New Knife.
 

Ok, I need assisted opening, under 4 inches in length, a pocket clip that allows for tip down carry, plain edge only. Must be American Made. Anyone have any suggestions?

http://www.theknifetree.com/catalog....36661&detail=1

Something like this perhaps? Been carrying one like this for the last fews years and it fits pretty compactly and opens easily as well.

I love the feel of a Kershaw Leek...if I carried anymore, that would be at the top of my list. Available in a wide variety of blades materials and finishes. Check it out.

http://www.thebladeshop.com/ProductI.../KER1660BW.jpg

http://www.kershaw-knives.net/images...10-350x350.gif

These are true 'assisted opening' btw...they open themselves once you get them started. If you're looking for something more blatantly switchblade-like, I had a benchmade automatic that was bulletproof. :thumbsup:

Columbia River Knife & Tool Crawford / Kasper folder. It fits all your needs to a T and it's a real pretty specimen.

http://www.knives4wholesale.com/Prod...lf_Knives.html

Check out Lone Wolf Knives. They make very elegant looking automatics that can be opened by either using the spring assist, or they can be opened with the thumb hole. It can be opened, used, and closed again by a stranger without them realizing they are auto knives. Of course, if you slide the grip, the knife will open like a regular auto.

Hope this works for you,
Greg

I just picked up one of these (Gerber):

http://www.knivesplus.com/gerber-kni...w-gb-7162.html

I like the assisted opening feature and it's light, sharp, and easy to carry... I'm just not comfortable yet with the texture of the grip.

I second the Leek - I carry one every day and love it. Almost feels like I'm carrying around a scalpel (with a half serrated edge ^_^)

Benchmade is made in USA and has a lifetime warrantee.
Here's the 670.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/pr...aspx?model=670

I bought one of those for my cousin once upon a time.


Its chineese steel if I remember correctly and I loathe all things communist.



I'm digging this Kershaw, but the blade shape is a little unusual, not sure if it would be a pain in the ass or not....

http://www.knifeworks.com/productimages/zero/ZT0400.jpg

Personally, I have shied away from Tanto points. They look cool, but they are harder to use for every day chores...from cutting cheese to whittling.

That's looks like a very impractical blade geometry - made for looks more than anything else, it seems. Note the virtual absence of a blade "belly" which makes it lousy for slicing or slashing.

Here's a reference for blade geometry info:
http://www.sff.net/people/pff/blade.txt

I love my kershaw blackout 1550

http://www.kershaw-knives.net/images...50-350x350.gif

Thats riding in my pocket right now. Gotta retire the old man tho. Polymer handles dissolve when exposed to Invert drilling fluid.

I've always liked the simple style of Kershaw. And at that price, it's definitly a possible new knife for me.

I love that knife. Only reason I can't keep on keeping on with it is I really do need a metal handle.