Perfect knife for me. Which one?

A

Aldebaran

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Sep 18, 2004
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I am a very infrequent visitor to these forums and even less frequent a poster. Please excuse me if this has been covered before.

I have a number of knives. I started with my first "real" knife with the Crawford Kasper from CRKT in 2001. Since then I have been trying to find my perfect EDC. At the moment my favorites for EDC are the Paramilitary 2, the Benchmade Ritter Grip, Ontario Rat 1 or 2, Byrd Cara Cara 2 FRN, Cold Steel Code 4 and the ZT 0566BW.

The Paramilitary 2 is almost perfect, except I find the blade to handle ratio a bit too small. The compression lock matches my personal philosophy of simpler is better as far as lock designs go. As with all Spyderco knives with holes, nothing in the way of the cutting path is really nice.

The Ritter Grip is almost my perfect knife again, except for the problem with possible omega spring failures. Yes I have had them fail. I also live in the desert so dust and dirt getting inside the mechanism is a problem.

The Ontario Rats are great too except for the poor steel and the Rat 1 is really bulky and heavy. The Rat 2 is a bit small for me except when I need a smaller knife in the city. If it came with D2 that would be a perfect smallish EDC for me. I love the clean blade design without the thumb studs getting in the way of the cutting path in both designs.

The Byrd Cara Cara 2 is really great, except for the low end steel, and back locks are not that compatible with sand neither. No thumb studs in the cutting path is a big bonus.

Cold Steel Code 4, wow. Nice steel, nice blade and grind. I love the triad lock although it might be as much as a problem as a back lock for dirt and sand. The slippery aluminum handles let it down. It is also really long for the overall cutting edge.

My most carried knife is the ZT 0566BW. It is really efficient in blade size to handle size. The grind is OK if not a bit too thick. The frame lock is as simple as you can get. I have had no issue with the Elmax steel. The thumb stud is almost out of the way of the cutting path. It fits my hand nicely and I like the flipper activation even with the spring assist. What are my gripes? The springs break constantly and the knife can't be relied on to open every time when you need it. Yes I have run it without the spring but it gets let down by the compromised washers to make the spring assist work. It also has internal cavities in the handle and frame that can collect dirt and require disassembly to clean.

So after all of this preamble I need help. I want to find my perfect EDC without buying and trying and buying and trying. I don't want, NEVER, ball bearings in my knife. They are BS for any real all use EDC in possibly emergency conditions in contaminating environments. Springs have always proven to be unreliable in knives, I don't want them. All the blades I have mentioned are usable shapes and grinds to me. I prefer good blade size efficiency. I like flippers but more importantly good reliable strong locks without contamination problems causing them to not lock. A knife must be easy to clean, remove sand for example, without complete disassembly. The ZT 0566 is almost everything I want except for the spring and the internal cavities that collect dirt.

The question is: Is there a knife like the ZT 0566 with good flipping action, no bearings, good steel and the same blade size efficiency that doesn't cost more than $200 - $250? Basically a ZT 0566 without the spring, without the cavities milled for the spring, and proper washers on the pivot would be my perfect knife. OK, almost perfect. A bit lighter and perhaps with a hollow ground blade would be perfect. I am not against any manufacturer nor country. Blade steel needs to be better than AUS8. Things like 440C and up are good.

What say the crowd? Any suggestions?

Thank you for your time.
 
I would take a hard look at kizer knives. Premium materials, great build quality, reliable knives. Their old models don't have great flipping action but they're superb knives.

You seem to like simplicity and a strong lock that will not fail. Have you considered a balisong? They're arguably the strongest folding knife there is, and no amount of sand or dirt will allow them to close on you. No pesky thumb studs either :p

I've carried a benchmade 51 for years, definitely my favorite edc

Best of luck with your search!
 
What about a Manix 2?
It isn't a flipper, but it is stout, decent slicer and you have a rather wide array of alloys to choose from.

