife for a decade now. 
 

If I were you, I’d find a maker I love/trusted and buy commission something custom.

 

WH does very little for me.

[fattyflattie 4637]

24 minutes ago, UnivTex34 said:

If I were you, I’d find a maker I love/trusted and buy commission something custom.

 

WH does very little for me.

Same. You can get some really nice customs for a lot less than WH. 

[59 Burst 434]

On 5/28/2024 at 7:46 PM, ChickenNuggets said:

I am fully expecting to get flamed for this post... but.... (cringe) has anyone bought a William Henry pocketknife and felt it was worth it? I kinda want a FU pocketknife to carry for dressier occasions.

Depends. I own one that I purchased many years ago. It has a Damascus blade, with mammoth tooth inserts on the bolsters, and a diamond insert. They are high quality knives that are well made with presentation boxes. They also have appreciated to those that value them. 
Are they practical? I don’t think so. I carry a Case doctor’s knife. 

[GottaB 591]

On our way back from Yellowstone, we swung by Golden Colorado

The Spyderco factory outlet was worth the trip.

They of course had everything on display.

After I checked out Sal Glesser (owner, creator) came out as I was trying to discuss the kitchen knives to my wife and he told me: “if you get no other knife, you should get one of these (Counter Critter). I give these to several restaurants in town on the condition I can come take a look under the scope every three months and check how they’re doing…..” so I did.

I ended up with a SpyOpera, Salt 2 Green in Wharncliffe and an Enuff 2 in leaf blade. Along with some other paraphernalia.

[tx 3 putt 76572]

nice haul 

 

[veritas aequitas 436]

After a few bourbons last year I bought this knife. The next day I had some second thoughts on spending that much on knife but a year later it has become my favorite knife. It's Oklahoma legal but opens just as fast as my automatics. But best of all it just feels and looks great.

 

[GottaB 591]

Yeah, every time I saw these on knife sites I blew them off. They look funky.

Then I held the SpyOpera and really liked it.

I never would have bought one had I not seen it in store.

[Carl Spackler 3473]

On 6/19/2024 at 3:45 PM, GottaB said:

On our way back from Yellowstone, we swung by Golden Colorado

The Spyderco factory outlet was worth the trip.

They of course had everything on display.

After I checked out Sal Glesser (owner, creator) came out as I was trying to discuss the kitchen knives to my wife and he told me: “if you get no other knife, you should get one of these (Counter Critter). I give these to several restaurants in town on the condition I can come take a look under the scope every three months and check how they’re doing…..” so I did.

I ended up with a SpyOpera, Salt 2 Green in Wharncliffe and an Enuff 2 in leaf blade. Along with some other paraphernalia.

How were the prices at their outlet store?  I know you can find their knives a helluva lot cheaper onlline at places like Blade HQ, Amazon, etc. than on the Spyderco website, but was thinking that maybe the outlet store offers real bargains.  Don't think I'd be able to get out of there without buying a few things like you did.

And is that Enuff 2 in VG-10?  

[Bozo_Casanova 26365]

48 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

How were the prices at their outlet store?  I know you can find their knives a helluva lot cheaper onlline at places like Blade HQ, Amazon, etc. than on the Spyderco website, but was thinking that maybe the outlet store offers real bargains.  Don't think I'd be able to get out of there without buying a few things like you did.

And is that Enuff 2 in VG-10?  

 

[Carl Spackler 3473]

17 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

 

Lulz.  The same thought crossed my mind, just as it always does whenever I see "enough" spelled that way.

[GottaB 591]

How were the prices at their outlet store?  I know you can find their knives a helluva lot cheaper onlline at places like Blade HQ, Amazon, etc. than on the Spyderco website, but was thinking that maybe the outlet store offers real bargains.  Don't think I'd be able to get out of there without buying a few things like you did.
And is that Enuff 2 in VG-10?  

Prices are not great. I think everything is 20% off MSRP which is higher than you get at online retailers. Which makes sense. The ones I bought had added discounts (salt wharncliffe was a discontinued, SpyOpera was open box used at a knife show). Plus I am a veteran so I got an additional 20%.

If it weren’t for the added discounts I probably would not have bought anything.

They have two events a year where they sell blems that have huge discounts. One such event is next weekend for first responders and military, the other event is in November for everyone.

I would not go out of my way expecting a huge discount.

The big reason to stop is to handle knives you can’t find anywhere else. It’s not often you get to see the whole catalog available to fondle.

