Recommendation? Buying a nicer knife for someone who has cheaper knives

Which Knife?

  • Manix 2

    Votes: 6 10.9%

  • Griptilian

    Votes: 20 36.4%

  • PM2

    Votes: 19 34.5%

  • Other

    Votes: 10 18.2%
  • Total voters
    55
  • Poll closed .
J

jhaydenlewis

Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Messages
2
Just figured I’d ask y’all on the forums this one. Looking to buy my future brother-in-law a knife around $100-$125 for Christmas. He knows a quality low end knife, as he has the Kizer Beigleiter, the Boker Kalasnikov, and other more budget friendly staples. I’m thinking a Griptilian, a PM2, or a Manix 2, though I’m open to suggestions. Also, I know there are tons of options at this level, I just want some opinions as out of those 3, I only have the Manix 2.
 
It is very difficult for an intelligent, analytical adult to handle a PM2 and not be deeply impressed by the design and engineering. It is superbly functional and just fun to play with, too. Not my favourite knife by any means, sorry Sal, but its qualities cannot be denied.
 
Before anyone can really answer, we've got the usual most important and frequently neglected question.

What's he going to do with the knife?

Is he in a trade where he uses a knife frequently? Is he a professional who needs something unobtrusive that won't look out of place in an office and not tear up the pocket of slacks? Is he a fidgeter who is going to be opening and closing the knife 100 times for every time he cuts something? Is he an LEO or in the military? Is he going to take it out saltwater fishing? Woods/bushcraft?

All of these are critically important to the analysis.
 
I have not handled a full size Grip.. I have/had the other 2.. I tried a PM2 twice.. Sold one and gifted the other to a LEO.. Too much handle to blade ratio.. The Manix2 is my winter/glove knife to edc.. This is a pocket filler and only carried when outside but easy to open/handle with gloves on.. JMO!! :DJohn
 
Grip...:thumbsup:
PM2...:thumbsup:

Manix2...I didn't like how the thumb grips on the lock wasn't as pronounced as they should be IMO. Mild slippery hands or somewhat thick gloves might have a tougher time disengaging the lock.
 
Can’t go wrong with any of these. I agree though what is his job? Is a full sized the best choice? Might a minigrip or a para 3 be more suitable?

Things to consider
 
Can't go wrong with any of them as they are all well proven models. With that being said, among the three:
- Manix 2 is the least easy to fold one-handedly
- PM2 is a bit more expensive (if we talk about the least expensive variant of each)
- I believe Grip has the longest cutting edge

If it were me, I'd probably still choose a PM2 s30v black g10, given the budget.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
I'll vote for the Grip. I actually, personally, prefer the Manix 2 or PM2, but the Axis lock is very user friendly and addictive, the 154CM will be a nice upgrade over his existing blades, but won't be as difficult to sharpen as the S30V in the other two.
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If we're talking a full-size Grip though, I can't imagine someone handling a Kizer begleiter and the grip then feeling like the grip is the higher quality of the two.

I like a Grip as much as anyone and adore the axis lock, but the Kizer is a quality knife with a solid feel to it. No matter how you shake it, the Grip handles feel hollow and plasticky... because they are.

Given what he already owns, I'd go with a PM2. If we can step outside of the OP's orignal considerations I'd go with one of these:

C223GPOR__41984.1541089910.png


It's a tad over budget at $130, but I think it's a bargain for a Spyderco Cutleryshoppe Exclusive Para 3 in CTS-XHP.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I completely forgot to include intended use, so my apologies. He’s about like me in that he works in a production environment and needs a solid knife for daily tasks like opening boxes, maybe breaking a corner on a plank of wood or sheet of plastic. That kind of thing. I was also looking at the Benchmade Freek or Bugout since again, I’m trying to limit it to more well known brands that he’d know about. He had also expressed interest in one of the Kershaw Launch variants when he got the Kalasnikov.
 
jhaydenlewis said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I completely forgot to include intended use, so my apologies. He’s about like me in that he works in a production environment and needs a solid knife for daily tasks like opening boxes, maybe breaking a corner on a plank of wood or sheet of plastic. That kind of thing. I was also looking at the Benchmade Freek or Bugout since again, I’m trying to limit it to more well known brands that he’d know about. He had also expressed interest in one of the Kershaw Launch variants when he got the Kalasnikov.
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I have the Launch 1 and I absolutely love it. The action is great and the size and feel are phenomenal. It's my EDC, but I have put it through any real abuse yet, however.
 
jhaydenlewis said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I completely forgot to include intended use, so my apologies. He’s about like me in that he works in a production environment and needs a solid knife for daily tasks like opening boxes, maybe breaking a corner on a plank of wood or sheet of plastic. That kind of thing. I was also looking at the Benchmade Freek or Bugout since again, I’m trying to limit it to more well known brands that he’d know about. He had also expressed interest in one of the Kershaw Launch variants when he got the Kalasnikov.
Click to expand...

