Which folding knife? - Page 2 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

KyXD40 · 01-11-2006, 01:21 AM

I would step away from your choices and echo the Kershaw mentioned in the last post. It has a better quality of steel (the optimum for a carry knife IMO), better made than the other two in general, and better customer service from the company. Kershaw knives have several varieties of their Onion assisted opening knives with varying grades of blade steel and blade size. I am afraid that you will have to really look to find a 3" blade with quality steel....you might have to consider Benchmade but they are not cheap.

I have collected knives through the years and own several CRKTs. They are good knives but the majority have less than optimum steels. I am a "steel snob". I do not want to spend my time sharpening my knife, especially during a task. This being said, I prefer no less than 154CM or ATS34. Both seem to have a nice balance between hardness and edge holding longevity. AUS 6 or 8 are relatively easy to sharpen but do not hold an edge worth a darn. I won't even own a knife with a 440 or 420 series steel blade.

This being said, CRKT does have a new line of assisted opening knives made here in the USA with 154CM blades that I have been looking for locally to handle. The reviews seem to be good...although the blade length is 3.25". http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_m...lain_edge.html

Now back to your regularly scheduled forum topics......

jdavionic · 01-11-2006, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedRacer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrishco

Let me suggest another option - the ken onion series of Kershaw knives ( http://www.kershawknives.com/large.htm. Mine is on page 2 of 6) I have had my share of pocket knives and now have a scallion in brushed silver (they may no offer that color any more) and I can definitively say this is the best knife ever! It is an assisted open - almost a switch blade. Its perfect for one hand opening. Ive had mine for four years and it still looks like new and is only SLIGHTY duller than new. Id definitely look at one of those knives as an option. Mine was $40.

I agree 100%. I've owned a ton of pocket knives included a $150+ Benchmade, I wouldn't trade my $40 Kershaw Ken Onion for anything!!! The assisted opening is sweeeeeet.

+1 I own several knives but have carried nothing but my Kershaw Ken Onion knife since I bought it. I have the Whirlwind model. Great knife. And in my opinion, it's better in quality & performance than the more expensive, well known knives.

jcrich33 · 01-11-2006, 05:54 AM

Of your two knives your thinking about, I get the CRKT. Every one who has said so is right, Kershaw makes a good knife. You might also want to check out a Spyderco if you haven't yet. I've been carrying a Smith&Wesson SWAT knife off and on for awhile, it takes abuse but not good at keeping an edge (probably my fault).

ralst4 · 01-11-2006, 06:00 AM

I am carrying a Kershaw Ken Onion Leek now and I love it. It is by far the sharpest out of the box knife I have ever owned. And the assisted opening is a blast.

PeninaD · 01-11-2006, 07:26 AM

Given the husband many folding knives over the years, and between EMS and FD and just day-to-day, they are used heavily.
He's broken everything, Gerber, Spyderco, Buck, etc.
Gave him and S&W S.W.A.T. this time, and he is esctatic with it.

10ring · 01-11-2006, 07:37 AM

Could someone give a little more insight on the common blade materials? I keep reading about the superiority of one steel over another variety. What are the most common steels, and their benefits and shortcomings?

LTC-USA · 01-11-2006, 09:23 AM

I love my Spyderco.

SLCDave · 01-11-2006, 10:12 AM

I've carried one Buck or another for years. They are American-made, American owned, and make good knives that won't necessarily break the bank.

laivindil · 01-11-2006, 05:56 PM

I carry a CRKT M16-13 and I like it. I pretty much bought it cause it was inexpensive and made of decent stuff. Knives are one of those things that IMO if they break they break; get one you won't mind throwing away too much.

On the other hand some high $ knives are just better/more comfortable.

So Flo · 01-11-2006, 06:15 PM

I've been looking at the CRKT m16 as well. I bought one for my brother over the summer and he loves it.
I also carry a http://www.benchmade.com/products/pr...px?model=10300 It has really served me well. It took a while to loosen it up after I got it, but it opens in a snap now!

