new edc: vg-10 or 154cm?

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wyM1Aguy

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Jun 20, 2003
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I am a newbie on the forums, but am looking for my first "real" quality edc folder. I work in IT so the majority of my use would be cutting cardboard, strapping, maybe a little wire stripping.

That said I am not a knife expert and do not know the first thing about keeping a good knife sharp (links to sharpening instructions would be much appreciated).

Anyway I visited my local knife shop and I found two folders that I really liked.

One was the Spyderco Viele in VG-10 and the other was the Benchmade mini-grip in 154CM.

Question: Which of these would be easier for a noob like me to take care of and keep sharp?

Are there other knives/brands I should be looking at in the <$100 range?

Thanks for the help!
 
It's apples to oranges on those two steels, they sharpen and perform simillar. I would give the nod to VG-10 especially in ease of sharpening. If you can sharpen one you should be able to sharpen the other so get the knife that appeals to you the most!
 
You will not notice any difference between VG-10 and 154CM. Both are very high quality steels and both sharpen easily and hold and edge well. Both knives you have listed are excellent design and quality for their price points. Either would make a good choice for an EDC. My only suggestion would be to expand your search to include Kershaw as well they have some excellent offerings as of late.
 
I like VG-10 over 154CM but as already stated, they are very close steels. I may be wrong but I feel VG-10 takes a slightly finer edge.
 
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I prefer 154cm over vg-10... The 154 seems tougher and has taken a better hair splitting edge when I sharpen it.. All i know is that .. Sog has the softest VG-10 ever..
But 154 is the stuff for me..
 
wyM1Aguy said:
Are there other knives/brands I should be looking at in the <$100 range?

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, SOG, Buck, and Boker all make knives in that range. Also you may be interested in a good multi-tool like a leatherman or SOG, they usually come with wire strippers.
 
I think most would say that the edge retention is similar. VG-10 beats 154CM in corrosion resistance, though. Another difference is that VG-10 is Japanese and 154CM is American.

If you're not good at sharpening, get a DMT Aligner clamp system. That's what I use, and I get the scariest edges ever.
 
I'd give the upper hand to VG-10. It's a lot more stainless then 154CM, and a lot of 154CM (to me) seems to be softer. The edge on the knife is easier to touch up, but it rolls easily. IMO.
 
I think VG10 is better, I can get it sharper, and it seems to hold an edge longer than my 154cm BMs.
 
Sounds like from reading all these posts you can't go wrong with either. VG10 and 154CM were in my sights, I had to decide between the two steels when it came time to pick my next folder. I went with the VG10. I found from listening and reading that VG10 "edges out" 154CM, pardon the pun:D. But I could be wrong, saying as I own nothing but a Leatherman Juice in 154CM, and it sees very light use and has only been sharpened once. I have a Spyderco Calypso3 in VG10 that I use everyday, its a joy using and maintaining it, no problems to report here whatsoever with VG10.:thumbup:
 
I have no less than 20 VG-10 blades and have had 3 154CM blades from BM, I like VG-10 better since I found it hold a better edge for a longer time
 
i can get my knives in 154 cm (emersons) sharper than my one vg10 (police 3). but ive found both hold their edges well and are equal in most respects.

at $100, you have quite a few options. many spydercos and benchmades will fall within your price point. i would probably get a spyderco military in s30v with the same budget.
 
stormyone said:
Doesn't matter..... with those 2 steels, pick the knife you like more.
Click to expand...

Good advice. Great steel + wrong style= buyer's remorse. You cannot go wrong with either one. VG-10 is a perhaps slightly easier to sharpen, but 154cm is no biggie by comparison. Good luck and be sure to show off whatever you end up with!
 
i like both, i have a spyderco in vg10 and numerous benchmades in 154cm. i like both. i havent tried to get the vg10 uber sharp yet but i hear it will be ok.
benchmade griptilian is a great choice. my roomie has it in 154cm and i have the D2 version.
 
Hmmm... by any chance were you in the Foothills Mall in Fort Collins? I was showing a guy those two knives just the other day.
 
Yes that would be me.

I really cannot make up my mind between the two.

Of course the viele is some $40 more.

Hmmm.
 
I prefer VG-10 of the two mentioned.Sharpens up easier to me & can get a really scary edge FME.
Also seems to have a better resistance to corrosion.
 
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