Another knife recommendation thread

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Shawn7656

Joined
Feb 15, 2012
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I haven't posted here in ages due to my bank account draining every time I log on. But, without further adieu, its time to drop around $150 on a knife. A little over is fine, but $175 is definitely maximum. Minimum probably around 100.

My EDC for the last year or two has been a griptilian. I can't complain about it at all (I'll actually be updating my review soon). With intention of having a rotation I bought a Tenacious and a CRKT M60. Both knives failed to serve me as well. There were times when deployment failed on the first attempt and this is something important to me, as I really like to be able to use a knife one handed. The Tenacious never opens smoothly for me, and the crkt is annoying to close one handed

To move on to what I'm looking for...
I've been looking into Spydercos. I was never impressed with the Tenacious because it had bad washers (I think I got a dud) and never opened well. I want to try again and was leaning towards the Gale Bradley. The weight concerns me though, as its near double what I'm used to.

I'm open to any suggestions as long as they are easily used left handed (thumbstub must be on both sides, clip needs to be able to go on the left side, easy to unlock), don't look tactical (going more for a tool or gentleman look), and are around 3-4" in blade length. A little more is fine, a little less is not. The PM2 is something I was eyeing as well. Not sure about The compression lock with my left hand though

Also please don't talk me into a Sebenza ;) lol
I don't have that much free cash for a knife at this point.
 
My advice would be to test a PM2 for left-hand use before going for anything else. Should not be a problem as compression can be a press or a pull action.
 
My answer is and will be always the same, when possible, considering one's budget and so on: everyone should own a Spyderco Military :D

It is my favorite GOAT production folder; EDC one (of four now) since 2008. Very comfortable liner-lock; very comfortable G10 handle; an awesome full flat ground 4" blade; still only a lousy 4.2 oz; and carries superiorly in the back-pocket due to its thin profile. But what I like most about it is the blade-angle, which makes it a superior food folder as well.

Now since they even make a dedicated left-handed version as well, there is no reason to not like it, unless tip-down is really an issue for you.

With kind regards and the same boring pics I always post talking about my favorite knife :D



 
I'm a big grip fan. I have about a dozen. Since you like the Grip and are familiar with it, what about trying one of the variants? Maybe a model with G-10 scales or what about a Ritter?

I couldn't get used to the PM2 compression lock as a lefty. I really wanted to. But it didn't work out. I ended up selling my PM2. It was a great knife and worth trying. I sold mine when I got The Manix 2 - which is similar to the Grip. It's what replaced the Grip in my pocket. I got the new second generation Manix 2 with the FFG blade, I was hooked.
 
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I feel like the PM and military both look a tad too much on the tactical side. I know I mentioned them in the OP but I really would prefer to stay away from it. Reason being a lot of people around where I live seem to get uncomfortable when I 4" blade comes out, so any tactical look just makes it that much more intimidating to them. I feel like many Spydies have that look to them and I think that's why the GB got my attention so easily. However, if I can find a dealer around me I'd definitely give them a shot. They seem solid and they're often highly recommended

Aquaman, that did cross my mind. The REI limited edition grip with the S30V and G10 seems like a pretty great buy. I'm not too sure about the design on the g10 though. Kinda not my taste haha.

My goal is also to try a new steel. This won't be hard as I've only made a couple higher end knife purchases. 154cm is the only super steel I've used. M4 does sound fun. I enjoy a good carbon steel sometimes.

I dunno. I just wish someone would give me like $5000 or so so I could just grab every knife I want... Hahahaha
 
Since you mentioned carbon steel, maybe a Spyderco Stretch in Aogami Super Blue? It's light, lefty-friendly, great slicer and on the lower end of your price range. Another popular choice would be the Caly 3.5 with carbon fiber scales and ZDP-189. Both are fantastic slicers and neither is a particularly intimidating choice.
 
If weight isn't a concern, possibly a ZT 0801. If it is, take a look at the Sage series by Spyderco. Holes and flippers like lefties just as much as righties ;)
 
My primary EDC for almost 5 years has been a Spyderco Military, black G10, S30V.


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Im sure you can find an Emerson Horseman in the exchange within your budget. I currenty carry the bigger cqc8 as my edc and its knocked out pretty much everything besides my cold steel code 4
 
I got a Spyderco Gayle Bradly not to long ago and was really disappointed. The lock was way to difficult to disengage and the knife was difficult to get clipped into a pocket. I had watched reviews and read forum posts about the knife and heard people mention the lock and say it was no big deal. However, two or three times in under a week I had to clean chunks of skin and fingernail out of the knife. In my book, that's either poor design or a defective knife. I returned it saying it was defective and got my money back.
 
