I wanted to let you all know I purchased a new knife a few weeks ago and I like it.
It's a CRKT Carson M4-03.
The good:
SOLID- Everything about this knife is solid. It's heavy. It locks up like fort knox. The blade is thick. It doesn't bend at all.
AutoLAWKS- CRKT has a goofy locking mechanism that makes the blade lock up better than a plain old liner-lock. It takes some getting used to but it's better than accidentally chopping a finger off.
LOOKS- best looking inexpensive knife I've seen lately.
CLIP- Removable. Sits deep in the pocket
The bad:
LINER LOCK takes time to break in. At first it was really hard to close. Once the liner lock was used a few days it got easier.
DULL- Plan on sending it to the sharpener as soon as you get it.
The ugly:
SCALES- Plastic. Shitty. Comfy but so cheap looking and feeling.
OUTBURST - Stupid. It's an assisted-opening spring. This thing opens with a flick without it. It's easy to take off.
Made my own Cocobolo scales to improve the feel:
