This is my first post on this forum and I'm not to familiar with the brands of knives out there. I'm looking for 1 good knife that is under around 125.00 and will have to serve a few purposes. I will use it for general cutting purposes around work and it will also be used to carry for self defense and while out in the back country on camping trips or what not.I have been reading some posts and as of now I really like benchmade but I have no clue on what model would be best suited or which blade material would be good for a person like me (ease of sharpening and blade holding ability). Any and all opinions would be appreciated.
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Need a new knife. need opions
- Thread starter drew350dr
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Is size an issue? How big can it be? Must it fit in your pocket along with other items? Or will it have its own pocket? Will you use a belt sheath? Is a fixed blade okay? Will this be an EDC knife for public, or just for outdoors use?
Those answer will help us zero in one what you want, but it seems to me like a Griptilian would be a good idea for you.
The standard Griptilian is about 70 bucks and comes in many colors and in plain edge and combo edge (with serrations). It is a great knife with a great lock (the BM Axis lock). Opens and closes very smooth with 1 hand. It is made from 440A steel, which is fine, but not great.
But there are two beefed up versions that might be better for you since your budget will allow for them.
The Cabellas version is made of D2 tool steel. It isn't stainless, but it is coated to help prevent rust. D2 is good stuff- it will hold a good, sharp edge for a long time.
There is also the RitterGrip. It is made of S30V (which is pretty much the best stainless steel). I don't think it will perform quite as good as D2, but it will be more stain resistant, if that is an issue.
The Cabellas D2 Grip and the S30V Ritter Grip are both around 90-100 bucks. Hopefully someone will give you links to buy them.
Those answer will help us zero in one what you want, but it seems to me like a Griptilian would be a good idea for you.
The standard Griptilian is about 70 bucks and comes in many colors and in plain edge and combo edge (with serrations). It is a great knife with a great lock (the BM Axis lock). Opens and closes very smooth with 1 hand. It is made from 440A steel, which is fine, but not great.
But there are two beefed up versions that might be better for you since your budget will allow for them.
The Cabellas version is made of D2 tool steel. It isn't stainless, but it is coated to help prevent rust. D2 is good stuff- it will hold a good, sharp edge for a long time.
There is also the RitterGrip. It is made of S30V (which is pretty much the best stainless steel). I don't think it will perform quite as good as D2, but it will be more stain resistant, if that is an issue.
The Cabellas D2 Grip and the S30V Ritter Grip are both around 90-100 bucks. Hopefully someone will give you links to buy them.
I've owned several Benchmades and liked them all. But I'll take my Al Mar SERE 2000 folder over any Benchmade. You can find them used in your price range. It is by far the most well put together and toughest folder I've ever handled, I even sold off my Strider SnG after getting the SERE.
Sorry, I forgot to post any of that info. Must be a folder, have a blade around 3.5 inches, it will have a pocket of its own.
I'm in south eastern michigan so I think a folder of around 3.5 inch blade length is all you can have. A few co-workers carry blades at work so its not an issue and I wouldn't be pulling it inpublic unless i was absolutly forced to or there was an emergency situation.
Right now I like the things I hear about the mini- skirmish and the ritterknife sounds good, maybe a bit to huskythough?
Once again thank you in advance for any help.
I'm in south eastern michigan so I think a folder of around 3.5 inch blade length is all you can have. A few co-workers carry blades at work so its not an issue and I wouldn't be pulling it inpublic unless i was absolutly forced to or there was an emergency situation.
Right now I like the things I hear about the mini- skirmish and the ritterknife sounds good, maybe a bit to huskythough?
Once again thank you in advance for any help.
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Hair, the Benchmade Grips are made of 440c, which Benchmade does a pretty good job with, not a bad steel at all 
And properly heat treated S30v has better wear resistance than D2 and more toughness. All my S30v blades outlast my 806D2, my Strider AR, Native S30v, Manix, and mini Skirmish. D2 is right up there with edge holding though.
My 550 Grip makes a great work knife and with the Grip series you can choose thumbstud or hole which is nice. The mini Skirmish's opening hole is on the smaller side. I think you'd be better off with a Grip over a Skirmish for more utilitarian blade shapes. The recurve blade of the Skirmish needs a more specialized sharpening system like the Sharpmaker to maintain it.
With either the standards in 440c, Cabela's D2, or the Ritter S30v I think you've got a good choice in the Grips. If you go with the regular 440c you can get it for $60 and use the spare money on a good sharpening system, the Spyderco Sharpmaker ~ $45. I'd recommend newgraham.com, good people and prices and free band-aids!
Edit: And welcome Drew
And properly heat treated S30v has better wear resistance than D2 and more toughness. All my S30v blades outlast my 806D2, my Strider AR, Native S30v, Manix, and mini Skirmish. D2 is right up there with edge holding though.
My 550 Grip makes a great work knife and with the Grip series you can choose thumbstud or hole which is nice. The mini Skirmish's opening hole is on the smaller side. I think you'd be better off with a Grip over a Skirmish for more utilitarian blade shapes. The recurve blade of the Skirmish needs a more specialized sharpening system like the Sharpmaker to maintain it.
With either the standards in 440c, Cabela's D2, or the Ritter S30v I think you've got a good choice in the Grips. If you go with the regular 440c you can get it for $60 and use the spare money on a good sharpening system, the Spyderco Sharpmaker ~ $45. I'd recommend newgraham.com, good people and prices and free band-aids!
Edit: And welcome Drew
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for a first knife under $125 go with a benchmade or spyderco and you can be sure that the knife is made using a very decent steel. s30v is awsome. bop around here with the search tool to learn more specifically about the different types of steel. If I were you with 125 bucks right now I'd buy the spyderco manix or benchmade ares.
