AR15.Com Archives
 Going back to a manual open knife for EDC ... Suggestions?
Halfbreed_83  [Member]
4/18/2012 3:01:09 PM
Hey guys. I have a Benchmade Mini-Stryker, which is assisted opening, for awhile now. I love the knife: great length, ergonomics, quality build. Unfortunately, I've had it open in my pocket about 3 times over the past 2 years and it's a safety issue for me (I have two children and the worst possible scenrio is it opening while playing with the kids). Here's a pic of the knife for those unfamiliar with it:


I'm looking for a push in the right direction; looking for a similar knife that is manual open only. Suggestions for a new EDC would be appreciated. Thanks!
wvusoldier217  [Team Member]
4/18/2012 3:25:51 PM
this in plain edge. Mine came in 2 days ago and it is the tits. can't put it down!

pjomalley  [Team Member]
4/18/2012 3:28:24 PM
emerson commander wave?

http://www.emersonknives.com/ekCommander_BTS.php
hellbound  [Team Member]
4/18/2012 3:35:37 PM
I didn't like my nitrous stryker for two reason - liner lock and tip down clip... I did however like the G10 scales

check out the mini barrage, it uses the assisted axis lock and has a safety lock on the back edge of the knife.
shiky  [Team Member]
4/18/2012 9:29:02 PM
BM710.
B62stew  [Member]
4/18/2012 9:56:05 PM


This was the carry knife my dad gave me. I switched to the SOG Fielder for a while until the screws that hold the belt clip became loose (1-2 months of use). I ended up switching back to the Gerber Evo and it hasn't failed me yet. Great thing about this knife is that it has a thumb tab that allows you to open the knife using one hand. They make it in tanto edge, Straight edge, or an Evo Jr.
ALPHAGHOST  [Team Member]
4/18/2012 10:45:58 PM
a benchmade griptillian, spyderco endura, or high-end SOG pentagon...
Willz  [Team Member]
4/18/2012 11:15:08 PM
Originally Posted By wvusoldier217:
this in plain edge. Mine came in 2 days ago and it is the tits. can't put it down!

[url]http://www.gpknives.com/images/benchmade/810SBK[large].jpg[/url]



I really like that

Halfbreed_83  [Member]
4/19/2012 12:09:38 AM
Alot of great knives here but I think some are too big for me to comfortably EDC. Here's a pic of the knife in my had for reference of how small I'd like the knife:


EDIT: Disregard above statement. I've been checking the specs on these knives and they're right around the size/length I need for comfortable EDC. Thanks for the suggestions!
FreeFloater  [Team Member]
4/19/2012 9:33:29 AM
Get the mini griptillian 556 model. It is almost the same knife except manual opening, and a sweet ass AXIS lock.

I wouldn't buy a Benchmade without an AXIS lock...as for me, that's the primary selling point for that brand.

ETA:
The 556 is my EDC and looks just like this one:


cpd670  [Team Member]
4/19/2012 9:42:29 AM
I like the Spyderco Delica 4
or try the Centofante
if you don't like the Stainless handle.
I've carried the Emerson mini-Commander for awhile and like it a lot as well.
All should be similar in size to what you are carrying now.
KimberTLE45  [Team Member]
4/19/2012 9:49:08 AM
I have the mini barrage and mini griptillian. Both are very nice knives.
CNZ302  [Member]
4/19/2012 1:14:22 PM
Spyderco Paramilitary 2. The thing is rock solid, holds a great edge and has a lot of carry options. There are a lot of great reviews on YouTube.

They are pretty popular so you have to catch them at the right time. If bladehq.com has them in stock, they have the best price and they do price match. $119 is what I think I got it for. Don't pay over that for it.

It has S30V steel and G10 handles. The grip is a nice size, not too big, not too small.
machinegunseabee  [Team Member]
4/19/2012 1:24:34 PM
Emerson Mini Commander
deanald2pt0  [Team Member]
4/19/2012 1:31:56 PM
I just bought a Kershaw Junk Yard Dog 2 a few days ago. Im pretty happy with it, but the clip is a bit bulky and only has one carry option.
RogueSpear2023  [Member]
4/19/2012 3:50:19 PM
Doesn't you Benchmade have a Safety to prevent it from opening in your pocket, I know my Barrage does, if it does I would suggest you use it when playing with the kids. I guess I have never had my assisted openers open I have had my no assists open in my pocket though.
MuXi115  [Team Member]
4/19/2012 4:01:54 PM
Originally Posted By machinegunseabee:
Emerson Mini Commander


Or even the Micro Commander. Emerson just doesn't really make a small knife but they're worth every penny.
Halfbreed_83  [Member]
4/19/2012 5:59:44 PM
Originally Posted By RogueSpear2023:
Doesn't you Benchmade have a Safety to prevent it from opening in your pocket, I know my Barrage does, if it does I would suggest you use it when playing with the kids. I guess I have never had my assisted openers open I have had my no assists open in my pocket though.


No safety lock. The knife has opened while taking other objects out of my pockets and strenuous activity (It opened while I was bouldering/hiking one time); the last time it went off I had no idea what caused it. 3 times in 2 years isn't much but I won't accept the possibility of injuring my kids.

