Need a new ~3 inch EDC folder

W

wingmanl

Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
50
So I'm trying to decide between quite a few knives, after giving away my Delica 4.

In price order, I'm looking at the Benchmade 940, Spyderco Caly III, Benchmade 707, Benchmade Mini Griptillian, Delica 4 Waved, and the Byrd G10 Meadowlark.

What are the primary differences between the three benchmades? What makes each one worth its respective cost? The 940 is around twice the price of that of a minigrip, but I've never handled an axis lock and want a quality one as my first.

Is the G10 on the Caly III that much superior to the D4's FRN and Byrd G10? What other differences exist between these three spydercos?

And finally, what are the sharpening angles on all of these knives?

Thank you in advance
 
first you should go to a knife store and handle those knives, to see which one you prefer...

Personnaly, i have Benchmade 940, Spyderco Caly Jnr, Benchmade 710, Benchmade 550 Griptillian, Delica 4 Waved ... and i prefer the Benchmade 940 because of the "look" of the knife and the "smoothness" of the opening... (and lightness of the folder :D )
But honestly, all are quite good and it's a pure question of taste !
 
As far as the BMs.

As good as the Mini-Grip is, the 940 is so tight and smooth it feels like a custom. I've got a 943 (same knife, different blade shape) and its my favorite.

Also have a mini-grip, a delica, a 710 and a bunch of others, 943 is my favorite.
 
Out of the kinves you've listed, I like the Mini Griptilian in 154CM steel.

The Kershaw Leek is a great knife with a three inch blade, and there are a lot of styles to choose from.
 
Also love the mini-Griptilian but I think the handle is a little small for a good grip.

Would like to add the Al Mar Mini-SERE. 3" blade but a larger handle. Made like a tank with beautiful design, fit and finish.

Also the Lone Wolf Harsey T1 with carbon fiber handle. 3.2 inch blade and also made like a tank.

Regards
 
I'm looking forward to taking a look at that new Blackhawk Silent Partner folder. Supposed to be 440C, framelock, drop or clip point (?) and I think in the $40 range or so.
 
I don't care for 154CM, which I believe is the steel in the BM 940 and 707. I also don't care for anodized aluminum handles because of the way they conduct heat and scratch easily. The Mini Griptilian is a decent value but BM's 440C (which IIRC many mini-grips are) shouldn't be expected to match 154CM for edge holding.

8Cr13MoV steel used in the Byrd line, hardened to 61 HRC, is fast earning a good reputation. I have longed liked Spyderco's VG10 which I believe is what's used in the Caly 3 and Delica as well. Either of these steels IMO is a better choice than BM's 154CM or 440C.

In terms of construction I think all the knives you mention are sound and should give acceptable service.

The Caly 3 costs about five times as much as the Byrd Meadowlark, only you can decide if the Caly 3 is worth the extra money .... in terms of utility, IMO it isn't. However I think many would say that the Caly 3 is worth the price because of the craftsmanship.
 
I would have thought that the 154CM was comparable with VG10. I wouldn't know, never having used a 154CM blade, though I have experienced VG10 with the Delica 4. What are the drawbacks of 154CM compared to VG10?

I have to be honest though, I'm not sure how much steel type really matters. The only truly bad experience I've had with a blade steel is a CRKT Snap Lock 2, which had AUS 4. Could take an edge almost instantly on a sharpmaker, but it dulled if you so much as looked at it.

Oh, and just for a basis of comparison, what kind of steel is the Byrd's comparable to?
 
Hi, wingmanl. Remember this is just one guy's opinion, others may like 154CM a great deal. My experience with it has been pretty inconsistent and it can be a very irritating steel to sharpen .... heat treat of course having a lot to do with that.

Here's some info you might want to look at, some maybe a little technical but some good side-by-side comparison with other steels:

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/blade_materials.html#S_154CM

VG-10 .... well I think it's safe to say that a lot of people like VG-10. I don't know if it's because it's designed as a cutlery steel (154CM isn't) or it's easier to heat treat, or maybe just the companies that use it a lot do it well, but you just don't hear many complaints. VG-10 holds an edge better than 154CM, it's tougher and seems to have greater edge stability, and most seem to find it easier to sharpen. What's not to like with that? :) I prefer it to S30V though I realize that has a lot to do with problems manufacturers seem to have heat treating S30V.

8Cr13MoV used in Spyderco's Byrd knives is a simple stainless steel which Spyderco very wisely IMO seems to have selected because they can produce a quality, economical blade at 61 HRC, harder than most blades you'll find in popular folders, giving very good edge retention and I suspect better toughness than 154CM. Here's some more info if interested:

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/blade_materials.html#S_8C13CrMoV

In my limited experience with 8Cr13MoV it compares pretty well with VG-10, making the Byrd knives solid performers at a very reasonable price. Just about everybody I've seen posting here with one of the G10 Byrds seems to feel they're an incredible bargain. I have a FRN handled Cara Cara that had a few little problems I had to work out initially (doesn't seem to be the norm at all, BTW) but it has grown on me and is certainly a lot of knife for the money.
 
You really have to feel them. You can look all you want at specs and compare numbers on the web or paper, but when you get them in your hands, you'll notice the differences in opening smoothness, feel of handle, handle size, weight, thickness (Spyderco Byrds are quite thick and the main reason I didn't get one), relative size (same blade size doesn't mean same size), etc. Once you get to look at them in person and handle them, you'll likely narrow your choices to just a couple.
 
Go out and get yourself a mini-Griptilian. Everyone needs to have a Griptilian. I think they should be issued out by the government.
 
I would say the Caly 3 would be an excellent choice. Current EDC beside my EKI cqc8 and it plans on staying there for a LONG time...
I've also owned a 707 and although it's a really nice knife, its really really small. Me having small hands and I still had trouble getting a full grip on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top