Need Help with Knife Selection

While i am a new member to this forum I am not new to guns,but knives are a different story.Other than pocket knives such as "case,buck,uncle henry,etc.etc."i'm not very knowledgable on the subject of "defensive carry knives".I need some guidance on what knife to buy. I live in Tennessee,so 5" of blade length is all i can legally carry{i think i'm right on this}.I know that like everything else you can spend as much as you want,well i want quality,but i really don't want to spend over $100.00 for a knife that will reside in my pocket and hopefully will never see the light of day.Note here,i carry a small single blade by Kershaw that i use every day for utility purposes. I want a defensive knife that when and if the time came i would need it to cut my way to my Glock.I'm looking for cutting ability,strength of blade and lock{i get this image of my fingers being sliced off because the blade lock doesn't hold}ease of carry and quick deployment.Am i asking too much? I think i want a knife that is like my glock,easy to get hold of,quick to present,always goes bang{6000 rounds & no failure to fire}and safe. Look forward to responses.

I like my Benchmade Stryker (Model 910). It has a tanto blade, locks up tight, opens smoothly, holds an edge very well and is, generally, a very well made knife. I think it costs just over $100.

I like my Benchmade Emerson CQC-7, but it is out of your price range. (about $140)

In your price range may I suggest the Spyderco Delica
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=8

This is an excellent knife, IMO.

Hi ramtough47,
I'm pretty sure TN law only permits a blade length of 4" and under. http://www.dd-b.net/~betty/smilies/uhoh.gif

I'm a big Benchmade fan, too, and I'll recommend the Model 806 AFCK with Axis lock. (I have the old 800 AFCK with round Spyderhole and linerlock and love it.) The thumb hole allows for quick presentation, you can get plain blade or partial serrations, the Axis lock holds well, it has a belt clip, the G10 scales are nice and grippy, and you can use it an antipersonnel striking tool in the closed position. :biggrin: Find the right vendor, and you can get close to that $100 mark.

To really get under the $100 and still maintain quality, the Spyderco knives are really nice. There's many there that fit your description, so I'll let you do the hunting.

Great suggestions. I chose the Kershaw Blur assisted opener for my daily defense knife. Blade lentgh is 3 1/2 inches to the grip. Check for your laws on assisted openers though. I found mine opens faster than a few benchmade knives that are switchblades. Nice sandpaper type grip too. All black so no flash as you draw and open the blade.

Want to thank everyone for their in-put it is greatly appreciated.Looks like everyone is a Benchmade fan and i hear they are great knives.What does everyone think about Cold Steele knives.

I would like to have a Cold Steel Recon Tanto (fixed blade) but don't know alot about their folders, unfortunately. Someone else will have to help you there. :wink:

Ramtough:

I humbly submit to your consideration the Spyderco Delica and Endura. They're the same knife, but one is bigger than the other.

The reason I do so is that these knives are typically $35ish and excellent. They are also archetypal modern folders. Owning one will teach you what you do and do not like in a knife. I would suggest a plain edge FRN handled Delica.

Now if that doesn't grab you, and that's okay I realize not everyone is a Spyderco Fiend like I am, I would suggest the more expensive Benchmade 550 or 551 or if you don't want to sink a lot of money into this, the Kabar Dozier folders are good.

Cold Steel - They're okay. You can do worse. I also feel you can do better. I've had a few and they were all right but I traded them off. What I like about them is that they have some unique designs no one else offers, and if you like the design you'll probably like the knife.

In any case, you'd do well to ask about any specific model you may be considering.

Well, I took the plunge today at the gun show and bought a Benchmade Osborne Axis 940S, nice looker, good feel for "my" hand, and it's a tanto too! I debated on whether to get one with the serrations, but after talking with the dealer, decided it might come in handy. Got it for $127...seemed good deal compared to Benchmade website ($180).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prospector

Well, I took the plunge today at the gun show and bought a Benchmade Osborne Axis 940S, nice looker, good feel for "my" hand, and it's a tanto too! I debated on whether to get one with the serrations, but after talking with the dealer, decided it might come in handy. Got it for $127...seemed good deal compared to Benchmade website ($180).

---

Welcome to the Benchmade Owner's Club, I'm sure you'll like it.... :wink:

I've had to pull a knife twice to stop being robbed. First one years ago was my spyderco delica ( it fits my hand better than any folder I have ) the click in the still morning air sounded like a gun safety behind my back and the guy took off like a scalded dog! Last time I was forced to use my cheap jap work knife I skin wire with. It was my only choice at the time and caused the guy to back away enough I got to my truck and left Dodge before a gun fight broke out while I only had a knife! Good thing I had dark underwear on! I also at times carry a spyderco endura that is a little big for my small hands but I manipulate it well. I prefer the spyderco orientation of the blade as I have it coming open on the way up and out of the pocket. I also have a Browning folder that is a fighting knife with a tanto blade. All three are strong and don't fold up on me under heavy use. The jap junk work knife I don't trust the first bit. It is a cheap frost just for ruining at work but when it is all you have it is a God send! I'm convinced it saved me at the very least getting the crap knocked out of me. Find a knife that feels good on the draw and opening and will work with reduced fine motor skills. It is just like looking for a carry gun! IMHO. One last thing! A sort of pointed reverse end of the handle will really slow someone when taken to the temple of the head, just another feature to look at when choosing a blade.

Thanks "willyp" i will take that into consideration.

Quote:

---

What does everyone think about Cold Steele knives

---

Let me tell ya 'bout Cold Steele.
I've been carrying a Cold Steel Vaquero Grande for four years now as my EDC. It's never let me down. I've used it for everything from opening boxes to light carpentry. I've also used it a few times as a can opener. The blade still cuts like the day I took it out of the box. If I lose it, I'm out $100, including the shipping. I can handle that.
The last two years, I've had a Cold Steel Pro Lite as my off hand Knife. For the price of $55.99, it can't be beat, IMHO.
Like Glocks, some folks don't like Cold Steel. Some do.
I love them. Cold Steel's customer service has been excellent.

Personally I think they are right up there with the better knives. Lots of good styles, excellent steels, solid as a rock lockup. A buddy has a HUGE folder at work that we carve turkey and hams with. 3 years, I don't know how many slices of meat, no sharpening, and it is still shaving sharp! Fair prices too! The new fixed blade they have with the little flip away cover that stays with it. I'd like one, too bad the wife doesn't read this forum maybe I'd get one for Fathers Day :biggrin:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bumper

Welcome to the Benchmade Owner's Club, I'm sure you'll like it.... :wink:

---

In terms of benchmade, I'm surprised I haven't bought one yet. I just recently bought, or will when I get the paycheck, the MOD Mark I. They are great knives, I play with them all the time at work, but just never became a huge fan. I currently own the following: SOG Flash I, SOG Trident Folder, Boker Magnum Kalishnikov, Boker Magnum Kalishnikov Auto Conversion, CRKT Law Enforcement M16 Small Tanto, Masters of Defense 685 Series with Clip point and 2 smith and wesson HRT boot knives. Once i get the paycheck, the MOD Mark I will be part of the family :-P