Looking for a new cheaper EDC

M

mhbru

Joined
Jan 8, 2023
Messages
15
I almost lost my Benchmade mini ascender and was more than a little distraught until I finally found it weeks later. I love that knife. Now I am thinking that I should find something a little less expensive (and not quite as irreplaceable). I am currently looking at a Kizer Assassin and a Kershaw Misdirect or Radar. Any thoughts by those of you that have these? TIA
 
I have a Kizer Begleiter 2 and love nearly everything about it except for the bearings and the way the handle liners sit proud of the scales (by design), would prefer it to run on washers.
 
If your set on not using the BM, out of the 3 you mentioned I'd go with the Kizer every time. I'd would also throw in the CJRB Pyrite.

I picked up the all stainless one for like $50 bucks a couple months ago. Probably my overall favorite budget pick of the year..
 
There are times when you want to carry one of your best knives and times when you don't.

If you really like liner locks, then by all means try the Kizer Begleiter 2.

If you are willing to consider better locking mechanisms, try the Civivi Cogent and Hogue Deka, which are very competitive with the better current Benchmade knives.
 
Something to consider. When you leave home, you never know what the day will bring

While you are gone your house could be burglarized, or burn down.

The knife in your pocket, could be the only knife you own in a matter or hours.
 
I've been enjoying the heck out of my Kizer Assassin. Based on feel and action, it is the best I've experienced among the current wave of button locks. The manual action on the Kizer is much nicer than the assisted actions on the Kershaw models mentioned. The Kizer also runs much better steel. The Radar is only running 8Cr13Mov, which is barely adequate by current budget knife standards. The Misdirect runs 4Cr13, which is radically subpar and comparatively lousy on edge retention.

BTW, Kizer has been killing it lately on the budget knives. I can second BJE BJE 's recommendation for the Begleiter 2. It is a different style of knife from the Assassin but also uses a button lock. Here are pictures of mine. (Note: I modified my scales a little by rounding the edges and corners. I do that on lots of knives.) For a liner lock, I've also been impressed by their full-sized Sheepsfoot Domin. The action is truly remarkable for a budget knife. All three of these run 154CM and are competitively priced.

GR22dFc.jpg


czogwCe.jpg


Z7I4ker.jpg
 
Chronovore said:
I've been enjoying the heck out of my Kizer Assassin. Based on feel and action, it is the best I've experienced among the current wave of button locks. The manual action on the Kizer is much nicer than the assisted actions on the Kershaw models mentioned. The Kizer also runs much better steel. The Radar is only running 8Cr13Mov, which is barely adequate by current budget knife standards. The Misdirect runs 4Cr13, which is radically subpar and comparatively lousy on edge retention.

BTW, Kizer has been killing it lately on the budget knives. I can second BJE BJE 's recommendation for the Begleiter 2. It is a different style of knife from the Assassin but also uses a button lock. Here are pictures of mine. (Note: I modified my scales a little by rounding the edges and corners. I do that on lots of knives.) For a liner lock, I've also been impressed by their full-sized Sheepsfoot Domin. The action is truly remarkable for a budget knife. All three of these run 154CM and are competitively priced.

GR22dFc.jpg


czogwCe.jpg


Z7I4ker.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks... I like the edge treatment you gave it. I think we have a winner. Lots of nice options provided but I am preferential to blades that max out at 3" for an EDC.
 
Chronovore said:
I've been enjoying the heck out of my Kizer Assassin. Based on feel and action, it is the best I've experienced among the current wave of button locks. The manual action on the Kizer is much nicer than the assisted actions on the Kershaw models mentioned. The Kizer also runs much better steel. The Radar is only running 8Cr13Mov, which is barely adequate by current budget knife standards. The Misdirect runs 4Cr13, which is radically subpar and comparatively lousy on edge retention.

BTW, Kizer has been killing it lately on the budget knives. I can second BJE BJE 's recommendation for the Begleiter 2. It is a different style of knife from the Assassin but also uses a button lock. Here are pictures of mine. (Note: I modified my scales a little by rounding the edges and corners. I do that on lots of knives.) For a liner lock, I've also been impressed by their full-sized Sheepsfoot Domin. The action is truly remarkable for a budget knife. All three of these run 154CM and are competitively priced.
Click to expand...

Chronovore said:
It’s such a fine slicer, plenty sturdy, but light and with a terrific blade, the satin finish is flawless, and one of the few knives I have gotten that didn’t need the edge thinned, it was also ground perfectly even.
The clip is wonderful, it carries nice, feels good in hand in a neutral way. For even twice the price it’s a wonderful knife, I like the button lock, easy to use and feels good. Just wish they would have used washers like they did with the Begleiter 1, though of all my bearing folders, I like the execution of this one best.
Click to expand...
 
The Spyderco Tenacious lightweight or Spyderco Resilience CPM-S35VN is a great affordable EDC.


 
Last edited:
iu


A lot of value.
I keep some extras around to give away.
Son in law is very hard on knives. He will wear the scales smooth on one of these, and it still functions as it should, without broken or missing pieces.
 
Ganzo fh922 awesome beater with D2 28 bucks on amazon is hard to beat and easy to replace at that price.
 
Civivi and Kizer make great stuff for the money.

I have quite a few knives that are discontinued and/or limited edition. However, for the most part, there is such a large selection of designs available that if I lost one it just gives me an excuse to buy something new and different. I have one knife I've stopped carrying, and that is for sentimental reasons.

If it's a knife you truly love and enjoy using, I say use it. I know my Spyderco Manix 2 in CTS-XHP is irreplaceable for all intents and purposes, I still carry it frequently.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top