Looking for knife advice

allow me, i started out with a gerber. then went to CRKT. then to benchmade. then to spyderco. i have since parted ways with the gerber and the CRKT. i now only own benchmade and spyderco. had i to choose, it would be spyderco HANDS DOWN. i just feel the knives are made better overall from the ones i have and the ones i have held. the actions seem to be smoother, etc.. my next 4 purchases are w/o a doubt going to be more spyders. i suggest you look into getting a spyderco as well. my first and only spyder right now is the Salt I and i love it. it has been said that it might possibly be the very best survival knife on the market, due to the composition and make of the knife. it is tough, WONT RUST, looks great, is light, and holds an edge like all hell. its not great for SD/MBC and thats what i got it for, however, it is my carry piece daily for just regular cutting and using it as my day might demand something be cut. for SD/MBC i am going to be getting a Spyderco Karambit and then a Spyderco Yojimbo... if i can get to feeling better about the weak tip of the yojimbo... but for a good hunting or survival or EDC knife, the Salt I cannot be beaten!
 
Slow down Mesh buddy.

Your enthusiasim runs rampant.
Time for your meds bro.:D (By the way, What BM folders have you bought?)
Get a 710 ,then re-evaluate.

Egroeg555, yes if you handle them first, that can the deal breaker right there.

Waiting to see what you get bro. good luck.

WR
 
A Spyderco Salt would be a great – lightweight, easy to sharpen, completely rust proof and available in hard-to-lose yellow colored handles.


For keeping it sharp, the SharpMaker is the way to go.




- Frank
 
I also immediately thought to recommend the Spyderco Cricket. However, I think the Spyderco Dragonfly is the most similar to the Scallion that I can think of. It comes with FRN or stainless steel handles and also provides an option for plain or serrated edges.
 
meshmdz said:
C i am going to be getting a Spyderco Karambit and then a Spyderco Yojimbo... if i can get to feeling better about the weak tip of the yojimbo

A lot of people neglect to mention this, but the tips of the Yoji and the Karambit are actually very similarly fragile. The Karambit has a little more spine due to the curve design, but it is essentially negligible.
 
Aright, I will not be able to see the knives at the store till Wednesday, but these are my thoughts as of now. Feel free too comment. Actually, please comment. :)

I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to the following knives: Spyderco - Delica, Salt I, Native, or Benchmade - Griptillian.

Delica and Salt I - These two seem very similar. Delica uses VG-10 and Salt I uses H1 for blade material. Salt I is a slightly more expensive. This H1 stuff is said to be comparable to other high quality knife steels. How true is this?

Native - Looks like a handy knife.

Griptilian - This seems to be a pretty sweet knife. If I got it, I’d probably get the mini version due to cost and size of knife
 
H1 will NOT rust, that is it's major thing. I use mine when I am going to be at the beach or around water.
 
I would spend a little extra for the mini-grip.

I am a real Kershaw Ken Onion knife fan and own almost all of them. They are top notch and one of the best values out there. That said, I just got my BM mini grip, 556 and think it is the best design for what your purposes are...and for most anyone's EDC duty. It is only about 1/4 inch larger than a Scallion closed but open it is almost an inch more knife. For $25 more than a Scallion you get twice the knife in my opinion. Mine is the plain blade 154CM steel and I am duely impressed with it's quality. I have a couple Spydercos and they are fine cutting tools but are not quite as sweet in the opening/closing department as this mini grip.
 
I'd recommend:

Kershaw Leek (standard version). Slim, sexy, light, framelock and assisted opening. Great design, very simple and elegant. Not the best blade steel.

Spyderco Native or Delica. Available in S30V (Native) and VG-10 (Delica), you will be hard pressed to find better blade steel for the money. The Native is only available in FRN, but the Delica can be had in FRN and stainless steel. FRN is very tough, but some think it feels cheap.

Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. The Axis lock is to easy to open and close that it has won over legions of fans. The Grip has good steel (440C for the older ones and 154CM for the new ones) and FRN handles.

So you you want the sexy design and assisted opening (Leek)? Or the best blade steel (Spyderco)? Or the fun and easy lock (Grip)?

You can't go wrong with any of them. These knives are some of the most popular and most recommended knives in your price range and size class. They are widely respected for their bang for the buck, and hardly anyone considers them a bad purchase for the money.

On Delica/Native/Salt:

The VG-10 of the Delica will hold an edge longer than the H1 of the Salt. VG-10 is a more abrasion resistant, and higher-end steel. But H1 will laugh at rust. VG-10 is not exactly prone to rust either, so go with the Salt if you will put your knife though chores would normally put your knife in danger of rust, such as on a boat or for food preparation. Otherwise, most prefer VG-10 as it is stainless too and holds an edge longer. H1 is also easier to sharpen since it is softer, if you feel you will get angered at the harder-to-sharpen VG-10.

I prefer the Native to the Delica because I prefer S30V to VG-10 and I prefer the ergos of the Native thanks to the finger choil. You'll have to handle both to see what yo like.

So of the three I would go Native > Delica > Salt, but it just depends on what you want. All 3 are great knives for the money and are they are fairly similar so it just comes down to different wants and needs.

