Recommendation? Deka or Drop Bear?

erudite cricket · Dec 25, 2022

I recently refunded something on Blade HQ, and wanted to use the store credit for an inexpensive-ish knife with an axis-style lock. I've kinda narrowed it down to the Hogue Deka in MagnaCut and flimsy polymer scales or the Kizer Drop Bear. I know that the scales on the Deka are probably perfectly strong enough, but I do like the feel of a solid knife like the Drop Bear. Which should I go with? (Or should I spend 10 more bucks for a Griptilian)

Corton93 · Dec 25, 2022

If it were my money I'd probably gonna go with the Deka. Then just for the hell of it sometime down the road get some aftermarket scales..

No experience with the Drop Bear, and while the Grip/Mini Grip are solid knives, the Deka has much better cutting geometry imo.

DMG · Dec 25, 2022

I like my Magnacut Deka a lot, in spite of the scales. A thumbhole mini grip would be tempting too.

LSUisSEC · Dec 25, 2022

The clutch escort looks good. If you like 20cv

Chronovore · Dec 25, 2022

The Deka is a cool knife and a good cutter but it has a few ergonomic hang-ups for me.

I passed on the initial Drop Bear due to the aluminum scales but now there are more options. The one with Elmax and fat carbon has me tempted. Note that the blade is a tiny bit thinner than they state on BladeHQ. Everywhere else, including Kizer, gives the blade thickness as 0.11" or 2.8mm.

Kizer Azo Drop Bear Knife Blue Fat Car (3" Satin) - Blade HQ

This Kizer Drop Bear is a useful EDC knife and also has a unique lock system. This model has a satin finished blade and blue and black Fat Carbon handle.

www.bladehq.com

celticrogues · Dec 25, 2022

I like the Deka a lot too. The scales haven’t bothered me in use - I initially thought I would switch them out, but I probably won’t because I have no problem with them. It’s a light slicey little knife.

Chronovore · Dec 26, 2022

celticrogues said:
I like the Deka a lot too. The scales haven’t bothered me in use - I initially thought I would switch them out, but I probably won’t because I have no problem with them. It’s a light slicey little knife.

Luckily, there are options for the scales now. Unfortunately, the Deka thumb studs don't feel good to me and I also prefer a more neutral spine shape for my thumb. That's all pretty subjective though. The Deka is still a good knife and I rather like Hogue as a company. This one just isn't for me.

The Drop Bear looks like it will be a better fit for me. I'll know more in a few days. Thanks to this thread right here, I decided to order one! I had been on the fence but it was still Christmas for another few minutes. This was the first year in a while I didn't get a new knife for Christmas. Y'all had me looking and well, one thing led to another...