Any knife can cut a box but, if you want to break of wood or plastic corners, none of the knives you've mentioned so far would be something that I'd use for the job. Why waste a $100-200 knife doing that?

You'd need something w/a much thicker and heavier blade, in which case, I'd simply suggest a CRKT C/K Folder which costs under $20. You can use and abuse it all you like and, if you don't want to bother sharpening or regrinding the blade, you can just buy another.

That would be my recommendation for the use suggested. However, for just carrying around, showing off and doing "normal" cutting tasks, any of the other knives mentioned would be fine.

I've got over 140 knives, including a Manix2 and Para2. I prefer the Manix because it fits my hand better and it's easier for me to deploy. I think the "one-handed" closure thing is over-rated and unnecessary but if it's important to you then the Para2 would be the call. I don't have a Grip or Bugout but I've handled them and they're fine too.

I think the Grip w/the thumb hole is a Spyder ripoff which is why I've never bought one and the Bugout is small and light but I'm not partial to small/light blades. Nothing wrong w/them if that's your thing but the only reason to buy one of them over a Spyder IMO is the handle which is a bit more ergonomic and "may" feel better in your hand.

I've got about 20 autos including a Kershaw Launch and a Kalasnikov DL. Both are ok but if you're going to buy an auto they are at the bottom of the barrel. Nothing "wrong" w/them but, between the 2, I don't see any improvement in buying a Kershaw. For a "better" auto, I think you'd need to move up to $150-300 and focus on a BenchMade, MicroTech, ProTech or Piranha auto instead.

However, IMO none of the knives I that I've just mentioned should be used to break boards or plastic. I still recommend the C/K Folder for that. It's a beast of a knife for very little money, that'll fit easily in a large/deep work pants pocket (at least it does in mine) and can handle any job mentioned w/a 8Cr14Mov steel blade (which is similar to AUS-8) that can be easily sharpened on the spot w/just a pocket stone.
 
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I was going to recommend the Endura or the Delica as a lightweight alternative to the Kizer, which is a fine knife. But for fairly heavy work, the Griptilian would be my choice. He could move up to the PM2 later.
 
I would get him a WE knives model, there are some great sales now.

He’ll appreciate the titanium, bearings and a higher quality steel
 
jhaydenlewis said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I completely forgot to include intended use, so my apologies. He’s about like me in that he works in a production environment and needs a solid knife for daily tasks like opening boxes, maybe breaking a corner on a plank of wood or sheet of plastic. That kind of thing. I was also looking at the Benchmade Freek or Bugout since again, I’m trying to limit it to more well known brands that he’d know about. He had also expressed interest in one of the Kershaw Launch variants when he got the Kalasnikov.
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well if the knife is to be used to break wood, I would not choose any of the three. If you are set to pick one of these three, PM2 should be at the bottom.
 
I really like my Boker Vox F3s for hard splitting, separating, etc.. The factory edge does leave a bit to be desired, but is easily made into a decent slicer with marginal effort. It looks like CRKT has a Vox as well, the Batum. I have no idea about the overall quality of the Columbia product, but fit and finish won't be up to the Boker (it's also $35, vs. $115-175 for the Bokers).

Full disclosure: I have NEVER been a Boker fan. I have the F3 in full Ti and the CF.
 
For what he does on a daily basis I wouldn't bother getting anything better than what he's using. But, for something nice, a little dressier, I'd look at getting him a GEC lockback. That would be a step up.
 
Pilsner said:
It is very difficult for an intelligent, analytical adult to handle a PM2 and not be deeply impressed by the design and engineering. It is superbly functional and just fun to play with, too. Not my favourite knife by any means, sorry Sal, but its qualities cannot be denied.
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Agreed, but I think the same can be said for the griptilian. Both are hard to beat especially for the price. I vote for the grip but the pm 2 would be a close 2nd.
 
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