New to the forum! Recommendations for axis style folder, (transBlue Manix 2 review.)

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rockscreation16

Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
28
First of all, I'm glad to be a part of this community! There is very much helpful information here!

I've been a collector of knives since the age of 5 and have experienced and abused most types of knives widely available.

My most recent EDC was the SOG visionary I with VG10 blade steel. I've recently lost this knife and decided that I was going to try some of the other similar types out there.

I just purchased the Manix 2 w/ translucent blue handle and BD1 blade steel. Here are some of my opinions..

Pros:
*BD1 steel seems to be very easy to sharpen for it's edge retention.
*Knife is remarkably easy to pocket carry considering the size of the blade you get.
*lock mechanism makes for rapid flip open/close (people complain about this type lock, but when used right it makes this knife faster than an automatic by far)
*Flat ground blade is awesome. Practical shape and easy to sharpen a consistent edge.
*Extremely strong edgetek FRCP

Cons:
*Lack of any steel liner.
*Almost too light. (plastic handle just doesn't feel sturdy.)
*texture of handle is a little awkward. (makes for rough transition in/out of pocket) (also doesn't feel like it fills my hand well, really flat.)
*handle seems to be riveted. So, there is no maintenance allowed.
*Plastic grip piece for lock mechanism is slightly hard to move when compared to the arc/axis lock.

Overall I do like this knife. Some things bother me, and I think I'm going to continue to search for my next EDC. Who knows, I might end up back with the visionary considering how much I loved it. Only con for me was the coated blade and it's shape. Personal preference of course... I like plain drop point blades. Easy to sharpen/doesn't show much abuse.

Here are some knives I'm considering.

Benchmade "Bone Collector" 15030 http://www.benchmade.com/products/15030#skus

Benchmade Mini Griptilian plain 556 http://www.benchmade.com/products/556

Benchmade Mini-presidio plain 527 http://www.benchmade.com/products/527

SOG visionary I http://sogknives.com/store/VS-01.html

Spyderco Sage 3 http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=621

Benchmade Sequel 707 http://www.benchmade.com/products/707


This is the direction I want to go. I love the axis style mechanism. It's strong, durable, and I have enough practice with it that I can get it out of the pocket and open crazy fast and closed and back in the pocket in the same way. I want a knife that can handle hard use. It's also important that it has a profile that allows it to be clipped to the pocket without restricting access to that pocket.

Any opinions on the above knives would be much appreciated.

If possible, I'd also like it if anyone could point me in the direction of some other similar knives that I haven't mentioned. Maybe some that are less mainstream and not as well known but are of good quality.

Thanks in advance for any replies and for those who contribute the wealth of knowledge found on this site!!!

-Devin
 
I have a Bone Collector, but it is the large version w/3.4" blade. I have found it to be a very good edc knife. I also like the Axis Lock. I imagine the small version would be the same, only smaller. Are you specifically looking for 3.0" blades and under? If you go larger, the large BC I mentioned is nice, and with full steel liners it feels as solid as they come. The 950 Rift is another larger Axis Lock that is very popular and well thought of. The 940/943 series of BM's are also outfitted as Axis Lock knives are again are well thought of here at BF. My favorite is the new 275BK Adamas, but you are talking about a 4.0" blade with a weight of 7.7 ounces, but this is how I do it!

Welcome to BF and it sounds like you come with a little knowledge of what this place is about. You should enjoy it here!:thumbup::)
 
cutter17 said:
I have a Bone Collector, but it is the large version w/3.4" blade. I have found it to be a very good edc knife. I also like the Axis Lock. I imagine the small version would be the same, only smaller. Are you specifically looking for 3.0" blades and under? If you go larger, the large BC I mentioned is nice, and with full steel liners it feels as solid as they come. The 950 Rift is another larger Axis Lock that is very popular and well thought of. The 940/943 series of BM's are also outfitted as Axis Lock knives are again are well thought of here at BF. My favorite is the new 275BK Adamas, but you are talking about a 4.0" blade with a weight of 7.7 ounces, but this is how I do it!

Welcome to BF and it sounds like you come with a little knowledge of what this place is about. You should enjoy it here!:thumbup::)
Click to expand...

That 275BK looks awesome!! Honestly, I thought I wanted a carry knife that was a little less weight. I think that I find a sturdy feel with good ergonomics much more important. It's not like I don't carry 14 Ounces in the other pocket anyway. Might as well even it out right? ;)

I'm not stuck on 3" and under at all. My only concern really is that I can still use my right pocket easily while carrying the knife. I'm a big fan of tip up clips on knives with a relatively narrow handle base. Allows for easy slipping of the hand into the pocket past the knife.

I'm not sure how I missed the RIFT, but man... That is one nice looking piece.. I initially wanted to stay around $100, but this knife makes me seriously consider otherwise.

I think Benchmade is going to be my next purchase. Unless something drastically changes my mindset right now.

That being said..... I have another question. The blade steel composition of the knives I'm considering are D2 154CM and s30v.... Any thoughts on the quality of these steels as specifically from Benchmade? I understand the basic qualities of each, but I know that very much of the attributes of the steel in it's specific application depend on blade shape, size, heat treating process etc....

