New EDC carry suggestions

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Wormy1

Joined
Dec 15, 2019
Messages
56
Hi all,

Longtime lurker jere with my first post. I am looking for advice on new EDC knife. I recently lost my Kershaw Chive that I carried for about 12 years. I enjoyed the knife especially the size but the blade material was lacking. For a replacement I have been looking at the following.

  1. Benchmade mini grip g10
  2. Spyderco lil native
  3. zero tolerance sinkevich 0450cf
I have handled all 3 and I like the action of the mini grip the best. I like the size of the lil native but do not care for the shape of the blade that much. For the Zt I really like the feel of the carbon fiber and the thinness of it but the deployment of the knife was not as smooth as the other two and it is the biggest of the 3. Any input and advice would be greatly appreciated on this.

Thank you all
 
You really can’t go wrong with the mini grip. Something to consider also is you could get the cheaper, plastic version and get a set of custom scales for it, you have a ton of options for scales for the mini grip.
 
What do you use your EDC knife for?' Ive handled a full size Grip, regular size Native, and owned the 0450.

I'm surprised you said the ZT had poor deployment, it was the smoothest flipper I ever used and I had two different pieces to compare. It's the largest but for me that's good because I think it's a good sized knife wouldn't want to go much smaller. It's also slim and sits in the pocket quite well.

I've heard good things about the Lil Native but beyond that can't offer much other than Spyderco is always great quality.

The full size Griptilian I handled was one fo the most comfortable in the hand I've ever held, and I know the mini Grip is comparable in size to the Delica which is IMO a perfect size EDC.

I say get the one that is the most comfortable to use for your tasks.
 
For the zt it took a lot of pressure to the blade to get it to deploy. The actual movement of the blade was very smooth. I apologize for not explaining it that way the first time. My uses would be opening boxes,sharpening carpenter's pencils,light camping and such. While I do not abuse knives by prying on things and removing screws :) I do want to ha e the ability to cut different materials. I should also mention that while I do a good bit of side work (handyman) My main job is a desk job
lieferung said:
What do you use your EDC knife for?' Ive handled a full size Grip, regular size Native, and owned the 0450.

I'm surprised you said the ZT had poor deployment, it was the smoothest flipper I ever used and I had two different pieces to compare. It's the largest but for me that's good because I think it's a good sized knife wouldn't want to go much smaller. It's also slim and sits in the pocket quite well.

I've heard good things about the Lil Native but beyond that can't offer much other than Spyderco is always great quality.

The full size Griptilian I handled was one fo the most comfortable in the hand I've ever held, and I know the mini Grip is comparable in size to the Delica which is IMO a perfect size EDC.

I say get the one that is the most comfortable to use for your tasks.
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You can get another Chive. If you’re wanting to try a different steel, the Link is offered in S35VN, and M390. It’s assisted opening. The Bareknuckle is offered in M390. Both are good knives
 
For me I’d go with the benchmade or spyderco. I own both myself. It’s a coin flip day to day for which I’d rather carry. Can’t go wrong either way. As for the blade shape of the native it will grow on you and appreciate how well it slices and functions. I own ZTs also but not a huge fan. To heavy and over built.
 
I've got a Mini-Grip and a Native LW. The Native feels great in hand using the choil. But you lose a good bit of cutting edge. The Grip is all edge. Get the Grip.
 
Wormy1 said:
For the zt it took a lot of pressure to the blade to get it to deploy. The actual movement of the blade was very smooth. I apologize for not explaining it that way the first time. My uses would be opening boxes,sharpening carpenter's pencils,light camping and such. While I do not abuse knives by prying on things and removing screws :) I do want to ha e the ability to cut different materials. I should also mention that while I do a good bit of side work (handyman) My main job is a desk job
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Of the three knives you are considering, I would recommend the Mini Grip for the tasks you described.

Again can't comment directly on the Lil Native, but the ZT0450 is a great office and light use knife, but for any sort of work cutting (carpenter pencils or camping tasks) I personally wouldn't consider it. The handle was too small.
 
Personally I would choose the grip or native. I've owned standard grip,great knife and regret letting it go. Haven't had a lil native but had a native 5 ,probably the best modern I've ever owned.
I would probably choose the grip simply because of the axis lock,I'm not a fan of the compression lock. This is just my preference, the compression lock is fine I'd just prefer the axis
 
I had a mini grip with d2 along time back. With the reverse tanto that is now my favorite blade shape.

I've since strayed away from the smaller knives. Knife length doesnt really matter to me since my pockets are deeper than a full size is long. However I dont like handles that are thick like the griptilians.

Any knife will work with decent steel.

Benchmade 940, kershaw skyline, zt 0350, bench 560.
Of these I've had the 940 might fit you the best a slimmer knife but still bigger than a mini to do some real work.
The benchmade bug out. Is a smallish knife decent steel I feel alittle over priced but a good knife. I'd pick it over a mini grip just for the thinner handle
I've had all these but never together. I have one at a time use it till I break them or lose them then get something else

Good luck.
 
I've got a native 5 lw and a full size grip and they both see plenty if use and hold up without issue. Got the woman a mini grip for xmas and it was surprisingly comfortable for the size, not a bad lil knife
 
kingston73 said:
You really can’t go wrong with the mini grip. Something to consider also is you could get the cheaper, plastic version and get a set of custom scales for it, you have a ton of options for scales for the mini grip.
Click to expand...

This is a great suggestion. It will cost you a bit more, but I love my full sized grip with custom G10 scales. It is thinner and more personal. You could even get carbon fiber if you wanted.
 
I'm surprised the ZT you tried isn't smooth.

Those blades you mentioned are quite different in size.

Personally,
1 BM. G10 + 20CV is a nice combo.
2 ZT. Not a fan of carbon fiber myself. I find it kinda slippery. YMMV.
3 Spyderco. It's just too darn small for me.

Have you looked at the Spyderco Para 3?
 
Any on your list would be great, my only gripe on the 0450cf is the thickness behind the edge. Otherwise it's a great knife, action is awesome, and I love the look of the CF with the DLC blade.

Oh, and I have to recommend the 535 Bugout as well. My favorite EDC office carry knife ever.
 
Mini Grip. I have never been tempted by any Spyderco or ZT, so my opinion isn't fully informed, but the Axis lock is the shizzle. My full-sized Griptilian is a fine knife, but bigger than I care to carry. Make mine with an orange or OD handle and a blade that isn’t black or serrated.
 
Follow your heart

No matter what choice you'll make, you'll eventually wonder "what if", and buy the others sooner or later
 
we all get a little bored with our knifes ! may I suggest a CRK's sebenza 21 or Inkosi both have worked vary well as a EDC for me,OH and welcome to the forum, wish you grate luck;)
 
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