Advise me on these knives please

claws42 · **on:** June 15, 2014, 09:07:41 AM

I'm looking at getting a cheapish folding knife to add to my setup. I've been looking at the following:

Buck Bantam BBW, BHW, BLW
Gerber Ripstop, Paraframe I, Profile
Leatherman Crater C33

Any thoughts on which one I should buy/personal experience on any of these knives would be appreciated.

captain spaulding · **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2014, 09:17:25 AM

I would personally not get any of those options. Maybe the Para frame.

If it were me I would look at the Ontario RAT-1, Spyderco Tenacious, or any Kershaw in your price range. What is your price range by the way?

bmot · **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2014, 09:25:26 AM

The Craters are nice knives, and I like the quick opening feature thingy they use. Besides that, I haven't had any of the knives you list, so I don't know

claws42 · **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2014, 10:24:20 AM

Price range is ~50, not looking for anything high end at that point obviously. Will have a look to see how easy it is to get any of the ones you suggested.

bmot · **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2014, 10:46:25 AM

You can get a Crater with screwdrivers (C33t) for 50 dollars from NZ amazon, it seems

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leatherman-LTG860211N-C33T/dp/B0073PYTOS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402821947&sr=8-1&keywords=leatherman+c33t

claws42 · **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2014, 11:49:34 AM

Quote from: bmot on June 15, 2014, 10:46:25 AM

You can get a Crater with screwdrivers (C33t) for 50 dollars from NZ amazon, it seems

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leatherman-LTG860211N-C33T/dp/B0073PYTOS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402821947&sr=8-1&keywords=leatherman+c33t

Not a bad price for the tool, but I can pick up a C33 for $40, and I'm the screwdrives aren't worth $10 to me.

Rux · **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2014, 05:26:15 PM

The Spyderco Tenacious is the best bang for the (American) buck as far as knives go. Runs about $30-$40. The UK amazon shows around 58 pounds.

EDIT: I don't know my currencies.

jerseydevil · **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2014, 05:38:47 PM

+1 on the Tenacious. Hard to find a better knife for the $$ IMO. I've beaten the hell out of mine at work and it just keeps coming back for more.

Sent from my SCH-S738C using Tapatalk

sawman · **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2014, 05:57:38 PM

I'd save my pennies and for a few dollars more get a Spyderco Delica

Rux · **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2014, 06:03:59 PM

Don't think the Delica is an option for him. While it's barely more than the Tenacious for us, the only plain edge version on UK amazon is 154 pounds.

A hell of a jump from 58 for the Tenacious.

sawman · **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2014, 06:06:24 PM

Quote from: WildJ3 on June 15, 2014, 06:03:59 PM

Don't think the Delica is an option for him. While it's barely more than the Tenacious for us, the only plain edge version on UK amazon is 154 pounds.

A hell of a jump from 58 for the Tenacious.

That sucks. I didn't pay attention to where he was. I guess locking blades are out too

Rux · **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2014, 06:07:32 PM

A combo edge is available for 80ish pounds, but I hate combo edge blades and wouldn't recommend one to anybody unless they were specifically looking for it. lol

Tomahawk Rob · **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2014, 06:19:03 PM

The first thing I look for in any knife is, how solid is the lock up? Liner locks can fail, price does not determine performance. I have an old Gerber tanto ($15). The liner lock moves well past the the middle of the blade. This knife has seen some serious abuse and has never failed. I owned a Kershaw Blur ($130). The liner lock only covered about 25% of the blade when locked. The lock failed twice on me, the second time cutting my finger. Safety first. Gerber would be my choice in that group.

Kampfer · **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2014, 06:39:59 PM

I heard CS Kudu is a wonderful knife for under $10, I have ordered a few, I tell you more after they arrived

dks · **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2014, 07:14:03 PM

Love the kudu

taaaaaaapaaaaaaas

JAfromMn · **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2014, 08:01:23 PM

Leatherman makes a good knife.

