Just ordered a Ontario Rat 2 and a Benchmade Mini Griptilian, what next?

Knifeworks still has a few green G-10 handled Tenacious's left. I would definitely jump on that one if I was getting started. Now is a great time to get a med/lg clip point Voyagers for a great price.
 
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Does anyone have any experience with the Delica 4 stainless steel handle versus the frn handle/grip. Can't make up my mind.

Now I cant pass up a Delica after all the comments!
 
I picked up a used blur for 20 bucks at a local pawn shop. I like it better than I thought I would.
 
sjm1580 said:
Just started my knife collection this weekend and decided to start with the plain blade versions of the Ontario Rat 2 and a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. Is this a good start?

Would love to hear thoughts on what would be good additions to my new collection!

Thanks from an excited new collector and Forum Member!
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Every new knife collector needs a Kershaw Leek as well.
 
sjm1580 said:
Does anyone have any experience with the Delica 4 stainless steel handle versus the frn handle/grip. Can't make up my mind.

Now I cant pass up a Delica after all the comments!
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Its a little slippery but makes for a nice Gent's knife. Not as good as the g10 sprint run or frn.

There's folks out there who like g10 Spydies over frn as well.
 
cchu518 said:
Its a little slippery but makes for a nice Gent's knife. Not as good as the g10 sprint run or frn.

There's folks out there who like g10 Spydies over frn as well.
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Well, just ordered the Delica 4 in black frn, maybe have to get both???
 
Check out how you want to keep it sharp. That will go a long way to deciding on steels. A Spyderco Sharpmaker and a Spyderco Tenacious together will come in at about $100.
 
This is a fun thread keep us updated on what you think of each knife you ordered!
 
You've seen the Bradley Alias(discontinued) and Protech TR series right? I have the Alias Auto, very typical Benchmade quality.

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cchu518 said:
You've seen the Bradley Alias(discontinued) and Protech TR series right? I have the Alias Auto, very typical Benchmade quality.

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I haven't seen the Bradley Alias, until now, and like what I see! Haven't seen the others either, so many choices.

Worst fear, My wife sells my knives for what I told her they cost!
 
I just started a new thread with my thoughts on my new collection:

Ok, I hope this is what you all have been waiting for; A new knife collectors review of the three currently popular knives:

My review will be in order of when I received them in the mail:
1) Ontario Knife Company's Rat 2
2) Benchmade Mini Griptilian
3) Spyderco Delica 4

The beauty of doing a knife review, being a highly experienced collector (1 week of total experience) is my opinions cannot be criticized or challenged with silly things like my lack of knife knowledge, lingo, facts and/or science. Here are my initial thoughts:

1) Ontario's Rat 2: [/B]The first knife in my new collection. How can someone come up with the raw materials, transform them into a sophisticated tool and ship them half way around the world to a reseller, sell the tool and ship it for $26 and change. That was my first thought when ordering and receiving the Rat 2. The knife is solid, tight, blade is razor sharp, the blade flies open with a crisp snap, with no play. Love the knife, love the price, workmanship and quality seem very good.
New Knife Collectors Rating: 8.8 (out of 10)

2) Benchmade Griptilian Mini: This is the second knife in my new collection. I hate to spill the beans but this is my favorite out of the three. I love the axis lock. The fit of the knife and mechanics seem to be a slight step above the Ontario Rat2. Keeping in mind that I could have bought almost three Rat 2's for the same price, but this is a mano a mano comparison so I will try and stay on course. The fit and finish is very good but the mechanics are very, very good. Again, the knife is solid, tight, blade is razor sharp, the blade flies open with a crisp snap (a little crisper than the Rat 2), with no play.
New Knife Collectors Rating: 9.2 (out of 10)

3) Spryderco Delica 4: This is the third knife in my new collection. I like this knife and I would really like to like it much more that I do (???) . Maybe my love affair with this knife will grow over time, but here are my initial thoughts. The finish of the knife is good, not as good as the Mini Grip, about the same in my opinion as the Rat 2. The blade is very, very sharp and the mechanics are very tight. I like the opening design but the opening hole in the blade is a little rougher than I think it should be. There was a slight hitch in the opening action, but that slowly disappeared during use. This new collector would like to try some higher end Spyderco's to see if the fit and finish is of better quality, because as I said previously I would really like to like this knife more than what I do currently. I'm sure some die-hard Spyderco fans might set me straight on my impressions.
New Knife Collectors Rating 8.8 (out of 10)

With all this said, I am currently in search of an EDC that will rank 10 of 10 on the New Knife Collectors Rating scale.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND RECCOMENDATIONS!
 
