Help me pick a knife

**ViciousFlamingo** · Posted On: 7/04/2007 11:39pm

I am looking for a daily carry folder that I can use for everyday tasks and that will also be a serviceable for self-defense if it comes down to it. In the next 6 months I will be traveling around about 15-20 different countries as well as a bunch of states, and I want to get something that will be useful and also ok under most of these places' laws. With that in mind, here's what I'm looking for:
- $125 or less. I don't want to have to worry my ass off about losing or using the thing, but I also don't want to have a hunk of junk that breaks after a few uses.
- single-hand opening, but no assisted opening or springs.
- locking liner or frame lock
- The blade can be at the very most 3", although I'd definitely prefer it to be just under 3" for legality issues.
- fine edge, or possibly combo-edge. Does the partial serration really add enough functionality that it's worth the more difficult sharpening process?
- pocket clip, preferably reversible, since I don't know whether tip-up or tip-down will be better.
- good fingerguard or grip - if I ever need to thrust with the blade, I don't want my fingers running up the blade and getting cut.

At the moment I'm looking pretty hard at the Spyderco Delica. My only concern is slippage if I had to use the thing for stabbing. The Gerber Crusader also looks really good, but I was hoping to get something with a more innocuous name...

Other knives I'm considering:
CRKT M16 EDC
CRKT Tiny Tighe Breaker
CRKT Point Guard
Benchmade Mini-Griptillian
Benchmade Griptillian
Spypderco Robin
Spyderco Crow

I've done a bit of thread reading, but I'm pretty much a noob to the knife world, so I'd appreciate some more suggestions and input on what I've already picked out. If you think my critertia should be changed, I'd like to hear about that too.

**hoodedmonk** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 1:21am

smith &wesson SWAT model 50.00$ (sportsman wherehouse/cuttlery world) beautiful knife!

**wetware** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 2:47am

The grip surface on the back of the delica should work fine for your purposes. One thing you may need to look at further is the lock. I seem to remember from my time in Europe that some of the countries over there don't even like locking blades. Be sure to double check.

**BackFistMonkey** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 2:50am

I like it , have not held one yet , but according to their history of decent daily carry , and your requirements . I think you may have a winner Have you handled one yet ?

**chemistry** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 8:36am

The Spyderco Delica is a great choice. It's blade length is under 3", which makes it perfectly lawful in just about any state, even the People's Demokratik Republik of New Jerseystan.

Spyderco's customer service is excellent, should you ever have to contact them, and they'll even re-sharpen the serrated ones for free.

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 8:40am

i have been really happy with this one and you can't beat the price:

http://www.knivesplus.com/KE-1640-Kershaw.HTML

KAI is a good knife maker although this one is made in china, it seems to be fairly high quality and has gotten good reviews. plus for $25 you don't feel bad if you have to toss it in the gutter/river/sewer for whatever reason.

**teddy_bear** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 8:57am

http://www.knivesplus.com/AL-2UBK2T-Al-Mar.HTML

I've owned a longer version of the above, the Eagle Talon Ultralight, for a few years now and have been very happy with it.

**ViciousFlamingo** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 4:54pm

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Wetware, most of the countries I'll be traveling to don't have problems with locking knives, and as for the ones that do, I just don't think it's something I want to compromise on.

I haven't had a chance to try out the Tiny Tighe Breaker, so I'll head to a couple stores over the next week or two to go check on that and the other suggestions you guys have made. Thanks.

By the way, what does everyone think of fine edge vs. combo edge? Would a fine edge be ok to cut through rope or seatbelt?

**chemistry** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 9:17pm

Originally Posted by ViciousFlamingo

By the way, what does everyone think of fine edge vs. combo edge? Would a fine edge be ok to cut through rope or seatbelt?

A serrated edge would make it easier to get that initial grab, but as long as you have a decent edge on the blade, a plain edge would do fine. Just remember to slice, and not chop, and you would be fine.

**BackFistMonkey** · Posted On: 7/05/2007 9:39pm

I do like the m16s as well .

and yeah go either combo or plain edged . If you go combo I would go with a model that has no more than about a 1/3 of the blade serrated .

The only thing I hate about my smith and wesson "24-7" is that the serrations run every bit of half the length of the blade . You may want to check into those , if they still sell them . I got mine three years foe like 28 bucks and I still carry and use it everyday .

it is an ugly fucking little beast but it works .