Recommendation? Best for my money

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ZtCubster

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looking for a new edc. My budget is $180-$220 max. I currently edc a cqc-15 with serrations and just gave my benchmade contego in m390 which was basically brand new to my father. Should i get another contego or a griptilian and a cold steel recon 1? I never really carried my contego, really not sure why. I was looking for a benchmade for a fidget knife. Or should i get a new griptilian in g10 ? I need a new pm2 after breaking my old one but doesnt have quiet the same fidget factor as a benchmade. i dont know, im sure we have all been there where we have a set price and dont know what we want. So far im looking at a pm2, benchmade loco, adamas, 940, contego, and a griptilian. Possibly a yojimbo 2 but seems too much of a pocket hog, same reason why i dont carry my manix 2 as a backup
 
The BM 940 is an excellent knife. Benchmade griptillian is great, bet its even better with g10 scales.
 
You gave away your contego, and you never really carried it anyway... but you're considering buying another one? Why? If the size was your reason for not carrying it, what about a Rift?
I have never owned Griptilian...though it was on my knives to try list. I wanted g10 and better steel, though: so I decided I would get a Ritter RSK-Mk1 (but never did). Benchmade finally got smart and did the Grip in grey g10/20cv... but ther price deterred me. Enter the new RSK Mk1, 2nd Generation - now made by Hogue - and my wallet opened.
The PM2 has legions of fans - I like it; but rarely carry it... but this isn't about me. If you loved yours, replace it (possibly waiting for the next Sprint or SFO in better steel). I carry my Advocate far more often than any PM2; and they pop up on the Exchange often enough to balance the price difference.
 
hhmoore said:
You gave away your contego, and you never really carried it anyway... but you're considering buying another one? Why? If the size was your reason for not carrying it, what about a Rift?
I have never owned Griptilian...though it was on my knives to try list. I wanted g10 and better steel, though: so I decided I would get a Ritter RSK-Mk1 (but never did). Benchmade finally got smart and did the Grip in grey g10/20cv... but ther price deterred me. Enter the new RSK Mk1, 2nd Generation - now made by Hogue - and my wallet opened.
The PM2 has legions of fans - I like it; but rarely carry it... but this isn't about me. If you loved yours, replace it (possibly waiting for the next Sprint or SFO in better steel). I carry my Advocate far more often than any PM2; and they pop up on the Exchange often enough to balance the price difference.
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i think i never really carried my contego because i could never really get the pivot right. either had blade play and was smooth or it was solid but stiff and i didnt love it enough to carry it to break it in. I shouldve went with the black and grey scales, i got the blue and black and regretted it as soon as i got it
 
Freeman 451 button lock flipper is just at the top of your budget and certainly fulfills your fidget factor criteria.
 
Not being a fidget flipper, I forget how important "action" is to some people. If I can consistently open my knife with one hand, I'm happy. I don't worry about a free falling blade - in fact, it isn't a feature I like, for the most part - as I usually unlock and close against my leg before pocketing the knife again.
I do have a few free dropping blades, and I have to be cognizant of that so I don't unlock early.
 
I had a griptillian and loved it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one, it is actually on my list of desired knives along with a manix 2.
 
Do you carry other items in your knife pocket? The Yojimbo does take up some real estate if you need to get something out of the bottom of your pocket, but it carries quite nicely.
You could pick one up off of the exchange here in the hundred dollar range and test drive it for a week. If it’s not for you there will be a buyer for it. Aside from one of my flippers the Yo2 is hands down my most fidiget friendly knife.
 
If it’s between the Griptilian G10, Contego, and Recon 1, I recommend the Recon 1. I really don’t care for the upgrades on the G10 Griptilians. Personally, I would take the simple older version over the new one any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
The Contego is a nice knife but takes up a lot of pocket space.
The Recon 1 is the less costly option, but the best deal out of the three. You get a strong lock, the size doesn’t take up a lot of pocket space, and a premium grade blade steel CTS-XHP.
 
I'd skip on the recon 1 if you want to "fidget" with it.
 
4A0C141D-2361-43E0-BD87-7DE93AF14532.jpeg I was never really a Spyderco fan, tried a few but they didn’t do it for me. A couple of months ago I bought a Manix 2 off the exchange in S110 because it was cheap. I am now purchasing my 4th Manix 2 in Cruwear. In my pocket everyday is the Manix 2 in 4V. What sold me is the caged ball bearing lock. If you like to fidget I think you will like that.
 
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Sounds you really like Benchmade. I would get a full size griptilian with an upgraded steel (m390 or 20cv) and g10 or micarta scales.
 
The Adamas is a monster wouldn’t recommend it here’s a pic of it next to a XM-18 3.5. Axis lock is very fun tho maybe a different Benchmade. I’m waiting to buy the Spyderco Smock as my next purchase maybe check it out think it’ll be around $165 and suppose to be out before Christmas. 1ED86D4A-0A1F-46AC-9CD8-FD6039C12933.jpeg
 
Did somebody say Manix?

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Everyone needs a Manix! There’s a ton of different configurations out there too. The only issue you may run into for particular models is the overly high secondary market prices. But they are out there.
 
I think you owe it to yourself to try the 940. Everyone who's looking for a pocket friendly EDC blade should give it a shot. If it ends up being a good fit for you, you're likely to love it. I carried mine for a year or two almost exclusively, when I carried a modern folder.
 
thank you everyone. and i think i might go with a griptilian in g10 and start saving up for a another pm2 and a yojimbo 2. But i can see the manix 2 and yojimbo 2 fighting for a place for my pocket in the future. But i defininitly want an adamas one day in the future for sure, just not a big fan of the black coating
 
I never realized how much I loved the Griptilian until I got one with G10 scales! I had one with the plastic scales and never carried it. After I switched to G10 scales, it became one of my favorites! I prefer the Grip with the sheepsfoot blade, the 550. The blade on the 551 just isn't for me...
 
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