The Gun Counter

The Kershaw Storm II knife that has been my daily companion for several years is starting to get worn, so it's time to replace it. Here it is, for comparison purposes:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Kershaw- ... 224605.uts

Unfortunately, it's been discontinued, so since I like this one so much I'm looking for something similar, and was hoping for a recommendation.

Given where I live and work (NJ and NYC respectively), and my preferences, I have a few requirements:

1) About a 3" blade (the Storm as 3.25, which I find about perfect), non-serrated (don't like 'em) blade.

2) One-handed opening via thumb-stud/flip, but....

3) NO assisted opening. Don't need some over-zealous cop hauling me in for a "switchblade". Yeah, I know, there's a difference, I'd rather not chance it.

4) Blade locks open (and yes, I know what that entails in NYC, which brings me to)

5) Max price about $50, something I won't feel too bad about if I have to toss it.

6) A pocket clip is good to have, when I clip it I have it right-side point down, inside the pocket.

My knives are carried a lot and used a little, so corrosion resistance is fairly important while blade quality is secondary. Thin and light-weight is important too, again, carried a lot and used a little.

There are a few blemished Storm IIs on eBay right now.

Linky: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kershaw-1475-St ... 417d95773d

I didn't give the Kershaw Skyline a second look until a friend of mine showed me his. I like it a lot for the price. It's a completely different blade profile but it fits your specs if you don't mind a flipper (unassisted).

I really liked the Spyderco Endura until I mistook it for a pry-bar. The Spyderco Tenacious may fit your specs and price range a little more closely.

NYC has an issue with locking folders? Hell, any knife I consider a serious working blade must be a locker. Non-locking knives get you cut. Maroons.

If the blade doesn't lock, then it's a penknife, suitable only for scribes to use to sharpen quills. A working knife is either a fixed blade, or a locking folder.

First Shirt wrote:If the blade doesn't lock, then it's a penknife, suitable only for scribes to use to sharpen quills. A working knife is either a fixed blade, or a locking folder.

Which is why is scares the shiite out of NYFC politicos, especially those who have EVER watched West Side Story. Knives scare the Holy Crap out of them!!! They're like the current British, who think trying to control them among the law-abiding will simply make EVERYTHING ALL BETTER!!!

We've controlled guns, and now they're using knives (like they never noticed before), so now they feel they need to try and control sharp objects. WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS!!! But that's NYFC for ya'!!!!

Durham68 wrote:I didn't give the Kershaw Skyline a second look until a friend of mine showed me his. I like it a lot for the price. It's a completely different blade profile but it fits your specs if you don't mind a flipper (unassisted).

I really liked the Spyderco Endura until I mistook it for a pry-bar. The Spyderco Tenacious may fit your specs and price range a little more closely.

Kershaw makes a lot of really nice, inexpensive EDC-type knives. Be careful when you look though because many of their knives are assisted opening (they have their own assisted opening mechanism that they're pretty proud of). For non-assisted designs, ones that I've found appealing are the Skyline (seconded) and the OD-1 and OD-2 (similar designs, different sizes).

Personally I tend to carry a Blackout or Leek but those are both assisted opening.

First Shirt wrote:If the blade doesn't lock, then it's a penknife, suitable only for scribes to use to sharpen quills. A working knife is either a fixed blade, or a locking folder.

I'm a fixed blade fan...and a lock makes me more comfortable with folders....BUT....I've used non-locking leatherman and swiss-army knives to great effect, on pretty much any task I've set them to. Don't be an idiot, and don't lose situational awareness, and you'll do just fine with a non-locking folder as long as you don't use it as a weapon.

JKosprey wrote: I'm a fixed blade fan...and a lock makes me more comfortable with folders....BUT....I've used non-locking leatherman and swiss-army knives to great effect, on pretty much any task I've set them to. Don't be an idiot, and don't lose situational awareness, and you'll do just fine with a non-locking folder as long as you don't use it as a weapon.

Gerber makes a great multi-tool gadget. But all the blades lock (even the screwdrivers), which makes it easier to use. Granted, it's not something I'd want to take into a knife fight, but it fills a multitude of purposes, at a really reasonable price.

Lokidude wrote:NYC has an issue with locking folders?

The specific issue is with the thumb stud on most blades today, because using an extremely skewed interpretation of the cities switchblade law, they've taken to prosecuting everyday schmoes, who promptly pleabargain down, thus raising the DAs win/loss record.