First "real knife", searched and read, maybe too much...

E

Ero2

Joined
Nov 11, 2015
Messages
73
Around a 150 budget for my first real blade. I wear a suit everyday, but want a solid piece none the less. (Work around the house on weekends, build, hike, bike, etc.)

Current thoughts:

ZT 0566 (Blackwashed)

Mini Griptillian Tanto

Spyderco PM2 or PM3

I believe they're all a solid choice based on reviews, but am looking for usage opinions, good warranty (my sharpening skills suck thus far, I do have a sharp maker, have watched videos, etc.) and service. I know I'll prob get people who love each, but appreciate any opinions or thoughts. Haven't held any of them, so am buying site unseen, which I think is making me more indecisive.

Thanks!
 
Out of the choices listed , I'd go with the Para2. It's a solid design and not as heavy at the ZT which will make a big difference when wearing dress pants.

I also recommend the Spyderco Yojimbo2. Same price as the Para2. But I much prefer the Yo2's blade and handle over the Para2's.
 
Mini Griptillians are awsome little work horse knives that feel goid in the hand and fits easily in the pocket. I own multiple griptilians and have no complaints
 
Wolverine666 said:
Out of the choices listed , I'd go with the Para2. It's a solid design and not as heavy at the ZT which will make a big difference when wearing dress pants.

I also recommend the Spyderco Yojimbo2. Same price as the Para2. But I much prefer the Yo2's blade and handle over the Para2's.
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I had seen the yojimbo and immediately gravitated towards it, but wasn't sure if it was revered as well as the PM2...definitely a runner for me if it's close then.
 
The mini grip has a small(er) handle compared to the other two. If you have a bigger hand (maybe L sized glove or bigger), you might find not find it as comfortable as the other two. I love ZT but you're best bang for the buck might be a slightly used or BNIB PM2 off the exchange. You can usually find them for $80-$100. That leaves room in your budget for a Swiss Army Knife (SAK) from Victorinox. A SAK is an ideal work/office knife. SAKs don't scare people.
 
It's tricky to carry a knife with a suit. Most wool-silk blended suit pants will sag a bit with a heavy knife clipped to the pocket. And a hunk of steel poking out (or polished steel clip) will draw attention.

I like the Extrema Ratio BF2 when wearing a suit. It's light and slim. The clip is slender, dark, and positioned for very deep carry. It completely disappears in the pocket. Perfect light-duty, gentleman's EDC in my experience.
 
As you wear a suit, you need a UKPK.

Its cheap enough for you to also buy a PM2 or PM3 to use around the house on weekends.

Heck, used UKPKs pops up on the sales forum all the time starting at $35 as new condition. Several just during the last couple of weeks.

I have a UKPK and its great out of all proportions to its size/price. Id never thought, Id be that happy with a folder sans lock.
 
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I know it's not on your list, but maybe a caly 3? Nice discreet wire clip and a little less intimidating to non knife people. No slouch when it comes to real work either. Nice thin grind stays sharp well too.


Additionally, of the four you mentioned I'd go with the para2
 
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Ero2 said:
Around a 150 budget for my first real blade. I wear a suit everyday, but want a solid piece none the less. (Work around the house on weekends, build, hike, bike, etc.)

Current thoughts:

ZT 0566 (Blackwashed)

Mini Griptillian Tanto

Spyderco PM2 or PM3

I believe they're all a solid choice based on reviews, but am looking for usage opinions, good warranty (my sharpening skills suck thus far, I do have a sharp maker, have watched videos, etc.) and service. I know I'll prob get people who love each, but appreciate any opinions or thoughts. Haven't held any of them, so am buying site unseen, which I think is making me more indecisive.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I love all listed above in your list. But with a suit, my first thought would be the ZT0450/0450CF. It's very close to the price cap. Not quite as heavy duty as the 566, but much lighter. Or even the ZT0770CF if you can find one on the exchange in that price range. Two of my favorite "suit" knives.
 
