Kershaw Rake

12/10/2011 by tradestar

-Price Paid: $76.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I really love this knife. Kershaw/ZT has really been stepping up their designs. For my medium hands, I could not ask for better ergos. Great blade shape, the belly and d2 composite blade make for a great slicer. I also dig the ZT style pocket clip. The blade is centered perfect. Where no knife is perfect for every user, the Rake is great for me.The gimping is also well placed with just enough ramp, and plenty aggressive enough. I have carried thinner blades that are less wide and they do carry a little more comfortable. But I was willing to give that up for the wide blade with that big beer belly. The only things I would give this knife a less than perfect score for would be the detent is weak, and the spring (On mine at least.) is on the weak side. 2 very small concern's for me.I am very glad I picked up this outstanding knife.It's hard to beat KAI/Kershaw/ZT's reputation, warranty and customer service.John Bordley.

CRKT McGinnis Summa

12/09/2011 by Jake

-Price Paid: $31.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

First on all the knife came very sharp. The first thing that I noticed was the weight. The Summa is a very light knife and it surprised me to the point of thinking "cheap". The blade is very nice, and the ergonomics are excellent, but there was a lot of blade play. No problem, I thought, as I used a torx to tighten it. When it is tightened so there is a minimal amount of blade play, the opening action is stiff and you have to flick it with your wrist to get the blade to fully open. I played with tightening it less, then more, then less again, and there is no happy medium. It is either stiff with a minimum of blade play, or flicks right out, but the blade play is way too loose. My impression at this point is: I got what I paid for. My usual EDC has been a 3.1" or 3.25" blade, but I wanted to go back to a 3.5"/3.75"/4.0". I picked up the Summa since it was lightweight, appeared to have nice ergonomics, and was of the blade size I wanted. I was aware that it was a 3.6 oz. knife, but the feel was cheap, not solid. I carry very lightweight knives, but they feel solid, not the Summa.The lockup feels solid, but the liner is too recessed to really make it an easy closer. I have to use what bit of a thumbnail I have to push the liner down to disengage the blade. There is a very hollow sound when you flip it open that doesn't inspire confidence. I have had all sorts of handle materials, including micarta, but this just sounds and feels cheap.Sorry to those that love this knife, but I expected more from all the hype. I will carry it around a bit more, but I don't feel I can really count on this knife. I will have to go back to my Elishewitz if I want a 4.0" knife I know I can depend on.For the price it is a little steep for what you get, but it is a fun knife to fool around with, but will probably end up in my collection in the "don't carry" section. For those of us that have paid big money for custom knives, don't expect miracles. I have other CRKT knives that are excellent in every way with a great price. I hope their quality doesn't start to suffer now that they are having their knives made in China instead of Taiwan. The first thing that I saw was a sticker on the box saying "made in china", not Taiwan. I knew something wasn't quite right.In a final analysis, the Summa will probably not stand up to time. It is a great design (based on McGinnis' custom knives) but the production model leaves a lot to be desired. I like the look of the knife, but quality and functionality are far more important for me since I use my knives a lot.

Spyderco Ambitious

12/09/2011 by swak

-Price Paid: $23.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

This knife is a workhorse in a small package. I've abused this little guy and it still operates with smooth action. I like the feel in hand, but the handle is a little small when you're doing something where you really need to bear down. I'd rate it a great value for the money. This is my first Chinese made Spyderco and I see nothing wrong with it.

Extrema Ratio RAO

12/09/2011 by Falco57

-Price Paid: $410.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

Compact work knife. Easy to open and to handle. The locking mechanism in the description is wrong.Locking mechanism: Modified Front Lock with security pin.

Ontario RAT 1

12/09/2011 by Kye4some

-Price Paid: $20.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for BAD

Comments:

Great lockup and centered blade AUS8 came wicked sharp. Little big for most in the role of EDC, overall one of the best sub 30 blade I have ran across.Had it over a year and still love it.