Kampfer · **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2014, 11:15:14 PM

Quote from: JAfromMn on June 15, 2014, 08:01:23 PM

Leatherman makes a good knife.

I helped REI selling one to a camper yesterday.

claws42 · **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2014, 12:46:22 AM

Quote from: WildJ3 on June 15, 2014, 05:26:15 PM

The Spyderco Tenacious is the best bang for the (American) buck as far as knives go. Runs about $30-$40. The UK amazon shows around 58 pounds.

EDIT: I don't know my currencies.

Umm.....58 pounds works out to rougly $110 NZD. So.....a touch expensive unfortunately.

scattergun13 · **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2014, 01:16:49 AM

Quote from: JAfromMn on June 15, 2014, 08:01:23 PM

Leatherman makes a good knife.

I agree. I have a "Crater" on my backpack setup and it's bombproof. It's higher quality than what the small price would suggest.
Stew...

jekostas · **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2014, 01:43:56 AM

The Buck Bantam is an exceptionally good knife for the price they command. It'll probably outlive you (and if not they have a lifetime warranty).

sawman · **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2014, 01:48:20 AM

Quote from: jekostas on June 16, 2014, 01:43:56 AM

The Buck Bantam is an exceptionally good knife for the price they command. It'll probably outlive you (and if not they have a lifetime warranty).

I did buy a Bantam a few years ago and it's been top notch. Very fair price for what you get

claws42 · **Reply #21 on:** June 16, 2014, 06:00:03 AM

Quote from: sawman on June 16, 2014, 01:48:20 AM

Quote from: jekostas on June 16, 2014, 01:43:56 AM
The Buck Bantam is an exceptionally good knife for the price they command. It'll probably outlive you (and if not they have a lifetime warranty).
I did buy a Bantam a few years ago and it's been top notch. Very fair price for what you get

Good to hear! The Bucks are also the easiest for me to get hold of

jzmtl · **Reply #22 on:** June 16, 2014, 08:54:37 PM

Out of these I'd pick the bantam. I keep one in pocket for around the house work, they dull quickly but is the most knife like of the three.

jekostas · **Reply #23 on:** June 17, 2014, 01:16:40 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on June 16, 2014, 08:54:37 PM

Out of these I'd pick the bantam. I keep one in pocket for around the house work, they dull quickly but is the most knife like of the three.

Meh. Of the three knives listed by the OP, the steels are 420HC, 440A (or 7Cr17, depending on the manufacture date) and 420HC. Super tough, very stain resistant but you expect to have to touch them up a little more often.

claws42 · **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2014, 07:22:32 AM

Quote from: jekostas on June 17, 2014, 01:16:40 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on June 16, 2014, 08:54:37 PM
Out of these I'd pick the bantam. I keep one in pocket for around the house work, they dull quickly but is the most knife like of the three.

Meh. Of the three knives listed by the OP, the steels are 420HC, 440A (or 7Cr17, depending on the manufacture date) and 420HC. Super tough, very stain resistant but you expect to have to touch them up a little more often.

Yea, I kinda wanted a stainless blade for this one. Mainly because its intended use won't be really tough, but probably won't involve a lot a tlc on it either.

nervium · **Reply #25 on:** June 19, 2014, 07:42:49 PM

i have crater c33, it feels good but when the matter is a single folder, spyderco rules.

sawman · **Reply #26 on:** June 19, 2014, 08:22:26 PM

Quote from: nervium on June 19, 2014, 07:42:49 PM

i have crater c33, it feels good but when the matter is a single folder, spyderco rules.

+1

claws42 · **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2014, 07:27:34 AM

Hmm, went into a store today and had a look at a few.

One I hadn't considered - Victorianox Sentinel OHT. Maybe not so much a 'knife' knife as the others - but the blade does lock, and its a pretty decent blade. Ruled out the Gerbers, they just didn't look and feel 'as good'. Opinions on this one?

The Bucks were alright, but they didn't really leap out at me. Crater C33 certainly did, but it's just a tiny bit smaller than what I find ideal.