input on a new EDC needed

1

14Tango

Joined
May 5, 2007
Messages
108
Aloha to all of you readers on the web, I'm in need of some input, education, opinion, etc. I've been trying to purchase a Spyderco Tenacious PE which seems to have some favorable reviews but the websites I normally shop from all list it as back ordered. Well I haven't purchased a knife in a while and spontaneously purchased a PE Pika II. My first question, what do you guys (and gals) know about the steel it's made from (9Cr13CoMoV)? Looking at the benchmade website it looks like an upgrade over the Tenacious blade steel. Anyone have any experience with the steel or the new Pikas. I was a fan of the original AFCKs (lost my original) and this looks like a much cheaper version which fits my current budget.

Also, a friend mentioned that Kershaw has been producing some really nice knives and I've added the Junkyard II and/or the larger NRG knives to my list of future purchases. My second question, has anyone purchased either the Kershaw Junkyard II or the larger NRG that they can comment on? I'm interested in their constrution quality, how does it compare to a benchmade or a spyderco? I've checked out some of the posts on the steel and the general concensus is Sandvik 13C26 is pretty good blade material. It's been a while since I've posted or kept up with knife news so any info would be appreciated.

I still plan on purchasing a Tenacious PE as soon as I find one.

Thanks a lot!
 
Howdy 14T. I have both the JYD II (composite blade) and the ENER-G II. Both are very unique as the JYD CB fuses a spine of 13C26 to a cutting edge of CPM-D2. This gives you a very high end cutting edge while keeping the price down by not making the entire blade of D2. The ENER-G II (the larger one) has a very well designed flipper system that is not a part of the blade. This Lee Williams design is a very fast opener, and cuts like a scalpel.

I still have a Spydie or two, and a few Benchmades. Personally, I believe that Kershaw now delivers the most quality for the dollar.

For a little more on these 2 Kershaws and all other things Kershaw related, cruise on over here and check out the Kershaw sub-forum.
 
I just finished cruising through the Kershaw forum, awsome pics of both the NRG and the JYD II! It'll be tough to decide which to purchase the JYD with the composite blade looks like a work of art and I've done some checking, the price is really affordable for what you're getting. I do spend a lot of time outdoors and what ever knife I'm carrying may be in my pocket for multiple days either at the beach or in the rainforests here. Any issues with staining or rusting on the CPM D2 edge? I've heard good things about the Sandvick steel and am contemplating getting the regular PE version.

SPX Trader, I noticed you're a regular on the Kershaw forum, thanks for the input. Great to hear about knives from the people that actually buy and use them.:thumbup:
 
14Tango said:
I just finished cruising through the Kershaw forum, awsome pics of both the NRG and the JYD II! It'll be tough to decide which to purchase the JYD with the composite blade looks like a work of art and I've done some checking, the price is really affordable for what you're getting. I do spend a lot of time outdoors and what ever knife I'm carrying may be in my pocket for multiple days either at the beach or in the rainforests here. Any issues with staining or rusting on the CPM D2 edge? I've heard good things about the Sandvick steel and am contemplating getting the regular PE version.

SPX Trader, I noticed you're a regular on the Kershaw forum, thanks for the input. Great to hear about knives from the people that actually buy and use them.:thumbup:
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Get a kershaw skyline. I usually carry a kershaw leek with either s30v, zdp-189, or the composite leek with the CPM-d2 blade. I got the skyline from knifecenter.com ($31.95) it has g-10 handles and 13c26 blade, its a great flipper at a great price. The 13c26 steel gets super sharp and its very easy to sharpen. It has been holding an edge pretty well so far. The skyline has replaced my leeks with better steel as my edc for the past few weeks.
 
No problem, 14T. Glad I could help.

As for rust, it gets really humid (70% and up) here, and stays that way all summer. I've had a spot or two pop up on the 13C26 once or twice, and a minute with a rag and a dab of Flitz and they're gone. 13C26 is relatively easy to sharpen, and edge retention is decent. The D2 edges on the composite blades are a little harder, and will hold an edge longer. The CB JYD II's and ENER-G's (both large and small) are available in PE only.

I carry 2 knives almost exclusively, the ENER-G II and the Blur in SG2. I don't think you'd be disappointed in either the JYD II CB or the ENER-G II.

Mahalo.
 
You can get a Benchmade Griptilian w/ 154cm for a good price.
Kershaw has a whole line of high quality, low cost knives (composite blades are awesome).
And Spyderco is a very good maker for a good price.
 
I bought a Benchmade Griptilian for my brother when he became a cop and he loves it. I've got spydero native s30v, benchmade monochrome, camillus heat, and a CRKT M1 Lightfoot in my EDC rotation. A Kershaw will probably be my next purchase. After looking at the pics on the Kershaw forum I'm leaning a bit to the NRG, the pocket clip on the JYD II looks huge and might attract attention I don't need but I'm faced with the same the dilema as usual. So many knives and not enough $$:(. Thanks for the input
 
At the moment, I'm really fond of Benchmades.

