Opinions on these EDCs with super steel

B

bgentry

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Aug 3, 2009
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Just a tiny bit of background:

I have a very small collection of mediocre knives. My two best are a Colt in 440A and a Spyderco Delica serrated in VG-10. The Colt gets really sharp, but doesn't hold the edge. The Delica is a joy. Easily the best knife I've ever owned. A strop and the sharpmaker bring it back to newspaper slicing sharp every time.

I'm amazed that in over a year of use (several times per week) opening boxes, cutting pallet wrap, cutting fiber/plastic box ties, opening blister packs, etc... I'm amazed that only the white/fine sharpmaker stones have been required to make it better than factory sharp. :)

The Delica is my EDC and, as I said, I love this knife. But I'm a sharpening nut (not that I'm great at it, I just really like doing it), so I'm sort of hankering for a plain edge knife, and I'd really like to treat myself to a knife with a more modern "super steel". Something that should be able to take an incredibly sharp edge and keep it for longer than anything else I have.

I'm pretty much down to two knives, but I'm (sorta) open to suggestion.

1. Benchmade mini griptilian with the Doug Ritter S30V blade. I think they call this a model 558? I've handled a mini grip and I liked the size and feel, and I LOVE the AXIS lock. I must have an AXIS in my collection at some point. I was going to buy the regular mini-grip in 154CM, but I've read the S30V is better, plus the blade design of the Doug Ritter is supposed to slice better because it's *almost* a full flat grind.
2. Another Delica, but this time in plain edge and in ZDP-189 steel. I love my Delica so this one will be another flavor, hopefully capable of taking an amazing edge and holding it.

If I know the crowd here, you're just going to say "buy both". ...and I might. But I'd still like opinions and/or suggestions for similar but better knives. I saw a chart someone made showing CPM-M4 and some other steel that were supposed to be head and shoulders above the rest in edge retention. Any EDCs in the size and style I'm after with these steels?

Thanks for reading.

Brian.
 
I have an FFG ZDP Delica and if I were to go into surgery Id demand the surgeon use it instead of the scalpel. The steel in the FFG blade profile really takes it above and beyond anything ive used which includes a buck vantage pro which has a really nice high hollow s30v grind. ZDP is easily my favorite steel and I highly recommend it if your willing to spend the money, and just for kicks and giggles get a G10 delica to switch out the handles and lock bar
 
Check out the cts bd30p manix 2, it's lock is very similar to the axis locks, it's ffg and the carpenter steel is awesome
 
The Delica is an awesome EDC knife... if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm happy with my VG-10 Delicas, but I've heard good things about the ZDP-189 version (the dark green scales look wicked, too!)

But if you're hankering for a different flavour, the Benchmade Axis-Lock *is* pretty sweet. If you go for a BM, I'd recommend something other than 154CM for your purposes as it is very similar to VG-10. Great steel, but you were looking to try something new...

Good luck! :)
 
+1 on the Gayle Bradley in M4, also take a look at the Benchmade 581 in M390 if you like/dont mind Axis spring assist.
 
If you don't mind assisted opening, you might look into the Benchmade Barrage 581 in M390 steel.
 
The Para2 sprint run in M390 if you're willing to wait for it. S30V hasn't been super for a while now, ZDP will hold its edge longer, however I don't believe ZDP goes well with ceramics.
 
I have the mini Ritter Grip and a ZDP Delica. I use the Delica far more, and it costs less, too. Both are good knives, but the Delica is better in my opinion.
 
If you are willing to go the non stainless route the choices really open up for the types like you( and me) who like sharpening and edges that will slice atoms without bruising. The Spyderco 3.5 in Hitachi Super Blue ( tungsten alloy steel) is one that will amaze you and take you to new heights in sharp. It has pretty good wear resistance but won't compare to the S90V's etc. Corrosion resistance is what you give up but if you want you can keep it as stain free as a stainless knife, like I do, or patina it going the other route.

It's a production knife like no other in the history of modern production knives. Carbon and alloy steel knives aren't that rare but ones with the qualities of the Caly 3.5 steel wise, ergonomics wise, and price wise don't exist and never have before.