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The Benchmade 806 Advanced Folding Combat...err Camp ( 
) Knife could be what you're looking for.
) Knife could be what you're looking for.
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- Feb 7, 2005
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- 2,892
$125 is quite a good budget. I would try to look for a folder like the Paramilitary, which has the right blade size, excellent steel, great lock and comfortable handles; and add a good old SAK. SAKs are cheap, they give you an extra-sheeple friendly blade to use in public and several useful tools that help you avoid the temptation of using your folder to pry or to tighten screws.
For me the choice would be between the RitterGrip and the Para.
For me the choice would be between the RitterGrip and the Para.
I'd go with the Manix, if it's not too big for you. The blade length is within your specs, but it's a big knife, especially when folded. This thing is a tank. Great ergonomics. Beefy lock. The hottest new steel (S30V). Will probably last you until the next ice age.
I'd go with VG10 or S30V or D2 steels. The Ritter Grip in S30V is a great knife. Excellent steel, excellent lock, excellent ergonomics. Handle feels like cheap plastic, but if you can get past the cheap feel of the handle, this is a great knife. You might also try the Benchmade 710, which is a utilitarian classic (although the blade may be a touch long).
Another idea, to second Barker's suggestion, is the new Spyderco Endura (Gen 4), which is great for an EDC pocket knife, excellent VG10 steel, steel liners, solid lock-back and excellent blade. It will also save you a ton of money. Then, when you go to upgrade, anything you find that will beat the Endura will be an awesome knife.
Take the time to learn how to sharpen the knife and shop for a sharpening system, too. (Check out the Edgepro Apex.) Factor the cost of the sharpening system into your purchase. None of these knives are worth a lick if not kept sharp.
I'd go with VG10 or S30V or D2 steels. The Ritter Grip in S30V is a great knife. Excellent steel, excellent lock, excellent ergonomics. Handle feels like cheap plastic, but if you can get past the cheap feel of the handle, this is a great knife. You might also try the Benchmade 710, which is a utilitarian classic (although the blade may be a touch long).
Another idea, to second Barker's suggestion, is the new Spyderco Endura (Gen 4), which is great for an EDC pocket knife, excellent VG10 steel, steel liners, solid lock-back and excellent blade. It will also save you a ton of money. Then, when you go to upgrade, anything you find that will beat the Endura will be an awesome knife.
Take the time to learn how to sharpen the knife and shop for a sharpening system, too. (Check out the Edgepro Apex.) Factor the cost of the sharpening system into your purchase. None of these knives are worth a lick if not kept sharp.
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You have couple options.
If you want to spend all your money for knife, you can get
BM732 Ares for $103 at NGN http://www.newgraham.com/bm_732.htm,
if black blades OK for you, or you can get BM 730 Ares non coated for $99 at http://www.soonerstateknives.com/benchmadeares.htm
Spyderco Manix is very good choice $ 115 http://www.newgraham.com/spyderco_manix.htm
Spyderco Police and Military are great knives, but blade length is 4 and 4 1/8
Both companies will sharpen your knife for free, just pay $5 for shipping, but Benchmade will not sharpen serration and it will take time to get it back
The second option is to buy sharpener and knife. You will need about $45 for Spyderco sharpmaker, which is terrific tool and you will have about $80 left so you will be able to afford BM Griptilian with 440C for about $60 or
better version of Griptilian with D2 steel at http://www.cabelas.com for $80
or Spyderco Endura 4 for 50 - 60$ or Native for $40 at Wal-Mart.
If you want to spend all your money for knife, you can get
BM732 Ares for $103 at NGN http://www.newgraham.com/bm_732.htm,
if black blades OK for you, or you can get BM 730 Ares non coated for $99 at http://www.soonerstateknives.com/benchmadeares.htm
Spyderco Manix is very good choice $ 115 http://www.newgraham.com/spyderco_manix.htm
Spyderco Police and Military are great knives, but blade length is 4 and 4 1/8
Both companies will sharpen your knife for free, just pay $5 for shipping, but Benchmade will not sharpen serration and it will take time to get it back
The second option is to buy sharpener and knife. You will need about $45 for Spyderco sharpmaker, which is terrific tool and you will have about $80 left so you will be able to afford BM Griptilian with 440C for about $60 or
better version of Griptilian with D2 steel at http://www.cabelas.com for $80
or Spyderco Endura 4 for 50 - 60$ or Native for $40 at Wal-Mart.
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- Oct 29, 2005
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- 154
This year new Griptillians will upgrade to 154CM blades with BM's excellent treatment.
As a new knife nut you should try one of the Axis lock models; just for the fun factor if nothing else.
Benchmade 940, 941, 942, 943s look great, are tougher than hell and can be had for less than $125.
New Graham Knives is an honest dealer and a Sharpmaker would take care of all of your sharpening needs.
As a new knife nut you should try one of the Axis lock models; just for the fun factor if nothing else.
Benchmade 940, 941, 942, 943s look great, are tougher than hell and can be had for less than $125.
New Graham Knives is an honest dealer and a Sharpmaker would take care of all of your sharpening needs.
my vote is for the manix. I have not been happier with a knife purchase.
It feels perfect in the hand and has nice grippy G-10 handles and great S30V steel. Spyderco's also come verrrrry sharp out of the box. The lock is also the strongest lock spyderco makes. I personally prefer their lockback over any other lock.
It feels perfect in the hand and has nice grippy G-10 handles and great S30V steel. Spyderco's also come verrrrry sharp out of the box. The lock is also the strongest lock spyderco makes. I personally prefer their lockback over any other lock.
Thank you all for the help. Now all I have to do is decide between the manix and the ritter grip. Its always good to have a place to talk to people that are in the know before rushing in and buying something that you wont be happy with or worse, that dosn't perform.