I own a Pacific Salt (similar to the Endura) and an S30V Native. I also own a Griptilian (large) and Leek. If you have any further questions, just ask.
 
Yes , i can see it now, its clear as day.

Nice choice on the Mini-grip man, how do you like it?:p

Now you need to get the others, as its best to have more then one knife, in case of breakage,lose or a wife that may like more then yourself.


Oh,and dont forget to snag a Spyderco Sharpmaker along the way to sharpen it back up on bro.
WR

This post is posted in the future, only those equipped with their secret service decoder rings may read it.
 
Heh, perdicting what i'm going to get War. You'll probably be correct. Wife? Most would probably say i'm a bit young for that. I'll probably get the Sharpmaker at some point, but not know. I think whatever knife will be able to hold a good enough edge for the summer.

How does 440C compare to 154CM? From what I can tell online the place i'm planning on buying from dosn't have and of the 154CM mini-grip models. Maby they just haven't updated the knife descriptions.
 
Hehe busted.

Hmm, they may have not updated or have some older stock bro.

The 440 is a good steel and has been used by many for a very long time now.

Comparing it to 154, hmm, i would think that both steels are pretty close to each other in quality and edge retention.

Oh, and do consider getting the sharpmaker and touching up whatever blade you buy on a regular a basis, its good practice and good maintenence are a sign of a person that looks after his equipment, and a sharp knife is a safe knife.

Not preaching, it is a highly regarded sharpen system that makes it easier for many to actually get a good edge on thier knives again after being actually used bro.(You will come to love it)

Please in the end,get what fits your tastes and hands best to you bud.
We can only tell you this is great an that is bad, but it is your fit and taste that matters most.

One question for you now,

You packed one knife for while before it got lost, now you seen some of the new knives and lust for them here amongst us, do you honestly feel inside,that one knife will fill all your chores for as long as it lasts?

Or, will you become like the rest of us,and now actually still be wanting more knives, because of, beauty, style, quality, and back ups ect?

Just curious, as do you plan on running from here once you get your knife and your need is filled, as if you dont, you will want, lust for more like us.


WR
 
As for sharpening, I probably will not be using the knive terribly heavly. I have trouble rationalizing getting a $60 knife and the shapmaker. This knife is not the only camping/backpacking related equpment I own or am getting for the summer and need to mantain. I plan on getting the sharpmaker, but later.

Reguarding other knives and stuff, I'v had a few other cheap knives since I was in about 5th grade (I am 18 now). The first probably wasn't even stainless steel. I remember it rusting over like a spreading plague at the first sign of moisture. My first good knife was a Victorinox... i think it was called Huntsman, but I don't see it listed on their site. I aquired a CRKT Denali (one of the Summit series) from a Sunnys store to replace my lost Scallion. Now I realize that I payed too much for it. I thought I'd get used to the size and weight of the Denali, but I was wrong. I haven't carried it much because of it's size and weight and definatly don't want to take it backpacking. After talking to you guys, I now have a compleatly different view on knives. I now know much better what is good and what is bad.

Yes, I had planned on on not sticking around much after I got the knife. I might come back from time to time if I have a question, but thats it. I suspect that I wouln't buy another knife for a couple of years. Maby when I start making some money at a real job I'll look into getting some really sweet knives.
 
Nicely said.

What ever choice you make after your purchase is entirely up to you bud.

I was just curious, some stay and become regular members once the realization of love of knives sets in.Some leave for awhile an come back later, which i hope you do.Even if you dont, it was nice meeting you.

I know, we all have so much money, so true, just wanted to keep that Sharpmaker fresh in your head, it is a good choice for the dollars. Also makes it pretty easy to keep a blade up in shape.

Now, if you dont come back and give a mini review of your new toy i wil be hopping mad, no lol, but would like to hear your feedback after purchase.


Peace

WR
 
I was just at Wal-Mart and looked at their Spyderco Native S30V that they sell for $40. If $20 makes a difference to you...get a Native at Wal-Mart over the mini Grip. It is a very nice knife. Do check it over closely...the first one they opened up for me had a very rough action but I had them open another and it was smooth. The mini Grip is a better knife in my opinion and is not quite as bulky as the Native...although they are the same size blade.
 
Well I atucually was at my local wall mart today and they didn't have anything Spyderco. Most of the stuff was buck and gerber a couple kershaws and some swiss army knives.
 
440C and 154CM are pretty much in the same class, but 154CM is generally prefered. 440C to 154CM definitly considered an upgrade by most, but it isn't a huge upgrade.
 
So, I got a mini Griptillian. plain blade, drop point. This one does atucally have 154CM. I wouldn't know, but "154CM" is atcually printed on the blade. I think this is an ausome knife. It is definatly way higher quality than anything i'v ever held/owned/used. I'm looking forward to using it this summer backpacking and other stuff. I will have to get used to the point up pocket clip configuration. Every other knive i'v had was point down. I keep taking my mini grip out and i'm holding it backwards or I try to put it on my pocket the wrong direction.

Thank you all for the great help you have been. I definatly would not have ended up with nearly as good of a knife without your recomendations.
 
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