I am moving to Houston and I do not have a CCW permit so I figured I needed to have something on me in case I was cornered by an unfriendly.

What would you guys suggest?

I have been looking at the SOG Flash II and the SOG Trident.

Is there anything else out there worth looking at with a partially serrated blade at a price a college student can handle?

Kershaw Zero Tolerance line. They are nice and BEEFY but not too thick in the pocket IMO.

I own a ZT 0301. Great steel and solid construction.

The ZT 300 series can be had for around $200 new, while the 200 series which isn't quite as robust(most aren't), but can be had for around $120 new if you look around. Good steel, 154cm I think, AO, and contoured, milled G10 handles.

The 300 series ZTs use S30V steel.

Don't let the price of this knife fool you; it is basically reduced I think since Camillus is out of business. These are excellent knives and were designed by Darrel Ralph for Camillus before it went out of business. If you look someplace other than here, I'd look for the AUS-8 steel ones instead of the 440 SS ones. The 440's were made later, are labeled "Spain", distributed by Ontario knives and are not of the same quality IMO. I think they are actually Chinese knock-off's. The earlier models are Taiwan made AUS-8; I have one of these with a non-serrated blade and it is one of the toughest folders I own. Excellent knife for the money and the assisted blade comes out with real authority:

Camillus Heat

is SOG not any good? You guys never really said anything about the SOGs I listed.

I think the 4 1/2 inch blade might be a bit too much for just pocket carry.

This might be a bit better for me:
http://www.tadgear.com/edged%20tools/zt0400.htm

So the ZT series is rough tough sturdy stuff?

ZT is tougher than most.

In regards to the ZT0400, S30V is a truly great steel; however, I would NEVER want to end up in a fight with a liner lock knife. In my experience, frame locks and liner locks can come undone far too easily or accidentally to be considered for self-defense or very rough use.


I looked up the specs on the SOG's you mentioned, and they check out pretty well. I'm not too familiar with their locking mechanism, (bladeforums doesn't have much on it either) but, from what I gather, it seems dependable. IMO AUS-8 at 58 Rc's is a good choice of steel for a self-defense or multi-purpose knife. The handles are well designed, and the assisted opening system is nice.


I don't live in the best of places - the state troopers assign their rookies here often for their first few years since it's the 'most active' barracks - so I don't take my safety for granted.

I carry a KA-BAR Mule anytime I think I have an increased chance of needing to defend myself or others. It's a AUS-8a blade (57-59 Rc's), Zytel handle (though no texturing, only rubber inlays), lockback design, and simple thumb stud opener... no assisted opening... I'm old fashioned I guess.

It's budget friendly too - $45 bucks on average. I actually got mine at a gun and knife show for $40.

But remember, the knife you feel most comfortable with is the best one to choose... just like a gun.


Let us know what you end up going for...

Good luck!

The same can be said with lock back type locks. Ive never been in a fight involving knives but I would assume you will be gripping that handle fairly firm and the placement of the lock is very important since afterall, you do squeeze down on the spine to release the blade. Some companies like spyderco added a recess in the lock back so it isnt as easly pressed in when you grip it firmly

Im not sure why you insist on an assisted opener but thats ok theres nothing wrong with that but I recommend to not limit your choice based on that feature.

I want it to be able to open as quickly and smoothly as possible.

I was recently introduced to the assisted opening style knives. The friend also had a benchmade that had a button you pressed upwards and it caused the blade to become loose and you could practically swing it open.

The blade was in place but it did not feel all that solid to me. I know it was Benchmade and they make excellent knives, I just didnt know about that design all that much. But I did like how smooth the action was.

quote:

Originally posted by BoWevelJoe:
I want it to be able to open as quickly and smoothly as possible.

I was recently introduced to the assisted opening style knives. The friend also had a benchmade that had a button you pressed upwards and it caused the blade to become loose and you could practically swing it open.

The blade was in place but it did not feel all that solid to me. I know it was Benchmade and they make excellent knives, I just didnt know about that design all that much. But I did like how smooth the action was.

What your friend had was an axis lock on the Benchmade.

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
The same can be said with lock back type locks. Ive never been in a fight involving knives but I would assume you will be gripping that handle fairly firm and the placement of the lock is very important since afterall, you do squeeze down on the spine to release the blade. Some companies like spyderco added a recess in the lock back so it isnt as easly pressed in when you grip it firmly

It is, technically, possible, but, realistically, not probable. In a natural grasp of a knife, the liner lock's release is on the finger side and is much more easily released with little pressure/slight lateral movement.

A lockback release is on the opposite side and in contact with the soft part of the hand making it highly unlikely to release under the firmest of pressure in a natural hold. It requires a focused pressure - your finger, not your palm.

Honestly, I can't figure out how you would close a lockback in a natural grasp (recessed or not)... how the heck do you do it?

Maybe it's the fat hands I got from my mother... don't tell her I said that...

True, It is technically possible with both style locks but may not be an issue in real world encounters. Then again, Im not a knife fighter but I play one on T.V

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
The 300 series ZTs use S30V steel.

10-4 on the steel. The 200 series is what I was talking about. The 300 series also is milled G10 on one side and matching milled Ti on the lock(framelock) side. The OP mentioned something alittle on the "less expensive" side, which is why I was describing the 200's.

I really like my Benchmade 913 Nitrous Stryker...Got it for about $100 from New Graham Knives.

I have a Flash 1 that I have used for several years but have had recent problems with discussed in another post. It may be too small for your needs (as it is with me now). A co-worker has a Twitch 2 that has had no issues and he loves it. Check that one out if you can. My most recent knives are a Benchmade Presidio 5000 auto and a MIcrotech SOCOM Elite auto. Both seem well made and open with authority especially the SOCOM

You may want to verify it, but it sounds like assisted opening knives are now illegal in TX.

Seems like some idiots got behind a bench down there.

Three judges ruled that AO's are, legally speaking, grouped with switchblades.

I'd definitely check on the legality of carrying one.

If it is legal the Kershaw Blur line is relatively inexpensive. I have one that has provided a couple of years of good service. It's more than solid enough for what I use it for and it stays sharp.

I picked this one up a couple weeks ago.


Tiny Tighe Breaker

I normally don't buy a serrated blade but I could not resist this one.

quote:

Originally posted by GotASig:
I picked this one up a couple weeks ago.


Tiny Tighe Breaker

I normally don't buy a serrated blade but I could not resist this one.

Wow, what a sweet looking folder and not bad price at $60.00 on other websites

How do you like it? What is OutBurst Assisted Opening? I mean what is different about it> Their website says that it is patented and so is the safety and the blade. Sure sounds good. I might need to buy one.