I don't know that I would get the PM2 or PM3 for a suit as it looks pretty tactical looking IMO. I also wonder if it would tear up the pants or suit quicker than the rest if using the pocket clip. The ZT is a decent looker, I love min-grips personally though the tanto is the least favorite and sheepsfoot most favorite (purely preference).

I would also recommend a spyderco sage (any of them but 2 and 5 might interest you most) or chaparral, the chaparral being more of a gentleman's folder with a shorter handle, blade, and thinner blade to make it pretty slicey. I really like the sage series; it's a very solid knife as well.

Benchmade 940 is what I consider the perfect gentelman's knife that can still handle some hard use and you can ususally snag a used one for your budget one the exchange here.

Of your choices above, the ZT is the winner, IMO.
 
I own three of the knives you're considering. In the case of the PM2 and Griptilian, more than one version. The only one I've never laid hands on is the PM3 but I can look at pictures to tell I'd probably have a problem with it.

I work in an upscale office and dress in business casual at a minimum, full suit at a maximum. From personal experience I can say that the ZT0566 and PM2 are too large and heavy for a suit. You might get by in the winter when you wear heavier, wool blend suits but summer weight suits will bag and pull with more than 3 ounces clipped to them. They're also fairly large knives and they'll print very clearly even if clipped inside a jacket pocket. When I dress business casual I can go with heavier knives because I'm usually in a cotton or cotton blend slack.

When I wear a suit I have an informal rule for the knife I EDC that day...Less than 7" OAL, Less than 3" Blade and Less than 3 Ounces. I guess you could say the "Rule Of 7-3-3".

In my opinion, of the knives you've mentioned, the only viable options are the Mini Grip and the PM3. I have two major problems with the PM3; it's fat in pocket and the clip placement is horrible for any kind of discreet carry. A lot of the PM3 will show out of the pocket and that can pose a problem depending on the attitudes of your co-workers.

Of the knives you've chosen, your best option is a Mini Grip. I'd ask you to reconsider the Tanto blade choice as both the Sheepsfoot and Drop point have better EDC utility in my opinion.

If you want a Spyderco (and why wouldn't you, they're wonderful knives), I suggest a Delica modified with Boomer52's Lil'Para liners and scales. The Lil'Para makes a better Para3 than the Para3 :cool:.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1390160-Spyderco-Delica-w-Lil-Para-profile-MODIFICATION
Scroll to the last couple of pages and compare the Lil'Para to the Para3...the Lil'Para WINS (with the exception of the Compression Lock which is second only to the Axis found on the BM).

Good luck!
 
Oh yeah, email Benchmade and ask for a deep carry clip and they'll send you one free of charge. Install, Boom, Done.
 
Take a look at the enzo birk 75, you can pick it up in carbon fiber, curly birch, or micarta. It's in your price range and the fit and finish is incredible. It's also a bit more of a gentleman's knife than your current choices (a little more people friendly for an office setting).
 
The ZT 0566 would not be my first choice for a suit friendly knife. Too heavy and scary for the sheeple especially when it flies out with the assist spring. The PM2 is a great knife and you might like it for an EDC in a suit, but it is a bit blocky. The Benchmade Griptillians are nice knives and you can get them in almost any color and blade combination you want. They are also light and a bit more sheeple friendly. If you want to stretch your budget to $200, then a 100% recommendation for a Benchmade 940. It is a tough knife and fits in any pocket or any situation. It is also very sheeple freindly.
 
PM2 is a solid choice. Make the mini-grip your second knife. Remove the clip and toss it in your pocket.
My first knife was a Buck 110. That was high tech in those days, outside of swiss army knives.
 
Out of the three without a question a ZT 0566BW. The knife also will not rip up your pocket at all. Unlike the PM2. The knife has perfect ergonomics, it can handle all your EDC tasks, and it is also is a beast so you can hard use it. It also is very slim and has a deep carry pocket clip so it carries like a much smaller knife in pocket.
 
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