This thread needs some photos . . . (and some mayhem) :
Here is what I think based on my present intoxication with certain products of late; and also based on my constant internal conflict between handle shape and lock release preference.
So :
Chose the lock you like best and buy the knife with the closest handle and blade type for your wants and needs. (my favorite lock release is on the Griptillian / I own a full size Ritter Griptillian).
That path leads to compromise and madness and possible financial ruin.
But
is more fun and interesting from a hobby stand point.
* Yes pick the lock, pick the knife . . . do . . . what a knife knut has got to do to get the knife. Price ? Details, details; to feel better about it divide the price by the number of days you will own it . . . pennies (or dollars) a day right ?
RIGHT.
But . . . and here is where enlightenment leads to freedom leads to happiness . . . of a sort . . . generally . . . in a NONknife hobby sort of way . . . so I hear :
If you don't care about the lock just buy four Buck 110
LTs and mod the blades or get them modded for you and use the knife, or two, that fit your needs of the day.
Two knives minimum in your case (I hear people have been able to function carrying only two knives poor sods).
Here is what I like; box knife for . . . well . . . boxes and stuff (evil box tape glue) and the Endura 4 for camping / food prep and about any other dang thing that gets in your way up to and including the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Taal.
One of these Gerber EABs for the box knife
Spyderco Endura 4
Top knife in this photo. Granted it is a lock back but is a one hand releasable and foldable lock back
here is where enlightenment leads to freedom leads to happiness . . . of a sort . . . generally . . . in a NONknife hobby sort of way . . . so I hear :
If you don't care about the lock just buy four Buck 110
LTs and mod the blades or get them modded for you and use the knife, or two, that fit your needs of the day.
The Buck 110 LT is the larger knife in this photo
~$30
perfect handle, perfect weight, really nice length, decent properly heat treated steel, strong enough (plenty), strong lock NOT A TOY.
Then reshape the blades as needed some photos of modded knives bellow: leave as is for bush craft, thin a fair amount for food prep / camping, cut shorter and move the nail nick (see bellow ) for boxes and more controlled cutting similar to the Spyderco Delica Wharencliff in the second photo. The Delica is a super knife by the way to fill the role of box knife / detail cutter., see red asterisk above).
A majorly thinned blade; the closest thing to a kwaiken that I have I really like this shape (blade and handle)
Confused ? It's all part of the fun.