Recommendation? Help me choose

G

Greg Haddock

Joined
Apr 23, 2019
Messages
6
Hi all. New here. At a point where I could use some help deciding between two different knives
I own a few decent knives, Kershaw KO in M390, Spyderco Manix 2 XL in standard S30V, a Blur in S30V. I do find S30V to be a little chippy if I hit something hard. Doesn't roll, just chips on me. Might have to thin an edge tho, run those at 17 degrees.
I carry Manix 2 XL at work. I use it daily for various things like cutting small branches and vines. I really like the Manix XL size and the ergos. I don't carry KO or Blur at work often. Used mainly for EDC when off work.
I am interested in a Manix 2 in S110V, but also like the Super Freek from BM in M4.
I am NOT great at sharpening and often us a work sharp to clean up chips and rolls. I carry a small strop and strop as needed. Don't find I need to actually sharpen often.
I would carry Manix 2 but maybe not BM at work. Seems like an awfully nice knife to use the way I do. Dirt, mud, water, sticky residue on blade. I really like the looks of the BM and I live in Portland where they are made.
Being a rookie I am not sure which way to go. BM is 191$ and Manix is 154$
I am concerned about being able to maintain the edge. I don't want to grind every time I need to clean up the edge and am not great with stones but can get a decent edge with them on softer steels like AUS 8, 9cr, 440C etc.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? wish I could afford both but can not.
 
I wouldn't call the BM a "nice" knife. It's still just g10 and steel. It's a workhorse. S110v has been, in my experience, chippier still than s30v. M4 on the other hand is super tough. I'd get the super freek and let it go to work.

Get a sharpmaker for sharpening. Very little skill or practice required and you wont run the risk of removing too much material. If you're able to set the bevel at 17dps with the worksharp you can then touch the edge up with fine or ultrafine stones on the sharpmaker at 20dps with just a couple strokes. Creating a microbevel over time.
 
I would shy away from S110V, mostly because it will be the most difficult to sharpen. I find sharpening S30V and M4 to be fairly close. I prefer M4 all day, but I like the toughness of tool steels over corrosion resistance.
Get the one you like best and don’t worry about getting it dirty or putting some scratches on that thing. Put it to work and clean it as necessary.
 
If you want a bigger knife with a good blade maybe look at the Benchmade Turret ($160) or the Super Freak.
 
M4 is not gonna chip as easily as s110v.

You'll want to switch to diamonds stones and strops for either steel as it will make things go alot faster and easier with these steels. Heck even the s30v and m390 will benefit in maintaining with diamond.
 
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