Need suggestions on another knife..

R

Roscoe170

Joined
Feb 14, 2011
Messages
10
Good Evening.. Pls help me make up my mind. Im looking for another folder. Im no knife expert and thats why im here.. to learn. I own two folders, a benchmade (dont know the model) and a Spyderco Tenacious. I love my benchmade but i fell in love with the Tenacious. The thickness (of the Spyderco G10) doesn't bother me at all and when i flick the blade out (contrast to the benchmade which is rough) its very smooth.. Like i said, im no expert but the way it felt, cut (sharp) and the smoothness of it, it EASILY became my go to, edc. My question (for those who own several Spydercos).. Are all Spydercos this smoothe when you snap the blade out? I was thinking about getting the Native.. or the Manix2? This is my first Spyderco so im really impressed. Thats what im looking for on my next purchase, something that snaps out quickly, sharp out the box and durable. Doesnt HAVE to be Spyderco but again, im very impressed with it.
 
All Spyderco's are not like that. A lot of their knives are lockbacks, which are difficult to flip quickly at first (easy with practice, though). The Manix 2 is a great choice, it will be fast and durable. As for sharpness, that has to do with blade geometry and steel. Flat grinds and high hollow grinds are especially good for slicing (Tenacious is flat ground). What is your price range? The Spyderco Gayle Bradley sounds perfect for you, but most people who have 2 knives balk at paying $120 for a third.
 
Tsujigiri said:
All Spyderco's are not like that. A lot of their knives are lockbacks, which are difficult to flip quickly at first (easy with practice, though). The Manix 2 is a great choice, it will be fast and durable. As for sharpness, that has to do with blade geometry and steel. Flat grinds and high hollow grinds are especially good for slicing (Tenacious is flat ground). What is your price range? The Spyderco Gayle Bradley sounds perfect for you, but most people who have 2 knives balk at paying $120 for a third.
Click to expand...

This :thumbup:

Few pics
IMG_9127.jpg

this pic by Gofannon on Spyderco forum
manix2.jpg
 
Oh and btw, welcome to bladeforums! If you like the tenacious, you are in for a treat. Believe it or not, as great as that knife is, its on the lower end of the spyderco spectrum and I dont at all mean that in a bad way as that knife kicks butt. Spyderco has an (omit - obedience + abundance, WTF?) of options, you cant really go wrong with any, atleast in my experiences :thumbup: The native and manix 2 are both great choices but entirely two different monsters. If you wanna spoil yourself say to hay with that native and go Manix :D Its a cutter :thumbup: But certainly save the pennies for the native later down the line as its one of spydercos flagship models along with the delica, endura and dragonfly.
 
Last edited:
Thank you.. I was very surprised when i first got the Spyderco, the only blade i owned was a Benchmade (not saying ones better than the other) but it IS a big deal for me (the whole flicking to open) because if and when SHTF and I am in need i need it to work quickly. I dont want to say money is not an issue. It is a big issue because if i do buy something that costs $100.00, it has to be well worth my $100. My thing is why get something thats 150 bucks when you can get THE SAME quality (sometimes better) for less.
 
Roscoe170 said:
Thank you.. I was very surprised when i first got the Spyderco, the only blade i owned was a Benchmade (not saying ones better than the other) but it IS a big deal for me (the whole flicking to open) because if and when SHTF and I am in need i need it to work quickly. I dont want to say money is not an issue. It is a big issue because if i do buy something that costs $100.00, it has to be well worth my $100. My thing is why get something thats 150 bucks when you can get THE SAME quality (sometimes better) for less.
Click to expand...

Which Benchmade did you have? Any identifying markings, shape, material, features? They do make knives that open very smoothly and quickly. Also, have you taken a look at some of Kershaw's assisted openers?

But if you want to get your money's worth, the Gayle Bradley really is a great knife. It has the best fit and finish of any knife that I own, and the steel and edge geometry are phenomenal. They can do this because they found a contractor in Taiwan that builds to the highest standards, but isn't too expensive. The Manix 2 is very similar, but a little cheaper. The GB gives you an advantage in better finishing, carbon fiber instead of fiberglass, a thinner blade, and about the best steel you can get for toughness and edge retention. It's up to you whether it's worth it, but I consider the GB to be one of the best values I've bought, and I didn't even get it for that much less than the normal street price.
 
Roscoe170 said:
It is a big issue because if i do buy something that costs $100.00, it has to be well worth my $100. My thing is why get something thats 150 bucks when you can get THE SAME quality (sometimes better) for less.
Click to expand...

Good news, the spyderco manix 2 154cm hollow ground version (2nd pic I posted) is one of the best valued folders in moder times than Im aware of (thats not sayin a lot I guess :o) Its,USA MADE, 154cm steel, G10, skelo liners, cool lock mechanism, all for $75 +or-. Buy one, if you dont love it Ill buy it off ya as I need another hollow ground version anyway :D
 
The Bradley costs almost 2x as much as the 154cm manix but its about as nice as your gonna get for a production folder. Hit me up if you need some comparison shots.

WHen it discontinues (if it ever does that is) I forsee it being a $250-$300 spydie (the GB) so buying one now IMO is a win win.
 
dericdesmond said:
Good news, the spyderco manix 2 154cm hollow ground version (2nd pic I posted) is one of the best valued folders in moder times than Im aware of (thats not sayin a lot I guess :o) Its,USA MADE, 154cm steel, G10, skelo liners, cool lock mechanism, all for $75 +or-. Buy one, if you dont love it Ill buy it off ya as I need another hollow ground version anyway :D
Click to expand...

