3.5" Axis with premium steel (M390, D2, M4)?

Just looking for a minimal fuss, thick blade (and tall) S30V+ steel 3.5" folder. Drop point preferred. Swedges are neat.

Current EDC has been an 06 Auto (Gerber). I've carried it daily since 2007. Since then, it has been my ONLY EDC knife. Heresy to most people here, but I've used and abused it and love every aspect of the knife. Now I just need (want?) something that is more legal after moving.

Things I've liked about the 06 Auto:
- blade profile, S30V
- reliability (after replacing the original spring with a stronger one)
- heft, all metal construction
- lock style - crossbar with the ability to further 'lock' it with the 'safety'
- steel pommel/glass breaker (or in my purposes, general hard reset tool, hammer, banging implement, smashing device)

Main gripes are the length (slightly longer than 3.5") and the legality of it. Otherwise, it's damn near perfect.

Cons for the RSK MK1: perceived high cost/benefit ratio (getting a premium blade with no other frills for $140), service - having to send the knife back for omega spring replacement
Cons for the 0562: Pivot screw issues, not sure if I trust a Ti framelock over an Axis lock

I really appreciate the HK suggestion (as well as the barrage) but both of those are out because of local regulations. If I didn't have a 3.5" reg to follow, It would be down between the Contego and the 275 really fast.
 
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Yep, I was going to suggest the Contego if it wasn't for the 3.5 limit.

That would lead me back to the large Ritter grip. I'm not a fan of the scales on the large grip either, but imo the Ritter has one of the best blades on the market, now with M390 to boot. To me, it was more difficult to justify the price difference between the 551 and Ritter back when you could get new large Grips for $70 or so. Now at $95 or so, the difference isn't so large.

One thing you're getting with the cost is Benchmade's excellent customer service. Free clips, great warranty, and I'm personally a big fan of their blade replacement policy so with all that prying or what not and an uh-oh happens, $30 and a couple weeks later I've got a brand new blade and essentially a new knife. That's even for the super duper steels too.

The only other knife I can think of off the top of my head would be maybe the Volli although only a 3.26" blade and I'm pretty sure it's only available in S30V. I personally find the ergos to be terrible, but it's assisted and has an awesome drop point blade with a nice high flat grind like the Ritter. Even has a swedge too, if memory serves correctly. I sharpened one for a guy and that was my take from it. Loved the blade though.
 
What is the 0562 pivot screw issue? I haven't heard of that. Because the 0562 has a steel insert in the lock bar it should be very durable.

Have you considered the 915 triage? It has a 3.5" N680 blade, glass breaker, and rescue cutter.
 
uofaengr said:
Yep, I was going to suggest the Contego if it wasn't for the 3.5 limit.

That would lead me back to the large Ritter grip. I'm not a fan of the scales on the large grip either, but imo the Ritter has one of the best blades on the market, now with M390 to boot.
Click to expand...

Yup. It seems like the natural choice I keep gravitating back toward, mainly because it actually seems to be a legitimately good jack-of-all-trades; something I inherently like. Maybe if I throw on some custom scales...


TechDoc said:
What is the 0562 pivot screw issue? I haven't heard of that. Because the 0562 has a steel insert in the lock bar it should be very durable.

Have you considered the 915 triage? It has a 3.5" N680 blade, glass breaker, and rescue cutter.
Click to expand...

Oh I just saw some information where the 0562s and the 0801s (with the special pivot screw) seem to work themselves loose even after applying some loctite. Apparently not an issue with the 0560/1s or the 0566 since one side of the screw is keyed into the frame.

Yeah, the 915 triage would be perfect except for the steel type. Slap a Ritter profile blade (or maybe just make a blunt-tip for the EMS application) in M390 and I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
 
Ok, here's another suggestion although it's a recently discontinued model: Bone Collector 15020

They have D2 steel and come in black G10, green/black G10, or wood scales. I use it as a camping & fishing folder.

The blade is like a hybrid of the Ritter Grip and Rift but with a slightly thicker blade.

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D33EAED5-CA8D-4B5D-ACDD-3B8AC6482EFC.jpg


858D9F8F-385D-4F02-AB43-1B0947D45794.jpg
 
The Ares has a 3.44" M390 or s30v blade if you can find one.




Keyman custom scales.
 
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TechDoc said:
Ok, here's another suggestion although it's a recently discontinued model: Bone Collector 15020

They have D2 steel and come in black G10, green/black G10, or wood scales. I use it as a camping & fishing folder.

The blade is like a hybrid of the Ritter Grip and Rift but with a slightly thicker blade.
Click to expand...

Of course it is disco'd. Nice looking knife with a great feature set. I wonder if they removed it from the lineup after offering the griptilian customization site.

I really like the scales you put on the grip - mind if I ask where you got them from?

sechip said:
Mercaptain2 email me if interested, your email is not active.
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Thanks for the offer, but it looks like the Ares has a 3.6" blade length. Also, the M390 version looks like it was intended to be a 'presentation' grade gift, not an actual hard use item.
 
Benchmade discontinued their entire Bone Collector line last year (folders and fixed blades) and switched over to the Hunt line. Many of the knives are similar but the replacement for this one has S30V and a gut hook. But the 15020 can be found on the big auction site and often sells for $100-125.

The scales on my Ritter Grip are black/blue G10 and are Benchmade. They came with the Camp Perry and Law Enforement (551BK-LE) limited edition Griptilians. There are similar scales in black/red on the 2013 Shot Show Grip limited edition and black/green on the REI exclusive Griptilian which is still in production.
 
Most of the knives I would recommend are too big, even if only by 1/8". The Rift, the 14715, the 581 Barrage (sucks because I would sell you mine to pay for my instrument cluster repair) are all just a hair too long.

The 520 Presidio, the 5400 Serum (new, double action manual/auto with 3.47" Elmax blade), the 15060-2 Grizzly Creek Folder from their Hunt series would fit the bill with blades right at 3.5" or a little less.
 
Something to consider is the partial liners won't matter as much with the factory G10 scales or aftermarket scales for example ( DOAT ) here on the forum makes fantastic scales, once they are tightened they are inset to the G10 making it much stronger than the standard griptilian scales, or like it has been said already here the 484 or Bone Collector models which I have both and are great knives but a little heavier because of the full steel liners.
 
Heh, this thread is still going.

Ended up with a Ritter Griptilian.

Edge was absolute garbage from the factory though. Yikes. Even the stock 200 grit edge pro stone made a noticeable improvement. After going over with some Chosera stones it's like butter. Really easy to sharpen actually, thanks to the grind.

Thanks all!
 
I just picked up the 300 AXIS Flipper in D2 steel.
It's the Cabelas exclusive release. 3.18" blade.
Perfect for EDC.

Ron
 
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