Opinion/Advice/Ideas Wanted Please

E

emeril322

Joined
May 3, 2013
Messages
37
I've currently got a SOG Flash II (BDU patterned, which was nice because it matched my work clothes at the time I got it) but it's seen better days and I think it's time to get a new knife. I'm looking for something with a 3.5" to 4" blade, spring assisted, and under $200. Any ideas? I saw the Benchmade 275 Adamas but I don't think it's spring assisted sadly, and that's really a deal-breaker for me. It's a shame, because I think it's a gorgeous knife. Thanks for the recommendations/help in advance!

*Edit* - Fixed from "Benchmark" to "Benchmade". Thanks bpeezer. :D
 
Last edited:
Might want to correct Benchmark to Benchmade. And I think you would be pleasantly surprised with the Adamas, and you wouldn't ever go back to spring assist ;)
 
BM 581 is gorgeous and fits your specs.

Also consider a ZT 0300 on the exchange, or one of kershawguy's blems?
 
Any reason nonassisted is a deal breaker? Ditching that will really open up a world of quality knives in the sub-$200 price range. If you like the Adamas but the non assisted bothers you that much it comes in an auto version, which may or may not be a deal breaker depending on where you live.
 
The Benchmade 581BK isn't bad looking, the only thing is that that bit of shiny silver isn't exactly my style, but it does look nice. The Zero Tolerance 0300 has a kind of "fat" look that I'm not digging. As far as the Kershaws, there's a lot that are marked as their "Speedsafe" knives, so I'll have to flip through the list of them.

I've gotten so used to my SOG Flash II being assisted that those thumbscrew knobs on the blades seem like they require too much work to open. Maybe I'm spoiled to it, maybe I haven't come across a good knife that wasn't spring assisted. What stores carry Benchmade by the way? Maybe Gander Mountain or Bass Pro Shop? I'm curious to actually get the feel of the Benchmade 275BK Adamas before ruling it out entirely since I do like how it looks quite a bit.
 
emeril322 said:
The Benchmade 581BK isn't bad looking, the only thing is that that bit of shiny silver isn't exactly my style, but it does look nice. The Zero Tolerance 0300 has a kind of "fat" look that I'm not digging. As far as the Kershaws, there's a lot that are marked as their "Speedsafe" knives, so I'll have to flip through the list of them.

I've gotten so used to my SOG Flash II being assisted that those thumbscrew knobs on the blades seem like they require too much work to open. Maybe I'm spoiled to it, maybe I haven't come across a good knife that wasn't spring assisted. What stores carry Benchmade by the way? Maybe Gander Mountain or Bass Pro Shop? I'm curious to actually get the feel of the Benchmade 275BK Adamas before ruling it out entirely since I do like how it looks quite a bit.
Click to expand...

Not many stores carry Benchmade, maybe Gander Mtn, but I'd try a bigger gun store

BTW if you don't like the aluminum on the 581, try the 580 or the Warn, both are made in black


And I feel the same way about the 0300
 
res1cue said:
Not many stores carry Benchmade, maybe Gander Mtn, but I'd try a bigger gun store

BTW if you don't like the aluminum on the 581, try the 580 or the Warn, both are made in black


And I feel the same way about the 0300
Click to expand...

I couldn't find the Warn but the 580 looks good in black with the ComboEdge. Any suggestions on what gun stores for example? I can't say I've actually ever gone to one lol.
 
It does help to know where someone lives when asking about brick and mortar stores. Around here one place has three brands (no Benchmades), another has three other brands (Benchmades being one of them), and an outdoor and military surplus store has ten brands.

There is one asset you could use, it is big, bulky, and you might have to go to an older persons home to find it, but they work. They're called phone books ;) check sporting goods stores, gun stores, surplus stores, and some hardware stores (not big box ones from my experience)
 
I'm in central Florida, near Orlando, if that helps out as to what might be close-by. I checked out the Benchmade Warn but I think I like the Benchmade 580 a lot more.
 
the 580 barrage is definitely a solid knife the assist is very fast the blade shape is great and lockup is top notch. I have the mini barrage and its been great. Don't write off non assisted knives so easily they can still deploy as fast as assisted in many cases but you can also do a slow open which is a lot less imitating to on lookers if out in public. There's nothing like getting stares when you fire out an assisted knife lol.
 
Assisted opening is not a feature I look for especially, I don't really care for it one way or another so I'm not an expert on AO knives. The three I like and use the most are the Kershaw S30V Blur, ZT 300 and ZT 350.

The Blur is great for general EDC use and it's lightweight enough to work with all kinds of trousers (I sometimes carry it in slacks or sports pants), fast opening, comfortable to use. I love it. There are quite a few different Blur models, I think the one with S30V blade is the best deal at around $80-90 but the 154CM variants are tempting (and they come in a couple of different colours).

The ZT 300 is over your $200 budget, but the 350 can be had for about $140 and it's a tank. If you're looking for something compact yet able to be used hard, you'll love the 350. Mine is my most used ZT, the other models I have (560, 300) are just too bulky for some pants. The broad handle is very comfortable, the S30V blade is great (unless you like accute tips).
 
emeril322 said:
I'm in central Florida, near Orlando, if that helps out as to what might be close-by. I checked out the Benchmade Warn but I think I like the Benchmade 580 a lot more.
Click to expand...

That does help.


I've seen Benchmades at the Shoot Straight in Tampa, so they could possibly have some at the one in Lakeland. Also the Suncoast Gun show usually has a good mix of knives.
 
jkwithawave said:
That does help.


I've seen Benchmades at the Shoot Straight in Tampa, so they could possibly have some at the one in Lakeland. Also the Suncoast Gun show usually has a good mix of knives.
Click to expand...

Okay cool, thanks. The Casselberry one isn't all that far from my house, I'll give them a call on Monday and ask if they carry Benchmade knifes (the 580SBK & 275SBK Adamas in particular).

Anyone have any 2-cents on tanto vs standard blade? I've never had a tanto one before but they look neat.
 
I have EDCed a Kershaw Blur for years. Now I have 4! It will take almost anything I throw at it. If I had $200 to spend-I would be on Kershawguys blemish add. Try out a few knives and find one you like!
 
For EDC I pretty much always go with a standard blade. The single continuous edge is quicker to touch up and resharpen since you don't have to mess with a second smaller edge. You also get better slice cuts along the belly of a standard blade than you do with the tantos angle. I do agree that some tantos can look pretty nice but for regular use its not as practical as a regular blade.
 
Blade-fiend said:
For EDC I pretty much always go with a standard blade. The single continuous edge is quicker to touch up and resharpen since you don't have to mess with a second smaller edge. You also get better slice cuts along the belly of a standard blade than you do with the tantos angle. I do agree that some tantos can look pretty nice but for regular use its not as practical as a regular blade.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's pretty much what I wanted to know.
 
Monofletch said:
I have EDCed a Kershaw Blur for years. Now I have 4! It will take almost anything I throw at it. If I had $200 to spend-I would be on Kershawguys blemish add. Try out a few knives and find one you like!
Click to expand...

You're not the first one to mention 'Kershawguy', I'm guessing he's a seller on this site? How do I check out the stuff you're talking about?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top