HI,

I want to find a knife that has these qualities:

- Folder
- Outstanding steel (maintains sharpness well w/proper use...)
- Tactical (Personal Protection), Survival (skinning/gutting deer...)
- Serrated area on blade (if you think this is good, if not - why not?)

I'm buying it for a special guy! He used to have a Benchmade that he liked, but that is all I know...

It appears that brand name has a lot to do with this, so if there is a knife that you can refer me to that may have a lesser "name" but is of high quality and versatile, please let me know.

Thanks! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Raeba

Price range? Have you looked at any specific models you'd like some opinions on?

I'm not too concerned with price. However, I have seen many knives under $100 that have smiliar features and craftsmanship as knives over $200 (apparently due to brand name and market position...).

Just a folding knife with the aforemention features in one of the popluar brands should suffice. Benchmade seem to be pretty nice, and I'm not sure about Buck these days. How about Smith & Wesson - are they good?

Thanks.

Raeba

Well, I don't own a S&W, so I can't say for sure.

I do own several benchmades, and am happy with them. You could do a lot worse than a benchmade of some sort. Just because I have the plain edge version, I can recommend the BM 710 with partially serrated blade, if you must have serrations (I prefer a plain edge myself).

Then, of course, there's Doug's knife, which is a benchmade with better steel and a specially designed blade and handle. I have one of these, and it's nice.

I'm not sure I'd want a knife as a gift. I'm kinda particular about this stuff. Better would be to get your guy to mention his preference, then buy that. To knife people, not just any knife will do. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

you could get lots of good advice over on

www.bladeforums.com

but it is best to stay with the major names like Benchmade, Spyderco or have your special person pick it out -- most guys are very particular about their knives and it is pretty risky to surprise someone with a knife, many times it may turn out to be an unpleasant rather than a pleasant surprise. And it will be really hard to find one all purpose knife for the list you provided -- I don't think such an animal exists. That's why most guys that have knives, have a collection of knives. Plus, it is a personal thing -- different knives fit some hands and some don't -- that is why it is best to have your friend pick it out so it can be handled. Good luck in the search!

S&W knives are a major mixed bag. They pimped thier name to a lot of suppliers, some good, some indifferent.

The serration is good for people have to cut a lot of carboard or rope, but for a lot of things, it is worse than a straight adge.

If you want a folder with enough belly to skin... Maybe the KaBar Warthog folder. It has the most belly of anything that comes to mind right now, and I've never had a problem with KaBar knives.

Is 8A stainless ok? What type of steel do I look for? This will be mostly used to carry as personal protection backup and for survival if needed.

Thanks...

I am surprised that it took that long for someone to come up with Doug Ritter RSK Mk1? (Benchmade Model 552) on this forum, but sounds to me like it would be a good bet. I do not have one. If he does not like it, I do know where you could find a good home for it. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I am not much on serrated blades especially when you threw skinning in as a use, but to each his own.

A good knife is a personal thing, really hard to pick for someone else.

I second the comment made about Smith and Wesson knives. I think S&W has done like Winchester and put an old reputable name on cheap products. I have a couple of S&W knives and am not impressed.

Suggestion: If he had a Benchmade that he liked and no longer has (lost?), try to find out more about it and buy a similiar one.

Good advice from you all - thanks.

What types of steel are best? I assume 440 is better than 8A in the stainless category.

Wouldn't serrated be useful in survival situations -- and as it pains me to think -- it may be more destructive in a personal protection situation too.