Need Opinions on my Final 8 EDC...

[GatorMedic]

As others have mentioned, all of the knives you are considering are good knives, and it ultimately comes down to your preferences. But since you asked for others' opinions/experiences, I'll share mine. I've carried a Benchmade Bugout every day since I first got it in August 2017. That should tell you all you need to know about my preference. I'm a knife nut who literally sold all my other knives except my original blue Bugout and a green Bugout I have as a backup for if/when my blue one bites the dust or gets lost. Over the years I've owned a few Mini Griptilians, two full size Griptilians, and a Mini Presidio first generation. All were good knives, but I obviously like the Bugout above all of them. In fact I chose the Bugout over several more expensive knives I used to own. I prefer the axis lock over the locks Spyderco uses, and I hate how wide Spydercos sit in the pocket, taking up too much real estate in my opinion. To me, the Bugout has been worth every single penny of the $115 I spent on mine because I'm currently at 1,277 days of every day carry with it and counting. That equates to about 9 cents a day if I'm doing the math right. It has done everything I've asked of it, and done it exceedingly well. I can't recommend the knife enough. However, it comes down to personal preference as all on your list cut well. I hope you get as many happy years out of your future knife as I have with my Bugout.

 

[TripleB67]

I'll share mine. I've carried a Benchmade Bugout every day since I first got it in August 2017. That should tell you all you need to know about my preference. I'm a knife nut who literally sold all my other knives except my original blue Bugout and a green Bugout I have as a backup for if/when my blue one bites the dust or gets lost.

I hate how wide Spydercos sit in the pocket, taking up too much real estate in my opinion.

Wow, that's an impressive commendation!

The more I "play" with it, the more I seem to like it. I look forward to comparing it side by side the Sage 5 and Mini Griptilians (thumb stud and hole versions).

It reminded me another knife but I couldn't think of which one and then it came to me...the Ontario Rat 2. In the fact that it's very slinder for it's blade size and it basically disappears in the pocket. But the Bugout offers a deep pocket clip and a much more fidget fun factor.

Again, I appreciate your input!!!

TripleB67

 

[whp]

Of your list my personal favorites are the Griptilian and Manix, both with s30v steel. But if a 3.4 inch blade is too big, the mini Griptilian with s30v steel would be a very useful knife.
I ,too, recommend another look at Cold Steel. Ive heard they are going to make the Holdout III available again this year. At three inches of thin blade of s35vn, it is light, strong, slices like a laser, and holds an edge with a fine heat treatment. I currently carry one loose in my pocket as a second edc. First time I ve carried an edc as small as 3 inches. I carry a Lawman, a PM2, or Manix 2 as my main knife,iwb, but I find myself using the Holdout 3 for most of my work.

 

[Chapp]

Wow, that's an impressive commendation!

The more I "play" with it, the more I seem to like it. I look forward to comparing it side by side the Sage 5 and Mini Griptilians (thumb stud and hole versions).

It reminded me another knife but I couldn't think of which one and then it came to me...the Ontario Rat 2. In the fact that it's very slinder for it's blade size and it basically disappears in the pocket. But the Bugout offers a deep pocket clip and a much more fidget fun factor.

Again, I appreciate your input!!!

TripleB67

The bugout is superior to the rat-2 in every points.

Way stronger lock, same handle lenght but more blade, way better steel, simplier construction, longer grip area, lighter...

It costs 4 times the price, but you get a way more refined knife. If you liked the Rat2, the bugout will be a knife for you.

 

[TripleB67]

The bugout is superior to the rat-2 in every points.

I completely agree. I was just saying the Bugout reminded me of my Rat 2 (that my 13 year old has recently claimed as his own) in the fact it isn't as wide as some other knives (Para 3, Sage 5, etc) and disappears nicely in the pocket... doesn't get in your way when you're reaching in your pocket.

TripleB67

 

[TripleB67]

Has anyone got their hands on a CF-Elite Handle Bugout or Mini-Bugout? I know the CF-Elite handle is more rigid (and lighter), but is the CF-Elite handle just as grippy as the Grivory handle?

