EDC $200 limit

B

baldegale

Joined
Mar 1, 2017
Messages
168
hello, i am new here. tomorrow im going out to look for a new knife, right now im looking at a benchmade 940 but i was wondering if you guys had any other suggestions? something that works very well utility wise but also fun to flip open and such cause i can get very fidgety.
 
Spyderco Manix or Paramilitary II gets my vote! I have the 940, but it rarely finds it's way in my pocket.
 
Had the 940, wasn't impressed. I say PM2 or a ZT0450, or a pre-owned ZT0562.
 
a ZT with bearings or assist are tons of fun to flip. Also I will always recommend a Spyderco Military. Just because it's such an awesome knife. good luck with your hunt! :thumbup:
 
ZT because if you buy a benchmade you will be paying more for a knife that comes with fit and finish issues. i do still recommend the 940 or 940-1 regardless of the issues. but find one used for cheap.

but... you could always go with a spyderco PM2 or manix2 with higher end knife steel for 200$ i enjoy these because of middle finger flicking with compression lock. good for fidgeting.

ZT is great fidgeter knives. 0562CF is awesome for that.
 
Random pic I had from another topic:

30606513666_a064ea2d93_b.jpg

555HG with custom scales.
Kizer Gemini - I'd get the Ursa Minor, one of my favorite knives.
BM Valet 485 - small knife
BM 484-1 - Great knife. I prefer it to the 940 in pretty much every way. The regular 484 is under 200.
BM 940-1 - Great knife, but I don't love the way it slices and prefer a taller blade.
BM 943 - Slices slightly better than the 940 IMO
ZT 0450 - a little too small for my hand, but a great little knife that carries similar to the 940.

Honestly, I'd recommend a PM2, Manix2, or Sage over all of the above if you don't have one. Also, the ZT 0560 is one of my favorites right now, and the Freeman 451 is my best fidgeting knife - button lock flipper is just stupid fun.
 
The 940 series is a great folder. I think everyone should at least try one. Same goes for the PM 2. Both are fun to flip if that is your thing. I prefer the 940. Trust your instincts
 
Keep in mind that you're going to have to sharpen whatever you buy and if you buy the latest and greatest super steel's like and s90v Benchmade or s110v Spyderco you'll likely need something diamond to sharpen them.

I however do second the 940/PM2 recommendations
 
GermanyChris said:
Keep in mind that you're going to have to sharpen whatever you buy and if you buy the latest and greatest super steel's like and s90v Benchmade or s110v Spyderco you'll likely need something diamond to sharpen them.

I however do second the 940/PM2 recommendations
Click to expand...

Actually as long as you dont let s110v get too dull its fairly easy to get it sharp again on stones like the sharpmaker rods
 
The Spyderco Manix 2 has a useful blade shape and profile -- a big, sturdy leaf blade -- and is a lot of fun to fiddle with. It deploys beautifully via thumb flick, middle finger flick ("Spydie flick"), Spydie drop, and lock flick, and the ball-bearing lock is itself fun to play with. Great knife.
 
baldegale said:
hello, i am new here. tomorrow im going out to look for a new knife, right now im looking at a benchmade 940 but i was wondering if you guys had any other suggestions? something that works very well utility wise but also fun to flip open and such cause i can get very fidgety.
Click to expand...

Could you offer some more information...

How do you use your knife? Are you opening packages or skinning a deer?
How do you plan to carry your knife? If in a pocket, which one? What else will you carry in the same pocket?
Do you have a preference for blade length? blade style? deployment method? lock method (if any)?
What size hands do you have and do you have any other issues that might make it difficult for you to use a knife?
Do you live in a location with any goofy knife laws?

Any info along these lines will help us make a suggestion.
 
kaozer said:
Actually as long as you dont let s110v get too dull its fairly easy to get it sharp again on stones like the sharpmaker rods
Click to expand...

The point was to budget the sharpening stuff in IIRC sharpmakers are about $70 now were at $270. If he were to get a Blurple PM2 at $140 and a sharpmaker at $70 now he's at $210 it's be worse for the BM since it can run $180 for the nice ones. in the end the knife is only part of the cost.
 
GermanyChris said:
The point was to budget the sharpening stuff in IIRC sharpmakers are about $70 now were at $270. If he were to get a Blurple PM2 at $140 and a sharpmaker at $70 now he's at $210 it's be worse for the BM since it can run $180 for the nice ones. in the end the knife is only part of the cost.
Click to expand...

you only need Norton Crystolon stones which are very affordable for sharpening and they will work perfectly fine on the higher end steel.
 
Do you care how big it feels in the pocket? The 940/943 really shines in that if feels small in the pocket. I also like the mini-grip for EDC use and is fun to flip, standard size griptilian is a little bigger but equally nice if you want something bigger. As a cheaper option, I'm also fond of the kizer begleiter which is a far cheaper knife but with a similar carry feel as the 940.

Sage series knives are nice, the sage 3 or 5 are probably the most fun to open/close.

PM2 and manix are great knives but I don't like them for EDC as they are big in the pocket. The manix 2 feels thick and the PM2 is quite long. I have not had a manix 2 LW to see if it's any thinner handled than a manix 2. If it's closer to a native 5 LW, it would be a good option.

Besides axis or similar type locks, I find I really like liner locks for the fidgety days. Locks on the back of the knife, back-lock, tri-ad lock, compression lock, etc., are just a little less enjoyable to open and close a lot for me, though not awful by any means. I also find that I don't prefer bearings over washers simply because it seems like the ones I've had need cleaned/oiled more often than washers. I think it feels smoother during the flip but I don't know that it really reduces the drag much as most of the drag seems to come from the lock (thus why back locks can be trickier to flip).
 
I'm no expert, but IMO it is hard to beat the AXIS lock for fun of fidget flipping. Don't get me wrong I love my Spydercos for slicing, but there is no other system in my experience that beats the AXIS for ease of one handed opening/closing, and it is certainly my favorite for repetitively flipping. I've never had a 940, but there are a number of offerings in your price range. I say just pick one that calls to you and research it here and on Youtube. You can't really go wrong. The Crooked River is one of my current favorites.

That being said, you can't really go wrong with most of the other suggestions above either. The Manix is one of my all time favorite Spydercos, and a superb all around knife. Also, there is a great amount of satisfaction from the action of a good flipper, and ZT has a number of offerings that are sure to please. My current favorite is the 0095. Again, I'm no expert, especially compared to some of the many knowledgeable members here. I'm just a guy who digs knives sharing my thoughts gained through my limited experience...Most importantly, have fun.

 
You are right, what i meant is that diamond stones are not really necessary for high end steels
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top