Help me find "the one"

dylan_d

dylan_d

Joined
Dec 30, 2002
Messages
1,242
You know what I'm talking about. I'm looking for that one knife that is just perfect. The one that, when you get it, you could carry forever. I currently have a mini AFCK and am not entirely satisfied with it. Don't get me wrong, it's a damn fine knife, and the first and only quality knife that I own. But the problem is that I'm left handed. Closing the knife isn't hard, but not as easy as I'd like, and the pocket clip kind of gets in my way when I try to open it. Also, the blade material isn't as tough as I'd like. So, I'm looking for something that can meet my needs and that is lefty friendly. Now I know that all of the sebbie fan boys are screamin' "SEBENZA!" Trust me, I'd love to have one.BUT my ba!!s aren't quite big enough to drop $300+ on a knife AND try to convince my mom that I'm making the right choice (they haven't quite reached watermelon size yet :D). Another group of guys will recommend the 710HS, and I'd get it, but it's about an inch too long for my taste. I'd also like to get a Greco folder, but I'm not too sure how left handed friendly they are. If anyone owns one, does it have a reversable thumstud and how easy are they to close left handed? So here's what I'm looking for (if such as knife does exist):

It needs to be under 8.25 inches
Have a plain edge blade, no tantos either
reversable pocket clip (not necessary, but it would be nice)
ability to open and close left handed
good steel, better than 154cm please
good strong lockup and handles
AND I'd like to get this for under $150


Is this possible? I may just say "what the hell" and grab a 710HS.
Thanks for you help guys, I really appreciate it. :)
 
I second the Delica....unless you have a need for it's bigger brother....the Spyderco FRN Endura PE.....

Overall length; 8 13/16"
Three edge types available--PE, SE, or 50/50
Reversible pocket clip
Ambidextrous lockback
VG-10 steel
Although the handle is FRN(Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon), it is well made and can take a beating. ;)

The price is the best part...you can find one for about $50. I go through a dealer from El Paso, TX. Her email is Glasshartt@aol.com, and she has them for $45, +5/S&H.

Good Luck.
 
From the Spyderco website;

Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon Resin (FRN)--
A nylon polymer mixed with glass fiber which can be injection molded into a handle.
 
Hmmm, I've never been a spydie fan, but for the money I may give them a shot. How's vg-10? What is it comparable to? More suggestions are appreciated.
 
Originally posted by PWork
Save your money, grow your ba!!s, and buy a small Sebenza.

Paul
Click to expand...

Hehe, I just can't force myself to do it. 19 year old kids aren't supposed to spend $300 dollars on a kife :D I will get one when I'm older, though.
 
I'm not really fond of Spydies either.

A BM Axis would certainly take care of your lefty concerns. So it would then only be a matter of which one. Given what you say about blade length, I don't understand why you don't just get a 705, which is a great knife. If it's the steel, well there's a limited release D2 coming out quite soon now, I expect. But the 154CM/G10 standard model 705 isn't exactly shabby, in any event.
 
Yeah, it's the steel of the 705 that's holding me back. I use my knife at work everyday, and the 154cm edge retention is good when I'm opening boxes, but when I move to other things, such as plastic, it goes downhill. I've already put two chips in my blade, I don't like chips. If they make a D2 version, I think I'll pick it up. Aslo, goes VG-10 compare to M2 or D2?
 
Given your preferences it sounds like a BM 705 in D2 would be just about perfect.

If you aren't able to get one of those I agree with the folks who are suggesting Spydercos. The Delica in VG-10 is a great design with an outstanding steel and it is fully ambidextrous.

You should also look at the Spyderco Native Lightweight. The previous versions were in 440V and the latest ones are S30V. You can't lose either way!

--Bob Q
 
dylan - i too am left handed.
currently I carry a camillus EDC. Works great for that, just have to accept that this a right handed world, yada yada yada bs like every right handed person says :mad: .

Good thing left handed rifles are more prominent (IMO) than knives, or i wouldn't like to hunt as much.

sidenote: Fishing is where lefties are in the good, Right handed reels work better for lefies, vice versa.

sorry to bushwack your thread.


dave
 
Since the day I bought my small Sebenza, the only knife which impressed me was the Benchmade 942. I was buying a replacement clip and polished it to obtain a silver colour : with a plain satin finished blade, it is very nice.

It is a very beautiful knife, well made and the blade design is original.

Good luck for your quest ! ;)
But I'm sure, you will, one day, come to the Sebenza !!! :D
 
VG-10 is very good stuff.., so given the $$$ limitations I'd say the Delica also.

As mentioned, I do think the Axis Lock on the BM Models is certainly a solution to the "Lefty" deal, so some of those suggestions (above) may work as well.

I'm not sure what you mean by "tougher" in referring to the blade steel, and I think the Jury is still out on whether VG-10 is *tougher* than 154 CM or ATS-34. I like it because it seems to hold and edge a bit longer, but all things considered I'm not convinced there is a terribly big difference in overall performance given optimal heat treating dynamics on the alloys mentioned above.

D2 sounds like it may stand out as a front runner for what you want, so you may want to search extensively to see what's available with that bladesteel, and I believe the EDC (Camillus) has a D2 model that won't cost a ton (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Good luck :)
 
Get a Benchmade 921 Switchback. It's lefty friendly, has a thin, super-sharp S30V blade, has very comfortable aluminum handles and a smaller blade for tasks you don't want to use the larger blade on. S30V takes a beating and keeps its edge really well. I've heard of folks experiencing chipping with it, but I've never seen it on my blade and I've carried it so much that I've worn out three pockets with its clip (the only downfall of the 921 Switchback is that it eats blue jeans after a while).

My next favorite knife, for a third of the online cost of the BM921 Switchback, is the Spyderco Delica FRN PE in VG-10. It'd probably cut just as good if it were the AUS-6M steel-handled model, but the Delica is a very sturdy, very competent slicer and VG-10 takes a wicked mean edge. The Delica was also the sharpest out-of-box blade edge I've ever hand. The Delica's clip doesn't seem to wear away at pockets the way the 921 does.

The 921 Switchback costs about the same as the 710HS, which also won't steer you wrong.
 
dylan_d,

Go ahead and get that Sebanza. I am 19, and bought one last year, just tell your parents it cost $100.:D Or you could do the other thing I did last year, order a custom knife. I got lucky and ordered a TNT from Tom Mayo before he stopped taking orders, thats about $500 worth of luck.;)

My mom will never understand how I can spend so much money on knives, or why I need more than one. My dad could honestly care less, he just says I work for my money, so I can do what I want with it. He does have one good knife though(Spydie Millie), and understands a bit more.

HTH:)
 
If you like the Sebenza, and want the Sebenza, buy it now. You don't have to carry it, just enjoy owning it. Keep it in mint condition until you're 25, I suspect you'll find it was a good investment. Or carry it, and use it hard. Either way, how can you lose?

If I had a 19 year old son (actually, mine is 23) I'd rather have him buying expensive knives than I would getting girls pregnant, or involved with drugs. Now, even your mom can't argue with that logic!

Take it from an older guy, life is too short to deny yourself what you really want.
 
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