Also, as you use/sharpen a knife that has a Black "Diamond Like Carbon Coated" S30V blade, will the black easily come off and get scratched up?

Thanks!

TripleB67

 

[sabre cat]

The bugout is superior to the rat-2 in every points.

Way stronger lock, same handle lenght but more blade, way better steel, simplier construction, longer grip area, lighter...

It costs 4 times the price, but you get a way more refined knife. If you liked the Rat2, the bugout will be a knife for you.

Agreed. The Bugout is an excellent folder.

If I ever loose my 531, a Bugout will probably replace it.

 

[TripleB67]

Brand new knives often have a "break in" period regarding their action. The action generally improves with fidgeting/opening-closing/use.

How long does this typically take? I've been playing around with the Para 3 LW, off and on, for about a week now and it hasn't improved.

Bugout or Para 3 lightweight. Easy choices imo. I'd take both if I was you. If you get bored one, you carry the other.
.

Any chance you've tried a CF Elite handle Bugout? I know it's supposed to be more rigid and weigh a little less, but I'm wondering if the grip is as good as the standard Grivory handles.

I've carried a Benchmade Bugout every day since I first got it in August 2017.

Have the Grivory handles held up well? I see that both Bugouts are now available with CF Elite handles (supposed to be more rigid, not sure about the grippiness) at a higher price.

One thing I've noticed is that the Mini Grip does seem a bit small ..but not really when I'm using it for knife purposes, but when I'm fidgeting with it. With larger hands I tend to have it resting in part of my palm, so if I'm not careful, when I flick it shut I almost nicks my palm because the smaller size makes it rest deeper in my palm than say the Bugout. The Mini Grip seems to be a better size for my daily needs, but fidgeting with it I tend to like the Bugout better.

Thanks for everyone's input!

TripleB67

 

[GatorMedic]

Have the Grivory handles held up well? I see that both Bugouts are now available with CF Elite handles (supposed to be more rigid, not sure about the grippiness) at a higher price.

They've held up perfectly. No scratches or other wear marks on them. Fits well in the hand and grips well.

 

[Chronovore]

How long does this typically take? I've been playing around with the Para 3 LW, off and on, for about a week now and it hasn't improved...

I don't have experience with the Para 3 but it can depend.

Whenever I get a new knife, I fully disassemble it, inspect the internals, clean it thoroughly and strip away the factory goo with isopropyl alcohol, wipe down metal surfaces with regular mineral oil (the non-toxic kind they sell at drug stores), lubricate any moving parts with a quality oil (I use non-toxic Lubriplate FMO 350-AW), and work on tuning it just right upon reassembly.

That might seem like a chore but it really helps me to get to know my EDC knives. It guarantees a non-toxic start for something that is going to ride in my pocket all day. It also tends to improve action. Having been doing this for years and trying out a lot of EDC knives, "break in" never seems to be starting from the bottom of a hill if that makes sense.

 

[TripleB67]

See post #24:

The further along I get in this decision the more and more it seems you are correct!

I've tried it beside the Para 3 LW, the Mini Griptilian, the Griptilian, and the Bugout...right now the Sage 5 LW is the best all around.

Griptilian: don't care for this one much at all...too large, too plastic feeling, opening/closing super stiff (not smooth at all), least sharp one of the five...the only thing I like is the blacked out look

Mini Griptilian: love the blade size, super smooth action, great weight to it (solid feeling), actually like where these thumb studs fall better than most...not near as sharp as either of the Spyderco knives

Bugout: have grown to really like this knife - disappears in pocket, silky smooth action, very high fun fidget factor (probably most of the bunch), like the deep pocket carry, the blue has grown on me (although the spacers/thumb studs not matching bothered me at first), but actually love the feel of the scales...not quite as sharp as the Spyderco knives, not as solid feeling as the Mini Grip, and at times seems like the blade is larger than I need for my EDC