Take a Real good look at the Cruwear manix. 3v/pd1/cruwear are all in the same family.
It takes a Really keen edge very easily, has pretty good edge holding capabilities (slightly under M4 in my experience), but Fantastic toughness.
 
zt 0560. It's the 0566 without the assist. You'll have to look on the secondary market for one though because they are discontinued.
 
Your working environment calls for the G&G Hawk MUDD mid tech folder. Unfortunately, it's not a flipper and out of your listed price range.

Good luck in your search. You're bound to get some good suggestions here :)
 
Ahhhh, finding the perfect knife. The fun is in the hunt!! That is a tough question to answer, as MY perfect knife may not be YOUR perfect knife. Happy hunting!!
 
I have two suggestions. First, if you want a folder, learn to love the PM 2. It's the only knife you mentioned where your issue with it is not performance or materials related. I've used one version or another for my go-to folder in all kinds of conditions since they first came out. I haven't been able to find anything that works as well after years of trying. It sounds like it works for you except for the B to H "ratio". "Ratio" is a matter of personal perspective... it's aesthetics. If you have no other issue with the knife such as blade length or handle ergos, then the PM 2 is the EDC folder you're looking for in terms of simplicity, maintenance, and performance.

Second... if it were me, I'd consider a smaller fixed blade like the Bradford Guardian 3. It can be carried on your belt or in your pocket and you have no moving parts, locks, or anything else to worry about.
 
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Aldebaran said:
...The Paramilitary 2 is almost perfect, except I find the blade to handle ratio a bit too small. The compression lock matches my personal philosophy of simpler is better as far as lock designs go. As with all Spyderco knives with holes, nothing in the way of the cutting path is really nice.

...

The Ontario Rats are great too except for the poor steel and the Rat 1 is really bulky and heavy. The Rat 2 is a bit small for me except when I need a smaller knife in the city. If it came with D2 that would be a perfect smallish EDC for me. I love the clean blade design without the thumb studs getting in the way of the cutting path in both designs...
Click to expand...

I also never really understood the blade:handle ratio complaints on the PM2. What are you looking for? More blade? Less handle? Don't care for 50/50 choil designs? Aesthetics?? I like them very much as-is and appreciate the generous handle and grip options. I like the suggestion of the Manix 2 as well, but if the ratio on the PM2 does not suit you, the M2 is similar in that regard (and I don't know how well the cbbl would cope with sand, etc, in the mechanism).

On the Rat 1, these are available in D2 in case you weren't aware. I believe Ontario plans to offer the Rat 2 in D2 as well, but I have not been following closely to know if/when they will be available.
 
Manix 2 is a great suggestion as already stated... And the CF D2 Ontario Rat 1 as well... great option for under $60... I would also recommend the Spyderco Yojimbo 2... Also a compression lock... Wharncliffe blade is extremely strong and in S30V its a step up from the other steels... Also easy to sharpen cause of the straight edge. Great option under $150 if you like the aesthetics. GL

Also wanted to mention the Spyderco Military in titanium... this one is a framelock as opposed to the liner lock used on the G10 model. Not sure if too big for your needs but better blade/handle ratio me thinks.
 
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For reference of PD1/3v/Cruwear.


I wasn't a fan of the PM2 due to the handle/blade ratio as well, and yes, it was due to the handle seeming larger than the blade offered.
The other side of that coin would be a Benchmade 940, I was surprised about the blade size hidden in the handle...
The Manix 2 seemed like more of a work knife than the 940, and offered better ergos for me than both the PM2 and 940.

I know that there is quite a following for the three knives listed, but ergos takes the cake for me.
When I was landscaping and it was 100° out, and I still have 3+ hours to go, I wanted to use a comfortable knife. One that I know isn't going to slip in my hand and has a strong and effective lock for a gloved or dirty hand. The manix offered all of this to me with a lock that can be blown out in between jobs, if need be.
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All of that being said, I would also agree that a compact fixed blade would work out Very well.
Becker BK14, Busse Warden/Culti/AMS/Mean Street, and a few others do come to mind.