CPM M4 is another I recommend. It's tougher stuff, and much more wear resistant. Same thing on non stainless. It needs some work but is doable. I grew up with carbon /carbon alloy steel knives so to me taking care of my tools is a natural thing, and the thought of a rust spot doesn't cause me to panic, or start condemning steels and heat treats. I usually prevent rust pretty easily, but can remove it if it did come up. No fuss, no muss.

The edge quality, steel performance and ease of sharpening more than make up for any extra work it might cause, but honestly it is no different from the way I treat my stainless knives. Silicone oil, and gun cleaning type silicone impregnated cloths from the gun cleaning section ( $2.99 per cloth) are your friends.

Joe
 
You could try the LE BM 520 in CPM M4. That would give you M4, the AXIS lock, and a package in the same ballpark as the GB for size. If you like Spydercos, a flat ground ZDP D4 PE would be an option.

You should also look at Kershaw. They have some nice blade offerings in combination steels like CPM D2 for the edge and something else for the rest of the blade. They've done this with ZDP189, CPM D2, and several other newer steels.
 
You could also order a custom mini Grip direct from BM. You choose your scale color, blade shape (drop point, tanto, or sheepsfoot), combo or plain edge, hardware and clip color, and blade steel. I ordered a mini Grip with tan scales, drop point, plain edge, silver hardware, and S30V steel. Fantastic EDC knife.

Here's the link...

http://www.benchmade.com/customize/default.aspx
 
I would hunt up a Para Military in CTS-20CP. That way you get G-10 scales, compression lock, and one of the top three cutlery steels around. Alternatively try to find a ZDP-189 CF Stretch. Otherwise I would opt for a full size Ritter Grip in M4, an amazing knife. None of these are easy to find but the hunt is half the fun.
 
the mini grip is really nice... can't go wrong with that one... i was an axis lock fan too.. but just recently got a spyderco native 5 and i think this is it for me in trying to find an EDC.... the back lock has such a reassuring crack sound...
 
Hard to go wrong with that Ritter Grip. It's one of my very favorites, although you'll eventually want to get a custom handle for it.

I second the Manix 2 sprint run suggestion; it will be comparable to the large Ritter Grip, and the BBL is a great lock. Stag Arms one is still available, also in S30V FFG.
 
Thanks everyone for responding. I looked up every knife mentioned that I wasn't previously aware of. That was 90% of the knives mentioned! :)

For the moment, I'm focused on Delica sized knives: Blades under lightly under 3". Even an Endura sized knife seems too big for the way I carry every day, but maybe I should buy a basic Endura, or similar knife and try carrying it to see?

Anyway, I'm excited about a couple of things mentioned here:

First that the Delica ZDP-189 is now a full flat grind! Yay. I remember reading that it was supposed to come out, but the thread I found made it seem like a phantom. I've since found one in stock at a dealer and I'm itching to buy it.

Second, the mention of Hitachi Super Blue steel. Someone told me a while back that Hitachi now owns the company/foundry/place where Tomahogane is made. That's the best steel in the world for swords as far as I know. Am I inferring correctly that some of the steel from this process gets turned into Hitachi Super Blue and later into powdered ZDP-189??? If so, that's extremely cool!

It's funny, I was almost totally set on buying the Ritter mini grip when I started this thread. Now I'm way into the Delica FFG ZDP-189.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Brian.
 
Hard to go wrong with a Spydie, especially a FFG sprint run! But the Ritter Grip is a great knife, and one that should be in your collection at some point. Especially if you find one with a cuscadi, tuffthumbz, or wilkins custom grip. They show up in the exchange a lot less frequently than other knives.
 
M4 Spydie Gayle Bradley all the way!!! :thumbup: It's a great contender for the money. (even though you're into smaller blades bgentry...)

IMG_5262-1.jpg


I just sharpened my GB on my paper wheels and it's got a lot more bite now....
This is an older pic that doesn't show the newly polished edge. :o
 
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