DGI's Knife Log

DGI

DGI

Joined
Sep 14, 2015
Messages
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Long time lurker, finally decided to create an account as I enter the world of knife collecting. I currently have a decent sized collection but only recently have noticed that theres more to a knife than how well it can hold an edge.

I've been carrying an Al Mar Auto Sere for the better part of 3 years now and finally got out of that habit by purchasing a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I'm very impressed with the quality of this knife and its utility. I actually bought a second PM2 since I liked the first so much. The first one I bought is the Digicam with Black blade model and that one is my current EDC. The second one I bought is the Black G10 with Satin blade model. There is a clear difference between the two knives. The Black G10 model I bought pre-owned and its not as smooth as the Digicam model.

This revelation between the two PM2s in my possession brings me to the reason my interest in pocket knives has grown recently. I did not realize that you can customize these little guys!!!! This will end up proving to be quite the ride I imagine. The Black PM2 will end up being shipped out for tuning and scale/refinishing work as soon as some recent purchases come in and are reviewed.

Within the past week I've purchased two Boker Kwaikens and a Spyderco Techno. One of the Kwaikens was purchased with the intent of being sent out immediately for tweaking after seeing a couple such knives on Youtube with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and stone washed blades. I figure "while i'm at it" I may as well send out the black PM2 to have it done up. Seems like "pimping" knives is a lot cheaper than modifying firearms and cars/bikes (my other hobbies) so we'll see where this path leads.

I started this thread to create a log of my interests and the direction i'm traveling down this rocky road. I look forward to learning from this wonderful community while meeting and working with its members.

-DGI
 
Welcome aboard!

You will notice that there are fans of certain companies that will try to persuade you off of another brand due to their preferences. Which leads to my primary piece of advice, Take everything with a grain of salt, until you hear enough of the same complaint/compliment.

It seems that you are off to a good start. Might I suggest some of the less expensive quick additions?

Grab an Opinel, probably a No.8 slim (coghlans model, if you can't find it under the factory name) in carbon or stainless. They do their stainless right and rakes a Keen edge very easily and their carbon takes 2 mins on a ceramic and strop to whittle hair from the box.
On top of that, it fits in a change pocket or disappears upright next to your wallet.

A Mora companion as an inexpensive fixed blade option if you need one, otherwise look into Becker. A few $ more, but much more knife.

Svord or Higo no kami for friction folders.

Keep an eye on the custom fixed blade market since you can find some handmade knives for under $100 all the while supporting members who support the site!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

Again, welcome aboard and enjoy your Holidays.
 
Thanks for the welcome! I've been trying to soak up some info lately to get my started on the "official" path to folding knife collecting.

The Bokers and the Techno finally arrived. The Techno is just as impressive as its Slysz Bowie counterpart. I'm also very happy with the BladeHQ limited Edition Kwaiken with the carbon scales and the stone washed blade. The Titanium Kwaiken has a bit of lock stick and is a bit heavier so I'm debating on returning it. Im sure my issues can be tuned out by a decent shop but I've found something locally that I've decided needs to come home with me so for right now, i dont need two Kwaikens.

Heres a shot of the two "keepers". The Kwaiken's previous owner scalloped the flipper a bit making it very easy to open. Its silky smooth as well. The factory scales are a bit slippery however so I have a feeling this one will be receiving something with a little more grip.

 
Welcome to the Forums. :)

I started out carrying a Buck Crosslock years ago. A Cold Steel Voyager replaced that after a year or two, and then I discovered the Spyderco Native 2 LW, which I carried for over 10 years, including on my first deployment to Afghanistan. I occasionally buy other folding knives, but those almost always end up being given away in fairly short order. And I go back to carrying a Spyderco.*

You may want to consider picking up a few Spyderco fixed blades while the following models are available. Spyderco fixed blades, with the exception of the Moran, aren't usually offered for very long, and if you get them soon, you can get them for very inexpensive prices. I especially suggest the following

Street Bowie or Street Beat LW
Reverse
Ronin 2

You should be able to find all of these for less than $100/ea. All very practical for discreet fixed blades.

