Help pick my next knife!

O

oxy_moron

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2021
Messages
76
Hey folks, long time lurker, not much poster. But I've definitely got the itch and looking for my next knife and would love your recommendations! Here's where I'm at:

Price point: up to $350 or so
Steel: something high end like s90v (none of these yet) for light duty but high use
Blade length: 2.5-3.5 inch or so
Format: folder preferred but also looking to get a fixie for edc at some point.

Really love Flicky/flippy action and fidget worthy knives. Favorite lock so far is spyderco compression lock due to being put of blade path. Don't love lockbacks or 2 handed open/closers.

Not against thumbstuds but suppose I do prefer the spydie hole.

Ive got a few cheap but goodies: rat 2 D2, ruike p801, spydie tenacious lightweight

I have a civivi elementum black s35vn green micarta.

I have 2 Para 2's in s45vn, 1 satin 1 dlc. I like the blade but I find it easy too much handle proportionally. I'll prob eventually sell one and keep the other for posterity.

I have a Para 3 s45vn in black g10. I like this knife a lot but still think handle/blade ratio not the best. Spoon clip orientation on the handle sucks Would really like to try a LW with wire clip and nice steel like the stone blue knifejoy in m390.

I have a sun moon Chaparral I'll probably hold but not use, don't love lock backs.

Prob the nicest knife I have now is a TRM neutron 2 with blue tekwood scales. 20cv. Flicky action, awesome user/slicer but wanting something "more." maybe it's too light even, prefer a little jimping on the spine/thumb ramp.

I just pre ordered a winterblade factor which appears to be a major fidget worthy piece.

Knives I'm thinking about but not at all settled on or limited to:

Folders
Don't have any benches yet, considering:
940: either classic green s30v or CF s90v
Autofact not my usual style but very much interests me.
valet
Griptilian or bugout but would have to go metal scales to mitigate partial liners
Lil native s90v
Spyderco Gayle Bradley 1/2
Schemp bowie
Swayback
Spydiechef
Slysz bowie (not that I could find one)
Para 3 LW in better steel
Hogue deka
Lionsteel TRE or Myto

Fixies
Really like the lionsteel b40, b41, m1, m4

Okay this is where you come in. What should I get?!?!
 
If I were going to stick with one edc Benchmade, it would be the Adamas of the mini variety. I'm a big fan of the action, the axis lock, and the Cruwear steel is quickly becoming my favorite hard use steel.
 
You could try an M4 Dodo, or mayhaps a Rex 45 Native or Para 3, that is a top steel, and it seems like you're just looking for a nice knife to have for fun. These two are very unique options, the utility of the Dodo is amazing.

B blenchmade bogout
 
Steely_Gunz said:
If I were going to stick with one edc Benchmade, it would be the Adamas of the mini variety. I'm a big fan of the action, the axis lock, and the Cruwear steel is quickly becoming my favorite hard use steel.
Click to expand...
good pick, I've eyed the mini adamas too so thats a solid rec. I was thinking more fine slicer but definitely could use a nicer workhorse in the lineup. will keep it in mind!
 
Hashishiin said:
You could try an M4 Dodo, or mayhaps a Rex 45 Native or Para 3, that is a top steel, and it seems like you're just looking for a nice knife to have for fun. These two are very unique options, the utility of the Dodo is amazing.

B blenchmade bogout
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hmm the dodo you say? wouldn't have thought of that, I'm in Colorado so I could go up to Golden and see about putting one in the hand. I could definitely see going with something in rex 45. thoughts on maxamet vs rex 45? para 3 maxamet is easily available and I could swap the blade to an LW package. I like the native 5 format but not the lockback. I could find a sprint of the lil native s90v though.
 
Sounds like one of the premium bugouts is the right knife for you. You can get M390, 20CV, M4, S90V....
 
i do question a bugout with M4 though, lol, like what is the point of all that blade toughness on such a light knife?
 
spyderco Drunken... (used)

iA6rKlB.jpg
 
My 2 most recent pickups.

