Benchmade, Spyderco, or Kershaw?

Spyderco. Get a Paramilitary 2 off of the Exchange here. S30V blade-steel is fine; ANIB for about $130. I love 'em.
 
how can I contact him? I looked in the Kershaw/ZT section like you said, and searched him, but couldn't find any offerings. help?
 
Just go to his website:
www.kershawguy.com

It will be under the "Kershaw New" section.

Anyways, my two pennies would be to get a slightly higher end knife and a good little flashlight(doesn't need to be super fancy) for EDC.
A good medium priced knife would give you an EDC that you can use for years. A slightly higher end knife will give you something with a better steel that needs sharpened less and will likely require less maintenance and will in the end, last longer.

There are several awesome EDC knives out there in your range but for this I would pick Spyderco. It feels like you get more for your money in the way of steel, materials, design, and fit and finish.

So here's a few Spyderco Knives I would recommend:
Spyderco Para 2
Spyderco Caly 3 or 3.5(I would go for the CF/ZDP)
Spyderco Stretch(I would go Green/ZDP)

As for some Kershaw/ZT knives to check out...
I would pick up a ZT Blem 0350 (it's $85 for standard or $95 for Stonewashed or Tiger Striped). If you don't like the assist, you can remove it and it makes a great manual flipper. This is great if you want a beefy knife with a good steel that will take anything you throw at it.

I'd also take a look at the Kershaw Speedform 2 - G-10 handles with a great Elmax blade for around $75, which for what you get I believe is a great value.

For all around EDC I would look into the Spyderco knives and possibly the Speedform. Spyderco knives just make a great EDC because even if the blade is thinner it can take a lot, the full flat grind makes them wicked slicers, and all around they can handle anything you ask of them, hard tasks, light tasks, medium tasks, they just do a good job all around.

So I would look into some of the suggestions and maybe pick up a 4Sevens Mini AA for your light, it's small but powerful and as bright as you'll likely need for daily EDC. Several modes. I've owned several lights and this one is my favorite little EDC light.

Maybe try for a Spyderco Para 2 or Sage 1(Carbon Fiber) or 3(if you like blue, this one is extremely smooth and I love the lock) and the Mini AA. Would make a great pair up.
 
In my opinion, Kershaw gives you the best value for your dollar. The Leek, Blur, and Skyline are my top pics for a moderately priced knife that performs great. Spyderco has some nice knives too, but the entry point for their good ones (specifically the Delica and Endura) is a bit higher. I haven't been a big fan of the Tenacious or Byrd series, although some people like them. They're not bad, but if you're going to consider Spyderco, I'd jump in at their mainstay Seki-made lightweight lockbacks (Dragonfly, Delica, Stretch, Endura). Benchmade makes great knives too, and the Axis lock is an excellent locking mechanism. They do tend to be on the pricey side though. I haven't looked much into the HK lines. I really like the Griptilian model, which is probably the cheapest Axis ones they offer.

Here's a typical day's EDC for me...
EDC_20130127_800x456.jpg


Here are the knives I carry most often. I always have the SAK, and I'll pick one of the locking folders at random. Some of these have been modified somewhat, but the base models are all well within your budget. From left to right: Blur, Skyline, Leek, Delica, Mini-Griptilian, Super Tinker.
EDC1_20130302_800x573.jpg
 
Some good advice already here. The Blur is a good option, but I found with my big hands it just didn't feel right. However, a Spyderco Delica 4 FFG is a superb fit and the VG-10 steel is fantastic. If you can get a ZT 0350 within your budget it's certainly worth a look. I just got one yesterday and while size-wise it's not a whole lot different to the Blur, other than being a little beefier, it really is a great EDC option, and I know without question it will take everything I can throw at it.
 
For $150 you could get a ZT350 blem from kershawguy.com and have plenty left over for a light. I like the coast HP4. it's a AAAx2 penlight that puts out 95 lumens. They have a single AAA that does 65 lumens and they're about $25-30 I think. I haven't had them a long time though so I can't speak for the durability.

I'm also wanting to get the kershaw knockout for ~$60 and I have a clash and OSO Sweet that were both just under $30. The clash has been my main EDC for almost a year and I'm very happy with it.
 
Spyderco and Benchmade have nice knives but you can't beat Kershaw for value if you're on a budget.

The Blur is an excellent knife and it's only about $70 +/- a few bucks. The Skyline might be the best bang for the buck at $45 you get a lot of knife and for $10 more you can get a cool looking damascus version. If you want to blow a little more on knife an less on flash light you can get ZT (made by the same company as Kershaw) knives for under $100 from Kershaw guy, they might be blems but they are fully functioning knives and ZT is the premium brand for KAI. ZT knives are built like tanks.
 
