New Member - Greeting and EDC Pick 1 of Each (Benchmade and Spyderco)

J

JaySC

Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
21
Hello all,

First off, I just want to say thanks for everything that I have already learned from reading through this forum. Right away, I was struck by how friendly, supportive and knowledgeable the members of this community are across the board. :thumbup:

Quick about me, I am a 36yo husband and new father living in Charleston, SC. I like to take advantage of the Lowcountry outdoors so I enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking and biking.

Knives
Buck 505 Lockback - My Dad gave me this knife when I moved south 17 years ago and I carried it for most of my adult life.

Kershaw Chive - A couple of years ago I saw a Kershaw display at the Mast General Store in Boone, NC and picked up the Chive. I still regret not paying the extra $5 for the Scallion because I thought it might be "too big" for my pocket...laughable.

Kershaw Cryo - I finally got the itch for something bigger back in July so I bought the Cryo after it won the Blade Award for Best Buy. I think it's a great value but heavy for the size and the factory edge dulled quickly after slicing up a little cardboard.

Spyderco UK Penknife DP - For Xmas, I bought a few of these for gifts and got myself one in black with the drop point blade. This is what I usually carry. It's so thin and light that I don't even notice it in my pocket and its a heck of a slicer with that thin hollow-grind. I wish it was a lockback though.

Stretch Green ZDP-189 - I got this at the same time as the UKPK. This came super sharp from the factory and my arm hair piled up on the blade with the first shave test. Deployment was not very smooth so I polished the contact points including the liners, FRN and non-critical parts of the tang and rocker arm. The clip got the same treatment which improved the aesthetic greatly IMHO.
​

Here's a pic of my collection so far in order of purchase:

knives_20120116_2.jpg


I'm wondering if the corresponding increase in size is a coincidence. ;)

I've got my eye out for a Stretch CF but I'm thinking on a Benchmade or Para 2 next and the question came to mind. If you could have only 1 Spyderco and 1 Benchmade as EDC folders, what would you pick?

My Criteria
- Mid size EDC folder
- Relatively thin, light and ergonomic
- $150 and under (new or used)
- Good blade to handle ratio

My Picks
Spyderco Stretch Carbon Fiber (Used)
Benchmade 943 Osborne

Please let me know what you think.

Jay
 
Welcome aboard! My picks would be pretty standard, if you're gonna get one of each the Para 2 and Benchmade 710 are two of the best out there.
 
Welcome, Jay!

My picks would be a Ritter Grip and a Military. The Military is an amazing slicer, that carries well and the Ritter Grip can go through hell and back, asking for more. Yes, I own several of both.
 
You can't go wrong with a Para 2. There are numerous Benchmades that are worthy. I considered a 943 for awhile but decided on some that are slightly larger.

Basically I recommend any of these:

IMG_2783b_zps719441d5.jpg
 
One Benchmade?
Benchmade Mini Onslaught. However it's not exactly thin.
A thinner one?
Benchmade 915 Triage

One Spyderco?
Spyderco Chokwe
or
Para 2
 
bdmicarta said:
You can't go wrong with a Para 2. There are numerous Benchmades that are worthy. I considered a 943 for awhile but decided on some that are slightly larger.

Basically I recommend any of these:

IMG_2783b_zps719441d5.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks, what's the 5th from the left?
 
JaySC said:
How's the grip texture on the 943?
Click to expand...

The 943 (and 940) texture is smooth but still somewhat grippy. I do not find it slippery, even in rain, and love how it does not tear up pants and slacks.

I'd suggest picking up a Benchmade 940 (if you want a smaller EDC but still 3.5" blade) or 710 (larger and 4.0" blade). Both the 940 and 710 carry like knives that are much smaller. Great choices!

As for Spyderco, pick up a Gayle Bradley! It is the best fit and finish, blade steel, and handle material on a sub-$300 knife, imo.
 
For a more lightweight, slim, EDC-friendly knife... hmmm... how about Spyderco Carbon Fiber Caly3 and Benchmade 940.
 
Spydero Para 2 20CP - might be over your limit but its my EDC
Benchmade 950 Rift - had one in my pocket every day since they first came out.
 
If you like your spyderco penknife you'd probably like the superleaf g10handle vg10 blade same wire clip compression lock and right now it's being discontinued so it's on sale a few places around 100$

As for benchmade I'd probably go with the 710
 
Spyderco: Military - any flavor works. Lot's of sprint runs in different steels. Unsurpassed ergonomics and all-around utility knife.

Benchmade: 710D2, hands down. Again - more limited editions out there with high speed steels (M2 and CPM-M4) as a bonus.
 
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