New guy here - Looking for recommendations

S

skism007

Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Messages
6
Greetings,

Long time lurker and finally decided to join. I'm looking for recommendations for my next knife. I only own three right now:

  • Benchmade mini-grip
  • Spyderco Delica 4
  • Kershaw Leek

I love all three and would like to keep my next choice in the same general size and price range. I'd go up to 4" in blade length.

Thanks for the input!
 
They're all good knives, but that's a relatively wide price range. The Leek goes for around $30, the Delica for $50-60, and the mini-grip for around $100. What do you like about those knives, and what do you dislike? What do you use them for? That will help out with recommendations a lot.
 
Welcome. You picked three knives good for sure. Have you thought about going with a Great Eastern Cutlery Tidioute line knife? That would add a good quality tradional. The #47 Viper is in your general size range and price range. It has a lanyard hole, too. The high carbon steel will patina up, which is nice part of traditional knife ownership. But if you want something more "tactical" you might think about going up a notch in size. If so, take a look at some of the ZT's.
 
I have all three as well and the Delica is my favorite of the bunch. You could always go with the Griptilian or Endura for a larger version of the Mini Grip or Delica. Personally I would suggest the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Spyderco Manix 2. The Manix is about the same cost as the Mini Grip. The Paramilitary 2 might be a little more expensive but well worth it, if you can find one.
 
Hmm. If you like your delica, Spyderco offers it, the dragonfly, the stretch, and the endura in ZDP-189 steel, which is quite the upgrade from VG10.

To go a different route, the Manix 2 is a great knife, offered in a regular G10 and a lightweight FRCP with many steels available in both. If you would consider either used or increasing your price limit, the PM2 is a great knife as well. Knife prices vary so much depending on where and when you bought them, It'd be great if you could tell us your budget.

Kershaw Skyline is nice, available in several steels and handle materials. Cool one right now is the carbon fiber version, available in both stonewashed ($105 on bladehq) and black DLC coated ($110 at bladehq). I'm not a big Benchmade fan to begin with, and their current pricing scheme leaves a lot to be desired.

Check out the exchange here as you can find some good deals there. Best of luck.
 
amg137 said:
They're all good knives, but that's a relatively wide price range. The Leek goes for around $30, the Delica for $50-60, and the mini-grip for around $100. What do you like about those knives, and what do you dislike? What do you use them for? That will help out with recommendations a lot.
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First off, please excuse me if I sound ignorant or use terms incorrectly. I'm still pretty new to knives.

I like that none are made in China or Taiwan. Maybe some good steel comes from there... I dunno. I also know that a lot of junk comes from China and I'd rather avoid it altogether.

I like the Leek cause it's the first decent knife I've bought and I've used it extensively. I love the Speedsafe opening. I really can't think of anything I don't like about it, but that could be because I don't have much to compare it to.

On the Benchmade, I enjoy the build quality and the Axis lock. Con would be it's the thickest of the three I own.

The Spyderco is my newest and so far, it's on it's way to becoming my favorite. I like the shape of the blade, as well as the relative thinness toward the edge (if that makes sense). Brand new, it was easily the sharpest of the three I own, and it seems to be holding it well. Cons: It's the slowest to open (for me) and it doesn't feel as sturdy as my mini-grip.

So far, all use has been light-duty type work. Opening boxes and packaging, cutting fishing line, small diameter rubber tubing....that sort of stuff. Also, I agree, it's quite the wide price range. Let's say $120 and under.
 
skism007 said:
First off, please excuse me if I sound ignorant or use terms incorrectly. I'm still pretty new to knives.

I like that none are made in China or Taiwan. Maybe some good steel comes from there... I dunno. I also know that a lot of junk comes from China and I'd rather avoid it altogether.

I like the Leek cause it's the first decent knife I've bought and I've used it extensively. I love the Speedsafe opening. I really can't think of anything I don't like about it, but that could be because I don't have much to compare it to.

On the Benchmade, I enjoy the build quality and the Axis lock. Con would be it's the thickest of the three I own.

The Spyderco is my newest and so far, it's on it's way to becoming my favorite. I like the shape of the blade, as well as the relative thinness toward the edge (if that makes sense). Brand new, it was easily the sharpest of the three I own, and it seems to be holding it well. Cons: It's the slowest to open (for me) and it doesn't feel as sturdy as my mini-grip.