I like good wear resistance and edge holding ability, but it's probably more important that it get a scary sharp edge and have the ability to get it back there without making sharpening my own knives a part time job. I use the lansky diamond system with an arkansas ultra fine for finish. I don't necessarily need a stainless steel either. I don't use my EDC for cutting meat or corrosive objects, and it's not that big of a deal to wipe it down every now and then.

Your opinions and knowledge are much appreciated!!!!!

thanks Cutter17 for the welcome!!!!!!!
 
rockscreation16 said:
... I find a sturdy feel with good ergonomics much more important... I'm not stuck on 3" and under at all. My only concern really is that I can still use my right pocket easily while carrying the knife. I'm a big fan of tip up clips on knives with a relatively narrow handle base. Allows for easy slipping of the hand into the pocket past the knife.

I think Benchmade is going to be my next purchase. Unless something drastically changes my mindset right now.

That being said..... I have another question. The blade steel composition of the knives I'm considering are D2 154CM and s30v.... Any thoughts on the quality of these steels as specifically from Benchmade? I understand the basic qualities of each, but I know that very much of the attributes of the steel in it's specific application depend on blade shape, size, heat treating process etc....

I like good wear resistance and edge holding ability, but it's probably more important that it get a scary sharp edge and have the ability to get it back there without making sharpening my own knives a part time job. I use the lansky diamond system with an arkansas ultra fine for finish. I don't necessarily need a stainless steel either. I don't use my EDC for cutting meat or corrosive objects, and it's not that big of a deal to wipe it down every now and then.

Your opinions and knowledge are much appreciated!!!!!
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum. As a member, you will be able to employ the "Search" function for pulling information from previous threads, much of which may pertain to you.

From the descriptions you've given, a knife commonly brought up by enthusiasts favoring Benchmade is their 940 - 943 series, including versions in D2, S30V or 154CM (or these, their D2 is commonly lauded, and the 154CM is their most common, but I haven't heard that much good or bad about their S30V). These knives are slim-profile EDC's constructed of excellent materials for a light-weight but durable cutting tool that takes up minimal space in the pocket. Spyderco enthusiasts generally recommend the Paramilitary 2 in whichever steel you can get. Thin but wider (by a lot) than the BM940's, the PM2 is more of a working blade, according to most, with a handle designed for extended use. The Benchmade gives a better blade-to-length ratio than the PM2 and sports the lightning-quick axis lock vs Spyderco's compression lock. However, most describe this Benchmade as a "gentleman's" knife, which means most probably have not put it to hard use or tested its limits.

I own neither knife (nor have handled either) so can only relate a summary of what others have written. I CAN relate a bit about some other Benchmade's though. For any mid-to-high-end knife, and especially for "mini"s, I strongly recommend handling first - go to a store like Dick's or REI and peruse their selection. The three Benchmades I own are the 585S, 745, and 520SBK. I purchased the 585S over ANY griptilian because the "mini" handles are much too small for my medium-small hands (so is the 707 Sequel), and the full-size handles felt too light/hollow (which belies their true durability, but it was a feeling I couldn't shake). For a non-assist Axis, I purchased the 520sbk Presidio for only slightly more than a 522 Presidio Ultra which is made of lower-quality materials (440C vs 154CM, plastic hanldes vs aluminum, hollow vs flat grind), but those are larger knives. The "ultra"s have a very thin hollow grind which excels at slicing... but on the full-size knife raises concerns over durability, and I wanted a full-size. The mini presidio's (525 or 527) fit my hand well, feel better in my hand than the Grips, but I preferred the 585 to them, just my preference.

So in summary, it sounds like you might want to check out the Benchmade 940 series or Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I've always liked the look of the Sage and also the Calypso 3 by Spyderco but simply prefer the axis-lock.

Good luck and have fun!
 
Benchmade has MAAP pricing so stores have to advertise a certain price but they dont have to charge that. There are several online stores that you put a code in at checkout to get a much lower price. If I remember right the Rift is around $110 so not much more than your limit. I have to say that the Rift is my all time favorite knife and there has been one in ny right front pocket everyday since they came out. Might also check out the 810 (I think) which has the same blade shape as the Rift, but its bigger and a different handle shape. It comes with CPM M4 blade steel which is great stuff. I plan on getting one as soon as they become available.

I also just got a mini Onslaught which is a pretty neat knife and available in a bigger version.
 
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Thanks for the help. I'm going to try those codes out.

I'm looking at a new list of prospective knives. I'd like to get any thoughts on the knife model/blade combos

BM710 with M390

Knife works special 520 with M4

950 rift with 154cm

943 with s30v
 
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I would go with the 710 with m390. Great edc blade which fulfills multiple rolls and has an awesome steel. That and its an exclusive piece and is pretty inexpensive for the steel.
 
rockscreation16 said:
Thanks for the help. I'm going to try those codes out.

I'm looking at a new list of prospective knives. I'd like to get any thoughts on the knife model/blade combos

BM710 with M390
special 520 with M4
950 rift with 154cm
943 with s30v
Click to expand...

Careful with the links, if they are not a Bladeforums sponsor, you can get hit with a "dealspotting" infraction.
 
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