Looking For an Everyday Pocket Knife - S&W M&P vs. SOG Trident

L

lonestarwings

Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
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Okay, I realize this is kind of dumb but I like black knives. I'm looking for a knife that is easy to carry in a pocket and can be used for random everyday things, opening a box, cutting a rope, cutting through plastic, and maybe self-defense in an emergency. I'd like to spend less than $75. If you have other knives that fit my description, I am open to those recommendations too, but also let me know what your pick would be between the two.

I was looking at the two knives listed above - the SOG trident and the S&W M&P drop point:
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SOG Pros-
Made in USA
3.75" blade
Lightweight

SOG Cons-
More Expensive
Have read that blade gets loose easily
Thin blade

M&P Pros-
Seems a bit sturdier
Glass Breaker
Thicker Handle
Cheaper

M&P Cons-
Made in Taiwan
2.9" blade
Heavier
 
I would go with a endura.


The trident would be the only one I would consider of the knives you have listed and even then I would still look into spyderco or kershaw first.
 
I personally would not buy either of them. But have no real experience with them, other than some other cheap S&W knife that I hated.

Just curious why you put "thin blade" as a con?? Having a thin blade helps a lot more than it hurts for 99% of your chores, unless you are really misusing it. Hell, most "thin" blades on tactical type knives are still quite a bit thicker than your old slipjoints, and even those were strong enough to take some abuse.

I mostly care about this only because knife buyers as a whole seem to really think they need big, fat knives, and manufacturers are coming out with more and more models that are quite nice, with way too thick blades. And this makes me sad. :(
 
goodeyesniper said:
I personally would not buy either of them. But have no real experience with them, other than some other cheap S&W knife that I hated.

Just curious why you put "thin blade" as a con?? Having a thin blade helps a lot more than it hurts for 99% of your chores, unless you are really misusing it. Hell, most "thin" blades on tactical type knives are still quite a bit thicker than your old slipjoints, and even those were strong enough to take some abuse.

I mostly care about this only because knife buyers as a whole seem to really think they need big, fat knives, and manufacturers are coming out with more and more models that are quite nice, with way too thick blades. And this makes me sad. :(
Click to expand...

I listed thin blade as a con as I assumed it would reduce the durability of the blade. As you can see this is my 2nd post on the forum and i don't really know much about knives. I guess the type of metal is just as important, if not more so than thickness. If it's not a con, then +1 for the SOG I guess.

Thanks for all the recommendations. I've started looking at this Kershaw and while it is out of my price range, it is tempting. I like to see "made in the USA", but it is also a lot heavier than the others. I'll be honest, I sort of want the S&W because I have 3 "M&P" series pistols, but I know it's a cheap blade, which is why I came on here looking for alternatives.
 
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goodeyesniper said:
I personally would not buy either of them. But have no real experience with them, other than some other cheap S&W knife that I hated.

Just curious why you put "thin blade" as a con?? Having a thin blade helps a lot more than it hurts for 99% of your chores, unless you are really misusing it. Hell, most "thin" blades on tactical type knives are still quite a bit thicker than your old slipjoints, and even those were strong enough to take some abuse.

I mostly care about this only because knife buyers as a whole seem to really think they need big, fat knives, and manufacturers are coming out with more and more models that are quite nice, with way too thick blades. And this makes me sad. :(
Click to expand...

What he said!

I wouldn't go with either one as well. Better to put your money into a Kershaw R.A.M. with a black DLC coating. You'll never look back.
 
for your price range, you can do MUCH better than those. I've said it a lot, but I'd recommend the Spyderco Endura 4 G-10. I think they're still for sale at around $70, and I really can't imagine you can do better for the price range. you mentioned you liked black knives, I guess you could dye the G-10 black, or you could get a regular Endura in black. I know the Spyderco Tenacious comes in G-10 and is black, I can't really think of anything else within your price range that's black. I'm sure there are many though.
 
Get the SOG..AUS8 is OK. I love my SOG Visionary 1 with VG 10 steel.
(SOG is handsome, Spyderco is UGLY! Lol..)
 