Shawn7656 said:
I feel like the PM and military both look a tad too much on the tactical side. I know I mentioned them in the OP but I really would prefer to stay away from it. Reason being a lot of people around where I live seem to get uncomfortable when I 4" blade comes out, so any tactical look just makes it that much more intimidating to them.
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This sounds very stupid, in my humble opinion, especially for some one who's explicitly looking for "around 3-4" in blade length". There are plenty different colors of Militaries. And any knife with a 3.5/4" blade will look tactical towards pussies. In my country that means towards everybody! Especially since almost every city adopted city laws making carrying any "sharp object" illegal.

Man up.

Kind regards from Amsterdam

EDIT: I forgot! Especially too since you're a lefty. They make a dedicated left-handed Military. The PM2 is also very nice for lefties. So man up and get a trough comfortable full flat ground slicer.

PS: 154Cm is anything but a "super steel".
 
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Gayle bradley all day!! It has better steel than the military and pm2, smooth as glass and its designed for hard use. The weight won't bother you, because you'll notice its a kick ass knife and you will WANT to carry it.
 
m.christy said:
I got a Spyderco Gayle Bradly not to long ago and was really disappointed. The lock was way to difficult to disengage and the knife was difficult to get clipped into a pocket. I had watched reviews and read forum posts about the knife and heard people mention the lock and say it was no big deal. However, two or three times in under a week I had to clean chunks of skin and fingernail out of the knife. In my book, that's either poor design or a defective knife. I returned it saying it was defective and got my money back.
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Mr bradley commented on the lock, he said if his wife can close it, its no big deal. Get yourself some man hands and carry on with life. My girlfriend can close it without any complaints...
 
I'm a lefty and I have a PM2 in my EDC rotation. The compression lock definitely takes some getting used to. I have yet to see a lefty friendly Emerson. Have you tried AO Benchmades like the Volli of Barrage? My top EDC right now is the 581. If your worried about intimidation you should take a look at knives that offer colored handles. It may be right at your $ limit but the Lionsteel SR1a has some really impressive offerings. For Spyderco I'd check out the Manix 2 LW and Endura as well as the GB and Caly 3.5.
 
Since you specified leftie use; I'm going to turn away from Spyderco (I don't have much experience with them anyway), and suggest the Benchmade 581. It's the m390 bladed Barrage, with ambidextrous thumbstuds and AXIS releases. Pocket clip is reversible; but for tip up carry only. Mine fires like a dream.

If you're really set on Spyderco, the Manix2 XL is ambidextrous, as well. (long, wide knife, though)


 
A Paramilitary 2 would be one of my first suggestions along with the griptillian and they would be on the lower end. I would also recommend closer to your ideal budget would be the ZT 0550 which has dual thumb studs and should help with you being left handed a little.
 
I'll second the 0550 as an option. Framelocks, to me, are easier to release lefthanded than linerlocks. (keep in mind that I am a rightie, and my lefthand is borderline retarded - a true leftie would likely manage better than I)
 
Jeru said:
My answer is and will be always the same, when possible, considering one's budget and so on: everyone should own a Spyderco Military :D

It is my favorite GOAT production folder; EDC one (of four now) since 2008. Very comfortable liner-lock; very comfortable G10 handle; an awesome full flat ground 4" blade; still only a lousy 4.2 oz; and carries superiorly in the back-pocket due to its thin profile. But what I like most about it is the blade-angle, which makes it a superior food folder as well.

Now since they even make a dedicated left-handed version as well, there is no reason to not like it, unless tip-down is really an issue for you.

With kind regards and the same boring pics I always post talking about my favorite knife :D
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I have to agree with Jeru on the Military. It's so good at everything I use a knife for. My only possible complaint is that the handle feels proportionately larger than other knives I enjoy holding, but it in no way makes it difficult or uncomfortable to use. It might be the right size after all, and I'm still just getting used to it. But this size disappears when you put it in your pocket. I swear it shrinks when I holster it, it feels like nothing in a pocket or waistband.

The Gayle Bradley is, however, fighting with the Military for pocket time as well. It's pretty, it's as strong as they come, and it's damn hard to dull. And it has a four-way pocket clip. But I'm still struggling to find the justification for a hollow grind. I can't find anything it's better at than a full flat grind except perhaps shallow cuts where the medium never has to try and ride up towards the spine of the blade. Still, love this knife as well and got it for under $100 second hand, which I recommend doing if you're trying to save money.

The only other knife I own in that size and price range is the Stretch (yeah I like Spyderco) in ZDP-189. Love that one too.
I've been thinking about trying out a Barrage, but I just can't get over that silly two-tone look...
 
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