01-11-2006, 01:21 AM	#11
KyXD40 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 265	I would step away from your choices and echo the Kershaw mentioned in the last post. It has a better quality of steel (the optimum for a carry knife IMO), better made than the other two in general, and better customer service from the company. Kershaw knives have several varieties of their Onion assisted opening knives with varying grades of blade steel and blade size. I am afraid that you will have to really look to find a 3" blade with quality steel....you might have to consider Benchmade but they are not cheap. I have collected knives through the years and own several CRKTs. They are good knives but the majority have less than optimum steels. I am a "steel snob". I do not want to spend my time sharpening my knife, especially during a task. This being said, I prefer no less than 154CM or ATS34. Both seem to have a nice balance between hardness and edge holding longevity. AUS 6 or 8 are relatively easy to sharpen but do not hold an edge worth a darn. I won't even own a knife with a 440 or 420 series steel blade. This being said, CRKT does have a new line of assisted opening knives made here in the USA with 154CM blades that I have been looking for locally to handle. The reviews seem to be good...although the blade length is 3.25". http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_m...lain_edge.html Now back to your regularly scheduled forum topics...... __________________ Rod Retired and loving it! "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke 1770 "No success in life can compensate for failure in the home" David O. McKay

01-11-2006, 05:54 AM	#13
jcrich33 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mile High City Posts: 527	Of your two knives your thinking about, I get the CRKT. Every one who has said so is right, Kershaw makes a good knife. You might also want to check out a Spyderco if you haven't yet. I've been carrying a Smith&Wesson SWAT knife off and on for awhile, it takes abuse but not good at keeping an edge (probably my fault). __________________ 4" XD 9 w/Don's stainless guide rod .380 Firestorm/Bersa Savage Model 6 "Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine languages. So ignorant, he bought a cow to ride on." Ben Franklin

01-11-2006, 06:00 AM	#14
ralst4 XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana Posts: 79	I am carrying a Kershaw Ken Onion Leek now and I love it. It is by far the sharpest out of the box knife I have ever owned. And the assisted opening is a blast. __________________ XD-40, 4\" -Don\'s Guide Rod w/ Wolf 22lb Spring -Rubber Decal Grips -Truglo TFO Sights -M-3 Tactical Light Kel-Tech P3AT -P Site CRKT Point Gaurd knife CRKT M16-10k knife Kershaw Leek

01-11-2006, 07:26 AM	#15
PeninaD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: PA Posts: 216	Given the husband many folding knives over the years, and between EMS and FD and just day-to-day, they are used heavily. He's broken everything, Gerber, Spyderco, Buck, etc. Gave him and S&W S.W.A.T. this time, and he is esctatic with it. __________________ XD9 Service Marlin 336 Marlin 22mag

01-11-2006, 07:37 AM	#16
10ring XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohh, Ohio Posts: 91	Could someone give a little more insight on the common blade materials? I keep reading about the superiority of one steel over another variety. What are the most common steels, and their benefits and shortcomings? __________________ \"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.\" Thomas Jefferson

01-11-2006, 09:23 AM	#17
LTC-USA XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UT Posts: 950	I love my Spyderco. __________________ Springfield XD 9mm subcompact-Tripp chrome (2005) Browning Hi-Power (1966) Browning .25 (1966) 1903 A3 .30-06 Jack Russell Terrier

01-11-2006, 10:12 AM	#18
SLCDave XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,980	I've carried one Buck or another for years. They are American-made, American owned, and make good knives that won't necessarily break the bank. __________________ We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. Thomas Jefferson Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

01-11-2006, 05:56 PM	#19
laivindil XDTalk Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: WA state Posts: 72	I carry a CRKT M16-13 and I like it. I pretty much bought it cause it was inexpensive and made of decent stuff. Knives are one of those things that IMO if they break they break; get one you won't mind throwing away too much. On the other hand some high $ knives are just better/more comfortable. __________________ "And all was right with the universe because GOD gave forth the XD45ACP, and there was much rejoicing!" -The Knight Of Light "What was God thinking when He made Marines? My guess: He was probably laughing maniacally." -Ishpeck

01-11-2006, 06:15 PM	#20
So Flo XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wellington, Florida Posts: 12,845	I've been looking at the CRKT m16 as well. I bought one for my brother over the summer and he loves it. I also carry a http://www.benchmade.com/products/pr...px?model=10300 It has really served me well. It took a while to loosen it up after I got it, but it opens in a snap now! __________________ No Guns, Know Crime. Know Guns, No Crime! http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member3984.png

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