Help me pick my next user knife

M

melbourne

Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
78
Hi,

I recently got back into knives. I'm looking to add another user folding knife to my current selections. I have several other knives but I don't use them because they are either too heavy/large, or just too small to be useful to me. These are the knives I currently use or plan on using depending on the need. I currently EDC a SAK Tinker, which is right at the edge of too small to be useful but I like the small size and utility. The Kershaw composite blades are recent purchases but are at the high end of size and weight limits for me. I do have a Benchmade Mini Griptilian coming which I will add to this set. Based on what I have currently what addition(s) would you recommend?

My preference is for G10 > FRN scales. Plain blade > full serrated blade > combo blade. Steel VG10 or better. Price point should be under $150.

Things I typically use my knives for (home duty/food prep, trash/recycling duty - mainly cardboard, gardening/yard work, club/range work, light camping work, fishing)

Thanks!

My current user assortment

DSCN0189.jpg
 
Well it looks like you have small, medium, and large folders, so how about a range of the blade length/handle size you want?
 
Have a look at Buck Mayo line up? s30v steel, right up in the ~$140 range. medium sized folder with titanium handles.
 
derrickd803 said:
Well it looks like you have small, medium, and large folders, so how about a range of the blade length/handle size you want?
Click to expand...

Outside of the home I tend to use / carry smaller size knives more often. Delica 4 / Native would be at the high end of size for EDC. Recycling/yard work/gardening I tend to favor a larger fully serrated blades. I forgot to mention I also have several Leatherman multi-tools which I don't carry but usually leave in the car, tacklebox, range bag, etc.

Ideally I would like to pick up another good EDC candidate and another good yard work/gardening knife.

Thanks
 
All but one of your knives is black. I'd get one with some color and maybe not G10 or FRN (of which you have lots...) I might also think about a Benchmade or maybe a Buck since you mostly have Spydercos and Kershaws.

I like the Benchmade Kulgera (S30V and machined blue/black G10) for about $125. All of the Benchmade Osbourne knives are nice, too. You might find a Bradley Alias II or Buck Mayo for a little over $150, and it would introduce you to titanium framelocks. If you want to stick with Spydies, the Military or Paramilitary ($130 or so) are probably the next ones to look at (I have an orange and foliage green, respectively.) If you want to go Kershaw, $45 gets you a nice leek -- different than what you had and worth trying. They come in many variations and there's a reason they've sold a kazillion of 'em.

If you really want to stick with the black G10 theme, it may be time to try an Emerson. They probably do the black tactical knife better than anybody else.
 
I would say a Caly3 ZDP/ carbon fiber. If you want to get away from spyderco check out the Buck VANTAGE pro. S30V treated by paul bos, G10, a flipper and a low ride pocket clip. All for $45 bucks. It's got a thin hollow grind that makes for an awesome slicer.

I would also say you need more Benchmades. The Rift is my favorite and it is a great size and one of the smoothest AXIS locks out of all the Benchmade lineup.

Good luck!
 
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Military and para-military, get'em both :D
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
If you want to get away from spyderco check out the Buck Advantage pro. S30V treated by paul bos, G10, a flipper and a low ride pocket clip. All for $45 bucks. It's got a thin hollow grind that makes for an awesome slicer.
Click to expand...

You've mentioned this in at least one other thread. It is called the Vantage, not Advantage.
 
Spyderco Manix is good. Kershaw Lahar would also fit the bill but do you have that already? The left column upmost knife? Its bit dark to see what knife it is. Looks like Lahar...
 
First knife that came to mind was a Spyderco Caly 3, as FlaMtnBkr has mentioned. Some people don't like the idea that the knife is riveted together, so I'd also like to toss out the Spyderco Sage, except that it's got carbon fiber handles.

If you don't mind sacrificing some pocket space, the ergonomics on the Benchmade Dejavoo, as well as the Mini-Dejavoo are wonderful. Gotta mention though that it's only available in a tip-down configuration. Either way, it opens smooth as butter and locks up solid.
 
thejamppa said:
Spyderco Manix is good. Kershaw Lahar would also fit the bill but do you have that already? The left column upmost knife? Its bit dark to see what knife it is. Looks like Lahar...
Click to expand...

Yes, I already have a Lahar, in G10 VG10 upper left corner. Good eye :)
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I would say a Caly3 ZDP/ carbon fiber. If you want to get away from spyderco check out the Buck Advantage pro. S30V treated by paul bos, G10, a flipper and a low ride pocket clip. All for $45 bucks. It's got a thin hollow grind that makes for an awesome slicer.

I would also say you need more Benchmades. The Rift is my favorite and it is a great size and one of the smoothest AXIS locks out of all the Benchmade lineup.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I'll add the Buck Pro Vantage to my list to buy. Too bad they don't seem to offer the small version in S30V. Seems like a great price on this knife.

Thanks
 
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lava_lamp said:
All but one of your knives is black. I'd get one with some color and maybe not G10 or FRN (of which you have lots...) I might also think about a Benchmade or maybe a Buck since you mostly have Spydercos and Kershaws.

I like the Benchmade Kulgera (S30V and machined blue/black G10) for about $125. All of the Benchmade Osbourne knives are nice, too. You might find a Bradley Alias II or Buck Mayo for a little over $150, and it would introduce you to titanium framelocks. If you want to stick with Spydies, the Military or Paramilitary ($130 or so) are probably the next ones to look at (I have an orange and foliage green, respectively.) If you want to go Kershaw, $45 gets you a nice leek -- different than what you had and worth trying. They come in many variations and there's a reason they've sold a kazillion of 'em.

If you really want to stick with the black G10 theme, it may be time to try an Emerson. They probably do the black tactical knife better than anybody else.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion on the Kulgera, its a handsome knife. Several people have mentioned the Paramilitary/Military, I'm leaning more towards the Military for general work / not EDC and it seems like a solid knife. The leek is an AO knife right? My preference is for non-AO knives, I only have one AO right now the Tyrade.
 
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I edc'd a leek for about 4 months about 4 years ago. Standard steel handles with 440 ss blade. Sharpened up real nice. The AO feature just helps with kershaws flipper design, but its all fast anyways.
I'd go ahead and look into one anyways
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. I do agree I need to add more Benchmade to my collection. I went through the Benchmade catalog last night and one knife caught my eye. What do you think of the 440 Opportunist for EDC? Its lighter than my Delica 4 with a larger blade and shorter overall length. S30V steel as well.
 
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I edc'd a leek for about 4 months about 4 years ago. Standard steel handles with 440 ss blade. Sharpened up real nice. The AO feature just helps with kershaws flipper design, but its all fast anyways.
I'd go ahead and look into one anyways
 
I'm going to suggest the Blade-Tech brand, specifically the Magnum M.L.E.K. You can the satin bladed model for the $150 you have as your upper limit. They do have an Extreme for about $50 more, but all I can tell as far as differences is that the Extreme has a DLC coated blade. I think $50 is a little steep for that option. The Magnum models are the new upgraded models, and it is available in Foliage Green G-10 handles. I think these knives rank up with the best built Spyderco's, and I mean that as a compliment!:thumbup::D
 
Dekz said:
You've mentioned this in at least one other thread. It is called the Vantage, not Advantage.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out. Guess I should have looked at the box more recently. Thats my brain trying to turn something into a common word.

Sorry about the confusion. I guess that would make the model hard to search for.

:foot::foot:
 
You've got the top three I wouldve listed on the top right.

Maybe a ZT0350 or 0300?
 
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