need help choosing

never too sharp

never too sharp

Joined
Mar 7, 2007
Messages
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I am currently looking for a new knife(really? you don't say). I don't yet own a Benchmade or Spyderco, so I think I will go with one of those. I am looking for something about the same size as a leek, which is just about the perfect size for my pocket.

As there are no places near me that carry either Benchmade or Spyderco, I can't handle the knives before I buy them, and pics and specs on the computer screen just don't seem to cut it.

If you suggest a Benchmade, I think I'de like an axis lock. If Spyderco, I'de prefer something other than the FRN handle. Those are my only qualifications, other than size(similar to leek).

Also, I can't seem to be able to make a choice between the Atwood Crawdaddy or Bottlebug. In the case of the crawdaddy, it would be nice to have something that would fit more than just a 1/2" nut. In the case of the bottlebug, I REALLY like beer. Maybe I should get both, and be able to carry two bits with me, but that kinda takes away from the whole "minimalist" thing.

Crawdaddy:
th18920505.jpg


Bottlebug:
th18920477.jpg
 
I'm not familiar with the Leek, but for BM I really like my Mini-Griptilian, and for Spyderco, my Delica. Just save time and get both, 'cuz you know you will eventually!
 
You might try the Spyderco Caly 3 in G10/VG10. It has a great blade steel and G10 scales over full steel liners.

If you want the same thing in a BM, try their H&K 14210, That's a 154CM blade and it also has full SS liners and G10 scales. The Caly 3 is just under $100, the 14210 is right at $100.
 
One of the best BM's I've got is the H&K 14210. Axis lock/Machined G 10 handle scales/Smooth as silk. If my small Sebenza is a 10 , the 14210 is an
8 or 9 at 1/3rd the price
 
Out of the two tools, I would recommend that you get the Crawdaddy. you can always use the butt end of it and open a beer like you would with a bic lighter. People always think thats interesting.
 
You guys answered that quick! I like the 14210 and the Caly 3, can't decide which one right yet. I'll probably wind up getting them both. My wife HATES this forum. Probably get the Crawdaddy, too. Never could get the tops off with a Bic, though. Most of my beer comes in a can these days, anyway. I stopped buying micro-brews and fancy-dancey imported stuff quite a while ago, unless you count Canadian as imported.

I have a question about the Caly 3. How is the thumb positioning on the mid-lock when it comes time to close it? I think that's why i like my liner/frame locks so much because it can be closed one handed without colapsing the blade against your leg. But then again, I've never handled a spyderco, so I don't know how smooth the action is. Maybe the blade just drops when unlocked like on my Mcusta or T2.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I hope my wireless works in the doghouse.
 
I'm a Spyderco fan thru and thru but I recently bought my first Benchmade Mini-Grip and I absolutely love the Axis lock. At any rate you can't go wrong with a BM Mini-Grip or Spyderco Delica - Both are durable, time tested knives with excellent steel.
 
If I'm not carrying my 14210, I'm carrying my Caly 3. The Caly 3's mid-lock closes very easily for me with the thumb on my knife hand, if that makes sense to you. I can easily move my thumb back far enough to reach the lockbar and press it. It's actually easier for me to close the Caly 3 with it's mid-lock than it is my 14210 with its AXIS studs. The blades on all of my folders are set so they do not fold by themselves when unlocked. I don't like a blade that loose. But both knives have adjustable pivots, so you can set them up however you like.

The only things I like about the 14210 over the Caly 3 are the open construction and the blade's edge profile (not bevel). I really like open construction knives and I'm even starting to like that little bit of recurve that the 14210's blade has. That Caly 3, OTOH, is a very simple and deceptively tough knife. Lockbacks (especially Spydercos) are a very secure and time-tested technology. VG10 is as good as it gets IMAO for a general purpose EDC blade steel. And Spyderco's G10 is second-to-none for quality and feel. The Caly 3's F&F is flawless. The liners have a nice machined finish to them and everything mates well on the knife.
 
Yeah... I know... No matter which one I carry, the other one makes me feel guilty.

Congratulations... you'll like them, I think. They are really capable of going anywhere from office to party to camping. They work well and they look good doing it.

And both can take as sharp an edge as you want to put on them. I have a rebeveled D4 in VG10 that's down to about 12 dps primary and 15 dps micro bevels. It cuts with the best of my flat ground blades. The 14210 I carry is sharp enough to push cut paper w/o me having to hold the edge of the paper. So I don't think you'll lack anything in the blade steel department.
 
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