Found it...finally

Thedood

Thedood

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
37
Last year I decided the old buck 55 I had been using for the last 12 years or so was ready for an upgrade. I wanted something with a pocket clip and some type if manual deployment other than a nail groove, thumb stud, Spidey hole etc. As a side note I'm a lefty, so that played a part in my decisions.

I ended up buying quite a few new or used folders (some from the exchange here) looking for the right one.

At first I thought I preferred as small a knife as possible, since I like that about the 55.
Interestingly, I didn't really care for the smaller folders once I could hang them from my pocket, who knew. I shouldn't say I didn't care for them, all the various models I tried were nice enough...more like they just didn't seem to scratch the itch exactly.

Well, long story short the itch has now been scratched. Since I bought the Benchmade Super Freek, I haven't had the slightest inclination to keep looking.

Here is a list of the ones I tried before finding the Freek:

Spyderco:
Lil Native
Native 5 (frn, G-10 linderles and with liners)
Manix 2 (really love this one too, ended up getting several)
Dragon fly (g-10 model)
Q-Ball

Zero Tolerance
ZT 0770 CF

Benchmade:
Bugout
Mini Grip (cv20 and g-10)

Hogue:
Deka (regular and wharncliffe)

QSP:
Penguin

Pic:
lPbKCkr

https://imgur.com/lPbKCkr

C8beoSY



I ended up needing to buy something to store them all in, so I went with a pre-cut foam insert that fits into a 50cal ammo box. It seems like a decent way to store them.

Here's a picture of all the knives I tried minus the two QSP's that I gave away and how they fit into the storage foam insert. I think it was around 40 bucks after shipping.

C8beoSY

https://imgur.com/C8beoSY


Anyway, thought I'd share my journey to pocket knife bliss :)

Take care all.
 
Last edited:
That's an interesting journey. I completely understand, I've done that myself. I've settled for Manix2 and PM2 as my favorites, but I also carry a Military sometimes. I've found that I can carry a fairly large knife clipped to my pocket, compared to a small knife at the bottom of my pocket. One thing I've noticed is that older style knives like the Buck have long thin blades with a lot of point, a lot of modern folders have wider blades with less point. I tend to use the point a lot so that's why the M2 and PM2 work for me.
 
Glad you found your preferred style relatively quickly, and have a nice handful of quality blades to rotate carry with. I know I tried a lot of stuff to refine my preferred styles, but even at that, there's like 8 in my rotation all ideal for different types of stuff I might do. I gave up trying to carry "the one" on any given day, and now I carry a large folder and a smaller slipjoint (most often a SAK or a Barlow) so I have options.
 
Congrats!

I've come full circle in a sense , I started with spyderco (military,pm2,manix2) I've tried a bunch of knives from different brands , found some I liked but now I'm right back at the spydercos I first liked years ago
 
Yeah im sure the itch will return at some point, although it took over a decade this last time :)

Good point made by bdnicarta, blade shape can sway one over others for some, based on needs. For me, before Covid I just needed to open various packaging, twine, cut some cord or rope here and there or maybe a letter or two every so often.
Now i'm working from home and we order alot of stuff for delivery, so Im breaking down mountains of cardboard weekly. With the tiny Buck, I was more often than not reaching for one of my Moras I keep around the garage, now I don't need to.
If we ever get back to normal and I find myself back in the office everyday my preference may shift again. Hopefully this time I can find something I already own rather than spend a small fortune on another quest, we'll see!
 
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