Very true, the Manix 2 is one of a handful of folders Spyderco has a lower profit margin on. And the Gayle Bradley is cheaper because of where it's made. You can't go wrong with either; they are both excellent values in Spyderco's product line.
 
Ill post a picture of the benchmade when i get home.. The only thing i can compare it to (looks) is MAYBE the Endura. Im open to other makers, the only reason why I said Spyderso was really, i was really impressed. Im no expert on blades so all this info is new to me and Im sure nobody here would suggest a Lorcin 380 (no offense to any owners, owned one myself) as their primary go to SHTF gun so whatever you suggest i will look in to it.
 
Roscoe170 said:
Ill post a picture of the benchmade when i get home.. The only thing i can compare it to (looks) is MAYBE the Endura. Im open to other makers, the only reason why I said Spyderso was really, i was really impressed. Im no expert on blades so all this info is new to me and Im sure nobody here would suggest a Lorcin 380 (no offense to any owners, owned one myself) as their primary go to SHTF gun so whatever you suggest i will look in to it.
Click to expand...

Probably a Pika or Pika 2, then. Those are red class knives (they don't make them anymore), so Chinese made value folders. That model in particular was pretty much the cheapest Benchmade you could buy, and not considered as well put together as similar designs like the Endura. You'll get a great knife with Spyderco, but Benchmade does do a lot better than the Pika 2.
 
Thanks.. I think that is what its called (Pika).. Still love it, now its just resting in my drawer..
 
like deric said, it only gets better. Manix 2 is an awesome heavy duty tough spydie. If you want to try out the lockbacks and don't want to shell out too much, pick up one of the FFG full flat grind Delicas which are available in some cool colors.

If you want nice handle material I would also recommend the Sage 1
 
Thanks, I'd appreciate that. The pictures you have above... Those are two different pictures right? I recognize the bottom one which is the manix but the one above it... maybe its the angle..... When I looked for the gayle.. It doesn't look like the one above.
 
Roscoe170 said:
Thanks, I'd appreciate that. The pictures you have above... Those are two different pictures right? I recognize the bottom one which is the manix but the one above it... maybe its the angle..... When I looked for the gayle.. It doesn't look like the one above.
Click to expand...

They're both Manix 2's, but the one on top is a rare s90v and carbon fiber sprint run version.
 
as others have mentioned, lockbacks are usually not very smooth and have a lot of resistance to being opened. Other than that, virtually all spydercos will be very smooth and low resistance. I'd recommend the paramilitary 2, but the manix 2 is also excellent.

If you're looking for crazy levels of smoothness, most Benchmade axis lock knives do a great job. The same can be said for the affordable Kershaw RAM. I'm also told, and will soon discover, that the CRKT Ripple and Eros are the smoothest production folders out there.
 
Last edited:
The Spyderco Gayle Bradley is also as smooth as glass when opened. However, if as you say a major role is SD, the lack of a "guard" might be a disadvantage.

bradley4.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
 
How about a Para 2? You get the smooth opening pivot with a MBC rated lock and a price point that's hard to beat. I love the blade shape too.
 
Hi Roscoe,

What size, weight and ergonomics are you looking for and what is the purpose of the blade - heavy use or EDC? Does it need to be easy one handed opening? What type of lock do you prefer axis, back, liner, frame, etc? Any city/state laws that will limit size or action?Answering any of these can help narrow choices quickly...JMHO

For $100 you have a ton of choices with Spyderco and Benchmade both new and on bladeforums (often like new).

All the aforementioned are great suggestions, Gayle Bradley is awesome but fairly large and heavy (~$120). Manix 2 (~$100) is also nice. How about the Sage 1, my current favorite EDC (~$90). Great ergos for medium sized hand. S30V steel FFG blade (3"), spydie hole (easy opening with all the tricks), grippy carbon fiber handle with solid Michael walker liner lock up and lastly the wire clip holds the knife deep in your pocket without shredding it. If you want to spend a bit more you can look at the Sage 2 and 3. Check out bluntruth4u - he does some great videos on u-tube among others...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxSCD4w9D9s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kh2appDiuE


If you are looking for something smaller the mini grip series are great. If you don't like the FRN handles try the BM (Benchmade) 707 Sequal or MB HK 14210 - great little knives, super smooth and fast. BM mini presidio, mini ultra and mini dejavoo also sweet!

Para 2 is also very nice but not a huge fan of the ergos of the compression lock.

Good luck!!
 
Im looking and doing research on all the knives you guys suggested. Appreciate it.. This is too much for me, im getting addicted, so many knives, so little time and money.

Marucusu, forgive me but im a newbie at knives so SOME of the things you said to me were just plain foreign. What I am interested in something that can easily be open with one hand, thats why i fell in love with the G-10 Tenacious, smooth as butter when i flick the blade. My whole thing (borderline obsession) with the smoothness of the blade opening is if something bad happens to one of my hands, i want to be able to utilize the knife with the other without struggling during a struggle (attacker) or an accident etc. As far as how it locks, i really dont know the pros and cons of the things mentioned, same with the steel. Again, im new to this. I dont know the difference between carbon, s3ov steel etc.. Im here to learn though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top