Help me choose a knife

[Henry Beige]

Mini Grip, or a full-sized Bugout. Those are the only two in your list that I would consider. Axis lock. If you like Spyderco, your choice might well be different, but since I do not particularly care for them, they do not figure in my plans.

 

[Hedgehog159]

The 2 knives I carry most Are para 2 and para 3 lw. The 2 is probably my fave of them, but the 3lw often is in my pocket better size and so light for preferred choice in some situations.

 

[Hedgehog159]

Ps. I have been considering the ferum forge gent and falcon. Good steels in a small package at resonable price.

 

[araziza]

Of your options, I'd go for the mini bugout.

But for an amazing S90V blade, look at the Manly Wasp. Best blade (both steel & grind) you'll find for less than $300. It's a very firm, 4-stop slipjoint with a deep pocket clip (like the bugout).

You can also wear both of these in the waist band very discretely.

The wasp looks like a great alternate option! Hate the name though...

if you're up to 150 cdn already, might as well add a hundred and get a skaha 2... they just are amazing edc
yes, the wait is long but it's from bc, so never a border shipping worry ; P

Wow. Love the design. But I’m not just going to add $100 to my budget, especially for s35 with a looong wait time. For$250 there’s a LOT more I can do , with a shorter wait too.

 

[DocT]

I should start this off with a disclaimer: I'm not a knife hobbyist. I'm just a guy who enjoys having/using high quality, well made tools every day. A few years ago, after some housework that involved many, many boxes and lots of packaging, I decided I wanted to buy a pocket knife to carry around. I always research these things, and after a few weeks of reading and forums, I would really like a Benchmade Mini-Grip, but as I wasn't certain how much I'd end up using it, I couldn't just drop that much $ on a knife. I decided to buy something decent, and eventually upgrade if I found I used it a lot. I went with the CRKT Drifter.

Four years later, I'm ready to upgrade. I've come to really depend on my little CRKT, and use it a ton, but ideally I'd like something with a much higher edge retention. I started research again and realized, I'm not 100% sure the mini-grip is the best choice for the $. As I'm not an afficionado, I want to keep under or around $150CAD (around $110usd). I've narrowed my search to the following options:

1) Benchmade mini-grip (approx 140CAD) : still in the running, love the size, shape, decent blade steel (S30V).
2) Benchmade mini-bugout: similar to the above, but lighter, and more likely to fit in my 5th pocket in my jeans, where I usually carry my Drifter.
3) Spyderco Chaparral (131 CAD): CTS-XHP steel (which might be ideal for me with the edge- retention/ maintainability balance), good size, weight, really well reviewed
4) Spyderco Dragonfly ZDP (130 CAD): High end blade steel, nice form factor, well reviewed, worried it would be too small, as it's blade is 2.125, which is a decent step down in size from the Drifter.
5) Spyderco UK PenKnife S110V (133 CAD): Top end blade steel , nice form factor, perfect blade size, worried it won't fit in 5th pocket, no locking mechanism
6) Ferrum Forge Gent (around 160CAD): Decent blade steel, perfect size/form factor, extremely well reviewed, but pricier than I'm really comfortable with and very hard to get ahold of in Canada (especially now)

I looked at some other knives, I liked the para3, but it's a bit pricey in comparison, the CR Mnandi is beautiful, but way too expensive. I'm welcome to some left field/ well informed alternatives, but I'd really appreciate people weighing in on my list above. Let me know where you'd suggest I go. My preferences are as follows (but I can always be swayed by the details).
- around 3" blade, close to what I have with my drifter. I'd prefer not to go over this, but I'd rather avoid 'too small'
- Fits in a jeans 5th pocket. Not the be all end all, but I like how this works now and not eager to change it.
- Not overtly tactical. I'm just not that guy.
- Forgiving. I'm happy to buy a decent sharpener (I'm either going to get the sharpmaker or just buy a Ken Onion Work Sharp that will do a good job on my kitchen knives as well)and I have the diligence to use it often enough if necessary, but I'm probably not going to put the time into becoming a sharpening expert, so I'd rather not require stones (currently only using Lansky BladeMedic). I'm also probably not going to spend hours sharpening. 15/ 20 minutes is probably my max

Let me know what you think!

unless you are a small man or a woman, the UKPK, Caly3, and Delica will fit in the watch pocket of your jeans and have more hand room on the handle than the Benchmades. The Chaparral is also a great choice. I have all of these (the Benchmades too) and any of them would be a great knife. The Caly3 is the locking version of the UKPK and is the knife that brought me back to Spyderco.