That said, I agree that you can just not beat Kershaw in bang for the buck. Many of their knives are the absolute stone cold equal of the best Benchmades, Spyderco's, etc. but usually cheaper by a fair margin.

This is just a total curveball, have you heard about Lonewolf Knives? I don't have one, but I've played with them, and they seemed very nice, and decently priced.
 
I had the same issue in locating my Tenacious. Went to ebay and found it as Buy Now for $31.00 plus about $5 for shipping. Got it in 5 days. Hope they will ship to your neck of the woods. Best of luck.
P1010023-vi.jpg
 
14Tango said:
I do spend a lot of time outdoors and what ever knife I'm carrying may be in my pocket for multiple days either at the beach or in the rainforests here. Any issues with staining or rusting on the CPM D2 edge? :
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First off I know you didn't ask for info on this knife, but after reading the above I thought I would mention it to you just to think about. The ZT0500 would be an ideal knife for the above. It has the blade pivot sealed along with the lock mechanism sealed so that water and/or sand, or much of anything else, are going to get inside. The urethane seals reallt do work and this is not a gimmick. Look for a post over at the kershaw forum that has a video of Gavin Hawk, the designer, burying the knife in sand with the sand having no effect on it.

Just a thought, egged on by the fact that I just got a ZT0500 today!:thumbup::D;)
 
14Tango said:
Aloha to all of you readers on the web, I'm in need of some input, education, opinion, etc. I've been trying to purchase a Spyderco Tenacious PE which seems to have some favorable reviews but the websites I normally shop from all list it as back ordered. Well I haven't purchased a knife in a while and spontaneously purchased a PE Pika II. My first question, what do you guys (and gals) know about the steel it's made from (9Cr13CoMoV)? Looking at the benchmade website it looks like an upgrade over the Tenacious blade steel. Anyone have any experience with the steel or the new Pikas. I was a fan of the original AFCKs (lost my original) and this looks like a much cheaper version which fits my current budget.

Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

Here is my review of the mini-pika II.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=523331&highlight=mini-pika

I did side-by-side manila rope testing, comparing the edge retention of the 9Cr13CoMoV to that of AUS8. I found the 9Cr13CoMoV to be a bit better. BTW, I subsequently tested a Byrd Flight and found that the 9Cr13CoMoV edge retention was a bit better than either 8Cr13MoV had or AUS8. I am not certain that I have seen that performance difference in day-to day carry.

I REALLY like the blade shape of the Mini-Pika II. At the current time, my only complaint with the knife is that the clip is a bit soft and has gotten bent a couple of times. Easy enough to remove and straighten, though, so it is a minor complaint.
 
Well I haven't purchased a knife in a while and spontaneously purchased a PE Pika II. My first question, what do you guys (and gals) know about the steel it's made from (9Cr13CoMoV)? Looking at the benchmade website it looks like an upgrade over the Tenacious blade steel. Anyone have any experience with the steel or the new Pikas. I was a fan of the original AFCKs (lost my original) and this looks like a much cheaper version which fits my current budget.
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I EDC the original Benchmade Pika PS, which is in 440C. I love the ergonomics of the knife, but I haven't had the oppertunity to feel up a Pika II yet. This is what the Benchmade website says about 9cr13comov
http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/our_blades.asp#Blade_Steels
9Cr13CoMoV: A Chinese made high-carbon stainless steel with increased levels of cobalt added for greater edge retention. Offers a higher level of corrosion resistance at a great value.
Click to expand...
The Pika is a great value knife. I think you like it.
 
Thanks for everyone's input but my list of future purchases is growing too quickly!

Next purchase:
Spyderco Tenacious PE (will be checking e-bay)
Kershaw NRG PE

Possible future purchases:
Lone Wolf Harsey T1 Tactical Folder 3.2" PE G-10 Handle
Kershaw JYD II PE

And the list above only includes folders, I'm just beginning to look for a fixed blade hunter. As I'm writing this I'm admiring the Benchmade Pika II PE that just got delivered. knarfeng, I can see what you mean about the pocket clip bending, it does seem a bit on the light side. The ergonomics are pretty good and will accomodate larger hands than mine. The pivot is smooth with zero blade play and I love the blade shape. I also purchased the Benchmade Benchmite II, not sure why but it looked cool. Very interesting lock and seems well made. I can see this as being my second EDC that sits at the bottom of my pocket. Thanks for everyone's input but like I said too much information can be an expensive thing!
 
Well, you sound as though you're on the right path. As is so often the case, it's probably more of an issue of not buying a bad knife rather than buying a good knife. There are so many good knives that it's a buyer's market. Still, people have their preferences. I like larger knives with V-grinds and few if any serrations.
 
I honestly carry a SAK most of the time. But I picked up the new SOG Mini-Vulcan. It is just about the right size and would make an excellent EDC knife. Check it out.
 
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