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EDC Folding knife advice
- Thread starter Jejerusik
- Start date
Sage is a vehicle for demonstrating different locks. The 5 has the compression lock. There aren’t a lot of variations for the blade metal or scales.
I also have a Bugout (S30v, CF-Elite) I bought at the same time as the Deka. LOL I much prefer the more substantial feel of the Deka, but I kept the Bugout anyway to use when I wanted to go light and to use as a discrete gentleman’s knife.
I actually was able to get a oem cf elite scales for my bugout. I do like them better than the normal bugout scales. I actually liked the deka alot but mine if I remember right the fit and finish was off. Like the Abel lock was sharp, the thumb studs were sharp. The handle was very block. The blade was sharp!!!!! Best blade I have taken out of the box.
I held the houge mini Ritter. I'm not sure how close that is. It didn't feel bad. I have Gerd the griptilian family is suppose to be more stable in the hands.
I know some else mention that one too. They do make it in the k390. I may get the delica 1st and if it's too small I will exchange it for the endula. It sucks not having a good knife ship near me.
JJ_Colt45
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2014
- Messages
- 6,577
I own a few Delicas and Native 5s. I carry one or the other very often when I want a smaller option. I wear an XL glove and although I find both fairly comfortable, I would choose the Native 5 for comfort especially in extended use. I think both in Cruwear are my favorite versions, but have a Delica K390 and I do like the steel.
The Native 5 with G10 over frn makes a big difference to me also.
I may be in the minority but the Endura just doesn't do anything for me personally. I would pick the Stretch 2 in K390 over the Endura or Endela. Just my preference.
The Native 5 with G10 over frn makes a big difference to me also.
I may be in the minority but the Endura just doesn't do anything for me personally. I would pick the Stretch 2 in K390 over the Endura or Endela. Just my preference.
Hey the stretch is a great shout! I was kinda curious about those myself. The k390 really seems like it would fit what I do alot. Maybe the cru wear, or maybe even M4 could be a good option. This is why I'm struggling because I like the native platform but the k390 dosent come on the native.
There seem to be some contradictions to me.
I never thought I had large hands but I probably wear XL gloves. The Delica and Native are too small for what I like. I typically carry a PM2 or a Manix 2. I never considered the PM2 to be a brick, it is on the light side to me. I always considered the full weight G10 version of the Manix 2 to be a good work knife and the lighter PM2 to be a good EDC knife. I now have a lightweight Manix 2 Rex45 that I use a lot when working in my garage.
I would not recommend Maxamet for a work knife. The first time you use it to align your machine you will have a shorter blade. K390 will be tougher but for your use I think Cruwear or 4V would be better, maybe even Spyder SPY27.
For me, I'm nor sure why but I gravitate towards smaller knives. I'm not sure why. The other thing is I don't want to make a bash fest or talk poorly about a knife because I don't feel like it's fair. I don't want to discourage someone just because I don't care for something. Basically I work on laser machines and having a sharp fine point allows me to line up in certain areas. The computers are black and white very little grey and can be fuzz or grainy depending on how old the laser is. The pm2 I have held, saying it felt like a brick was a extreme. But I don't hate the pm2, it's just not for me? It's not bad just holding it dosent connect with me. The only reason I'm considering maxamnet is because it's on the native 5. Even comes on a para 3 and pm2. But im looking more native 5 size. The k390 seems like it would fit my needs but not being able to hold a delica didn't know what people thought that maybe owned both. If they had the native 5 in k390 I wouldn't even be asking the question and just own the knife already.
I have bigger than normal size hands, I feel thr pm2 is pretty comfortable, especially too since there's so many aftermarket scales. I recently just ordered new scales, in Ti.
Spyderco southard is another nice knife that fits in my hand well, also have rounded CF scales for it. Very comfortable in any grip.
Spyderco southard is another nice knife that fits in my hand well, also have rounded CF scales for it. Very comfortable in any grip.
strategy9
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2015
- Messages
- 4,233
FWiW; I recently got the Cutlery Shoppe exclusive Native Chief in XHP and I absolutely love it...
Another (completely different style) knife I purchased was the Lionsteel LEOne kambit, and while it's a real solid knife, I have "normal" sized hands; (I typically prefer medium sized gloves for their tight fit, almost compression style, although I can wear large), the only drawback IMO to the knife is the handle is a bit too large for my hand, and is made for larger hands... as a karambit it also has a smaller hawkbill blade.
Another (completely different style) knife I purchased was the Lionsteel LEOne kambit, and while it's a real solid knife, I have "normal" sized hands; (I typically prefer medium sized gloves for their tight fit, almost compression style, although I can wear large), the only drawback IMO to the knife is the handle is a bit too large for my hand, and is made for larger hands... as a karambit it also has a smaller hawkbill blade.
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Just thought I'd post a couple comparison photos to help you out. The Native 5 is the "smallest" out of all of the models shown. I have Medium-Large hands fwiw. I actually find the Native 5 the least comfortable personally, not that I hate it or anything. With the 50/50 choil and no pronounced thumb ramp, I just feel like the only way to comfortably hold it for me anyway, is choked up on the blade choil. Everything else pictured I can hold comfortably on the handle choil since there's also a pronounced thumb ramp on them. I find the Delica more comfortable for me vs the Native 5 since it doesn't even have a 50/50 choil. The blade stock is pretty thin on the Delica compared to the Native 5.