 

[araziza]

Gotta say, watching the reviews on YouTube and reading the responses here, definitely starting to gravitate towards either the UKPK or the chap. I think I’ve mostly ruled out the dragonfly, mini grip and Delica, though I’m looking to get them all in hand first. The other one I really liked a lot was the manly wasp, but it looks like their canadian site is sold out of absolutely everything they sell.

 

[strategy9]

Chaparrel in CTS-XHP

It'll check every box you described looking for, and the steel is pretty well rounded, and still relatively forgiving for an experienced novice sharpener....

Add an Ontario Rat 2 as a cheap beater alternative if you want to have another option for those tougher, grimier jobs you may come across, to help protect your investment of buying yourself a nicer knife.

 

[araziza]

Chaparrel in CTS-XHP

It'll check every box you described looking for, and the steel is pretty well rounded, and still relatively forgiving for an experienced novice sharpener....

Add an Ontario Rat 2 as a cheap beater alternative if you want to have another option for those tougher, grimier jobs you may come across, to help protect your investment of buying yourself a nicer knife.

I think for my beater I’m just going to keep my drifter...

but yeah, the Chaparral looks better and better. So does the UKPK. It’s going to boil down to how they feel.

 

[Cowboyfromhell666]

Don't overlook the spyderco native 5 lightweight...might still be some rex 45 hanging around still..$112

 

[araziza]

Don't overlook the spyderco native 5 lightweight...might still be some rex 45 hanging around still..$112

Yeah, the REX45 native is about $180CAD. Considered it.

 

[Thunderpants]

Don't forget the Italians.
The Viper Dan is a fantastic design, solid slipjoint folder with N690 steel, which is a) stainless and b) easy to sharpen. I'd seriously recommend it as a gentlemanly yet capable edc knife. Available in micarta, wood or carbon fibre.

 

[araziza]

Don't forget the Italians.
The Viper Dan is a fantastic design, solid slipjoint folder with N690 steel, which is a) stainless and b) easy to sharpen. I'd seriously recommend it as a gentlemanly yet capable edc knife. Available in micarta, wood or carbon fibre.

Another one where I really like the design, but would prefer a higher end steel.

 

[Thunderpants]

How about the awesome Lionsteel SR2 thumb-opener or SR22 flipper? Stunning designs and pretty good Sleipner steel.
I have a bunch of Spydercos with crazy steel which I never use cos they're so darn ugly. (Rex 45 Para 3, I'm looking at you)
edit:
That said I really like the FRN Native 5. I have a pink one with whatever steel it is and every time I use it I remember why I bought it. One of the best Spydie designs and weighs nothing! If you're really looking for super-steel Spyderco may well be unavoidable, if you can live with the Sal Glesser aesthetic.

 

[araziza]

I was never much of a fan of the Spyderco aesthetic, but the value is unmistakable, and I’m more of a function guy. That being said, form is why the ferrum forge gent gets me as much as it does. I found out they ship knives to Canada, but it also looks like they have a TERRIBLE reputation for actually getting product to the customer, and it looks like many people are waiting MONTHS to get their knives. Tempted to try and get the rosewood one.

Truth be told I don't really need the super steel, I just like the value proposition. I'd probably be perfectly ok with S35VN, which is one of the reasons I'm still looking at the Ferrum Forge. The knife is my perfect aesthetic, and from what I can tell it's effectively a perfect knife in design, finishing, function... everything except for shipping. Which from what I gather is a complete tire fire. I'm drawn to spyderco for the value proposition. I love the idea of the CTS-XHP on the Chap, and the value of the UKPK with the steel it has is fantastic. As soon as you hit higher prices, the value proposition seems less to me, and I lose interest. Anyways, my buddy has a forwarding company he uses for business, and told me I can use it if I'd like, so now I'm stuck on the Gent again.

 

[Thunderpants]

Yes the UKPK is cracking value. If you like red, Heinnie Heynes in the UK have a gorgeous exclusive with red G10 scales and weirdly it's not much more than the standard FRN version. Does seem to be on eternal back order however. Plus you have those annoying postage regulations to worry about.

 

[CanadaKnifeGuy]

Manly wasp over the UKPK, for sure.

Way better steel and amazing grind.

Both UK / Europe legal, if it's ever safe to travel again....

