Can't Decide on First Knife (Sage or Domino)

D

dmullen

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Aug 30, 2014
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I am looking to get my first knife for carrying at school and possibly starting a collection. I like the domino because of the flipping action and the steel reinforcement on the frame lock, but i don't really like either choice of scales and i would have to replace the clip in order to keep the knife hidden on campus. I like the sage 2 because of its clean look and superior clip, but it doesn't flip and it doesn't have the steel reinforcement so I am worried about it wearing out over time (is this irrational?).

I also really like the BM 940 and Pro-Tech Tr-4, but I am not really interested in those brands as far as collecting goes, i only like those specific knives from each brand. Is it weird that i feel like i would be OCD about have knives from different brand were i to begin collecting?

Any advice is appreciated!
 
Have you considered a Sage 1? It's lighter than either of the aforementioned knives and has a steel liner lock which operates very similarly to the frame lock. I find the domino to be a touch bulky for my taste. I also think the flipper s unnecessary as I open a domino faster with the hole. IMO, Sage 1 > Sage 2 > Domino for EDC having handled all three extensively.
 
Slidetechnik said:
Have you considered a Sage 1? It's lighter than either of the aforementioned knives and has a steel liner lock which operates very similarly to the frame lock. I find the domino to be a touch bulky for my taste. I also think the flipper s unnecessary as I open a domino faster with the hole. IMO, Sage 1 > Sage 2 > Domino for EDC having handled all three extensively.
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Hey thanks for the response. I really hate liner locks so i definitely wouldn't get a Sage 1. Good point about the flipper, i probably wouldn't even use it anyway.
 
Sage 2 was hard to hold for me with the titanium too slippery.

I love the Sage 1. It is one of the best values around. Don't be quick to poo poo liner locks. This one works and works well.
 
Sage two is great on paper but the ergos when closed are not as good as other Spydercos or open either. The Domino's ergos open and closed could be on par with almost every other best/favorite Spyderco models. I just got in a sage 1 but haven't opened it as I'm out camping I will report back next week.
 
Sage 2 is my favorite in that line; probably the Sage 3 in carbon fiber is next.
I have experience with flippers (Southard, Domino, Dice), but don't see any real advantage at all.
Some folks, however, prefer them.
 
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Ergos on the sage 1 are better than the 2, less sharp edges not as comfortable in hand as the domino. More compact than the domino honestly having both its a toss up if you want a smaller edc or medium compact edc in cabin fiber.

No joke quality of these Taichung's are very close to CRK for the regular knife user. Not as precise but at a fraction of the price.
 
My vote I for the Benchmade 940, I have the Sage 2 and it does not get much pocket time, it just doesn't feel right to me. However I love my 940, it may not be collectable, but it is a great user. Then as funds allow start to collect.
 
My sage 1 and 2 are both very comfortable in-hand and I can't believe I'm hearing otherwise.
They are not as ergonomic as a military but great for EDC just the same.
I still want a blue cf domino but the dice actually seemed too small for the design.
 
I've never warmed up to any of the Sages. The Domino is a very wide carry and just looks wrong to my eyes (blade's too wide for its length for my taste). Have you thought about a Caly 3 or 3.5? They'll be a bit smaller carry but very capable for many cutting chores.
 
OK the op didn't mention the Caly series but after owning two sages the 1 and 2, which i hated the ergos of the 1 but didnt mind the 2 and the domino which was too much of a medium edc (i like compaxt edc's like the delica). I would go cf Caly over everything. But the sage 1 and the Domino are a push in my book. I have medium to normal size hands and this matters a lot. I've seen a lot of recent posts about the Caly being too skinny of a knife, that it isn't handfilling the way the domino is. I honestly think the Domino is extremely comfortable in hand but about 25% too wide for regular edc. Its a really nice Taichung folder though, just not the right one for me.

PS the Sage 2 was very uncomfortable for me, even with the beveled edges on the scale. It was all together too sharp and harsh feeling in hand. Whereas the Sage 1 has the same beveled scales it doesn't come off as feeling hard and sharp.
 
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The Caly CF/zdp189 series are great knives for the $.
A bit thin, but that's often a good thing.
In my experience, school officials won't bother you about carrying a knife as long as you aren't doing anything stupid. I carried everything from 2 to 5 inch blade folders and a Krein PSK fixed blade attached to my backpack during college and never had any complaints.
You also shouldn't rule out other companies, especially if you are collecting, because there are many qualities that Benchmade/Kershaw/ZT etc provide that spyderco doesn't.
But I love em all!
 
If you think you'll flip the domino a bunch, don't get it. Chances are, you'll be so obsessed with flipping the knife, you'll get in trouble at school. There's nothing wrong with any of the Sage knives, any version is well made.
Read some of the posts about folks constantly flipping their knives, you just don't want to get such an obsession that you're flipping it where you don't realize where you're at
 
for school go with something small unless you really want it for protection. I recommend the dragonfly 2 with Nishijin glass scales and zdp-189. I know its not what you asked about but just my opinion, and it will keep you out of trouble. Classy, collectable, and you can choke up on it nice and tight for your EDC tasks.

 
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