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Help me pick a 4" folder

S

sub40man

Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Messages
4
newbie with a BM 555 grip looking to get something just a little larger for weekend EDC. What are your thoughts/opinions/experiences or recommendations on the following considerations:

BM 551 Grip
BM 710D2
SOG Sec Elite
Spyderco Endura 4

Thanks
 
You won't go wrong with either of the BMs. I'd go for the 710D2, there's not much you'd want to do with a knife that you can't do with it and the recurve looks sexy too.
 
my choice would be in order
spyderco 4 plain edge
either of the benchmades
sog
nothing against the bm but i just like the spyderco better. you probably would be fine with any of those listed. later, ahgar
 
Give us a price range so that we can narrow your choices down. A lot of Spydercos that you can choose from in a wide range of prices.
 
I have both a full sized Grip and a 710 HS M2 ( the old model) , if you like the Axis lock of the Grip then you'll love the 710. It's a super, hard use knife, it opens just as smooth as the Grip but built like a tank.
 
Stick with the classics, Benchmade 710 or Spyderco Military. You can't go wrong with either one.
 
4-inch blades are my favorite carry.

I'd go BM710 first, as I trust the lock more.

Second would come the Spyderco Military. Trust the lock, just not as much as the axis-lock.

From the factory, the Military has proven a better cutter in my experience. It is also lighter (a good or a bad, depending).

I generally carry the 710 more than the Military.

As for the Griptilian, I haven't owned one. I like D2 more than 154CM or 440C.

But, what should trump any recommendation of mine is how they fit in your hand. If possible, get some in-hand time with your potentials. Then choose.
 
Of the four you listed, I'd go with the Endura in SS. Good knife at a very good price.
 
BM 710D2 or Military, I prefer and carry the 710.

I like the lock better.

Also really like D2 steel.

(I think Spydercos are terrific, but I think in this size/price the 710D2 is tops.)
 
Do you steel? How about the Spyderco ATR? If you are willing to spend the $15 extra dollars you can get the Emerson CQC-10. Now that is a great knife with "let's get to business" features.
 
Of the ones you've listed, the 710d2 is by far the best in my opinion. But...as some others have suggested, you may want to look into a military. Great steel, great blade, great handle, great weight, great usability, great to carry, and backed by a great company. Pretty much a "great" all around knife. And I feel this strongly about it after only having one for a week.
 
My recommendations in order are:

Endura 4
710
551
Military
SOG

I think the Endura 4 has alot going for it.
It has top-notch VG-10 blade-steel.
It has dual skeletonized full-length steel liners for strength and rigidity.
The time proven lock-back is reliable, safe, and strong.
You can adjust the clip for tip-up or tip-down, and for left or right hand carry.
And it is very affordable, so you will not cry if you lose it.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
What about the Manix?

And like mentioned above, Emerson makes several knives with an about 4'' blade. They cost a little more, but are worth it.

I prefer the Military to the 710, but it's just a matter of which knife speaks to you more. I find the 710 to be very boring, but some find it very classy.
 
I just picked up a pair of new 710's, and the question is why did I wait so long. It has been a year or two and God only knows how many knives, since I've been this happy about a certain design (my favorite steel too). I now know why it's considered a classic. I could have saved myself ALOT of money if I would have picked one up years ago. Oh well, live and learn.
 
Endura 4. Great knife made better by the Gen 4 improvements. Its also cheap enough it won't break the bank. For the record, I'd also trust the lockback of the Endura 4 before I'd trust the Military's lock- though this should not be read as a criticism of the Military in general. I had a 710HS, and while it was a nice knife it just wasn't for me. The handle was too skinny for me to make it work as an EDC. The Endura is a classic as well.
 
I want to add another , even though it's not on your list...

The HK Axis lock made by Benchmade, it's on my list for future acquisitions.

GPKNIVES has them for less than $120.00
 
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