Replace a fallen friend

[FLAvalanche]

I seem to have lost my Gerber L.S.T. which has been sitting in my pocket faithfully for the past 15 years. I was just going to buy another L.S.T. but I figured I would broaden my horizons. So...I am coming here for recommendations for a pocket knife.

Here are the restrictions:

1. Under $100.
2. No serrated blades.
3. Prefer a drop point blade.
4. The Gerber LST has a 2.63" blade and closed length of 3.61". I would like to stay around those dimensions.

What say you?

 

[Carl Levitian]

I used the heck out a LST for many years. Finally managed to wear it out after almost 20 years of dirty work, and found that I could get a new one at Smoky Mountain Knifeworks for 17.95. (Paid 12.95 in the late 80's.)

I found the new one is as good as my old one, still made in Portland Oregon.

Why not get what's proved itself to you in the past?

Of course, I'm an old fart, and hate change.

Carl.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Locking Folder?

My LST (as I recall) is a locking folder.

Are you looking to stay with some kind of locking mechanism?

If so, do you have a preference (i.e. lock-back vs liner-lock)?

Buck has a couple of likely candidates, and I think Case has one you'd like.

I'm headed into a meeting shortly, so I won't have actual models until later.

BTW, if you can find one, the Gerber Silver Knight is a real nice locking folder. I have one that I got in 1982, and a found a newer one a couple of years back (which I gave to my son in law).

 

[FLAvalanche]

Yes the L.S.T. is a locking folder.

Either locking mechanism is fine but I do want a locking mechanism of some sort.

I'm not one for change either but this will give me an idea of what else is available. If something catches my eye, great. If not, back to the LST.

 

[308win]

Marttiini Folder

I just received one of these from my son for my birthday. Only had it a couple of days but it seems well built, sharp enough to shave hair, and was under $50.


Marttiini MFK-1W Linerlock

3 7/8" closed linerlock. Mirror polished 420 stainless blade with dual thumb studs. Polished stainless frame with waxed curly birch handle scales. Stainless pocket clip. Lanyard slot. Attractive gift tin. Made in Finland.

 

[FLAvalanche]

Very pretty knife...

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Benchmade Mini Griptillian, not all that pretty but pretty dang durable.

 

[308win]

The Marttiinis have some heft to them; not the lightest pocket knife in the case.

 

[oldbear]

308 that is a nice looking knife, you must have done something right raising your son. Enjoy it.

 

[The Highlander]

My go-to blade for the past few months has been the Spyderco Tenacious. Flat ground blade in 8Cr13MoV steel. Super strong, have used it for whittling, unloading freight, food prep, home renovations (had some fun punching through drywall with it). It even was dropped by a friend onto ceramic tile. I saw it hit on the tip and no chipping at all. I've only had a minor nick in the edge and I couldn't tell you where it came from. (Maybe the whittling?)

Anyway it might be a slight change as far as styling goes, but I have yet to find a better blade at its price point. If it's too big there's always its smaller stablemate, the Persistence. Sometimes I feel like I'm a walking Tenacious ad, but it really has served me so well.

 

[tcsnake]

Check some of these out:

http://www.888knivesrus.com/results.cgis?CATALOG=SUBSTRING&mode=or&keywords=spyderco&x=0&y=0

 

[swiftak]

$15.97 at Knives plus.

 

[Armored farmer]

It doesn't fir your criteria at all, but I carry a Gerber that uses a Stanley utility knife blade. It has a belt clip, very compact and light. It is my daily carry for work. No need for me to go on...everyone knows how handy a utility knife is.

 

[FLAvalanche]

Thanks everyone. I've got some comparing and shopping to do today!

 

[308win]

Not drop points but the price point is right:

Opinels

The Number 7 is one of my favorites now. I got my SIL a Number 8 for his birthday and it is just the right size.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Opinel vs Sodbuster

Well . . . if we're going to bring the medium-sized Opinel into this . . .

The Opinel and sodbuster are functionally similar and are mostly in the same class of knives (single-blade clasp knives), although the hold-open methods are rather different.

Having carried the Opinel and sodbuster at different times, I would have to favor the sodbuster as the more "carry-able" knife. Although most sodbusters don't lock open, there are half a dozen brands that do (I've [post=6238951]posted on those[/post] before).

A sodbuster will generally cost a bit more than an Opinel. A locking sodbuster will cost even more.

However, for my money, if I'm gonna carry it and use it "for everything" I'm gonna spend the extra 10 bucks on a decent sodbuster.

There are a couple of quite decent locking sodbusters available in the $50-and-under range.

	Böker makes this one, for around $20 (carbon steel, made in Argentina)
​	Mooremaker does this one, for around $50 (carbon steel, made in USA)

Now, what I don't know is whether these are available in a "sodbuster jr." format (smaller, so a lot more pocket-carry friendly.)

In any case, even without the lock, a "small" sodbuster is a good pick for daily carry. (Why is "small" in quotes? Even the small ones [the "junior" formats] are a lot of knife.)