Newbie question on EDC

R

RobbW

Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Messages
2,988
I've carried a Buck Prince (503) EDC that my brother gave me 10 years ago, but I'm looking for something nicer and a bit larger.

Last week a friend let me try his Benchmade and I LOVED the way it balanced in my hand and flicked open and shut--what a knife! I want one or something similar to it.

Last night I spent WAAAY too many hours reading all the posts in this forum on Benchmade and Chris Reeve knives, plus sharpening advice (thanks to all of you, especially Cliff and Thom for all the great comments). I'm trying to come up to speed ASAP. I'd like some advice and feedback from you more experienced users on a knife that might fill my needs.

I like the size, blade shape and weight of the BM 770 series. Modified spear or clip point look like straight and pointed enough edges for my taste.

I've read good things about M2 steel and it sounds like it works wood better than D2. I'd rather trade away stainless for the ability to hold a sharp edge. A sharp, durable edge is #1 on my wish list.

Do you recommend boron coating or just leaving the blade nekkid? Don't want something that will wear off or scratch (teflon)--I'd rather just have a plane blade in that case.

I also like BM's axis lock--but I could be convinced to go another route depending on your comments. Reeve's Mnandi and Sebenza are close runners up for me, but I don't know anything about the S30V steel he uses.

Are there any knives our there that fit my description?
 
Welcome to the Forum. For a user I would recommed an un-coated blade. I have yet to see a coating that could stand up to heavy use. Most of the steels you find in use at Benchmade, Spyderco, Camillus, and Microtech will take and hold a good edge, SS or otherwise. As far as make and model I would recommend any of the aforementioned makers for an EDC. Take a look at the Camillus EDC, lots of positive feedback at a very reasonable price. My personal favorite EDC is my Spyderco Endura FRN with a PE VG-10 blade. No problem keeping it sharp and it is light as a feather.
 
S30V is a wonderful, top of the line steel with great edge retention and rust resistance as well. Not too tough to sharpen either. Chris Reeves knives are top of the line as far as fit and finish go. They are the best production folders around, and they have a price fitting that status. The Benchmade folders will typically range in price from $100-$150 or so, while the Chris Reeve knives are usually around the $300 mark. If you're willing to spend that much, I don't think you can do better for an EDC then a knive from Chris Reeve. I have a small Sebenza that I love, and I find it to be the perfect EDC size.

The Benchmade folders are also very nice and well worth the money, just not in the same league as a Sebenza or Mnandi IMHO.
 
BM's will need to be sent back after 6 mos to a year to get warranty repair if used hard everyday. I state this because i have 3 BM's and all 3 need service after that much time due to the blade loosening within the frame or liners wearing or bending. all 3 have been fixed quickly with no problems from BM. Great customer service. The 3 knives are the 750 and 970 and one by mel pardue (forget the #). Also, blade coatings will wear off if used.

Nothing to say negative about the Sebbie's
other than it sucks to lose a $300+ knife
 
Thanks for the information and for the welcome. I appreciate it. I'll try to get to a place that has Benchmade and Reeve knives so I can handle them myself to see how important the quality differences are to me.

Too bad the Benchmades haven't help up under heavy use for you as well as they could--I really like that axial lock--that's part of the big attraction. It's also too bad they don't make their smaller EDCs with M2. I would have liked that.

Do people here buy their knives at local stores, knife/gun shows, or web dealers? I assume that more and more of the larger local dealers must be establishing web presences.
 
I buy almost all my knives from online dealers. There is really only one place that carries anything of quality and they only carry Spyderco and Buck. So, if I want anything else I go online. If they have what I'm looking for instock, I will buy from them if there prices are close the online sites after shipping is figured in.

I think the Benchmades that I have used hold up pretty well for what they are. The blades might get a little loose, but you can tighten the pivot yourself to fix that, you don't have to send them in. They arn't as solid as the Reeve knives, but they arn't as expensive either. Like many things, when dealing with quality knife companies, you really do get what you pay for. The BM's are great knives consiering there price, but they arn't going to compare to a Sebenza which costs $300 (and is well worth the money I might add!)
 
Thanks, Slide13. I'll check locally to see about handling the BM and Sebenza, but check the web if nothing's available. Appreciate all the information.
 
Are you a "I only buy new type of guy", or would you consider a used knife? There's lots of bargains on all sorts of knives, including both Benchmade and Chris Reeve knives (I have both) right here on bladeforums.com . Go over to the Exchange forum and peek in the Production Knives for Sale by Individuals forum. I've bought or traded for a number of my EDC knives from other forum members and all were exactly as advertised, which for most of of my purchases was NIB (New In Box).

I'll agree that CR knives are of a higher quality than Benchmade, however, to tweak a Benchmade would likely take use that could be considered closer to abuse than heavy use in my opinion. The good news is that Benchmade would probably fix it under warranty anyway (don't ask how I know this).

The Mnandi and the 770 are both pretty small, although high quality knives. I think the 770 was actually reviewed in last month's Blade magazine, either that or the month before. The reviewer was surprised at how good the knife cut, but did comment several times about how the small size was an issue in certain circumstances. I gave my boss one last year for Xmas and he loves it, but isn't really a "knife guy". It's the only pocket knife he owns and he'd probably never go into a knife shop on his own. It all depends on your application. I think most of the folks here would agree that a knife that small is fine if you have to wear a suit all the time, but most would rather carry something slightly larger if the situation permitted. Of course a 770 would make the perfect back-up EDC to a larger EDC, but I'm getting ahead of myself with your addiction here.....