If you decide to go larger, since you mentioned you didn't like the ergos of the PM2, I might recommend the Stretch 2 in K390. It's FRN only but also full metal lined so it's very robust, though the blade stock is thinner compared to the PM2. The blade stock is still a little thicker on the Stretch 2 compared to the Delica however. If you wanted something smaller, the Sage 5 LW is also very nice. It's full metal lined unlike the PM3 LW and the compression lock on it puts the Golden made compression lock models to shame. Only knock against it is it only comes in S30V at the moment if that matters to you (unless you can find an M4 model on the secondary market).
For the photos, I tried to line everything up by the bottom of the grip so that should give you an idea of how long everything is overall.
PM2, Stretch 2, Manix 2, Native 5, Delica 4
PM3, Sage 5 LW, Native 5, Delica 4
If you decide to go larger, since you mentioned you didn't like the ergos of the PM2, I might recommend the Stretch 2 in K390. It's FRN only but also full metal lined so it's very robust, though the blade stock is thinner compared to the PM2. The blade stock is still a little thicker on the Stretch 2 compared to the Delica however. If you wanted something smaller, the Sage 5 LW is also very nice. It's full metal lined unlike the PM3 LW and the compression lock on it puts the Golden made compression lock models to shame. Only knock against it is it only comes in S30V at the moment if that matters to you (unless you can find an M4 model on the secondary market).
For the photos, I tried to line everything up by the bottom of the grip so that should give you an idea of how long everything is overall.
PM2, Stretch 2, Manix 2, Native 5, Delica 4
PM3, Sage 5 LW, Native 5, Delica 4
Wow that's amazing! Beautiful collection! Ya im not sure why with some feel good and others don't. The pm2 does feel good it's the Para 3 that just feels awkward in my hand. The pm2 just kinda big for what I'm looking for. Also with weird knife laws in the state I live in. Like the part that I live in I have more knife law freedoms. But if I go into more the major cities then the get strick. My capital city I can't even have a over 3 inch locking knife. So the natives or delica kinda get at least the 3 inch rule. And where I majority live and work a locking knife is fine. I don't hate s30v. I find it to be a great steel! But all my steels up to this point have been stainless, except my 3v fixed blade. Just looking to refine my EDC. Don't hate my bugout but there's not alot that I like about it either. The size comparison help alot. Also, there is a price factor. Trying to keep it 200 and under. But I know that's not always easyJust thought I'd post a couple comparison photos to help you out. The Native 5 is the "smallest" out of all of the models shown. I have Medium-Large hands fwiw. I actually find the Native 5 the least comfortable personally, not that I hate it or anything. With the 50/50 choil and no pronounced thumb ramp, I just feel like the only way to comfortably hold it for me anyway, is choked up on the blade choil. Everything else pictured I can hold comfortably on the handle choil since there's also a pronounced thumb ramp on them. I find the Delica more comfortable for me vs the Native 5 since it doesn't even have a 50/50 choil. The blade stock is pretty thin on the Delica compared to the Native 5.
If you decide to go larger, since you mentioned you didn't like the ergos of the PM2, I might recommend the Stretch 2 in K390. It's FRN only but also full metal lined so it's very robust, though the blade stock is thinner compared to the PM2. The blade stock is still a little thicker on the Stretch 2 compared to the Delica however. If you wanted something smaller, the Sage 5 LW is also very nice. It's full metal lined unlike the PM3 LW and the compression lock on it puts the Golden made compression lock models to shame. Only knock against it is it only comes in S30V at the moment if that matters to you (unless you can find an M4 model on the secondary market).
For the photos, I tried to line everything up by the bottom of the grip so that should give you an idea of how long everything is overall.
PM2, Stretch 2, Manix 2, Native 5, Delica 4
PM3, Sage 5 LW, Native 5, Delica 4
I keep seeing lion steel come up. How are they?
Been looking into the Southard more. Seems like a wicked awesome knife! And yes, when I had a PM2 I put on brass scales. I'm not sure if that's what killed that knife for me.
There's just so much fidget factor for me. I can watch a movie and just flick this knife the whole time, southard is not common because of the price tag, but I love it.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
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The Southard is also discontinued and available only on secondary market.
OP, I think you might be placing too much importance on steel grade. Once the steel selection is better than adequate, most Knife Knuts can’t tell a difference. At that point, edge geometry, blade grind and profile make more difference in determining if a knife is a “slicer”.
I’d go with a Native over a Delica any day unless I needed a tip to make fine, penetrating cuts.
OP, I think you might be placing too much importance on steel grade. Once the steel selection is better than adequate, most Knife Knuts can’t tell a difference. At that point, edge geometry, blade grind and profile make more difference in determining if a knife is a “slicer”.
I’d go with a Native over a Delica any day unless I needed a tip to make fine, penetrating cuts.
anthonycastorena2014
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2014
- Messages
- 1,716
+1 for the stretch man. Overall ergonomics are spectacular. I prefer the drop point, I have two of the straight spines. If I could only have 1 spyderco (I have a very good number) it would have to be the stretch. FRN over my g10 even though I love it.
I agree with you, I just haven't used either steels. Personally I rather go with the Native, seems like it would fit my hand better. The base models have the s30v which is fine, but I was hoping for something that could get through a work day. But it just seems like they just jump from s30v to maxament, and I have heard "negatives" that maxamnet isn't "very durable". The delica has the k390 which would step up my edge retention and probably wouldn't personally notice any difference between the edge retention between the k390 and the maxament, but my issue is I have never held a delica or have a place that sells them near me. So I was worried about the handle being too skinny. Personally, I would love a Native 5 with just a bump up in edge retention over an s30v. Here's the other factor is the only s30v I have used is benchmade. I know they make their s30v softer. Like if the native came with the k390 I know that's still a great strength in the metal, yes better edge retention and the native 5 would fit my hand better. But they don't make that.