Bantams vs Slim Selects: Which do you like better and Why?

DrMegabyte

DrMegabyte

Basic Member
Joined
May 29, 2017
Messages
117
While they are priced slightly differently, with the Slims being a little more than the Bantams, they see to address almost the same market: lightweight, economical, USA made knives with the blade sizes of the 110 and the 112 (Leaving out the Bantam 284 BBW and the now sadly discontinued 283 Nano keychain models.)

The 285 Bantam BLW is the same blade size and almost the same handle size as a 112 slim, the 286 BHW Bantam is the same blade size and almost the same handle size as a 110 slim.

So what is different? Mostly it seems to come down to the frames:

• They are shaped differently:
° Slims mirror the general shape of their parent 110s and 112s
° Bantams have finger grooves, some jimping-like grooves in the frame, and a lanyard hole
• Slim have a short, reversible pocket clip
• Bantams have a non-reversible, deep pocket clip
• Slims have a "rear lock" locking blade
• Bantams have a "mid lock" locking blade

On a subjective basis, I like the feel of the Bantams in my hand better .. more "ergonomic" ... but I feel like the lock up on the Slims is stronger, not as much (any) vertical or horizontal play. Also, you can visibly "pinch" the Bantam frame. While you can so that with the Slims as well, they feel "stiffer" and therefore stronger.

The final difference: The Slims are 100% USA made, the Bantams are "Made in the USA of USA and Imported Parts." I am told it is the frames that are imported, that the Bantam's blades are USA made.

So, which do you, or would, you choose and for what? What other differences do you feel exist between the two?

Pictures of my 110 and 112 Slims and my 285 and 286 Bantams:
e1e0a095-4772-4d97-8c09-b1d35275dd7b.jpgacde2859-5bf2-4634-b0ae-f60da362a618.jpg
 
My wife has a pink camo 285 and loves it! I have a Blue 112 slim select and it is also perfect.
 
For whatever reasons the Bantams never appealed to me. Maybe it was the tip down clip system. I have a slim select 112 in orange that gets carried sometimes. Ditch that clip and throw it in my work pants coin pocket and it disappears
 
I don't own a Bantam, but I have two 112 Slim Selects. I'm a 112 fan, and when I'm not carrying a traditional 112, I'm carrying the Slim Select. It's lightweight, pocket friendly, and can take a beating. Plus- They're USA made, and well under $40.
Image 4.jpgImage 2.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have all of these. I carried a little Bantam 284 pocket knife for several years and I liked it a lot. I liked the bigger 285 and 286 a lot too. They are ergonomic and fun! I just wish they were a little stronger at the end near the pivot. I think its the handle itself that bends and allows some side to side movement over time. The slims are stronger in this area.
 
rhino said:
I've never tried a Bantam. I don't care for the Slims because they blade shapes are not the same as a 110 or 112. I wish they had either used the "correct" blade shape or not labeled them 110 and 12.
Click to expand...
Oddly, if you look my pics above, the blade on the black one that I bought a couple years ago is the same shape as my regular 112s, but the newer one is like the 112 Slims.
 
Last edited:
A Walmart near me had them. End cap display in Sporting Goods. I was thinking possibly some good Xmas gifts but the price turned out to be $29.99 + tax. Nope, but I did get just one. Honestly, I only wanted the key fob & the knife will probably end up in the Jeep ashtray. Got the orange camo because, I dunno, lets say Halloween is coming. The only other Bantam I have is the little Nano I found in a bargain bin at a farm & home supply store (Buchheits) It was cheap, never opened it and don't know where it is. Here is the product code for the current topic if anyone is interested.

KxPZ0Cs.png
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top