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

If it's going to be your "only" knife you should definitely not compromise on how it looks. There are plenty of more aesthetically pleasing models out there.

a few more to check out..
ZT 0450 s35vn Skinny and sleek. can get a carbon fiber version too
Benchmade- Valet M390
" - Tengu cpm20cv Both are very classy looking with great steel
Kizer Gemini s35vn A great looking no nonsense all around user

 

[manifesto]

Kershaw link in m390 or 20cv

 

[bflying]

From the proposed list, my vote would go to the Gent or Chaparral. I love both of them, but for very different reasons.

The Gent is a decent little flipper and a decent bang-for-buck. Not bad looking with fun cover options that are also easy to change out to aftermarkets where available. At one point there was a gentleman in Canada that produced a number of new cover choices cnc'd to order. Not sure if he's still doing them. The Gent is fairly "gentlemanly" with a thin and narrow frame and profile. While making it very easy to carry, it's also a very small package to grip. Especially if a hearty hammer grip is needed for big cuts.

The Chap is really a fantastic set-up from every angle. Very easy carry. I know some do not like the Spyderco wire clips, but I do. And they just seem to blend perfectly with knives like this. The shape of the handle, combined with the forward finger choil give multiple grip options. Personally my favorite is the full choke in forward choil. It just works. The Chap is thin and light, with very smooth, fully ambi action. And would be my number one pick.

The only knife I have that comes anywhere close to the perfect Chap grip, is the Drop/Ferrum Forge Falcon. It's not identical, but close in forward grip comfort. Though thicker and heavier overall.

So here's my take.
1. Chaparral
2. FF Gent
3. FF Falcon (unsolicited add on).

And picks 2 & 3 could be flip-flopped in order, depending on how often the need for a heavier cutter might arise.

Chap and friends.

Chaparral w/ some fellow non-flippers.

FF Gent et.al.

FF Falcon w/ anodized buddies.

Pic w/ all three.

 

[araziza]

Manly wasp over the UKPK, for sure.

Way better steel and amazing grind.

Both UK / Europe legal, if it's ever safe to travel again....

Much better than CPM-S110V?

If it's going to be your "only" knife you should definitely not compromise on how it looks. There are plenty of more aesthetically pleasing models out there.

a few more to check out..
ZT 0450 s35vn Skinny and sleek. can get a carbon fiber version too
Benchmade- Valet M390
" - Tengu cpm20cv Both are very classy looking with great steel
Kizer Gemini s35vn A great looking no nonsense all around user

You suck. Most of those look spectacular, are right up my alley in terms of design, and are fairly far above my price range. Especially fond of the Gemini. I appreciate you showing me them, at least...

From the proposed list, my vote would go to the Gent or Chaparral. I love both of them, but for very different reasons.

The Gent is a decent little flipper and a decent bang-for-buck. Not bad looking with fun cover options that are also easy to change out to aftermarkets where available. At one point there was a gentleman in Canada that produced a number of new cover choices cnc'd to order. Not sure if he's still doing them. The Gent is fairly "gentlemanly" with a thin and narrow frame and profile. While making it very easy to carry, it's also a very small package to grip. Especially if a hearty hammer grip is needed for big cuts.

The Chap is really a fantastic set-up from every angle. Very easy carry. I know some do not like the Spyderco wire clips, but I do. And they just seem to blend perfectly with knives like this. The shape of the handle, combined with the forward finger choil give multiple grip options. Personally my favorite is the full choke in forward choil. It just works. The Chap is thin and light, with very smooth, fully ambi action. And would be my number one pick.

The only knife I have that comes anywhere close to the perfect Chap grip, is the Drop/Ferrum Forge Falcon. It's not identical, but close in forward grip comfort. Though thicker and heavier overall.

So here's my take.
1. Chaparral
2. FF Gent
3. FF Falcon (unsolicited add on).

And picks 2 & 3 could be flip-flopped in order, depending on how often the need for a heavier cutter might arise.

Chap and friends.

Chaparral w/ some fellow non-flippers.

FF Gent et.al.

FF Falcon w/ anodized buddies.

Pic w/ all three.

1) Really jealous of your collection. I'm not a knife collector, but this makes me reconsider that...
2) I wasn't even considering the CF Chaparral until you showed me those pictures. Wow.
3) I already love the FF Gent, but have trouble with the unreliability of Massdrop. The Falcon seems like it would have all the downside of the Gent. I do like it though...
4) The chap seems to be where a bunch of this is heading. I'm actually going to try today to see a bunch of these in person (all of my list except for the Gent, and including the Rex45 Native 5)
5) What's the small spyderco flipper right under the Chap in the last picture?