Help and Guidance in next purchase?

D

DuderAbides

Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
19
Hey everyone, I'm still new here, but I'm itching to have a new folder, my current EDC and only folder is the Gerber AR 3.0. It's decent, half serrated, haven't sharpened for the 2 months or so I've had it. I like it, but wouldn't lose sleep if I lost it, not to mention I only had to pay 30 bucks for it at Walmart.
Anyways, I feel that I'm willing to spend around 100 dollars, give or take a couple bucks for a very good tac. folder. I enlisted in the Marines in Feb. and I am currently waiting to go to Boot Camp. I would like to have a good tac. folder that I can use as an EDC and in the field upon completing training. So far this is my list of potential purchases (all info was taken from www.1sks.com)

Choice 1-
Gerber Spectre
3.50 inch blade
Blade Mat.-154CM
Handle Mat.-G10
Price 96.99

Choice 2-
Cold Steel Recon 1
4.0 inch blade
Blade Mat.-Aus8A
Handle Mat.-Zytel
Price 87.99

Choice 3-
Spyderco Military
4.0 inch blade
Blade Mat.-CPM S30V
Handle Mat.-G10
Price 104.99

Thats all I have looked at for the moment, I skimmed over the Para Military, and was semi-interested, I am really aiming for a 3.5inch minimum sized blade. With a 4.0 Max. I stayed up all nite searching the forums for reviews and as always recieved mixed. So hopefully I can get a good response to this post. All information, both positive and negative is helpful. I would just like to have a rough and tough folder that I can be using years down the line.
Thanks for any help that can be given.
 
My 2 cents when trying to decide between knives of similar build is to get your hands on all three and swing them around to see how they feel in the hand. Personal preference is a BIG factor in a knife, an EDC especially. You might just hang on to your current one thru boot camp and see what the other Marines have to offer for advice. Try theirs on for size at no expense.Patience is a virtue ,although I do not think it is a Marine Corp trait...LOL. Keep you head low and on a swivel Marine. Semper fi.
 
I can't comment on the Gerber because I haven't handled it. But the materials are good.

Forget the Cold Steel Recons. The lock is a gimmicky copy of the Axis and the Arc locks and weakens the blade tang. Check out the Voyagers instead.

Spyderco is always good. The Military is a great classic knife. But that long thin tip may not be strong enough for you. Even so, it is a tough knife with a reliable lock, it opens under any conditions, cold, gloves, sweat, and the flat ground blade will outcut most any other knife you might buy.

Remember to check our Exchange forums where you may be able to trade or buy into a real bargain.

Keep an eye out for any of the big MOD folders. Almost indestructible. If you can still get a Greco folder, pick one up before they're all gone. No pocket clip, hard to open, harder to close: a folding fixed blade, and one of the toughest knives on the planet. A great back-up for utility rather than fighting.
 
The only problem severtecher, is that I live in a small town in upstate NY, there are absolutely no knives that I am interested in, in this area, so I just have to go by word, and the materials i've read about. I wouldn't necessarily use this knife as a fighting knife. Just an EDC knife for usual cutting and hacking, and being bored and stabbing boxes and what not, and possibly for a form of defense when in public. After all, I'll have my KABAR for the field ;) . After looking at the three choices, I am ruling out the Cold Steel knife. So it's basically between the Gerber and the Spyder.

Which makes it a difference of about 8 to 10 bucks, half an inch, and 154CM steel or CPM S30V.

Choices Choices. :confused: :confused:
 
Not to step on your two choices, but get a Benchmade 710.
 
Don't overlook the Paramilitary. I've been on active duty for 3 years and have carried my Para in uniform since I bought it three months ago. Well, two of the three months, it was hiding under a washcloth for a couple of weeks. :) Seriously though, it's big enough for just about any task, has a very strond and secure lock, and takes an amazing edge. I've heard good things about the full size Millie's liner lock but still can't bring myself to trust one as well as I do a compression lock. In addition to that, you're far less likely to catch the wrong sort of attention with the Para's smaller blade. I know that sounds strange, that military people would give you crap about a big knife, but it happens. In Korea the blade length limit is 3". The rule is largely ignored, but I still had a Ka-Bar confiscated by customs on my way into the country. Just a little food for thought.
 
I looked at the BM710 on newgraham.com, its a good price for a blade that is 154CM (I'm guessing thats a good steel??) and G10 handles (again, I'm guessing these are good materials???) Could you give me some more information on this knife? Possibly some websites that are offering them at decent prices?

One other question, what is your opinion on the Axis lock? My liner lock on my Gerber has not failed once, and I find it to be very reliable. I'm adding this knife to my list of possibilities. I had never thought of benchmade, simply because most of their prices are too high for me, but this knife looks very nice.

Roadrunner, I have looked at the Paramilitary some more, and I am also liking that knife as well, your info says you serve in the Army, whats your MOS?
I enlisted under 0800, Field Artillery, I'm hoping to get into FDC, or just a regular cannoneer :)
 
DuderAbides, I'm a 98C, Signals Intelligence Analyst. Soon to be retired. :D Congratulations on your enlistment, best of luck with the artillery. My dad used to be in an Army Reserve artillery unit and loved it. He doesn't hear too well anymore but he still likes talking about shooting the big guns.

