Can't decide on new folder, help me pick!

[Strauss95]

Well I am looking to pick up a new edc knife. My edc uses are fairly mild, the knife won't see much hard use. Mainly opening packages, cardboard cutting, etc. I do use my edc everyday at work for peeling and slicing my apple. I am very good about immediately cleaning and drying off the blade after use. So here is what I currently have...

Spyderco PM2 S30V
Spyderco Endura Wave VG10
Spyderco Southard with carbon fiber scales
ZT 0550 Gen 1 with blue frag scale
ZT 0801 which is my latest purchase

I have a few knives in mind already, but can't decide on which one. I've found I like having a larger blade, around 3.5 to 4 inches. With that said, I have thought about adding a smaller folder with a blade around 3 inches, just so I have a smaller carry option. Out of my current collection, the Southard is my favorite. Love the smooth flip action, and how slim the knife is in pocket. Here are the knives I'm currently debating. ..

Benchmade 940
Benchmade 484-1
Spyderco Gale Bradley
Spyderco Domino
Spyderco Mantra 2
ZT 0452cf
ZT 0450cf

Love the long blade and slim profile of the 0452cf, but have thought about getting the 0450cf instead to have a small option. Have always loved the look of the original Gale Bradley, and I love M4 steel. Dice looks nice for a smaller blade option, and the action is supposed to be great. I also love the thin blade profile on the Mantra, looks like it would be a great apple slicer. I've had a benchmade before and sold it, but I loved the axis lock. Really like the look of the 484, and would be another smaller blade option. The 940 looks nice too, and it's slim profile reminds me of what I love so much about my Southard.

What do you think everyone? Just looking for some opinions from fellow knife nuts, my friends are no help lol. They think I don't need another knife lol. They obviously don't understand.

 

[Muaddib1116]

What's your budget?

 

[GooberBoober]

I would add a -1 to your 940 option

 

[Strauss95]

Budget is $250 max, sorry I should have included that. If you have other options, I'd like to hear them. But I also want your pick from my specific list.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Freeman 451 BLF would be my recommendation in that price range. It's an exceptionally well built knife and the flipping action combined with the button lock put the fidget factor through the roof.

 

[Hackenslash]

Freeman 451 BLF would be my recommendation in that price range. It's an exceptionally well built knife and the flipping action combined with the button lock put the fidget factor through the roof.

Oh yeah, that Freeman knife is the bomb and now he's started Cerakoting the handles in different colors. Really an awesome knife and it's made in batch runs by a small, domestic shop. I forget to recommend the Freeman 451 BLF enough.

If you can find $9 you'd be hard pressed to do worse than a Reate Horizon C.

Flip a coin between these two.

If picking from your list I'd suggest either the BM 940 (although if you like long and sleek, you might prefer the 943) or the ZT 0452CF. If you prefer larger blades, the 0450 and Nakamura will seem small, I'm underwhelmed by the Domino and I don't have any direct experience with the Mantra. The GB is a toss up, I love the GB1 but they're getting hard to find, but am not in love with the GB2 but that's mostly what's out there right now.

 

[flarp]

Of the ones you listed, I'd pick the ZT 0450CF. Looks like you already have a good collection of larger knives, and the 0450CF would be a good contrast to that.

 

[Strauss95]

I don't like the GB2 either, I like the original GB1. I'm sure I could push my budget a little bit if it was worth it.

 

[jwh720]

I have the 0450 and liked it so much I bought the 0450cf its a nice small knife but rugged too. Plus I just cant stop playing with the flipper. I also have the 940 and it looks like you dont have benchmade yet and I think everyone needs a benchmade I would go with that.

 

[Stephen Tolar]

Not on your list but have you tried a Delica FFG or Mini Grip yet? Two that you really need to check out if you want a small EDC.

 

[onojoe]

I love my 940, the 940-1 looks great as well, with S90v steel it is certainly an upgrade. Unfortunately its slightly above your budget, but well within stretching range

 

[GooberBoober]

Budget is $250 max, sorry I should have included that. If you have other options, I'd like to hear them. But I also want your pick from my specific list.

From your list, I picked the 0452CF:

It's an awesome knife, but I still want a 940-1 too

Still, it really is up to personal preference. In terms of usage, comfort of carry, cutting performance, UI, as well as looks. I just can't see how we could help you deciding which one would work best for you.

They're all pretty nice knives though, so you really can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[abbazaba]

Great list! I've had every knife on your "wanted" list except the 484-1 (for now). I say get the original Gayle Bradley because its easily one of my favorite knives and will get harder to find. That said, its my weekend workhorse, and not really a great EDC. Same is true for the 0452cf... one of my favorites but kinda a large EDC. The 0452cf is the reason I dont need any more large blades... it's freaking perfect.

I carry my 940-1 every time over the 0450 (with a custom carbon fiber scale), and I carry the Mantra2 more than either of those because I find that it is a great breakroom knife in the office. Domino really didn't do it for me and I'd go with the Mantra over it. HOWEVER, if I could only have one out of the 940-1, 0450, and Mantra2, I would pick the 940-1. I think its the best knife in the bunch. So I guess I would boil it down:

1. GB1 (get it before its gone)
2. 940-1 (maybe get it used on the exchange?. As far as strictly EDC, I think its the best one on the list)
3. 0452cf (OMFG that knife is perfect)

 

[Strauss95]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, especially abbazaba! If anyone else wants to chime in, I'd love to hear more opinions...

 

[GooberBoober]

Great list! I've had every knife on your "wanted" list except the 484-1 (for now). I say get the original Gayle Bradley because its easily one of my favorite knives and will get harder to find. That said, its my weekend workhorse, and not really a great EDC. Same is true for the 0452cf... one of my favorites but kinda a large EDC. The 0452cf is the reason I dont need any more large blades... it's freaking perfect.

I carry my 940-1 every time over the 0450 (with a custom carbon fiber scale), and I carry the Mantra2 more than either of those because I find that it is a great breakroom knife in the office. Domino really didn't do it for me and I'd go with the Mantra over it. HOWEVER, if I could only have one out of the 940-1, 0450, and Mantra2, I would pick the 940-1. I think its the best knife in the bunch. So I guess I would boil it down:

1. GB1 (get it before its gone)
2. 940-1 (maybe get it used on the exchange?. As far as strictly EDC, I think its the best one on the list)
3. 0452cf (OMFG that knife is perfect)

Could you show us a spine shot of the 940-1 next to the 0452CF perhaps?

I'm curious how they compare in terms of (handle) thickness.

 

[bandagedfingers]

I personally like the domino.

Another awesome knife that you may want to check out is the positron by spyderco. I absolutely love mine.

 

[Colorodo]

With your budget take a look at the new ZT0095. Nice blade and an easy edc.

 

[Thumber]

I really wanted to like the ZT 0452 cf but found it finicky to flip. Didn't like the position I had to hold the knife in to avoid riding the lock bar. I have large hands. I went with a BM 710 in D2 and am very very pleased. Nice big blade. Good slicer. Loves eating cardboard. Fairly easy to sharpen. Really fun to play with the axis lock. Saved quite a bit of cash versus the zt.

And the 710 is a classic BM.

Also looking at a spyderco mantra 2. Didn't see that on your list.