So far, all use has been light-duty type work. Opening boxes and packaging, cutting fishing line, small diameter rubber tubing....that sort of stuff. Also, I agree, it's quite the wide price range. Let's say $120 and under.
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If you're coming to like the Delica, a Paramilitary 2 would be a pretty logical step up. A bit sturdier build overall, and a very thin slicey blade. Runs around $120, and you can find them cheaper on the exchange, lightly used. You can also flick it open and closed very easily much like an Axis lock. Some other options to explore might be a (used) Benchmade 710 or 950 Rift. Since the price hike the new prices are above your price range, but you can find them for $100-120 on the exchange quite often. They won't be quite as thin or light as the delica, but they are both great EDC options.

If you like assisted openers, check out the ZT 0350. It's considerably larger and heavier than your other knives, but it's a good introduction to the world of ZT.
 
For $110~ you can get the Spyderco Manix 2 lightweight with CPM-S110V steel, a phenomenal steel.
 
SpydrMan said:
I have all three as well and the Delica is my favorite of the bunch. You could always go with the Griptilian or Endura for a larger version of the Mini Grip or Delica. Personally I would suggest the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Spyderco Manix 2. The Manix is about the same cost as the Mini Grip. The Paramilitary 2 might be a little more expensive but well worth it, if you can find one.
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I really diggin' the Paramilitary...
 
Are fixed blades out of the question? You've got 3 good folders that can do a variety of tasks, why not something to fill the opposite end of the spectrum?

Lots of choice for $120
 
amg137 said:
If you're coming to like the Delica, a Paramilitary 2 would be a pretty logical step up. A bit sturdier build overall, and a very thin slicey blade. Runs around $120, and you can find them cheaper on the exchange, lightly used. You can also flick it open and closed very easily much like an Axis lock. Some other options to explore might be a (used) Benchmade 710 or 950 Rift. Since the price hike the new prices are above your price range, but you can find them for $100-120 on the exchange quite often. They won't be quite as thin or light as the delica, but they are both great EDC options.

If you like assisted openers, check out the ZT 0350. It's considerably larger and heavier than your other knives, but it's a good introduction to the world of ZT.
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I think we have a winner with the Paramilitary 2. I knew you guys would come through with some great suggestions...thanks! And to think, I used to hate the look of Spydercos with their huge round hole. Definitely grew on me, though.
 
n7titan said:
Are fixed blades out of the question? You've got 3 good folders that can do a variety of tasks, why not something to fill the opposite end of the spectrum?

Lots of choice for $120
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Yea, fixed blades are pretty much out of question. I work in an office setting, so I stick to folders that I can fit in my pocket.
 
I own a Mini-Grip, Leek, and a Manix 2/Manix 2 XL. I like the Spyderco knives the best and I plan to acquire a Para 2 next...
 
Check out the Spyderco Sage series or a Native 5. Sages may be made in Taiwan, but ask any Spydie nut and they'll tell you Taiwan Spydies are among the best. Love my Native 5 and can't recommend that one enough.
 
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One other to keep an eye peeled for is a used benchmade 940. If you want something with a more traditional blade shape, check out the 943.

The s110v manix would last him awhile, but since he is relatively new to knives, he would have a hard time on sharpening.
 
NJBillK said:
One other to keep an eye peeled for is a used benchmade 940. If you want something with a more traditional blade shape, check out the 943.

The s110v manix would last him awhile, but since he is relatively new to knives, he would have a hard time on sharpening.
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Yea, I'm not ready to dive into sharpening yet. However, I have no problem sending them off to be sharpened, so difficult steel isn't an issue. I've already sent my mini-grip off once. Turnaround was nice and quick!
 
skism007 said:
Yea, I'm not ready to dive into sharpening yet. However, I have no problem sending them off to be sharpened, so difficult steel isn't an issue. I've already sent my mini-grip off once. Turnaround was nice and quick!
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The Paramilitary 2 (PM2) is awesome and I am a huge fan. Make sure you buy from a reputable source as there are a lot of fakes out there. Also these knives are a bit finicky and have deviations in blade centering, lock up, and deployment from knife to knife.. I paid an extra $15 from a seller I could speak to and ask him to check all of these aspects prior to shipping. Mine is perfectly centered, has perfect lock up, deployment, etc.. and it was well worth the extra money to me. I know a bunch of guys who were a bit annoyed with some of the inconsistencies. Also, the 2 letters on the right side of the bar-code sticker stand for the month and year it was manufactured. If you see DN, D=April and N=2014 based on D being the 4th letter and N being the 14th.
 
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