Another good, very well priced knife to consider is the Kershaw Cryo or Cryo II.* Sturdy Hinderer design, easily found for $35 or less. Do be aware that the thumb stub is useless, but the flipper works well. :)

Again, welcome to the wonderful world of knife acquisition. C'mon in~ the water's fine!

John Shirley



*Because of the discreet pocket clip and smooth scales, I actually carry a Cryo II while I'm at work now, despite preferring Spydercos in general.
 
NJBillK said:
Welcome aboard!

You will notice that there are fans of certain companies that will try to persuade you off of another brand due to their preferences. Which leads to my primary piece of advice, Take everything with a grain of salt, until you hear enough of the same complaint/compliment.

It seems that you are off to a good start. Might I suggest some of the less expensive quick additions?

Grab an Opinel, probably a No.8 slim (coghlans model, if you can't find it under the factory name) in carbon or stainless. They do their stainless right and rakes a Keen edge very easily and their carbon takes 2 mins on a ceramic and strop to whittle hair from the box.
On top of that, it fits in a change pocket or disappears upright next to your wallet.

A Mora companion as an inexpensive fixed blade option if you need one, otherwise look into Becker. A few $ more, but much more knife.

Svord or Higo no kami for friction folders.

Keep an eye on the custom fixed blade market since you can find some handmade knives for under $100 all the while supporting members who support the site!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

Again, welcome aboard and enjoy your Holidays.
Click to expand...
Excellent suggestions Bill, sounds about right to me.
 
The adventure continues.

Through the classified section of this great forum, I've been able to snag three more blades in the last couple of weeks, two of which are already on the way.

Chris Reeve Umnumzaan Tanto
I love my Sebenza Tanto so much that I figured this would be the next logical step in my CRK collection.



Strider SNG DGG
I wanted something more "heavy duty" to see what all the craze is all about and the DGG really looks sharp. Cant wait to feel it in hand



The third knife is for sale by a local forum member and I'm going to be meeting up with him this coming week if all goes well so I'll update when that sale is finalized but I'm really looking forward to that one as well.

I was torn between the Umnumzaan and the Strider SNG (more of a "which one first" kind of deal) but glad I found both of them second hand at a small discount so that I can try them both. Would I sell off the one I enjoy less? Possibly but if they fit totally different rolls as some have claimed, maybe both have a place in the knife box.

Edit: Photos used were taken from the for sale threads of each knife
 
The Strider SNG I bought came in yesterday and I've been fondling it for a day now (currently in my pocket).

I'm very impressed with this knife in terms of build quality, it feels like a "tank of a knife" as so many describe. Its rock solid and in its current used state, still cuts very well (paper and cardboard). Even pre-owned, its still needs some breaking in as I cant get a decent flick deployment just yet.

A few thoughts from playing with it for a day:

1. While it is rock solid and beefy, the panels feel lightweight. If anything this makes the build of the knife that much more impressive.
2. I wish it was bigger. The size certainly makes for a great EDC but when I choke up on the forward choil, my big hand makes the handle/knife disappear in my palm. I'd like some more blade length when choking up on it.
3. The lock bar is a little difficult to get to, even with the jimping. I think i'm really going to enjoy the Umnumzaan in this regard as the built in tab extension on the lock bar will make for some easier closing.
4. I'm going to need a SMF to match the SNG... Didnt think i'd say this going into it. If anything I thought i'd get some first hand experience with a Strider and sell it off to fund more CRK knives. Its not looking like this knife will be going anywhere anytime soon and may actually multiply.

Umnumzaan is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I'm looking forward to comparing the two. I'm hoping the Umnum handles differently than my Large 21 Tanto in its deployment and closing. If it even remotely mimicks the "hard use" nature of the Strider over the standard 21, i'll be tickled.

Edit: I ordered some G10 scales from Allen Putman for my PM2 and a Ti backspacer and deep carry pocket clip from Ebay for the same knife. I've never been a fan of the Camo panel design on my PM2 and hope the new scale/backspacer setup will add to my love for that knife. I REALLY like the PM2 as it is and actually think I'll be getting another (even though I just sold one) to tweak on a bit. Live and Learn.
 