I decided to pick up this flipper open from CKRT for now until I can save and get something better:


Does anyone have any experience with the HEST/F 2.0. This thing looks handy


Thanks all.
Back-Up  [Member]
4/19/2012 8:00:49 PM
Originally Posted By Halfbreed_83:
Hey guys. I have a Benchmade Mini-Stryker, which is assisted opening, for awhile now. I love the knife: great length, ergonomics, quality build. Unfortunately, I've had it open in my pocket about 3 times over the past 2 years and it's a safety issue for me (I have two children and the worst possible scenrio is it opening while playing with the kids). Here's a pic of the knife for those unfamiliar with it:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/apex_sideway/EDC.jpg

I'm looking for a push in the right direction; looking for a similar knife that is manual open only. Suggestions for a new EDC would be appreciated. Thanks!


I would send it back to Benchmade...their customer service is outstanding!
mak0  [Team Member]
4/19/2012 8:19:01 PM
Originally Posted By MuXi115:
Originally Posted By machinegunseabee:
Emerson Mini Commander


Or even the Micro Commander. Emerson just doesn't really make a small knife but they're worth every penny.


The Mini CQC-7 is about the same size as the Micro Commander, both are a good size for EDC and anything smaller would probably be too small IMO.
bwall85  [Team Member]
4/20/2012 10:11:37 AM
If you like that size and the benchmade brand, I would go with a mini griptilian. Lots of options for you to choose from, solid lockup, and quick to deploy without being assisted.
tommytomaso  [Member]
4/20/2012 9:01:23 PM
SOG Pentagon II ....yep it's big...but it's a weapon befor it's even open...and with its super strong auto lock it's hard to beat. Iv had one in my pocket for over 8 yrs, just got a new one from my nephew for some leg work I did for him. Now I have one on me at all times and the other one in my go bag.

All I can say is you have to handle one...I never would of picked it otherwise.
Reach is very important in a knife fight.
I was once told by a Lamenco master. " why you carrying such a large knife...when your good all you need is a small one". My reply was...."true...but how much better would you be with mine?" Iv had years of knife training way befor I started CC a pistol...and reach is so very important.

That said I use my knife everyday..opening packages to eating....which some find wastefull...sure I have to sharpen the blade more...but using ones knife everyday is one of the best training you can do....it is a tool Good luck finding your next favorite everyday pocket tool...but don't over look a large pocket knife...also stay away from line lockers.
gunnut284  [Team Member]
4/21/2012 1:42:38 AM
A Benchmade 730 should be very similar but AXIS lock. I have one and it works great. I think its discontinued though. There was another similar model as well.
bwall85  [Team Member]
4/22/2012 8:56:49 AM
Originally Posted By Halfbreed_83:
Originally Posted By RogueSpear2023:
Doesn't you Benchmade have a Safety to prevent it from opening in your pocket, I know my Barrage does, if it does I would suggest you use it when playing with the kids. I guess I have never had my assisted openers open I have had my no assists open in my pocket though.


No safety lock. The knife has opened while taking other objects out of my pockets and strenuous activity (It opened while I was bouldering/hiking one time); the last time it went off I had no idea what caused it. 3 times in 2 years isn't much but I won't accept the possibility of injuring my kids.

I decided to pick up this flipper open from CKRT for now until I can save and get something better:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/apex_sideway/photo7.jpg

Does anyone have any experience with the HEST/F 2.0. This thing looks handy
https://dpxgear.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/259206_10150652908300532_425178935531_19069148_3832091_o-1024x714.jpg

Thanks all.


For the DPX HEST 2.0 - I was seriously considering one but I read some less than favorable reviews on it. Blade play, lockup sticking, etc. For a $150+ knife it didn't bestow a whole lotta confidence in me for it. And with all the excellent knife choices in that price range that are made in USA I didn't want to spend it on something made in Italy.
RebelAR-15  [Member]
4/22/2012 12:17:46 PM
Look at the Zero Tolerance 0550
19Cohiba75  [Member]
4/22/2012 10:06:39 PM
Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 One of the BEST EDC knives out there
Love mine, goes everywhere with me except where it can be confiscated

Here are pics of some of the different colored G10 with high end steel blades

Quick video showing the quick opening capabilities with a flick of a finger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-SQI_IbSpk
KYVENOM  [Member]
4/23/2012 2:13:58 AM


The Kershaw Skyline at the bottom of my photo is sharp, readily available, lightweight, inexpensive, US made, and non assisted. Many Kershaw Zero Tolerance knives are also non assisted, but far more expensive. In addition, the Skyline is fast and easy to handle.











tooly  [Member]
4/23/2012 9:40:39 PM
Originally Posted By KYVENOM:


The Kershaw Skyline at the bottom of my photo is sharp, readily available, lightweight, inexpensive, US made, and non assisted. Many Kershaw Zero Tolerance knives are also non assisted, but far more expensive. In addition, the Skyline is fast and easy to handle.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6833473573_7bbd7aeee1_b.jpg









I think am gonna use my skyline for edc, The knife don't feel or look like it's 35 bucks!