[BabaYaga 15238]

Lost my Kershaw Leek a while back.  Picked up on a whim a Kershaw Hotwire.  Holy hell what a POS this little thing is.  Blade is butter soft.  What do they say about getting what you pay for?  I think it was $12 at Walmart.  I think breaking down a medium sized cardboard box would end it....

[GottaB 591]

My next kershaw will be an Iridium


My most recent Kershaw is the Launch 18. Perfect sized auto and it has been great.

[NWBuck 8549]

I've got an iridium as well, and it's just what I find myself reaching for- solid, not spectacular, perfect size.

I'm sure the burnt orange spacer/lanyard loop would be popular hereabouts (as would the bronze handled one)

Edited August 27 by NWBuck

[crash_davis 23090]

I'm not a knife connoisseur. I don't collect or anything. I have a buck pocket knife that was my dad's that I keep for sentimental value, and that's about it.

I saw this posted in Slickdeals and then people started raving about the value of this knife. Seen a few reviews on Youtube. My take away is that it's a solid $30 knife that you can buy for $10. Thoughts?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-7-5-inch-Slide-Lock-Folder-Folding-Knife-with-Ball-Bearing-3-3-inch-D2-Blade-Belt-Clip/5420562258?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

[UncleBuck 6448]

On 8/27/2024 at 3:29 PM, crash_davis said:

I'm not a knife connoisseur. I don't collect or anything. I have a buck pocket knife that was my dad's that I keep for sentimental value, and that's about it.

I saw this posted in Slickdeals and then people started raving about the value of this knife. Seen a few reviews on Youtube. My take away is that it's a solid $30 knife that you can buy for $10. Thoughts?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-7-5-inch-Slide-Lock-Folder-Folding-Knife-with-Ball-Bearing-3-3-inch-D2-Blade-Belt-Clip/5420562258?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

I've just noticed this knife getting a lot of hype recently. Looks like they're offering a very VERY cheap alternative to the Benchmade Bugout. I've been wanting a bugout, or the mini, but I can't bring myself to go that much on a pocket knife....yet

[crash_davis 23090]

This may be interesting to some.

 

 

 

[huge 3789]

Can you summarize?  Some of us around here are still sufficiently lazy...

[baboso 6052]

The expensive knives are better, but the Smith & Wesson $13 knife is OK.

[TwiceHorn 31351]

Here's one possibly worthy of some discussion.

It is a SAK, but a somewhat unusual one.

A One-Handed Trekker, which is also, without the toothpick and tweezers, the standard German Army Knife.

It has an array of standard SAK tools, bottle opener, caplifter, saw, awl, Philllips-head, toothpick and tweezers.  The ergos of the contoured handle are good.  It's sizable, but not excessively heavy for a multi tool.  It is a bit of a load in the pocket, but not like a Buck 110 for example.  The lanyard thing obviates a clip.

But what's interesting is the blade.  The opening hole is there, and it works, but it's not a flickable knife. There's no spring tension on it, but neither are their any kind of bearings -- it's blade on liner. It's a liner-lock, but the liner moves to the right, so a bit awkward.  But that's not what's really interesting, this is:

So yeah, the serrations are at the tip and a good bit back, leaving plain edge near the choil.  The serrations are quite sharp, but far less aggressive that what you usually see.  This configuration actually works pretty well for utility knife work, with the serrations hogging through tough stuff and the plain edge being close to the handle for whittling-type work.  And the serrations (same as those on a Vic "tomato parer") will cut quite a bit like a plain edge, albeit a bit rougher, if you need them to, again for whittling/carving type tasks.  Pretty handy for cooking tasks all around.  The point is not as fine as even a conventional spear point, so that's a bit of a bummer, but it's big enough that point work wouldn't be its strong suit, anyway.

But here's the real weirdness.

It's a chisel grind.  It's wicked sharp as they go, even though it comes from the factory with a small burr on the non-beveled side.  Stropping that off makes it sharper.  I haven't really had to sharpen it, although the plain edge portion has received a few strokes on a ceramic rod here and there.  The weirdest thing is carving takes a kind of different angle of attack than a double-bevel edge.

I got this as a sort of camping knife and has received some use in that environment and just around the house.  It's useful and I like it despite its idiosyncrasies.

You can get a Trekker without the opening hole and serrations, and I assume it has a typical double-bevel grind.  They also make a bunch of variants on this frame now, one-handed and otherwise and there's a Wenger variant (Ranger) that's even more radical (for SAK, anyway).

 

[Carl Spackler 3473]

On 9/22/2024 at 12:47 PM, TwiceHorn said:

Here's one possibly worthy of some discussion.