The CF scales are plenty stiff on the Bugout.

Qx0vHng.jpg


nGG31Ih.jpg



Very happy with this GB2 after adding Micarta scales and MXG clip, carries much better than a I thought it would, I usually prefer to carry knives a little shorter than this with an AOL of 7.5" to 8".

U4Jzrzh.jpg
 
Allan Mosher said:
i do question a bugout with M4 though, lol, like what is the point of all that blade toughness on such a light knife?
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M4 is tough, but not very tough. It provides enough toughness to make it standout as a tougher steel for folders (tougher than M390, S35VN, etc). It's not as tough as something like 3V, CRUWEAR, 1095, etc.

M4 has very high edge retention to boot, and is not a chore to sharpen, which is a big bonus. It stains easy.
 
zippifish said:
My 2 most recent pickups.

The CF scales are plenty stiff on the Bugout.

Qx0vHng.jpg


nGG31Ih.jpg



Very happy with this GB2 after adding Micarta scales and MXG clip, carries much better than a I thought it would, I usually prefer to carry knives a little shorter than this with an AOL of 7.5" to 8".

U4Jzrzh.jpg
Click to expand...
nice call! good to know about the CF scales. I could definitely start with the stock s90v (just I have a neutron with 20cv). yeah i like the GB2, that is good feedback on the clip, nice scales. i saw one with a little patina on the exchange, hmmmmmm...
 
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-565-1-Mini-Freek-AXIS--112601
BM Mini Freek in S90V? The CF handles are a little thicker than the Bugout. It's .55 vs .41

PM3 in S110V? I like the Blurple G10 too myself. I know you have a Para 3 already but you like the compression lock. Blade size is right in the middle of what you want too. You sacrifice some toughness vs S90V. Edge retention is similar. $209 so room in the budget for that fixed blade. ;)
Add a https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BR...textured-blueblack-g10-handles-leather-sheath?
A few $ over your budget ...
 
The Spyderco Swayback is a nice knife and you can usually get them here for around $200. That would be my choice from your list. The GB1s are nice too if you can find them.

Swayback... instant classic!

Swayback. The lines just flow. Blade finish is so clean. Plus that sculptured handle, like on a Slysz Bowie. Awesome, awesome knife. Imho Swayback is an instant Spyderco classic... I’ll be updating this thread... (yeah, I’ll change the clip for something a bit more subtle)
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
gazz98 said:
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-565-1-Mini-Freek-AXIS--112601
BM Mini Freek in S90V? The CF handles are a little thicker than the Bugout. It's .55 vs .41

PM3 in S110V? I like the Blurple G10 too myself. I know you have a Para 3 already but you like the compression lock. Blade size is right in the middle of what you want too. You sacrifice some toughness vs S90V. Edge retention is similar. $209 so room in the budget for that fixed blade. ;)
Add a https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BR...textured-blueblack-g10-handles-leather-sheath?
A few $ over your budget ...
Click to expand...
yeah good call, just on stats i fear the s110v for being brittle but in reality I haven't heard many real world complaints on it. prob more readily available tho than s90v so definitely a contender. I would probably seek to swap to a LW scales and wire clip tbh, but not against that either.

yeah I like the freek too actually! that is a solid option in s90v for sure. might need to look into that more.

ah yes, love the guardian 3's and definitely on the fixie list. thank you!
 
rocketbomb said:
Spyderco Para 3 in S110V, or maybe Maxamet if you don't need stainless. Change out the standard clip for a Casey Lynch deep carry clip (which makes the Para 3 carry how it should from the factory, in my opinion).

i-bhn5Kx7-L.jpg
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yeah any thoughts on maxamet over s90v or s110v? is practical edge retention better with maxamet or about the same?
i *like* stainless but its dry as hell here in Colorado so not super necessary, i dont do a lot of wet work.
 
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