OT Looking for advice

Ok....I need a new folder. I decided years ago that I would only buy American knives from that day forth and have stuck to my decision. I have come to a point in my life that it is time to get a new folder to replace the one that I have had for YEARS (its a foreign made blade <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) The last one that I own. The need is for a somewhat tactical blade. I will carry this while both in uniform as well as out. I want something that will last, carry a edge and last a very long time. I respect everyone opinions here and that is why I am posing this question. What am I looking for here folks?

Spyderco or Benchmade.

Well if by in uniform you mean combat, or any place that would be dirty I would stick to something you could take apart and clean. Emersons are really easy, they use regular screws and are liner locks so they are simple!

when i think tactical, i think 4" or more, but if it's your only folder i'd size it down for EDC and control.

1) Spyderco Military. I would have said Endura but it's made in Japan.

2) Kershaw Leek. the assist and frame lock make it more 'tactical' than the UKPK. i think these are the two best EDC's in production, and not just in the US. i know, sebenza...

Yeah, I would say either Emerson, or Spyderco.

The only BM I endorse is the Ritter grip.

Sorry I need to clarify...

Spyderco Millie...

Or

Emerson CQC-8..

Doug Ritter Griptilian by Benchmade <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

what Andy said.

My EDC is a Kershaw 1660G10ST leek / G10 handles, S30V stone-washed combo edge blade. That particular variant is rather rare, but you can find the plain edge version (1660G10) fairly easily. I don't like the non-G10 handled leeks; they feel slippery to me, but then I don't really like metal-handled pocket knives unless they're grooved titanium -- otherwise, metal handles tend to make pocket knives heavier than I prefer. Even in Spydecos, I prefer FRN or G10 handles.

The leek in S30V is a scalpel, which is why I keep going back to it, but I wouldn't consider it a "hard use" knife. Also, it's an assisted opener, which could be an issue it in some situations. However, it looks more "normal" than many tactical knives, so nobody's given me any grief about it at work.

i would love one of those. i didn't think of my standard leek as a hard use knife either, but it's stoof up to some thick tasks without extra effort or loss of edge. it'd be a fine survival compliment to a big chopper. i think of its hollow ground, finely pointed blade as the modern iteration of the long optimized blade on the 110. all the thick, broad steel we have today is more marketing than performance.

I had a benchmade griptillian in pocket most of my last tour. Always wanted an emerson too.

The trouble with emersons is the chisle grind,go with the griptillian. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />IMO.I just couldn't wittle with the emerson. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I have a love/hate relationship with the Ritter Grip. The blade is well designed. It slices well and holds a good edge. And I can open/close it with either hand. The whole knife is light and easy to pocket carry.

The handle is ergonomic and safe. The jimping and the self guard shape make it unlikely that I’ll carelessly slice my finger tendons when using the knife. The axis lock has never given me problems.

On the other hand, I hate the FRN handle. It looks and feels cheap. It sounds cheap if I run my thumb over the flat of the grips. Since Benchmade did so much right on this knife, why can’t they use a better handle material?

I don't know your budget but I would suggest taking a look at a Chris Reeve Sebenza. Choose the blade size that meets your needs. I have a small Sebbie but I don't have any "tactical" requirements for my pocket knife. The Sebbies are simple, strong framelocks with superb construction that can be disassembled for cleaning. The blade shape is useful and the S30V holds a nice edge for quite awhile.

This is why I posted this here......thanks for all the great leads.

I read an article in one of my knife mags quite a while back about someone making micarta or G10 grips for the griptilians. Don't remember the source but if you do an internet search for benchmade or griptilian grips hopefully you will find it.

check out this article and then check out the source(s) listed in the article

www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical.../griptilian-upgrade/

Oh, they're called griptilkins

The only problem is, the grips cost more than the knife!

I would go with...

Spyderco - Military, Para, or Chinook3
Benchmade - 710 or Rift
Kershaw - Blur or Junkyard Dog

But there's really a ton of factor's that can play into this.

Do you care about type of lock? handle material? what blade length laws are you bound to? what type of uniform work do you do? how much are you willing to spend? ect, ect, ect...

My EDC is a Large CS Voyager, PLain edge. Don't go anywhere with out it. It's my second one. My first went with my nephew when he first got deployed to Iraq. But I've carried a voyager for 6+ years now. Love it!

If you want to limit your choices with "only made in America", that's your choice, but the Endura is an absolute classic in folding knife design and makes a brilliant EDC. The slightly smaller Delica is a fine choice as well.


I still carry an AUS-8 Endura, with a non-removable molded plastic pocket clip, that I bought over a decade ago.

I'd recommend digging through this thread as well as asking there:
http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbt...;amp;Number=172639&an=0&

That is the official folding chat area here at the Yard. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I also realized that while it was referred to in the rules, there was no easy way to find it. That has been corrected now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

To stay consistent with the rules, I'm going to be locking this thread. Don't worry about it though.