Boker Exskelibur II

12/09/2011 by Kye4some

-Price Paid: $36.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

Light weight knife with a very strong clip. Great build quality overall.

Cold Steel Kudu

12/09/2011 by Rob Birmingham UK

-Price Paid: $9.40
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

Once again CS offer great value for money. The Kudu is a quirky little knife (yeah at over 4 inch the blade is long). It is very light and easy to carry. Slim long blade and zytek handle with a locking mechanism taken from the Okapi knife made by the millions in Germany in the 1800s for the white immigrant market in Central Afica back then. The Krupp stainless blade is easily made razor sharp on a good stone. The odd locking mech may be too much for some, but when you get used to it its great. The long thin blade is as useful in the kitchen as when camping or fishing. I have read that this style of knife is favoured by gangsters in South Africa and Jamaica and is seen as a "saturday night special" by law enforcement agencies over there. I just like this light useful cheap utility knife.

Cold Steel Pocket Bushman

12/09/2011 by Rob

-Price Paid: $28.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

I bought my Pocket Bushman after watching it demonstrated on CS Absolute Proof DVD. I was fascinated by the RamSafe lock mechanism. I love this knife for its strength and versatility. Even though it is a large folder, it still fits in the pocket snug and safe with the belt/pocket clip. Its thick, wide clip point blade is suited to many outdoor tasks, but it aint a survival knife. Although very strong, the locking mechanism relies on a spring ram. If that spring get full of dirt you can get problems. That said, its still great value for money. And as an every day carry/camping knife you can't go wrong. Love the single piece folded steel handle and ram lock combo. My tip for owners who don't want to take it apart to clean the spring; use a air compressor gun to blow out any debris at the back of the knife in the spring housing. I got rid of the lanyard and can still open the blade easily. It comes with use. A well made large pocket knife. Just watch it stab through a truck hood on the CS Absolute Proof DVD or online.

Ontario Retribution One

12/08/2011 by Multidude

-Price Paid: $125.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This knife is burly with a solid lockup. It must be sheathed because the detent ball cannot hold the massive blade when jarred

Kershaw Oso Sweet

12/08/2011 by mvyrmnd

-Price Paid: $65.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

Fantastic EDC knife. Lightweight, quick to deploy. Mine is the 2010 update version with the 8Cr13MoV steel. Easy to get shaving sharp. I use it to cut open boxes and packaging most days and it needs a touchup with a steel every couple of days, and a cleanup with a 1000 grit stone every other week.This is a solid, knife. Locks up perfectly, no blade play.Is just a fraction too thin for my hand, but that's what makes it disappear in my pocket so easily.I couldn't want for a better EDC.

CRKT M16-01Z

12/06/2011 by Gomi

-Price Paid: $35.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I "downgraded" my EDC to this knife about a year ago, choosing it's shorter blade for social and legal reasons, and I've never regretted my choice. It's a very handy knife, easily deployed with it's flipper, and easily closed. The AutoLAWKS system can be a little tricky one-handed, in the beginning, but a little practice made it second nature. I have a two minor complaints about it. First, the hinge adjustment screw, which allows you to tighten or loosen the mechanism, too easily turns on its own. I usually end tightening or loosening it about once a week, returning to where I want it. Luckily, the screw-head is nicely textured, making this easy to do with a finger tip.Second, I wish the pocket clip was reversible. As is, this is a purely right-handed, tip-down carry. It'd be nice if you could move the clip around.Also, I'd note that, for larger hands like mine, this knife can feel a little small and insecure, when opening and closing, but I've never had a real issue. Overall, I find it to be a very good value for EDC.

Fallkniven F1

12/06/2011 by Chris

-Price Paid: $119.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

This is an excellent knife for the outdoors. The blade arrived shaving sharp and it looks to be very durable. I like that it is stainless steel so it is much less likely to rust.It seems a little pricey but I think it is worth the price.

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