Help deciding on next knife?

[Cloak]

Hello, I am looking to purchase my next edc folder but having trouble making a decision. I recently went through alot of trading and selling and am now only left with one folder; a kershaw blur s30v. I love the blur and it will remain my workhorse for the most part as it will be my most inexpensive knife from here on out, or so I think. I want my next knife to be a little classier(business attire friendly) at a similar size to the blur (3-3.5") blade. As far as steel goes, I would prefer s30v or 154cm or similar. No back locks. I want this knife to be around $100 give or take.

I have been trying to decide between the following knives, however it seems I can find an objection to each one, or maybe I am being too picky.
Spyderco Paramilitary 2: This looks like an awesome tough edc blade, but the g10 doesn't seem very classy and would chew up my slacks, and may be a little too large and "tactical" for business attire.
Benchmade 940 or 943: I love the way the 94X benchmades look, and seem to fit my criteria. The small closed width is a big plus as it would carry more comfortably in vertical pockets. The only thing im questioning is the aluminum scales. My blur has aluminum handles and I'm not sure if I want both of my knives to have that in common. I don't mind scratching up the blur, and chipping the paint, but I want the next knife to look good at all times, and I dont know how prone to scratches painted aluminum scales are. It would be used for light tasks, as opposed to my edc workhorse.
Spyderco Sage 1 or 2: These sages are very classy, with either carbon fiber scales or titanium. I think the blade length might be too short with a cutting edge under 3" and I prefer more of a belly. My other objection is closed width. The sage looks like it would be too fat for slacks with vertical pockets.

So what do you think would be the best fit? Am I missing a knife that fits my needs better? Let me know!

Thanks!!

Edit: folding knives that I have already had and sold/traded;
-kershaw skyline (my fav edc, and was my first. miss this one dearly)
-kershaw zing tanto (too tanto)
-crkt drifter stainless steel (used to be my "classy" folder, but too small and too heavy)
-crkt Hammond cruiser (too bulky)
-SOG twitch II (too small, and not a fan of the fit and finish)
-spyderco tenacious (very nice workhorse)
-benchmade small bone collector (not a fan of the blade shape, and felt too small)

 

[Charlie Mike]

No fixed blades?

 

[Tsujigiri]

I have the 943 and really like it, but the aluminum scales can scratch if you're not careful with them.

For what you said you want, I'd recommend the Spyderco Gayle Bradley or Kershaw Speedform 2. Both far exceed your steel requirements and have a gentlemanly appearance. The Gayle Bradley is heavier and tougher, but still classy.

 

[timberweasel]

Maybe some pics will help you make a decision...

ETA: I also like my frame-lock CRKT Ripple 1 for suit-wearing days (I carry it in my inside jacket pocket along with my wallet.)

 

[Cloak]

Charlie Mike,
no fixed blades.

Tsujigiri,
that's what I'm afraid if with the aluminum scales. If those scales were titanium or even carbon fiber, I wouldn't have any objections to the 940 at all.
That gayle Bradley looks nice and I digg the materials used, but I feel like it would be too bulky. Also not a fan of how far that spydie hole protrudes in the closed position. I will look more into the GB though.

Timberweasel,
Thanks for the pictures! I get a better idea of how they compare in size. The PM2 is most likely out of the running because of the aggressive g10 scales and large size.
The 940 looks perfect in size, however I still feel like aluminum scales are a little outdated compared to its competition in this price range with cf scales.
The sage scales are perfect in cf or titanium, it's just the bulk for such a short cutting edge that's holding me back.

I wish I could breed a 940 with a sage and have the perfect knife.

 

[tjswarbrick]

Your top 3 are my top 3.
The PM2 kicked the 940 out of my pocket when I got it in January; I carry the PM2 everyday. I usually wear dockers, not slacks.
When I suit up, I go for the Sage 1.
Similar, but slightly sleeker, are the Caly3 CF ZDP-189 and Chapparal, but they're both back locks.
I haven't tried the Speedform II, but I'm tempted whenever it comes up.
The one that surprised me, and made me rethink my Sage1, was the Des Horn.
The scales are smooth but not slippery, it's one of the sleekest Spyders out there, same S30V, wire clip, and Walker lock as the Sage1, and it looks much better in person than the photos.
It could be the one you're looking for. I might have picked it up if my Sage hadn't shown up the week prior.

 

[USAFSP]

If you can spend a little more than $100 the Benchmade Shoki is your knife. That thing just screams “Class”.

 

[Cloak]

Your top 3 are my top 3.
The PM2 kicked the 940 out of my pocket when I got it in January; I carry the PM2 everyday. I usually wear dockers, not slacks.
When I suit up, I go for the Sage 1.
Similar, but slightly sleeker, are the Caly3 CF ZDP-189 and Chapparal, but they're both back locks.
I haven't tried the Speedform II, but I'm tempted whenever it comes up.
The one that surprised me, and made me rethink my Sage1, was the Des Horn.
The scales are smooth but not slippery, it's one of the sleekest Spyders out there, same S30V, wire clip, and Walker lock as the Sage1, and it looks much better in person than the photos.
It could be the one you're looking for. I might have picked it up if my Sage hadn't shown up the week prior.

I actually went with the PM2, it arrived today.

I did this because I have been planning on buying a PM2 for a while now, and I wasn't really getting any other suggestions here so I thought what the heck! It does not fit my business attire standards, but will serve as a regular EDC.

I will have to keep on lookin until I find the one, but for now, my alox classic is always on me and will serve as a main blade as I make the transition from casual firearm salesman(polo&khakis), to professional car salesman(slacks&tie/suit). I would imagine that my cutting needs will decrease comparing the two work environments.

The knife that fits my demands closest for a dress knife is a small sebenza. If I could find something very similar in size and materials as that, at a lower cost, I would be sold. At this time, I cannot spend $400 on a knife, and even if I could, I have too many knives I want before I get to that level (i.e. ZT0551).

If you can spend a little more than $100 the Benchmade Shoki is your knife. That thing just screams “Class”.

That does look classy. Does it have a pocket clip?

 

[USAFSP]

No it doesn’t but it comes with a nice little leather slip case that has a pocket clip. So in essence, yes there is clip but on the slip case. This keeps the knife nice and clean.