While I generally prefer Carbon Fiber when it's available, in the 770 I actually like the sculpted Aluminum handle better. Go Figure....

I was quite skeptical about the Axis lock for some time because of the mechanical complexity, but have been converted into a believer and count a 941 as one of my Favorite EDCs. I've owned five different 941 variants, but only own two currently. Did I mention the 941? It's really worth a look if you like the 770. It's everything the 770 wants to be when it grows up. It's even a collaboration with the same designer (Warren Osborne) just like the 770 so there's a really similar feel, just a bit larger.

As to steel I really love a keen edge and I've yet to be disappointed in the better modern stainless stuff like what Benchmade and Chris Reeve use. 154 CM, BG42 and S30V are all serious steels that are tough and really hold an edge. M2 might hold one a little longer, but for me the ease of maintainance with stainless is worth more than slightly better edge holding. S30V really is an awesome steel. I also have a Benchmade 941 with D2 (and Carbon Fiber!) and it's a cutting machine. D2 is nearly a stainless in composition and probably not as good as M2 at edge holding, but it really does take and hold a razor edge.

You might also look at Microtech. They have a great reputation and for very good reason (there are even people called Microholics). If you don't want something too large, the old version of the Mini Socom can be had new in the $100.00 range if you search the net, and used in the forums for even less. Microtech is truly good stuff.

The Buck 172 Mayo (collaboration with Tom Mayo) should also get a look. At it's suggested retail it might be a bit much for a newbie, but used in the Exchange they can be had at Benchmade prices. It's got a Titaniun frame, a frame lock and an S30V blade. It's not a lot bigger than a 770, just enough to be a lot more useful, and is an awesome design. Got one in my pocket right now...:)

These are just my opinions, yours may vary.

jmx
 
I don't generally like coatings, but if you're going to pocket carry a non-stainless blade a Boron Carbide coating or something along the lines of BodyCote's DLC coating would probably be a good idea. Those coatings are very hard and will stand up to fairly serious use. Try to avoid the older Teflon coatings; they scratch up quickly.

It sounds like you have pretty good taste. :) Benchmade makes some excellent knives. If you decide to look further I would second the recommendations that you look at Spyderco and maybe Camillus next.

Have fun!

--Bob Q
 
Welcome KnifeRat!
I'm quite partial to the Sebenza and would highly recommend it. You'd be hard pressed to find a better knife.
 
bquinlan, last I heard, the teflon based coatings do increase corrosian resistance. Bodycoat DLC does increase abrasion resistance because of it's hardness, but from my understanding of DLC and Boron Carbide (BC1) is that it offers no additional corrosian resistance and is mostly used for cosmetic purposes.

jmx
 
Thanks for the good suggestions everyone. Wow, jmx, that was thorough. I appreciate the in-depth knowledge.

I'll have a look at the BM 941. If I can get in in D2 that would be nice (though M2 would be sweeter with say an 18% and 20% edge :D ).

Maybe I really need (need--yeah right. "Hello my username is BladeRat and I'm a knifeaholic" ;) TWO EDCs--a larger Benchmade for more utility work and a finer CR for smaller office work and dressing up. I think I'd go for a small Sebenza classic or Mnandi in that case.

I'll also have a look at the Buck Mayo and Microtechs, as well as Spydercos and Camillus.
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
bquinlan, last I heard, the teflon based coatings do increase corrosian resistance. Bodycoat DLC does increase abrasion resistance because of it's hardness, but from my understanding of DLC and Boron Carbide (BC1) is that it offers no additional corrosian resistance and is mostly used for cosmetic purposes.
Click to expand...

Sorry I wasn't clear. I think we are in basic agreement...

Telfon coatings do a good job of preventing corrosion, but tend to scratch and turn ugly with real use.

I know that plain Boron Carbide doesn't prevent corrosion, but it is usually combined with some other undercoating that does. That way the hard BC keeps the more vulnerable undercoat from being scratched or worn away.

I have seen DLC presented as corrosion resistant. I think that's inherent to the process, but it could be another combination, like with BC.

--Bob Q
 
Bodycote's diamond DLC coaing has a layer of crome that IS a rust barrier & the hard coat on top is for the scratch resistance.

the only part that can rust is the bare edge that is sharpened ***Note that the rust COULD creep under the coating from the unprotected edge.
 
Anybody know where I can get a BM 940 series knife with a clip (943) or modified spear point (941)in D2 or M2? Carbon fiber scales would be nice.

I saw a limited edition with Ti but it is gone from the factory store and I can't find a vendor with any on the web.
 
You ain't getting my 941 D2 with CArbon scales. It's one of my favorite EDCs. I think you just missed one in the Production for sale by Individuals forum here on BFC. Not sure if the deal went through though, you might look there.

jmx
 
Thanks for the heads up. I looked but didn't see it so I assume it's gone. I'm calling local dealers to see if anything like that or the 941Ti are available. Not holding my breath though.

I did read a post about Benchmade coming out with a bunch of new knives, so maybe one will have a 941 or 943 blade with CF scales and in D2 or M2.

THanks again for all the advice and the links.
 
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