Para 3 Lightweight: love the shape and the fact that it takes up less pocket space than the Sage 5 LW - to be honest I can't give this one a fair chance right now because of how stiff the action is on this (not fun opening, not fun closing...no fun fidget factor at all), if the action of this one was identical to the Sage 5 it might be close to the Sage 5 LW in the standings just because it fills less space in the pocket...but the blade on the Sage is dead center, the blade on the Para 3 isn't even close; the other concern would be that the Sage comes with S30V and the Para comes with BD1N

Sage 5 Lightweight: love about everything about this knife except for the extra space it takes up in the pocket compared to all the others (except the Griptilian) and the extra wide blade - when comparing it side by side knives like the Rat 2, Mini Grip, Bugout, etc. it just looks so wide...extremely smooth action, sharp as a tack, great blade size, incredible fun fidget factor, always loved the hole for opening, the compression lock is a dream

I would really like to try the Mini Grip with the thumb hole and the Mini Bugout...hopefully I'll get the chance before I make a decision.

Right now I'd rank them: Sage 5 LW, Mini Grip w/TS, Bugout, Para 3 LW, Griptilian

TripleB67

 

[TripleB67]

Mini Presidio 2...
It is nice and solid feeling without being heavy or bulky and it is comfortable in hand. I really love that knife

I appreciate that input...will definitely take a close look at it. I see some retailers say that it's out of stock and discontinued, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case, right?

In regards to the Para 3, I loosened up the pivot screws and the action is a hundred times better than it was, opening and closing very similarly to the Sage 5 LW.

Question: How much better is S30V (Sage 5 LW) than BD1N (Para 3 LW)?

Thanks!

TripleB67

update: it's basically down to three models...Sage 5 LW, Para 3 LW, Bugout

 

[PirateSeulb]

It is hard to quantitatively say the difference in S30V and BD1N as grind and heat treatment will impact how each preforms. BD1N is definitely a budget steel and S30V is definitely more premium. I would say S30V will overall serve you better but you won't be disappointed by BD1N.

 

[TripleB67]

I would say S30V will overall serve you better but you won't be disappointed by BD1N.

Thank you very much for letting me know that...makes me feel better about choosing the Para 3 LW if I go that route.

I've definitely got it narrowed down to the Sage 5 LW, Para 3 LW, and the Bugout.

Both the Spyderco knives win the fun fidget factor and sharpness in cutting categories, while the Bugout wins the "I can't even tell I'm carrying a knife" category (I could feel the Para 3 LW pulling on my warm up pants...couldn't tell the Bugout was there).

TripleB67

 

[TripleB67]

And then there were two: the Spyderco Sage 5 Lightweight and the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight (with black DLC blade).

Thanks for all the input and help!

TripleB67

 

[el gigantor]

This has become a saga for the ages!

 

[DMG]

I am starting to feel more invested in this knife purchase than one of my own. Fwiw, I suggest Bugout, Native Salt or thumb hole Griptilian.

 

[Velitrius]

If I ever loose my 531, a Bugout will probably replace it.

I carried a 530 for a long time. Only thing I wish it had were a drop point blade, deep carry clip, better thumb stud and better steel.

The Bugout offered all of those things, and it was thinner and lighter to boot. So I bought it and gave away the 530.

Like GatorMedic , I have carried the Bugout the most out of everything I own since I brought it home.

Absolutely nothing wrong with the 530 and 531, they're awesome, but the Bugout is a cut above both.

 

[Lee D]

And then there were two: the Spyderco Sage 5 Lightweight and the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight (with black DLC blade).



Thanks for all the input and help!

TripleB67

I vote flip a coin

 

[sabre cat]

I carried a 530 for a long time. Only thing I wish it had were a drop point blade, deep carry clip, better thumb stud and better steel...

I have no problem with the 531 thumb stud and the steel is acceptable for my needs.

I did switch to a deep carry pocket clip. It made all the difference in the world.