It is a SAK, but a somewhat unusual one.

A One-Handed Trekker, which is also, without the toothpick and tweezers, the standard German Army Knife.

It has an array of standard SAK tools, bottle opener, caplifter, saw, awl, Philllips-head, toothpick and tweezers.  The ergos of the contoured handle are good.  It's sizable, but not excessively heavy for a multi tool.  It is a bit of a load in the pocket, but not like a Buck 110 for example.  The lanyard thing obviates a clip.

But what's interesting is the blade.  The opening hole is there, and it works, but it's not a flickable knife. There's no spring tension on it, but neither are their any kind of bearings -- it's blade on liner. It's a liner-lock, but the liner moves to the right, so a bit awkward.  But that's not what's really interesting, this is:

So yeah, the serrations are at the tip and a good bit back, leaving plain edge near the choil.  The serrations are quite sharp, but far less aggressive that what you usually see.  This configuration actually works pretty well for utility knife work, with the serrations hogging through tough stuff and the plain edge being close to the handle for whittling-type work.  And the serrations (same as those on a Vic "tomato parer") will cut quite a bit like a plain edge, albeit a bit rougher, if you need them to, again for whittling/carving type tasks.  Pretty handy for cooking tasks all around.  The point is not as fine as even a conventional spear point, so that's a bit of a bummer, but it's big enough that point work wouldn't be its strong suit, anyway.

But here's the real weirdness.

It's a chisel grind.  It's wicked sharp as they go, even though it comes from the factory with a small burr on the non-beveled side.  Stropping that off makes it sharper.  I haven't really had to sharpen it, although the plain edge portion has received a few strokes on a ceramic rod here and there.  The weirdest thing is carving takes a kind of different angle of attack than a double-bevel edge.

I got this as a sort of camping knife and has received some use in that environment and just around the house.  It's useful and I like it despite its idiosyncrasies.

You can get a Trekker without the opening hole and serrations, and I assume it has a typical double-bevel grind.  They also make a bunch of variants on this frame now, one-handed and otherwise and there's a Wenger variant (Ranger) that's even more radical (for SAK, anyway).

 

I have that same knife (also in black) but with a regular blade (flat grind) instead of combo.  I also replaced the toothpick with a small fire steel.  My version (non-serrated) was discontinued several years ago -- not sure why.  Agree with your assessment about opening this blade -- the hole works but it takes some effort.  It's a Leatherman competitor with the biggest drawback (IMO) being that it doesn't have pliers.  But like all Victorinox products, it's engineered and made very well.

[TwiceHorn 31351]

So, all this talk about serrations got me thinking about sharpening them.  I had always kind of assumed you use a rod of appropriate diameter and run it in the "grooves" of the serrations themselves.  

I only have two sporting knives with serrations, the above and a small Kabar USMC knife, which has the more traditional serrations near the hilt.

But it seems like the consensus is not to do that.  Instead, you do the "back side" of the serrations at a very low angle and then deburr the serrations themselves.  Both the above SAK and the Kabar have no or very little bevel on the obverse of the serrations.

[noharleyyet 2837]

Yojimbo

 

Edited September 26 by noharleyyet

[Orale 1087]

Bought one of these on impulse in the McCoy's checkout line. It's a handy lil son of a bitch. 

[tomahawk dunk 321]

3 hours ago, noharleyyet said:

Yojimbo

 

Trust in Jimbo?

[davidg 4034]

On 9/25/2024 at 8:17 AM, TwiceHorn said:

So, all this talk about serrations got me thinking about sharpening them.  I had always kind of assumed you use a rod of appropriate diameter and run it in the "grooves" of the serrations themselves.  

I only have two sporting knives with serrations, the above and a small Kabar USMC knife, which has the more traditional serrations near the hilt.

But it seems like the consensus is not to do that.  Instead, you do the "back side" of the serrations at a very low angle and then deburr the serrations themselves.  Both the above SAK and the Kabar have no or very little bevel on the obverse of the serrations.

My edc pocket knife is a Gerber EVO serrated.   The rods in my  Lansky turn box sharpener are barely larger than the groove and hit the high sides really well at the same angle as the original grind.  As few passes in each groove and a couple more low angle on the back side and the serrated part gets really dangerous.   

 

 

 

 

[fattyflattie 4637]

On 9/26/2024 at 11:07 PM, davidg said:

As few passes in each groove and a couple more low angle on the back side and the serrated part gets really dangerous.

That’s how I always did it. Don’t have any serrated blades left, other than a leatherman I keep in my hunting bag. 

