New EDC Knife under $400

js1badsti said:
I would second the bad monkey from southern grind
Click to expand...

That one, too. I have the Spider Monkey, not the larger Bad Monkey that would suit the OP's requirements, but that smaller version is a very solid little knife. I expect its big brother would be of comparable quality. The only caveat might be the blade steel--my Spider is S35VN, one of my favorite steels. The Bad Monkey is in 14C28N, a steel with which I am unfamiliar. Anyone have some knowledge or a comparable to pass along on the latter?
 
Ah, I can help here... my Blur is 14C28N. It takes an edge incredibly well, but doesn't amaze with the edge holding. Honestly, the only steels I've worked with a lot are 14C28N, 440C, 154CM, and S30V, so I don't have a lot of reference points. I'd say it's similar to 154CM. Not the best edge retention, but relatively tough and easy to sharpen. Hope it helps... I don't think I'd like the steel in a $120+ knife though.
 
I'm quite interested in that M4/CF 908 Benchmade that a lot of guys seemed to like. I might go with that one, but I'd like to ask if M4 steel really does have bad corrosion resistance, and how it compares to S30V (I know it's better in general)

Also, how does Cerakote compare to DLC?

Thanks again guys.
 
AsianBeerCan said:
I'm quite interested in that M4/CF 908 Benchmade that a lot of guys seemed to like. I might go with that one, but I'd like to ask if M4 steel really does have bad corrosion resistance, and how it compares to S30V (I know it's better in general)

Also, how does Cerakote compare to DLC?

Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input and comparisons on 14C28N in your first post above. I was completely unfamiliar with it.

I have the 908-1501 and flat-out love that knife. Honestly though, it hasn't seen hard use, so I can't speak to the M4 or Cerakote in that knife specifically. However, I do have a couple of black-bladed Griptilians, one of which I sometimes use for work, and the coating on it has held up very well. As to the M4, I have that steel in my Spyderco Gayle Bradley and have used and carried that one a fair amount in our foggy Cape Cod climate. There's been no sign of corrosion on the M4 whatsoever. I think that any of these "almost stainless" tool steels (my D2 710 being another) will hold up very well as long as one takes the time to wipe off the blade and not leave a bunch of corrosive contaminants jammed into the pivot/tang area or in between the liners/scales.

I can't recommend the 908-1501 enough. Benchmade does CF so well, and this one is the best I've handled. Blade shape, steel, open construction, F&F, clip, looks, feel in hand, even the price--just WOW! You think I'm a big fan-boy for this one maybe?

JCGEjUZ.jpg
 
AsianBeerCan said:
Hello BladeForums,

I recently broke my Kershaw Blur's blade after an accident regarding a dumb friend and a jammed shredder...
Click to expand...

Oh, I forgot to ask, you did break the blade off in the shredder, not your dumb friend, right?
 
AsianBeerCan said:
I recently broke my Kershaw Blur's blade after an accident regarding a dumb friend and a jammed shredder...
Click to expand...

Well, that seems a bit extreme, but if your Blur couldn't stand up to a little attempted second-degree murder, I agree that it's time for something else.

Is there a particular reason for your "dislike of non-coated blades?" Corrosion and cutting performance are usually better solved in other ways; if it's specifically a black coating you want (for the color), that's probably a more useful thing to know before people start recommending knives with clear coats for the wrong reason.
 
Of course my own lack of detail comes back to bite :P

I actually just dislike non-black blades. I'm okay with satin and mirror polished blades, but stonewashed/bead-blasted/duller blade finishes just turn me off. Maybe I should have just said that because it conveys my request much more clearly...

And about the blade... looks like my friend will have a little bit of 14C28N in him for a long time to come. (Just kidding, he broke it prying in the shredder)
 
I am a fellow lefty and Id say get the zt 804! It works great in the laft hand its black, its m390 and its rexford. The finish is ridiculously strong, i use it everyday at work and i work in the field it gets tossed around in my climbing harness with bolts and tools and still hardly has a scratch. Its the perfect knife imo. Also just got a lefty sebebza 25 which is also sweet as my first true left handed knife. Im so used to right hand it feels weird to me.
 
If you can get past the knife being domestic made, Cold Steel has some great values. The Amercan Lawman and Recon1 might be worth a look.
 
whp said:
If you can get past the knife being domestic made, Cold Steel has some great values. The Amercan Lawman and Recon1 might be worth a look.
Click to expand...

I agree. I just got the regular Recon 1 cts-xhp and actually like it a lot so far. I do wish it was American made but Taiwan makes good knives too as we see in quite a few manufacturers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top