Sounds like you found hobby that has allowed you to really search for what you like and experiment with modding a knife to your liking.

Since you have the complaint about the strider disappearing in hand, might I suggest a larger knives (one that doesn't have a framelock)?

Take a look at the Benchmade 710-140. It is the classic Benchmade made anew. The G10 isn't as hard on the hands as the 810s G10; it is comfortable in hand with spot on ergos, has an ambidextrous lock that works Very effectively; and the steel is Great, M390 takes a Great edge and holds its working edge for a long time due to its fine carbide and microstructure, and it has a rather high carbide count, so as the steel wears, it keeps a toothy working edge nicely. Custom scales are available through the "custom makers for sale 《 services offered" section.

If you would prefer a different brand, take a look at the Zero Tolerance 452. While some may consider the steel a step down from the Benchmade m390, the ZT s35vn is still Very good in its own right (the same steel was used on your CRK products).

As far as the PM2 goes, there are Plenty of sprint runs available for you to mod while expanding your width and breadth of on hand experience regarding steels. Try a Cru-Wear or M4 if you see one in the exchange.
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Again, good luck in your travels, and thanks for bringing us along.
 
Excellent suggestions! Ive been considering a ZT0452 just havent taken the plunge yet.

Last night I found an opportunity to pick up a Spyderco Domino for a nice price and snatched it up. I like my Slysz Bowie and its CTS XHP steel so much I figured it would be a nice flipper. Should be mailing out today :-)

Im debating on sending a couple knives out for sharpening (considering "TheapostleP" from youtube) or just buying a sharpening system. Im leaning towards the Wicked Edge Pro Pack I if I go this route. Seems fool proof but need to watch more videos on it and also the Edge Pro Apex to compare.
 
DGI said:
This revelation between the two PM2s in my possession brings me to the reason my interest in pocket knives has grown recently. I did not realize that you can customize these little guys!!!! This will end up proving to be quite the ride I imagine. The Black PM2 will end up being shipped out for tuning and scale/refinishing work as soon as some recent purchases come in and are reviewed.
Click to expand...

Here is a preview of what's in store for you if you go down the customizing road:

b0WZcfu.jpg


New scales, regrinds, and acid/stonewashing are great ways to take an already good production knife and turn it into something really special. I'm mostly on the lookout for customs nowadays, but I still browse production knives specifically with an eye towards which ones would be good to have customized.

I cannot recommend Blade Forums user spketch (scales) or razor-edge-knives (regrinds, acid washing, cerakoting, etc. etc.) highly enough for this kind of stuff.
 
There are plenty of people who have already weighed in on the EPA vs WE in the maintenance and tinkering subforum. Give a quick search and you shall find plenty of info to sink your teeth into.

I hope the domino works it well for you. How are the dimensions compared to the dgg?

I like how this thread is evolving glad I have been following this.
Enjoy your New Year.
 
I'll run a search later today and read up for sure.

I'll snap some pics of the Domino when it comes in this week.

My Umnumzaan came in today! Handling it for 10 minutes at work, im very impressed. Solid solid solid! Beefier than my Sebenza, which is what I was after. It also feels beefier in hand than the Strider DGG. Had to get back to work for now but heres a comparison shot:

 
The DGG SnG is the thinnest variant followed by the CC which has the same profile but its not all milled out. The plain/lego style defiantly fills the hand a lot better.
I have enjoyed this thread very much, keep up the good work!
 
Wife and I are expecting baby #2 any day now, had a couple false alarms in the past two days but the wait continues. I had a chance to today to run out and meet up with forum member "zmbhntr". I picked up the Chaves 228 he was selling. He was also kind enough to let me handle his full custom Chaves Redencion! I'm blown away by both knives. Only months ago, a Sebenza was a grail knife to me (lack of knowledge of other makers)... now I crossing my fingers that I can get on Ramon's list for a full custom Redencion.

