I have a $100 REI gift card, which knife to buy?

S

surfer jesus

Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
4
Hello to everyone, well this is my first post so forgive me if it has been asked before.

Here is my current dilemma, I recently received a $100 gift card to REI and decided on using it to purchase a quality knife. The two models I am currently looking at over are:

Benchmade 530 Serrated Locking Knife

Benchmade 551Griptilian Serrated Locking Knife - Black

Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian Serrated Locking Knife - Olive

Spyderco Delica 4 Lite Combination-Edge Locking Knife

Leatherman Skeletool CX


Well, I would love to hear your opinions on what would be the best bang for my buck here as an EDC knife. I already EDC a Leatherman Charge TTi, but would also like to have a dedicated knife on hand (so I am not to sure, if the skeletool would just be redundant, and it has a pretty small blade). All of them fit fine in my hand and pants, I do like the beefiness of the 551 but when I put the 530 in my pocket, it felt lighter so I like that too, but it also felt maybe flimsy but thats why I am asking about them.

Well, any advice would be appreciated and thank you in advance.
 
yikes REI is expensive, but i digress. i would, and will, wholeheartedly reccomend the benchade griptilian. full size, but i myself would, and did, go for the plain edge version. it is jsut much easier to sharpen and takes a wicked edge. but if u want serrations, still go with the griptilian.
 
Go for the plain edged version - they will all serve you well. REI did have some limited edition Vic Farmer's for a while, I personally would buy one of those and some other gear ;)
 
Going to go with what everyone else says go for the plain edge Grip. That said if you have your heart set on serrations the comboedge model is ok too. I am sure some one here will recomend the delica maybe even before this is posted.

Edited to add: It seems like they only sell it in combo edge. Maybe just buy gear and use the money you would have used for that to buy the knife elsewhere and cheaper.
 
Thanks guys, but you are right, holy crap they are expensive.

Here I was just blaming it on being poor, thanks for making me feel better. I'll probably put it towards a good sleeping bag or something... but even those are over priced, who the heck shops here?

Man, even with a gift card I feel unjustified shopping here...
 
Check out their online outlet store. I've picked up some nice camping equipment there. The prices are more reasonable...
 
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/oregun/P1120833.jpg

Spyderco Endura 4 plain edge &
Leatherman Skeletool CX = about $121 before shipping

I EDC both, at the same time, and these are superior tools that you will actually have with you because they are so easy to carry.

Cash in that REI gift card and use the Google shopping tool or simply head over to NGK.

oregon
 
oregon said:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/oregun/P1120833.jpg

Spyderco Endura 4 plain edge &
Leatherman Skeletool CX

I EDC both, at the same time, and these are superior tools that you will actually have with you because they are so easy to carry.

Cash in that REI gift card and use the Google shopping tool or simply head over to NGK.

oregon
Click to expand...

How would you cash in the gift card? I would love to do that...

Also, have you noticed anything with the skeletools, bit holder? My brother says it is loose on his and he is returning it back to Leatherman.

*******

Bammann, thanks I will check out the outlet.
 
surfer jesus said:
How would you cash in the gift card? I would love to do that...

Also, have you noticed anything with the skeletools, bit holder? My brother says it is loose on his and he is returning it back to Leatherman.

Because REI has a 100% satisfaction promise I would simply return the card to one of the stores for a refund. I see no difference between doing this and returning $100 worth of goods bot with a gift card.

The clip loosens with usage but it is a doodle to tighten it. Now where did I put the locktite? I haven't noticed any problem with the bitholder, houses the spare bit, and I just checked it.

oregon
Click to expand...
 
Thanks alot Oregon, I'll try it, hopefully it will work.

By the way, I apologize for not introducing myself, I didn't know where to do it, so I will do it here.

Well I am a recent college graduate, going on to grad school. Personally, I never really knew anything about knives. I purchased a gerber paraframe from wal-mart back in 2003 because it was cheap and looked solid. I used to always screw around with that knife and still do till this day. I beat the hell out of it and learned how to sharpen it (which can be a bitch) and take care of it.

All of my friends and family took notice of this and thought I was into knives so when I graduated, my pops bought me the Leatherman Charge TTi, and my friend bought me a regular KA-BAR USMC fighting utility knife with the leather sheath. I thought, heck this stuff is cool so now after lurking on your forums for a while I decided this would be as good of a hobby as any. Also, its a heck of alot cheaper than gun collecting, so I think I am going to be sticking here for a while.

Well thanks for all the input and I am happy I joined the forum.
 
The 530 is an absolutely awesome knife, far unrated, and virtually invisible in size and weight. I love mine.
 
Welcome to the forums, Surfer.

Lots of good info here, and you're right, it is a good hobby :thumbup::thumbup:
 
I'm all in...for the D2 full size grip. Some have complained about edge chipping but mine's been great (but it is realitively new). So cash in that $100 and get on Cabela's and get one. You will love the axis lock system. btw thats a 551.

100_0178.jpg
 
You might have a look at the Buck 110 in S30V steel that you can get there. Less expensive that some of the models you mention, but a classic...
 
I'm gonna have to recommend the full-size griptilian, but a plain edged one is what I would get though.
 
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