Help me find a blade

My gut says try the 556-1. I’m hoping it carries a bit thinner than the regular grip.
 
Hey man what about a HK mini Axis?? You could probably get one and I think it may fit the bill perfectly. Alternatively a Mini crooked river is a good idea, aftermarket flat scales, maybe a Bugout but I personally can’t stand the handles I’d get aftermarket scales for it as well.
 
Armen said:
I'm getting frustrated with my search for a knife. Here are my requirements:

Budget: up to $300.00
Steel: 154CM minimum
Scales: G10 or better
Blade shape: anything but Tanto
Design: flow through design with steel liners
Lock type: Axis lock or compression lock preferred.
Purpose: EDC

Here is what I've tried so far:

  • SpyderCo Paramilitary 2: too big to pocket comfortably, G10 scales wreck pockets
  • Benchmade Griptilian: a bit too thick but pocketable.
  • Benchmade 940: I ended up returning 2 of these (the 940-1 and 940-2 because of blade centering and axis lock freezing up and I'm not sure to try again).
  • SpyderCo Delica 4: Good size, not a fan of the FRN scales.
  • Benchmade Mini Griptilian: size is great for pocket carry but handle is a bit short in hand :(
I'm currently looking at the Griptilian 556-1 because it has G10 scales, flow through design and a bit thinner than the original Griptilian but I'm not sure how much thinner it's going to feel in the pocket.
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Save 25 or 50 more dollars and buy a used small Sebenza 21 off of the used section of this forum. The knife is light, has great blade length for its size, and is will essentially last a lifetime if you don’t abuse it.
 
Have you tried any of the Hogue knives? I've added a 4" EX01 to my rotation and couldn't be happier with it. They come in several different blade shapes, sizes and a couple of handle materials.

The Lionsteel Big Daghetta has quite a lot of blade for its size (it reminds me of a BM 940), bit try to handle one in person before buying it. Not everyone likes the lock.

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20180405_102850.jpg
 
Lapedog said:
Save 25 or 50 more dollars and buy a used small Sebenza 21 off of the used section of this forum. The knife is light, has great blade length for its size, and is will essentially last a lifetime if you don’t abuse it.
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He doesn’t want a frame lock.
 
Armen said:
My gut says try the 556-1. I’m hoping it carries a bit thinner than the regular grip.
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Franciscomv said:
Have you tried any of the Hogue knives? I've added a 4" EX01 to my rotation and couldn't be happier with it. They come in several different blade shapes, sizes and a couple of handle materials.

The Lionsteel Big Daghetta has quite a lot of blade for its size (it reminds me of a BM 940), bit try to handle one in person before buying it. Not everyone likes the lock.

20180326_095011.jpg


20180405_102850.jpg
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Which fox karambit is that?
 
I've been looking at everyone's suggestions and still getting nowhere. I need to add that whatever I purchase has to be from Amazon because I'm sitting on a gift card balance of $293.00 there.

I bought a 940-2 last week and had to return it because the axis lock was sticking and I couldn't get the blade to fall by loosening the pivot screw without screwing up blade centering. I bought a 940-1 instead (carbon fiber looked good) and had the same exact problem. That one went back as well.

This is what puzzles me. I've been walking around the house today flicking my mini grip and this thing is freaking perfect. Blade falls, axis lock is smooth, blade is centered and I didn't have to touch it out of the box. A $93.00 knife has better fit and finish than a $278.00 knife..what the heck? :confused:

Edit: Did someone mention a Sage 5 earlier? I may be looking into it. Has the same compression lock as my para 2 but looks smaller and the G10 scales dont seem so cheese-gratey based on Nick Shabazz' review.
 
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Funny you should mention the sage 5. After I got off of here last night, I thought of the sage 5 or sage 3. Great little knives, should fit all your criteria.
 
Why not put custom scales on the mini grip then? Some flatter g10 ones would slim it up, maybe add some length too?. There’s some available on amazon. Or spend the amazon money on other things and have @Keyman here set you up!
 
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Francis picked my two choices. Hogue EX01 has a 3.5" version which might fit your needs and the Mini Daghetta in D2.
 
Buy a ritter griptilian and put better scales on it. That should reduce the thickness considerably.
 
Armen said:
I've been looking at everyone's suggestions and still getting nowhere. I need to add that whatever I purchase has to be from Amazon because I'm sitting on a gift card balance of $293.00 there.

I bought a 940-2 last week and had to return it because the axis lock was sticking and I couldn't get the blade to fall by loosening the pivot screw without screwing up blade centering. I bought a 940-1 instead (carbon fiber looked good) and had the same exact problem. That one went back as well.

This is what puzzles me. I've been walking around the house today flicking my mini grip and this thing is freaking perfect. Blade falls, axis lock is smooth, blade is centered and I didn't have to touch it out of the box. A $93.00 knife has better fit and finish than a $278.00 knife..what the heck? :confused:

Edit: Did someone mention a Sage 5 earlier? I may be looking into it. Has the same compression lock as my para 2 but looks smaller and the G10 scales dont seem so cheese-gratey based on Nick Shabazz' review.
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You should be aware that not all axis lock knives will drop free out of the box, but they will often get to that point after being worn in. I think you probably gave up on the 940 a little early...
 
marrenmiller said:
You should be aware that not all axis lock knives will drop free out of the box, but they will often get to that point after being worn in. I think you probably gave up on the 940 a little early...
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I really did like the 940 a lot but both models that I ordered had axis locks that would freeze up when flicked. i.e. it took a lot of effort to release the lock. Is the axis lock also supposed to get worn in? I have a mini grip that's only a week old and its axis lock is smooth right out of the box.
 
marrenmiller said:
You should be aware that not all axis lock knives will drop free out of the box, but they will often get to that point after being worn in. I think you probably gave up on the 940 a little early...
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I have the exact same problem with my 940 where the knife is either too tight and thr action not free or too loose and there is slight bladeplay. There is no sweet spot. The knife has had plenty of time to break in aswell.

It seems I hear about this issue with 940s more than any other bm model.
 
Lapedog said:
I have the exact same problem with my 940 where the knife is either too tight and thr action not free or too loose and there is slight bladeplay. There is no sweet spot. The knife has had plenty of time to break in aswell.

It seems I hear about this issue with 940s more than any other bm model.
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I just got off the phone with Benchmade and they told me the Omega springs in the 940 are a bit stiffer than the Griptilian and to oil the knife and let it break in.

So now what? Do I try my luck and order another 940-1 or go for a 551-1?
 
Armen said:
I just got off the phone with Benchmade and they told me the Omega springs in the 940 are a bit stiffer than the Griptilian and to oil the knife and let it break in.

So now what? Do I try my luck and order another 940-1 or go for a 551-1?
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Unfortunately it is clearly not the springs in my 940 that cause this flaw in the knife. It seems to be a problem with tolerances.

It is up to you which knife you order. I would hate to steer you in the wrong direction. The 940 is a knife with such a great design and amazing potential so I do understand your desire to say screw it and try again. Personally I would get pretty tired of rolling the 940 dice over and over in hopes I could get a good one.
 
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