sjm1580 said:
I just started a new thread with my thoughts on my new collection:

Ok, I hope this is what you all have been waiting for; A new knife collectors review of the three currently popular knives:

My review will be in order of when I received them in the mail:
1) Ontario Knife Company's Rat 2
2) Benchmade Mini Griptilian
3) Spyderco Delica 4

The beauty of doing a knife review, being a highly experienced collector (1 week of total experience) is my opinions cannot be criticized or challenged with silly things like my lack of knife knowledge, lingo, facts and/or science. Here are my initial thoughts:

1) Ontario's Rat 2: [/B]The first knife in my new collection. How can someone come up with the raw materials, transform them into a sophisticated tool and ship them half way around the world to a reseller, sell the tool and ship it for $26 and change. That was my first thought when ordering and receiving the Rat 2. The knife is solid, tight, blade is razor sharp, the blade flies open with a crisp snap, with no play. Love the knife, love the price, workmanship and quality seem very good.
New Knife Collectors Rating: 8.8 (out of 10)

2) Benchmade Griptilian Mini: This is the second knife in my new collection. I hate to spill the beans but this is my favorite out of the three. I love the axis lock. The fit of the knife and mechanics seem to be a slight step above the Ontario Rat2. Keeping in mind that I could have bought almost three Rat 2's for the same price, but this is a mano a mano comparison so I will try and stay on course. The fit and finish is very good but the mechanics are very, very good. Again, the knife is solid, tight, blade is razor sharp, the blade flies open with a crisp snap (a little crisper than the Rat 2), with no play.
New Knife Collectors Rating: 9.2 (out of 10)

3) Spryderco Delica 4: This is the third knife in my new collection. I like this knife and I would really like to like it much more that I do (???) . Maybe my love affair with this knife will grow over time, but here are my initial thoughts. The finish of the knife is good, not as good as the Mini Grip, about the same in my opinion as the Rat 2. The blade is very, very sharp and the mechanics are very tight. I like the opening design but the opening hole in the blade is a little rougher than I think it should be. There was a slight hitch in the opening action, but that slowly disappeared during use. This new collector would like to try some higher end Spyderco's to see if the fit and finish is of better quality, because as I said previously I would really like to like this knife more than what I do currently. I'm sure some die-hard Spyderco fans might set me straight on my impressions.
New Knife Collectors Rating 8.8 (out of 10)

With all this said, I am currently in search of an EDC that will rank 10 of 10 on the New Knife Collectors Rating scale.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND RECCOMENDATIONS!
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I like your reviews from the perspective of a new collector. Mind you, as your collecting progresses that scale of yours will change drastically. There will be many knives you would describe as 9/10 until you get your next knife, and your next knife, it is a vicious cycle, but well worth it. Have fun!
 
All the Taichung made Spydercos have got a fit and finish as close to a mid tech knife as you can get in the under $200 range. A sage 2 can be had o the forum for $100 to $140 used.

If you love the mini grip platform, a lot of folks get the Ritter mini grip with an awesome D2 blade and put on Titanium scales from Wilkins or Cuscadi. They also do a G10 scale. It totally "upmarkets" the mini-grip platform and is the holy grail for many. And everyone has to try an axis-lock, it's a wonderful locking mechanism!

PSS the secret to the Blur when it comes in is it needs a little break in. Also with the auto assist its counter intuitive but push straight up to your 12 o clock on the thumbstud rather than pushing out. It will save your thumbs from getting ripped open.

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cchu518 said:
All the Taichung made Spydercos have got a fit and finish as close to a mid tech knife as you can get in the under $200 range. A sage 2 can be had o the forum for $100 to $140 used.

If you love the mini grip platform, a lot of folks get the Ritter mini grip with an awesome D2 blade and put on Titanium scales from Wilkins or Cuscadi. They also do a G10 scale. It totally "upmarkets" the mini-grip platform and is the holy grail for many. And everyone has to try an axis-lock, it's a wonderful locking mechanism!

PSS the secret to the Blur when it comes in is it needs a little break in. Also with the auto assist its counter intuitive but push straight up to your 12 o clock on the thumbstud rather than pushing out. It will save your thumbs from getting ripped open.

35.jpg
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I really like the Doug Ritter idea. I really like the mini Grip. I'm going to start looking in that direction.

I haven't pulled the trigger on the blur, I think I am going to wait and see where this route take me.

Let me add that I really do love the mini Grip, but in a perfect world it would be about 1/4" to 1/2" larger. The problem that I have is it seems that there are no places to hold knives in my hand before purchasing so that makes it a little expensive in elimination by purchasing!


Thanks for all the advice!
 
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