[Slacks 6806]

On 9/11/2024 at 8:54 PM, crash_davis said:

This may be interesting to some.

 

 

 

I was literally on this thread to ask what makes a pocket knife better than another.

I will continue carrying random cheap knife that I don't care about.

[GottaB 591]

Totally subjective.

How do you want it to carry? Is it too big that you chose to leave it at home?

Will it cut what you intend to cut?


Enjoy your cheapos. I’ll continue to flush money down the toilet for super steal and ergonomics. Spyderco I’m looking at you

[TwiceHorn 31351]

24 minutes ago, GottaB said:

Totally subjective.

How do you want it to carry? Is it too big that you chose to leave it at home?

Will it cut what you intend to cut?


Enjoy your cheapos. I’ll continue to flush money down the toilet for super steal and ergonomics. Spyderco I’m looking at you

Well, there are objective factors that make a knife better than another.  However, whether those matter to a particular user is completely subjective.  If you lose the things immediately, that's a different use case.

[BabaYaga 15238]

Just bough another cheapy on Amazon:  CIVIVI Mini Praxiss.  D2 steel and G10 handle.  $30.  No bag of corn is safe from me.....

[ChickenNuggets 1620]

I ordered a Spartan folding knife today, a harsey to be exact. It seems like a good quality knife and the design on the grip gels with my interest in watches. Will  post a pic when I get it, but is this a brand that's been on anyone's radar?

[Horn Draoi 254]

On 9/25/2024 at 8:17 AM, TwiceHorn said:

So, all this talk about serrations got me thinking about sharpening them.  I had always kind of assumed you use a rod of appropriate diameter and run it in the "grooves" of the serrations themselves.  

I only have two sporting knives with serrations, the above and a small Kabar USMC knife, which has the more traditional serrations near the hilt.

But it seems like the consensus is not to do that.  Instead, you do the "back side" of the serrations at a very low angle and then deburr the serrations themselves.  Both the above SAK and the Kabar have no or very little bevel on the obverse of the serrations.

Serrations?  Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker.  Videos out there to make it clear; my daily carry is a non-serrated blade since I don’t cut many ropes, but I own several serrated ones……..

[GottaB 591]

I’m always looking for a burnt orange knife in a style I like. Until I fork over the $300 for the latest Sage 5, these will have to do:

 

Benchmade Bailout

kershaw Iridium 

reate box cutter

leatherman juice

The bailout feels the best but the iridium is pretty good.  With the iridium at $50 while the Bailout is $200, it is a better value.

 

[Chewbacca 7730]

Made some custom Benchmade Bugouts for me and my business partners.  Turned out great and I'm really impressed with the quality.  Much lighter than I expected, for sure.

[BabaYaga 15238]

13 hours ago, GottaB said:

I’m always looking for a burnt orange knife in a style I like. Until I fork over the $300 for the latest Sage 5, these will have to do:

 

Benchmade Bailout

kershaw Iridium 

reate box cutter

leatherman juice

The bailout feels the best but the iridium is pretty good.  With the iridium at $50 while the Bailout is $200, it is a better value.

 

That Iridium is clean.  Hell of a knife for the price point.  Obviously the thin tip could be problematic in rougher situations (what she said...), but it's not a bushcraft knife either.  I have a similar box cutter from Home Depot to yours that I use ALL THE TIME.  

Edited October 15 by BabaYaga

[smuggs 9346]

On 10/14/2024 at 6:25 PM, Chewbacca said:

Made some custom Benchmade Bugouts for me and my business partners.  Turned out great and I'm really impressed with the quality.  Much lighter than I expected, for sure.

I love my Bugout. I got the CF elite model and added a titanium backspacer for a little extra weight in the handle to balance it out. I originally got it to carry in my shorts for the summer but it's my year round knife now. Disappears in the pocket.

[Carl Spackler 3473]

On 10/14/2024 at 4:11 PM, GottaB said:

I’m always looking for a burnt orange knife in a style I like. Until I fork over the $300 for the latest Sage 5, these will have to do:

 

Benchmade Bailout

kershaw Iridium 

reate box cutter

leatherman juice

The bailout feels the best but the iridium is pretty good.  With the iridium at $50 while the Bailout is $200, it is a better value.

 

Amazon has the Bugout in S30V with "rust orange" scales for about $170.

[BabaYaga 15238]

There are a few universal laws known to man:  death, taxes, and ones propensity to lose a knife based upon how expensive it was.......

[Beer Drinker 596]