Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Knife shopping

Since my birthday is coming up, I decided I want a new EDC(EveryDay Carry) knife to replace this one(the drop point hunter) that I've been carrying around for the last year or so. It's a good enough knife, but I'd just like something a bit nicer.

So I've been looking, and I've boiled it down to a few choices, but can't make up my mind and I thought I'd get some input from here. Leading the pack is the Kershaw Ken Onion Cyclone. There are times when a bit longer blade than my current 3 incher has would be nice, and the Cyclone fits that bill. Kershaw knives have a great reputation.

Next up is the Benchmade Griptilian. It's a proven knife carried by a lot of people. The thumbstuds and pocket clip are big pluses for me. I've gotten used to them with my Kabar-Dozier.

Last but not least is the Lone Wolf T1 Harsey Folder. A little more expensive than the other 2, and a slightly shorter blade that's the same size I have now. But that S30V is supposed to be the hot steel at the moment that's supposed to really hold a sharp edge for a long time. Made in the USA, locking liner, pocket clip...really looks like it'd be a good knife to have for a long time.

So if you were buying, which one would you choose?

Out of the three, I'd have to go with the Kershaw. I also like the Boker Helios!

I've carried Benchmades for years. They're the best bang for the buck.

--Jaeger

Have a look at the SOG Flash II
vey good opening plus dual type blade. Have carried for 12 months use evey day. no problems
http://www.sogknives.com/flash.htm

Oh, knife shopping... I didn't have my glasses on. I thought it said wife swapping. Never mind.

You can't find a better every day knife than a benchmade. I don't know about the griptillian, but the My BM Ares 735 has been the greatest knife I've ever carried. I've had her for going on four years of EVERY day carry, and I'll never carry anything else. In regards to the blade material there isn't a bad steel out there (at least not one used by reputable knife companys- Benchmade, Spiderco, etc.). Take care of any quality knife correctly, and it should last quite a while.

I care a Benchmade. To me the modern knives are pretty much the same. I don't like stainless steel blades. They don't seem to hold an edge or are easily sharped as the old carbon steel that I use to carry.

Dave

Thanks for the input. I've eliminated the Lone Wolf, because I've read they have some quality control issues. Checked out the Boker Helios($$$!) and the SOG Flash II. The SOG only comes with AUS8 steel for the blade, which is what I have now. I wanted to try something different. Not that there's anything wrong with AUS8.

Not any of the knives you mentioned but just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in for durability/quality, ect., ect.
I have owned and carried more than not a Lakota Lil'Hawk for more than 25 years now.... one thing that I have owned almost longer than any other stuff I can think of. Other than a few touch ups to the finish on the handle and the fact that the blade is slightly narrower than it was originally (sharpening ya know) it's performed flawlessly in just about every single thing you can think of to do with a knife plus some ya'd never think of.


Steve

I think, the knife you can keep up with for more then a month is the one to carry..........

Those Lakotas sure are pretty knives, but out of my price range. I'm trying to keep this within the $50-75 range, and there's only about a thousand choices.

After admiring those Lakotas, I started looking at some Queen and Schatt & Morgan knives last night. Suddenly a classic slip joint is appealing to me. Oh I know they aren't as practical as the ones I threw out there in my first post, but then it would fit my personal tastes better....kind of like my choice in motorcycles.

Well I hit a local knife dealer and came out of there with the Lone Wolf T1. This one has nice Rosewood handles. Since I got to handle the knife and inspect it for fit & finish, I went ahead and bought it. The liner lock will take a bit of getting used to, but it's such a nice knife I couldn't pass it up. Only cost me $10 more than a Griptilian. Knife is extremely sharp right out of the box. This one should last me a long time.

Blade Length: 3.2 in.
Length Closed: 4.0 in.
Overall Length: 7.2 in.
Overall Weight: 2.9 oz.
Blade Material: CPM-S30V high-carbon stainless steel
Frame: Stainless Steel
Handle Material: Rosewood
Pocket Clip: Stainless Steel
Fasteners/Rivets: Stainless Steel
Warranty: Lifetime for materials and craftsmanship

The Lone Wolf is a handsome knife, but I'm really not big on the liner lock. Being left handed I simply can't use them. My Axis Lock on my Benchmade is ambidextrous as are the thumb studs. Not many companys make blades for us south paws.
The Lonewolf T1 looks to be the perfect size, and I really like the rosewood handles. Rosewood handles always add a touch of class for an everyday carry knife. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Yeah, I can see how that liner lock wouldn't be lefty friendly. It's much easier to push down on the liner lock with the right thumb, than it would be to pull up on it from the other saide. It wasn't intuitive at all even for this righty. My prior knife I've been using for the last year or so is a lockback, and before that I was using a cheapo Bucklite which also has a similar lockback. So I'm sitting here flipping open and then closing this Lone Wolf to get used to it. It does have a positive lock to it with a nice *click* sound. I've already put it to use, opening a couple of hard plastic cases that the little River Rock flashlights I also bought today came in. Made quick work of that nasty plastic.

I've carried a Case aluminum handled drop point since the mid 80's. They were manufactured from 1980 to 1990. Found a new one at the flea market a couple of years ago and promptly broke the tip off. The one I carry I've had for 12 or 14 years. Open paint cans, whatever. I don't keep it razor sharp, probably whip it out 5 or 6 times a day.