The 228 is a beast of a knife. Way beefier than anything else in my collection. This one has been given some custom touches by Cobalt Customs. I reached out to Cobalt Customs prior to buying the knife and they mentioned its had "acid stonewashed blade with polished flats, customized thumb stud and a blasted and polished frame". The bullet shaped thumb studs are a little painful to flick open more than a handful of times but the the knife flips open with the urgency of an assisted blade. Its super smooth in closing as well. I'm very happy I had a chance to pick this thing up. It was a pleasure meeting, and working with, a member of this community as well.

I'll post a couple pics zmbhntr snapped for me as my photo skills aren't as good as his.









 
Playing with some of my favorites... May have to take a break from buying for this month



 
Spyderco Domino came in today and im afraid to say its just too darn small for my hands. Top quality flipper and beautifully finished but it just doesnt do it for me size wise.

Time to clean out some of my smaller, less than ideal knives to step up my game a bit.

Pictures of the Domino as promised:

Domino VS PM2
PM2 is slightly larger but way more comfortable for me


Domino vs SNG
SNG is at the limit of being too small for my hands. May trade "up to a SMF" if I find someone willing


My 228 came out with me today for the first time, it was a good day :-)
 
Congrats on the knives, and I am glad to see that they are getting some carry time.

As soon as you said the dgg was too small, and that you had a domino otw, I was worried about this. I haven't handled either, and I know that a slight change in ergo's can make or break a knife. Primarily due to that, I didn't want to say anything and influence your thinking.
--------
I am sure you could package them as a "smaller sized knife lot" and try to get them out in one fell swoop. Plenty of people love the Domino, and I am sure you will have interest soon.

Any ideas as to what you are going to be looking for next?

I don't know if the Spyderco Mantra 2 catches your eye (or if that as well would be a bit small) but it has a peculiar look to it, and seems to go in the direct opposite direction of the Chavez.
M4 and a fillet shaped blade built for slicing. I can't tell if I like it or not... lol
 
I'll be posting some items for sale here once I upgrade my membership, maybe this weekend.

I'm not really sure which way I am going to go from here. I have "plenty" of knives that make me very happy. I daily carry the Spyderco PM2 shown above. I recently ordered some Putman scales and an Ebay backspacer/clip. The ebay items have not arrived yet so once those arrive i'll spruce up my PM2 a bit.

The SNG will probably get traded for a SMF. Not sure I'm going to stick with the DGG pattern or pursue something in CC form.

I'd like to handle a Chaves 325 Megalodon before picking one up, not sure if it'll feel small. I've been eyeballing a ZT 0566CF for a while but not sure about the steel used in those. I think i've been getting to caught up in the "fast deployment, high speed" function of certain knives and need to get back to enjoying the quality offered by knives such as my Slysz Bowie and my Tanto Reeves knives. Maybe I'll pursue buying a Wicked Edge and the Micarta Large 21 Tanto i've been drooling over but keep pushing off since my search for speed and "tacticool" veered me off my normal, toned down path.

Any suggestions?
 
Threw up a low bid for a Strider SMF NSN on ebay and ended up winning the auction! Now i'll get to see what a full size Strider feels like in hand. Ive been carrying my SNG on and off and im getting used to its size so we'll see what the SMF has to offer soon :-)


(From the auction)

I have a thing for Military gear so this will fit nicely in my collection either way
 
My SMF arrived the other day and it can only be described as an ANIMAL! I thought the Chaves was a tank, this thing is a boulder. Solid, quality built, sharp, its got it all. I actually like the way it feels in hand alot better than thr e SNG. Maybe because the SNG is a DGG or maybe because of its size? The SMF is easier to open/close as well. I find it alot easier to close the SMF as I can get s better grip on the lock bar also.

This has made me curious if its a function of the variant though. I think im going to pursue a CC SNG to see how that handles next. The SMF would be a bit too large for EDC though I plan to for the next week. We'll see how it goes. Id love to find a Carbon CC with Tiger Striped blade and flamed Titanium back though. Mmmmm

 
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