Folder choice.

M

mantaray

Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Messages
2
I'm planning to buy a new folder and I have following requirements:
- Good steel, preferably S30V or close.
- 3.5 to 4" blade
- One hand opening
- Lightweight
- Up to $80

Currently I'm looking at Spyderco Military or Benchmade Griptilian in D2 steel
Both are around $80. How is D2 steel compared to S30V? Any other suggestions welcomed.
 
I will hardily endorse the Benchmade Griptilian. I bought the one with the 440C blade, since D2 has a reputation for being hard to sharpen. Benchmade reportedly does an excellent heat treatment on 440C, so it should be fine.

The handle and ergonomics of the Benchmade Griptilian are among the best of any knife I have owned. I really prefer it to my Spyderco Endura. I don't own the Spyderco Military, but have read good things about it.
 
My 2 favorites are the B/made 710HS (M2 steel with axis lock )and the Spyd. Paramilitary (S30V with compresion lock). Both will set you back around the $100 dollar mark but are both great hard working knives and will open and close easily one handed. The B/made is a little harder to sharpen but seems to hold an edge a little longer ( marginal ), both take an extremely sharp edge. Although the Para blade is only a touch over the 3 inch mark, it feels big, fits my hand and comfortably does all the cutting I need, it has become my work EDC.
I have only heard good things about the Grip and Military, good luck with your purchase.
 
SEBENZA!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, but somebody had to say it. :o :D ;) In all seriousness, I would get the BM 'grip if I were you.
 
I'd look at the Benchmade 806 D2 AFCK, the Benchmade 710HS (M2 steel), or a Griptillian if you're on a budget. D2 and M2 should both outperform S30V, or at least come very close. I prefer D2 because it is tougher than most stainless steels, but then again, I haven't had personal experience with S30V. M2 should be similar to D2, but much more wear-resistant.

If you're on a budget, the Griptillian is the way to go. Once you try AXIS, you can never go back. And don't be dissuaded by Benchmade's 440C steel...their heat treat on the 440C is second to none.
 
BM AFCK/TSEK aren't exactly featherweight. Spydie Military is around 100$, but meets all your requirements
 
S30/60/90V are the newest flavor of the month..in a long line of flavors.

If you are looking for a well made knife under $100, you should not be looking for these steels or, a knife that you can't take apart and clean.

The S steels are difficult to sharpen and expensive, and for those reasons, I would reccommend purchasing knives made of some of the older steels. ATS-34, 440C, BG-42, even AUS-8 are fine stainless cutlery steels, and M2 and D2 are great non-stainless steels...all are easier to sharpen and less expensive.

In the end, I believe that the ability to sharpen a knife is more important than what the knife is made of..the sharp knife cuts. (Of course the sharp S30V knife cuts longer...)

AUS-8 can give you 'monkey arms' as surely as S30V,


Steve-O
 
Military is the best way to go in any blade steel. It's the product of about 10 years of design and is on its at least third generation. Its got a G10 handle. It's purpose built for hard field use. The Grip is a good knife for many, but it has design compromises for hard field use compared to the Military. Plus the Spyderco liner lock is a mature product. Axis locks have springs that sooner or later will need maintenance. This is certainly true of benchmade autos and some axis. The liner lock needs no such maintenance. The military is slimmer, better slicer and just all around cooler. :) S30V steel is not that hard to sharpen and I believe Spyderco doesn't take it to a very high hardness.
 
The combination of blade-length, slim width, light carry weight, ergonomics and rugged-enough design has really spoiled me for other folders.

I buy others, but soon return to carrying the Military. It's just an outstanding folder.
 
I own both and I prefer the BM. It fits in my hand better, in my pocket better, and I like the axis lock better that the Spydie.

my .02

OilMan
 
Spend a little extra and get the BM 710HS, you won't be dissapointed.
 
Yes, both 710HS and 806D2 AFCK look nice. I will keep an eye on them. The best price I've found for 710HS so far is $115 and 806D2 goes for around $100.
Thank you for suggestions.
 
The Griptilian is a good knife, but it's totally outclassed by the larger Military.
 
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