Assisted Open Budget Knives - SRM level quality

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
1

I learned about Sanrenmu knives from BLF, and I really like the ones I have. I have also picked up some Chinese knockoff (Tac-Force, etc.) budget assisted open knives, and they are decent quality, but nothing like the SRM's.

Are there any budget assisted open knives similar in quality to the SRM?

Thanks.

2

I have carried a Gerber Vallotton for a while now .

Here's a little vid review .

I especially like the deep carry .

3

I have the Gerber AO F.A.S.T.

It's OK if you need a larger knife. Don't pay more than $25 or so.

4

I have a $25 Kershaw Tremor that I absolutely love. It weighs 6 ounces. If you want something smaller, check out the Kershaw Brawler, RJ1, Compound, or Asset. A good source for these budget (Chinese-made) assisted openers (in the U.S.) is a knife dealer that goes by "kershawguy" on BladeForums:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/852965-Kershaw-Low-Price-Point-items

I've only purchased the Tremor from kershawguy and he shipped it quickly. You might want to check out eBay and Amazon to compare prices. Here's a link to Kershaw's home page to do some research:

http://www.kershawknives.com/products.php?search_by=productname&brand=kershaw

Kershaw is a popular brand, and there are lots of videos of their knives on YouTube. By the way, I learned about the Tremor from gen1.3_.

5

6

have to suggest this Gerber

Gerber 22-47161 Fast Draw Spring Assisted Opening Stainless Steel Serrated Knife

i have had this for years until last year i carried it for 3-4 years straight , it happens to carry nice in pocket, very smooth, but i would say dangerous if not clipped against back part of you pocket , carrying it loosely it came open twice - was close to getting hurt .

blade aficionados would argue and say gerber has fallen from grace - maybe IDK compared to the past its possible but this for $27 this does well IMO. its certainly no benchmade barrage but for a 1/4 the price ... cant go wrong and assisted is the way to go

7

Imteresting that it came open. The Gerber I linked locks open and closed, not unlike the Buck Redpoint.

FYI, the Buck Redpoint is the fastest-opening, non-assisted knife I've ever owned. The gimping on the blade pivoit allows for one-handed open/close.

8

Thanks guys. I have should have mentioned I have a couple of the Kershaw budget knives, and I love them, but they seem a little bulky. I'm left handed and having the release on the back of the knife is nice, and the life time warranty/sharpening is amazing at that price.

I'll have to look harder at the Gerbers. The Buck Redpoint looks great, but the opening mechanism is for right handers.

9

I like to Carry my Sog Flash 1 and one of my CRKT M16's. The pic with the M16's especially the one in the middle has been reprofiled to 2.0 degrees causing the blade to cut like a razor.

And on weekends or when dressed to go out i like to carry this one.....you would not believe the price.

I am already looking to get another Kershaw, and def a Cold Steel. And how do you like that Tremor, it has been on my to get list for awhile now......

10

I EDC the Tremor, and it's just awesome. I have recommended it on BLF several times. I thought it might be too big, but it turned out to be just right. I want Kershaw to release another budget extra-large assisted opener. The next time I feel the need for a new knife, I might have to settle for one of their newer, smaller offerings.

11

I don't know about you, but I bought one from Wal-Mart for 10 bucks before Christmas. It matches my L2P Blue nicely.

12

Picked up that kershaw for a friend for christmas for $10 at walmart. Seems like a great knife (for the price). I wouldn't EDC it though, too big.

While not as budget as a lot of you might like, my EDC assisted knife is the SOG twitch II. I got it on ebay new for $36 shipped. It has a very thin profile so clipped in my front pocket, I never notice that its there. Overall I really like it, but I do have a couple of issues with it. I was was at a chrismas party and one of the kid's toys was held in with some wire. When I cut the wire it put a couple of small chips in the blade. I was disappointed with that. Also, the blade loosens up so i have to tighten it every month or so.

13

I am a big fan of Kershaw and own about 10 of them.

Also, I have bought "blems" several times from the Kershaw Guy at Blade Forums (linked above).

They are great knives, usually I can't even tell why Kershaw called them blemished.

I have the Oso Sweet, it's a great knife for a little under $20 on ebay. It's a USA dealer. It is made in china but is SRM quality or above. It has lots of "snap".

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kershaw-Knives-OSO-Sweet-Pocket-Knife-Nonserratted-Plain-1830-/330653312873?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item4cfc792769

I am sure any of the Kershaw knives mentioned are fine.

14

You got it right fellas, i got that kershaw for 10 bones and plan on getting the black handled one for myself. I reprofiled the blade from what it was to 2.5 and then down to 2.0, goes through paper like butter. I like Kershaw but i just love the look of the M16 series, and another good blade to get is the CRKT Ripple, uses SS bearings at the pivot joint and opens like it was assisted. I saw the other day that Buck has a carbon fiber handle folder and dang it does look nice, price is nice too.