Need help deciding!!

J

jonmok

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Jan 26, 2003
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91
I am looking for an EDC, and need some advice. I have not actually handled any of these knives, but I think I have narrowed it down to these.

Spyderco ATR - stainless (can the titanium still be found, and if so, how much better is the titanium version?)

Buck Mayo - titanium with S30V

Benchmade Mini-Skirmish

As you can see by my choices, I am looking for metal handle knives with premium blade steel. Any other recommendations or advice on tehse knives would be greatly appreciated.

I want to stay UNDER $200
 
The ATR is a fine knife. They had some problems with the Titanium ones I think. I know several people that returned them for some fingernail on the blackboard sounds the lock made when engaged and when disengaging it.

The stainless ones I've had were flawless and silky smooth so I would not hesistate to recommend those. The only thing I don't like about all metal knives like that is that they get damn cold in the winter time. The only real negative I saw on the ATR I had and sold was the pocket clip. It was much too tight for my tastes but it is possible to bend it out some so it doesn't grab so much. Even still it rides a bit high in the pocket for my personal tastes.

I have not had the opportunity to handle either of the other two you mentioned but hear from others that they are great knives.
 
i am not a spyderco fan. not saying they are not good knives, or you shouldnt like them. just my opinion.

i like benchmades. the action is smooth, and lightning fast. i love the axis lock. i would buy another one in a second.
 
THAT is a tough choice, as all the knives you picked are outstanding. I can speak for the Buck/Mayo TNT; as it is an excellent, excellent, excellent knife!! Perfect size for EDC! I am sure others will chime in about the other knives!! Spyderco's are fantastic knives; I highly recoomend them. And Benchmade are great too; especially the one you have chosen.
 
I like the blade design on the Buck-Mayo better than the blade design of the ATR or the Mini-Skirmish.

Another possible is the Camillus CUDA EDC (designed by custom knife maker Darrell Ralph).

And there's also some new Spyderco folders coming out--check the Spyderco forum for more info.
And we cannot forget the Benchmade Bali-Song knives.

Happy hunting,
Allen.
 
You might want to look at an Emerson Commander. Great ergonomics, very useful "wave" feature, and G-10 scales for better grip and thermo characteristics.
 
the para and emerson are good knives, but i was wanting something with a metal handle this time.

i have a BM 710M2 for the other stuff
 
Ohh, true, true...I'd recommend the mini skirmish then....absolutely top notch fit and finish, s30v, I really like how the handle feels, very ergonomic, the lockup couldn't be better in the two I've played with, and it just has a really solid feel. And I like Benchmade anyway. It's a little far out looking for my tastes, but still beautiful.
 
I love the Skirmish design. That said the regular Skirmish is too big overall and the Mini-Skirmish's handle is too small in my hands. Guess Benchmade needs to make a Not-So-Mini Skirmish.
 
Of the three you've listed, I'd go with the Buck Mayo. It's a smaller knife in comparison to the others but still great in performaance. The blade opens and closes with and almost unbelieveable smoothness. Mine still does so after a couple of weeks of use.

The ATR is great, IMHO. Another one for very smooth opening and closing. The handle is very ergonomic and the compression lock seems sturdy. It's larger than the Buck Mayo. If you've larger, harder tasks where a larger blade is needed for EDC, you'd like this one.

The Ti ATR can still be found sometimes on the Selling/ Trading Forums or some auction site. I've seen the Ti vesion go for about 180.00 to 200.00. But, the SS version is just as good as the Ti version with less cost.

I haven't handled the Skirmish.


Others that may fit the billl are the BM 940 and 710. I agree with others who said to take a look at the new Spyderco offerings. Spyderco has been putting out a lot of knives this year, each one well conceived, made and of consistent quality. Hope this helps.
 
I wouldn't get any of them.

That is until I actually had a chance to see what they look and feel like up close and personal. If there is a gun show or a good gun/knife dealer around, before I dropped big bucks on something I regreted later, I would swing by and take a close look at each.

They all look great in pictures.

All the knives mentioned are quality so it gets down to fit and personal preference.

I like the BM Skirmish but thats just me.
 
DGG said:
I wouldn't get any of them.

That is until I actually had a chance to see what they look and feel like up close and personal. If there is a gun show or a good gun/knife dealer around, before I dropped big bucks on something I regreted later, I would swing by and take a close look at each.

They all look great in pictures.

All the knives mentioned are quality so it gets down to fit and personal preference.

I like the BM Skirmish but thats just me.
Click to expand...
I could post the same as the above, except I would choose the Buck/Mayo, and I have owned both of them, at the present only the Buck/Mayo.
 
It is true the axis lock folders are silky smooth. But the stainless steel ATRs I have had were every bit as smooth for action when opening and closing the blade. So much so that the one I Waved for a customer and fellow forum member was just as easy to use as my Waved 420 Resistor by BenchMade.
These two are the top choices I'd pick for a waved folder outside of factory ones. In fact I'd have to say both the ATR and my 420 are smoother and easier to use as well as easier on pockets than anything else I've ever used factory or not.
 
Two metal handled models you might want to consider:

Camillius Dominator, s30v clip or tanto blade with titanium handles and frame lock

BM Presidio or mini Presidio, 154cm blade and aluminum handles with axis lock has a reputation for being very rugged.

I like the stainless ATR over the skirmish but I would agree with a previous poster that the blade shape of the Buck/Mayo is probably most useful.

Good Luck
 
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