I just picked up two pocket knives while at Fred Meyer. I got them for about $40 each.
First I saw this buck knife. Buck 110 Folding Hunter:
http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3044 I think it was already mentioned on this thread. This is the only knife out of the two that I have actually used yet. I want to use this one out of the two, primarily as a tool. It seems like a really good camping knife. I don't do any hunting. I wouldn't leave it behind if I ever did go hunting. It has a very solid feel. As you hold it, open it, you feel the quality aging and polishing of the design style that it has aquired, endowed by Hoyt H Buck.
Then, after they opened the display case, I noticed this knife, hiding in plain sight. Kershaw Ken Onion AO
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Onion-Black-Scallion-Knife/dp/B002V7JOUM/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1289315017&sr=1-8 I couldn't find my exact knife anywhere, but this link appears to be the blacked out version of my knife. Mine says "
1620
KAI Patented
MADE IN USA
"
on the blade. The blade has three circles, of decreasing radii, as you travel from thumbstud to tip along the spine and in between the swedge and the primary grind. The handle has a space etched out which says "Kershaw Ken Onion USA" if you look closely. Mine doesn't have the white lettering as in the photo. On my knife, the handle has texture, the handle is black, and the blade is metal-colored. The knife has the assisted opening feature, which makes it fun to open. Once I feel confident that I can maintain a killers grip on the knife at all times it will be badass to pull open it front of someone. It's not quite like being spring-loaded, as there is no bounce and the movement feels more controlled than say, a switchblade. You flick your thumb on the thumbstud and the blade launches out. Or if you just grab it the right way, you can make the final knuckle of your index finger press the thumb-ramp in, and the blade will click out. You really feel the stored energy in the Assisted Opening mechanism this way, so you have to have a firm grip around the handle of the knife with the rest of your fingers/your thumb.
Once open, I can put the butt of the knife handle resting in my palm over my carpals, where the palm of my hand folds together, and I can grip the knife with the tip hiding just tucked under my finger tip when my hand is held palm-facing-down. I have to stretch my fingers a little bit to hide the tip. The knife feels good. My hands are not very large.
In short, this is the most sophisticated, the most practical, and the most usable street knife to carry on my person that I have every come across. Tuck it in your left pants pocket, clip out, so the blade won't open. You forget it's on you until you need it. Like I said, I haven't actually used it yet. I want to save the blade for when I really need it. I am not comfortable sharpening or honing knives...
I used to have a partial-serrated Kershaw Leek with a black handle and a rainbow blade. That was an awesome knife. I miss it dearly. I dumped it while riding the bus once. I was tripping paranoid they were going to search us and take me in for carrying weapons across states. I was not thinking straight. I have kicked myself many times for that loss. On the bright side, this is a better knife.
Next on my list of knives is a good all-around solid handle knife. ... about 1 foot in total length. Suggestions?