Of the two, definitely go for the SOG. Another vote for the Black Pacific Salt.
 
I'd go with the Sog. I've handled alot of SW knives and have never been impressed. Now that I've said that, Kershaw has many offerings. You can get a Blur in s30v for your budget, or any number of their other knives. Also, I know that I'm still in a honeymoon phase with my Rat-1 folder, but for $25 you cannot go wrong and it is a heck of a knife.

IMG_0001.jpg
 
Get a Benchmade Model 710, they are great blades... The 710 is what got me hooked into EDC a Blade...
 
Your budget is big enough for a large selection of quality folders. Aus 8 is easy to maintain, takes a good edge and retains the edge for a decent amount of use. But there are superior blade choices from other manufacturers if you're willing to take the extra time to sharpen them.

VG-10, S30V, 154CM, 14C28N, etc are all better stainless steels compared to AUS-8. There's no need to get too hung up on the blade steel, but since you're looking at a $70 price point, why not? It's just not the most important factor but something to keep in mind.

Just FYI, my favorites are Spyderco, Benchmade and Kershaw. I do have a SOG and it's a good knife, just not my favorite. My preference runs to lighter knives with 2 to 3 inch blades with a plain edge or full serrations. I like them to carry deep in the pocket and be unobtrusive and the ergos and how it feels in my hand is important to me. We both seem to have the same kind of use in mind, so give it some thought. Big heavy tacticool knives have their place but it doesn't fit my intended use and I don't want the compromises that make them less than ideal EDC knives. These are my preferences so don't feel like I'm trying to convince you of anything, but I do want to explain the logic behind my thoughts.

I love the G-10 Endura as recommanded by a few others and with the great price right now, it's hard to pass up. It's a little too big for my EDC tastes, but I had to get it. :) My current EDC is the Spyderco Sage 1. You can find them within your budget but not with a combo edge.
 
This is going to sound prickish but hear me out.

It does not matter which one you buy. Neither is a very good value in my opinion, and I could give you recommendations of what would be a good value in your price range as others have. The problem with my recommendation is that it is *MY* recommendation and like the thin vs thick blade debate we all have different preferences/uses.

Judging from the differences between the knives you have posted (and the similarities) I would guess your preferences deal a lot more with appearance than functionality or even handling of the knives. If you agree that appearance is the greatest draw for you to these particular knives, then as I say it does not matter which one you buy.

Either knife will result in the same 2 possible outcomes, and in both outcomes it does not matter much which knife you select for your journey.

1. You buy a knife and like the looks of it and eventually you stop carrying it or never really use it all that hard in the first place...in which case it really does not matter which knife is slightly better.

2. You buy a knife and use the hell out of it and discover at some point that what your REAL needs in a knife are...at which point you will have learned more than anyone here can tell you. This information will be used by your to begin a journey toward the ultimate knife/tool for your needs...perhaps you will one day acquire such an "ultimate" knife, though many of us have never done so, and continue to buy more.

So as you see, either way it probably does not matter too much which you buy. So stop grinding away and go buy something and start learning your needs/wants/desires. This place is a GREAT resource for additional information to help you on your journey.
 
Yeah, I'm not going to deny, that for me these kinds of knives are mostly tacticool man-jewelry, for better or for worse. I don't use a knife that often, so I don't currently have any except for kitchen knives and box cutters. I would just like to have a usable pocket knife around, aside from the rusted-out/bent swiss army knives I got when I was a kid.

I'm really thinking about blowing the budget up to $120 and going with that Kershaw Zero Tolerance 0350:
ZT0300ST.jpg


The looks appeal to me and it seems like it's a quality blade, good design, good company, and american made.

I can't get past that big hole in the blade on the spydercos. I'm sure they're fine knives otherwise.
 
lonestarwings said:
Yeah, I'm not going to deny, that for me these kinds of knives are mostly tacticool man-jewelry, for better or for worse. I don't use a knife that often, so I don't currently have any except for kitchen knives and box cutters. I would just like to have a usable pocket knife around, aside from the rusted-out/bent swiss army knives I got when I was a kid.