154CM is pretty high grade stuff (not as good as S30V but still good), and Benchmade does a decent job with their heat treat. G-10 is also a very good handle material for a military knife. It's tough and gives a good grip. The Axis lock is one of the best available. It's pretty much failsafe. New Graham ordinarily has some of the best prices on the net, I doubt you will find a new 710 cheaper anywhere else. You may want to keep you eye on the For Sale forum, they pop up from time to time at good prices. I recommend buying used, as long as it's in good condition. You're just going to scratch it up anyway out in the field, no sense paying the premium for a new knife.
 
If you like the looks of the BM710, try and splurge for the BM710HS with the M2 steel. It's been my EDC for over 3 years now and it's never let me down. The Axis lock has been great for me. Liner locks make me nervous.
 
You've had a lot of good suggestions here already. The 710 is great, the 806D2 is also an outstanding knife. But if i were you i'd get the spyderco military. 4" of flat grind s30v just cant be beat. It is extremely tough, the embedded liner lock is great, and on top of all that its very lightweight for such a large folder. The large opening hole is also very handy, especially with gloved hands.
 
The only thing with the Axis lock is that I read something about a spring, and when I hear about that stuff, the more there is to it, the more that can go wrong, but I have not heard anything bad about the Axis lock, One final question, which do you guys prefer, serrated, or plain edge? Which would be better for not only a simple EDC knife, but a blade to use in the field?

Thanks guys, the help has been very useful! :D
 
Comparing prices, the Spyderco Military is posted at 104.99 (1sks.com)
and Newgraham is posting the BM710 at 103.99, and the BM710HS at 115.

Whats the difference between the 710 and 710HS? What makes the HS model better?
 
HS has M2 High Speed tool steel = harder and more wear resistant
It'll rust under wet conditions, but a little oil will stop it
 
Actually, for field use I think that the regular 710 would be better. You'll be too busy to properly care for the carbon-steel blade while you're out in the dirt. Hell, it'll be difficult to find time to brush your teeth some days. The M2 does take a better edge and hold it longer but that's a moot point if it gets rusty. About your other question; I prefer plain edges. But I also like to have a serrated blade handy for tough stuff. That one comes down to personal preference. They'll all cut stuff if sharpened properly, it just depends on how you like to go about it.

The Axis lock actually uses two springs, and will function perfectly with one broken. The chances of both breaking at once are pretty low. If you're that concerned about reliablity I would choose a fixed blade. In fact I would recommend getting one of those as well, for the chores that a folder won't handle.
 
I carry a 710HS, the HS uses M2 tool steel which in my opinion is one of the best blade steels available. M2 will take an extremely sharp edge that lasts a very long time.
I am always looking for the perfect EDC, and the 710HS is one of my favourites. M2 is great, the axis lock is a winner, the knife carries well and the slight recurve blade makes it a very good slicer.
Good luck in your travels.
 
Thank you all very much with your advice and knowledge. I think you guys have sold me on buying a BM710.

I am now debating whether or not I will pick up the HS version or not, and I am still debating on serrated or not, thought I personally don't care either way. :)
 
DuderAbides said:
Thank you all very much with your advice and knowledge. I think you guys have sold me on buying a BM710.

I am now debating whether or not I will pick up the HS version or not, and I am still debating on serrated or not, thought I personally don't care either way. :)
Click to expand...
Good choice on the 710.:).

A good rule of thumb on "combo-edge" serrations is that they are ok on a blade of 3.5 inches or longer, but with a blade under 3.5 inches, forget it, as 3.5 inches doesn't have enough blade-length to make both the plain-edge and serrated areas all that useful.
 
That is why I was hesitant to get another serrated blade! :) . My Gerber is only a 3inch blade and it's serrated, so it cuts, but it's kind of awkward, I have barely have any blade at all, just serrations. I like having some good room for just slicing. So, I'll probably just sit here for a while thinking what I'm going to get, but it will definately be a BM710. Thanks guys.

By the way how does it carry? I like having a knife that I know is there in my pocket, but isn't attracting attention. Because like I said, I also carry my knife with intent to use as a defensive weapon if need be. From the looks of it, this knife is almost perfect for my needs, present and soon to be military future. I'll let you guys know when I have placed my order.

"so the addiction begins" :rolleyes: :p
 
May I suggest a Buck 110. I am currently having my eyes on this classic as well. :cool: Price-wise it is really, really hard to beat.
 
Excelent choice on the 710. That is my favorite folder that I own and I carry it every day. The clip is good and tight, but not so tight as to slow down any quick draw. I can keep this in my front right pocket or my right rear pocket and never worry about it. It has enough weight that you would know if it fell out some how.
I would recomend the half serrated version. I don't think BM does the best serrations, but they totally come in handy when you need them. Just imagine what you will likely be using this for. Do serrations seem necissary or convienient?

Just a side note, but I find that on a recurved edge like the 710, you don't need much serrations. They mostly just give you enough bight to start, then the plain edge makes quick work of what's left.

Oh, and go with the M2. Yeah, it may rust up a bit. But when it does, just take it home, rub it down with some flitz, and you're good to go again.

-KC
 
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