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Needing a new Flipper EDC
- Thread starter CluelessEDC
- Start date
NJBillK
Custom Leather and Fixed Blade modifications.
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- Mar 27, 2014
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I do feel that aside from m390 (which is comparable), I have found few steels that I prefer over M4 in a production blade (Cruwear being one of them). I cut between 40'-60' of double walled cardboard, 100'-150' of plastic up to 1/16" thick, and various other warehouse and shipping materials daily and I will go 4-5 days between touch ups on anything other than a strop.
Normally I go to a 600 grit or a fine diamond dmt and strop that up a bit and that will hold me for 2 days, though I strop daily for peace of mind (and out of habit of using lesser steels). If I do have to touch it up with a stone, I use a ceramic rod I keep in my glove box and that gets me through the work week after one touch up usually.
Normally I go to a 600 grit or a fine diamond dmt and strop that up a bit and that will hold me for 2 days, though I strop daily for peace of mind (and out of habit of using lesser steels). If I do have to touch it up with a stone, I use a ceramic rod I keep in my glove box and that gets me through the work week after one touch up usually.
I was referring to doing some regular maintenance (eg. stropping, or just routine touch-ups on something like the Sharpmaker), vs. just using it until it's too dull. The maintenance in bringing a still-slightly-sharp edge back to super-sharp tends to be much easier than re-sharpening a dull edge entirely. That said, just doing regular touch-ups with any of the "super steels" can essentially keep your blade very sharp almost indefinitely, so unless you are doing a lot of cutting between touch-ups, the wear resistance difference between Elmax and M4 might actually not be that noticeable.
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A certain site named after a large river has the tan southard for $198...
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- Oct 1, 2015
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I REALLY need to read up on doing touch-ups on my knives. I see that there is about a $60 difference between the two and if I'm not going to see the difference, I might not spend the extra coin.
Thank you for your input!
This is a game-changer when it comes to owning nice knives. You don't need to devote a ton of time, money, and energy to mastering the art, but being competent with the basics changes the way you make your buying choices and lets you get a lot more out of your knives. A Spyderco Sharpmaker runs about $65, and pays for itself quickly if you're currently sending your knives out to be sharpened. (Not to mention the fact that dull knives are dangerous knives, sharp knives are easier to use and impress people, enzo.)
It's a bit like simple car maintenanceyou don't need to know how to replace a transmission, but you should be able to check the tire pressure and change the oil at the very least.
The reason it's hard to find someone to sharpen your serrated blades is simply that it's difficult to do. Serrations give you a cutting edge that will stay functional for longer under hard use, but they lack the versatility of a fine edge, and once you've worn through them, that's pretty much it. With a few exceptions, good knives with decent steels and proper maintenance shouldn't need them, so with all their downsides (have you ever tried to cut fruit or make a sandwich with a serrated knife?) it's usually better to dispense with them altogether for an EDC knife.
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This is exactly what I was going to recommend.
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In this case you are a very fortunate individual. You get to try them all out - at least hold them and flip them and get the general ergos figured out. I recommend that you flip a few Southards. These carry very easily and are very sturdy knives with a blade that will hold an edge. Flip a few though because as I understand and from my own experience, they are not all equal. The black might be better than the brown. I do know that I much preferred the Southard to the Domino - but that is my preference and is not born out by everyone.
AND - please do yourself a HUGE FAVOR and watch the videos of how to use the Tri Angle Sharpmaker by Spyderco. It is such an easy way to maintain an edge of plain and serrated knife blades among other tools. Set your self free and learn how to keep a good edge sharp. The Sharpmaker is cheap and works well. If you damage an edge or need reprofilng then you can send it out (though the SM with additional rods can handle most anything) but for day to day caring of a good knife edge it is well worth the effort and great satisfaction to take care of your own.
Sorry - I'm repeating what others have posted ... We care
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- Apr 3, 2011
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I sharpen serrations if you ever need it.
You also may want to keep an eye out for a used Emerson Sheepdog... Or consider Reate... The District 9 is particularly nice. It's slightly larger blade wise than what you're looking for but you can send it to me and I'll shorten it for ya 😉
You also may want to keep an eye out for a used Emerson Sheepdog... Or consider Reate... The District 9 is particularly nice. It's slightly larger blade wise than what you're looking for but you can send it to me and I'll shorten it for ya 😉
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Good answer right here.
miltmaldo
Gold Member
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- Feb 5, 2012
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People forget how great the ZT 801 is . It's been around for three years or so still one great flipper . I prefer it over the Domino and the Southard . I hit bit heavy but one nice looking knife . I will also say with a little luck you can get a Brous mini division at the exchange for 200 . probably my best flipper .
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Got this in yesterday. Pretty sweet...
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- Jun 24, 2015
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I can highly recommend the Kizer Gemini:
S35VN steel, contoured titanium handle, anodized titanium hardware and clip, caged ceramic bearings, ceramic detent, steel lock bar insert, designed by Ray Laconico--all for $170: http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KU...pper-s35vn-stonewashed-blade-titanium-handles
As far as your friend's claim that Brous Blades' production stuff "is almost like production custom," I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. I've owned a Bionic 2.0, a Sniper (recently released), and have handled many more. The quality is extremely hit or miss. The Sniper I got had atrocious fit and finish issues.
You my friend... Are so right. Kizer Gemini FTW!
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In this case you are a very fortunate individual. You get to try them all out - at least hold them and flip them and get the general ergos figured out. I recommend that you flip a few Southards. These carry very easily and are very sturdy knives with a blade that will hold an edge. Flip a few though because as I understand and from my own experience, they are not all equal. The black might be better than the brown. I do know that I much preferred the Southard to the Domino - but that is my preference and is not born out by everyone.
AND - please do yourself a HUGE FAVOR and watch the videos of how to use the Tri Angle Sharpmaker by Spyderco. It is such an easy way to maintain an edge of plain and serrated knife blades among other tools. Set your self free and learn how to keep a good edge sharp. The Sharpmaker is cheap and works well. If you damage an edge or need reprofilng then you can send it out (though the SM with additional rods can handle most anything) but for day to day caring of a good knife edge it is well worth the effort and great satisfaction to take care of your own.
Sorry - I'm repeating what others have posted ... We care
I went to the Spyderco store today to drop off my Cricket for some warranty work, and they were able to sharpen the serrations on the Native for me, so that was a plus! I watched him use the Sharpmaker and definitely will be picking one up in the very near future.
I was not overly impressed with the Domino or the Southard unfortunately. But, in talking with the store rep, he mentioned that the Positron should be available any day now. If that knife is anything like the pictures I have seen floating around, I will be purchasing one the day they hit the shelf. I currently have S30V steel in my Native, and for my purposes, it is a great blade steel.
No worries on the repetition!
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I don't care for the looks of the Emerson, but thank you. The Reate is nice, but I'd prefer to buy something from the factory in the size I can carry.
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Not a fan of the ZT or the Brous mentioned, but thank you!
I placed an order for the 0770CF and should have it Monday. I wanted to check out the "cheaper" version before dropping the coin on the CPM M4 version. That knife is a sweet looker, that's for sure!
Beautiful knife, just can't seem to find them anywhere.
Even if you don't want to learn to do a full and proper sharpening, do yourself a favour and pick up a Spyderco double stuff. Even with my very limited patience I can maintain a great edge with light touchups on it.