I'm really thinking about blowing the budget up to $120 and going with that Kershaw Zero Tolerance 0350:


The looks appeal to me and it seems like it's a quality blade, good design, good company, and american made.

I can't get past that big hole in the blade on the spydercos. I'm sure they're fine knives otherwise.
Click to expand...

Well alright then. FWIW I think that ZT knife is probably a great place to start.

As far as the spyder hole goes...I felt the same way 20 year ago...I mean to design a knife with a giant weakness right there near the pivot!!?? Then I tried one that someone gave to me as a gift, and now I can not stand thumb studs. (BTW, Spyderco Knives seem to have no weakness problem associated with the hole, it was just a thought I had years ago)

Good luck. Perhaps you will meet a nice knife nut locally that will allow you to play with some knives. After you develop and understanding of what you like, you can will have a much greater ability to learn just by handling other knives. Who knows, you may even decide one day that a Spyder hole is something you can not live without?

Re: "tacticool man-jewelry"...that is a fantastic term. Nothing at all wrong with buying a knife that visually appeals to you...I for one refuse to buy an "ugly" knife.
 
lonestarwings said:
Yeah, I'm not going to deny, that for me these kinds of knives are mostly tacticool man-jewelry, for better or for worse. I don't use a knife that often, so I don't currently have any except for kitchen knives and box cutters. I would just like to have a usable pocket knife around, aside from the rusted-out/bent swiss army knives I got when I was a kid.

I'm really thinking about blowing the budget up to $120 and going with that Kershaw Zero Tolerance 0350:
ZT0300ST.jpg


The looks appeal to me and it seems like it's a quality blade, good design, good company, and american made.

I can't get past that big hole in the blade on the spydercos. I'm sure they're fine knives otherwise.
Click to expand...


thats the 0300st -itll run you around 230
this is the 0350
its smaller, and liner lock.
zerotoleranceassistsmallfrontplain.jpg


i say pacific salt in all black also.
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If you want true EDC and spend less than $75

Check Kershaw Skyline. You can get that $ 30-35 and its one of the best EDC knives done and probably one the best under $50.

Kershaw Skyline
Kershaw Zing
Spyderco Endura 4 FRN


Big hole in pivot is not problem. I've never seen or head that the spyderhole would have broken or otherwise caused trouble. Only you try Spyderco, you will start to appreciate their design. Like previously suggested Kershaw Blur is excellent choice with S30V blade steel and G-10 handles. Kershaw Avalance and Speed pumps are nice too.

ZT's are good but also expensive but you get what you pay for: Tank like knife that feels extremely solid, backed with excellent warranty and made best materials. If you buy one, I am sure you will be glad you did that.
 
I'd stay away from anything from Smith & Wesson...their steels are cheaply made 4034 stainless.

Right away when I started getting into knives I had the SWMP1B and thought it was the best knife I could have found, used it for 2 years....sharpenining it over and over and over again. Wanting an upgrade I got the SWMP4L and subsequently thought that it was the best knife....only to find the same cheap steel, chipped easily and never held and edge...

Bought a few Kershaws and Benchmades and Spydercos....instantly I knew why the S&W sucked...their blade steel, all the kershaws...etc kept their edge and didn't chip.

Much better IMO.

I also regret making my name SWMP4L...but that was the knife I was using when i discovered this site, which opened my eyes to a whole new world of knives.
 
I have a SOG Trident , it's not a bad knife... I like the shape of the blade and it's light-weight.

If you want something a little better without breaking the bank. You can get a knife with similar characteristics as the lower end Zero Tolerance but closer to your budget.

The G10 Tyrade - the blade is not coated, but it's a great knife for the price. They are starting to dry up so you have to get one soon.
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The other is the Kershaw " Avalanche" - you can find these within your budget and it's another great knife - smaller than the Tyrade, but high quality. It comes coated and stonewashed.

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I ordered a trident from a canadian ebay seller who is moving all his inventory for $47 shipped. you can pm me for his info
 
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