I think you should get a CF blur blem from Dave (kershawguy)
CPM-154 steel, CF inserts instead of that rubber stuff, and it's only $75
CAM00556_zpsa5d2be39.jpg


As for my flashlight recommendation, I'd get something from ThruNite. Great prices, and great products.
 
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Spyderco Caly 3 or 3.5....The Tenacious is a good buy but heavy and bulky.
 
Big philly 1 said:
I have a Spyderco tenacious, resilience, and 2 enduras.. Awesome knives. There very light, comfortable in your hand. There shaving sharp. And for $33 or $44 bucks. $60-70 for the endura4. I also have had the bench made 550 and 551. Cpm154 steel is a very good steel keeps sharp along time, depending on your usage. There all high performance blades. There is a line of heavy duty folders made from pretty much the same steel. The line is called bad blood..I have all 3 folders and the fire spitter is by far my favorite. Is also 9.5oz. It's a BIG knife. I also have had a pelican brand light since2005 and have not had to change. The bulb... It's a good bright full size light. Great for ccw, light/knife.and it's tuff. I also have 4 surrefires and there great also. Your choice of Knife/light combo for your price range is rather large. I have had over 15 different models of Kerahaws. You have a lot of research to do. It has taken me 8 years and a lot of r&d. There all solid brands..
Click to expand...

thanks for all the feedback, it has given me a lot to think about!
 
Yeah, you can get a Kershaw blem.

Honestly, you're new. This is your first, I'm guessing.

Just grab a Spyderco Tenacious. It's a perfect entry level folder for the most part. You'll love it, and it'll kickstart a wonderful addiction.

I've got the Preon 2 by fourSevens. It's a great light -- I've had two. Only complaint I have is that I wish the pocket clip was more resistant to getting snagged and bent out (easy to bend back, but never as strong obviously). Hasn't happened on this second one but... it will.

Have fun, bud.
 
It is a never ending quest for the "next knife". At least that is how it has been with me.

I like all three brands. I own more Spydercos than any other because I tend to collect them more but all three make a great knife. Starting out with a BM mini Grip is a good one. You will have to try one out sooner or later, it is a requirement :cool:. It's a keeper.
 
BladeChick777 said:
Just go to his website:
www.kershawguy.com

It will be under the "Kershaw New" section.

Anyways, my two pennies would be to get a slightly higher end knife and a good little flashlight(doesn't need to be super fancy) for EDC.
A good medium priced knife would give you an EDC that you can use for years. A slightly higher end knife will give you something with a better steel that needs sharpened less and will likely require less maintenance and will in the end, last longer.

There are several awesome EDC knives out there in your range but for this I would pick Spyderco. It feels like you get more for your money in the way of steel, materials, design, and fit and finish.

So here's a few Spyderco Knives I would recommend:
Spyderco Para 2
Spyderco Caly 3 or 3.5(I would go for the CF/ZDP)
Spyderco Stretch(I would go Green/ZDP)

As for some Kershaw/ZT knives to check out...
I would pick up a ZT Blem 0350 (it's $85 for standard or $95 for Stonewashed or Tiger Striped). If you don't like the assist, you can remove it and it makes a great manual flipper. This is great if you want a beefy knife with a good steel that will take anything you throw at it.

I'd also take a look at the Kershaw Speedform 2 - G-10 handles with a great Elmax blade for around $75, which for what you get I believe is a great value.

For all around EDC I would look into the Spyderco knives and possibly the Speedform. Spyderco knives just make a great EDC because even if the blade is thinner it can take a lot, the full flat grind makes them wicked slicers, and all around they can handle anything you ask of them, hard tasks, light tasks, medium tasks, they just do a good job all around.

So I would look into some of the suggestions and maybe pick up a 4Sevens Mini AA for your light, it's small but powerful and as bright as you'll likely need for daily EDC. Several modes. I've owned several lights and this one is my favorite little EDC light.

Maybe try for a Spyderco Para 2 or Sage 1(Carbon Fiber) or 3(if you like blue, this one is extremely smooth and I love the lock) and the Mini AA. Would make a great pair up.
Click to expand...

would you call a leek or a skyline or a kershaw cryo a medium quality knife?
 
I would recommend going through the forum and picking one knife that fits your budget, functionality, and looks attractive. All those companies you mentioned make great knives and there are many good suggestions here. You'll need to develop your 'taste' for knives just like everyone here and it won't happen until you go through a few knives.

My interest in knives started when I read an article about CRKT M-16 knives. I did some research and ended up picking a Benchmade mini-grip. Sometimes I carry a Kershaw leek or cryo. I love my Spyderco sage 1 too. My edc flashlight is a Fenix LD12.
 
BM Mini Grip, Kerskhaw Skyline. Both great buys and good steels. For you light a Streamlight ProTac, uses 2 AA batteries.
 
If I were starting out with $150.00 and needed a knife and a light, I would buy a Benchmade 943 and a Titanium Innovations Illuminati.
 
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