No lock to worry about, a simple kydex sheath will be sweat resistant, and offer all of, if not more, security and safety of a quality folder, as well as having a veritable infinite amount of blade/handle ratios of your choosing.

For your dollar amount, you can even go custom.
 
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Kizer Activ Bantam is pretty close to a 566 without assist, but it is slightly shorter in blade length. Mine runs on PB washers and flips great. It came for tip up carry and I think they all do now.

Kershaw Skyline is the only other non-bearing flipper that I have and would recommend. It's a superb knife and Sandvik 14C28N is a wonderful steel.

Manix2 is one of my favorite platforms of all time, but it's bulkier than the PM2 if that matters.

Sage5 could be worth a hard look if you're looking for something related to the PM2 but with a better handle/blade ratio and less intrusive to carry.

0770cf is a great knife if you can live with it deassisted (mine doesn't flip great without the spring).

Ever consider a Slysz Bowie? ;) Just thought I'd throw it in there cause it's the closest I've found to my perfect knife...
 
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770 is nice, also available in M4 (added toughness) if you don't mind sticking a 4"×1" piece of leather in the glove box as a strop, in case corrosion gets to be a problem.
It shouldn't be, but as a precautionary measure.
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Mine flips fine as long as the liners were left in.
 
Heres a list to look into-
Esee avispa d2 blade. Zt 0620/0630. Spyderco endura, manix 2, sage, native. Cold steel recon folder, lawman. Kershaw knockout. Emerson horseman.
 
Shhhh!, don't talk about the Sliver. :D

jk, it does look like a huge hit. If Spyderco wasn't releasing a left hand pm2 it would be my most anticipated new Spyderco.
 
abbazaba said:
Kizer Activ Bantam is pretty close to a 566 without assist, but it is slightly shorter in blade length. Mine runs on PB washers and flips great. It came for tip up carry and I think they all do now.

Kershaw Skyline is the only other non-bearing flipper that I have and would recommend. It's a superb knife and Sandvik 14C28N is a wonderful steel.

Manix2 is one of my favorite platforms of all time, but it's bulkier than the PM2 if that matters.

Sage5 could be worth a hard look if you're looking for something related to the PM2 but with a better handle/blade ratio and less intrusive to carry.

0770cf is a great knife if you can live with it deassisted (mine doesn't flip great without the spring).

Ever consider a Slysz Bowie? ;) Just thought I'd throw it in there cause it's the closest I've found to my perfect knife...
Click to expand...

+1 for the Slysz Bowie. I was going to recommend it.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. I have considered many of the knives already mentioned.

Balisong? Sorry, not legal where I am. I look at the Kizers repeatedly too. None of them hit all the good points that I am looking for.

The Manix 2 has been on my short list to look at too for a long time, but the usable blade length and the locking mechanism are not the best to me.

I had almost purchased a 0560 many times, but it has ball bearings and I refuse to buy ball bearing knives.

As far as the comments go about the PM2... If I had to make a choice of one knife from what I own as the knife to count on in all situations, at this point it would be the PM2. I didn't mention it before but the handle is a bit blocky. The blade cutting length compared to its handle size does bother me. The ZT 0566 has a smaller handle and a much longer cutting length. It is not about beauty but rather utility.

I have a Rat 1 D2 on the way in the mail, but it seems to have been lost. I have a regular Rat 1 and it is a great simple tool but the handle is also very bulky and heavy. This certainly makes it comfortable in use and a D2 version would be a great improvement over the AUS8. If I was only in the desert and not going to be in the city too, it would probably be a great choice. IMHO the Rat 1 is not a great EDC for me. The Military Titanium looks interesting if a bit big for an EDC. It is also quite a bit over my budget.


Edit: I should explain my aversion to springs. I have never had a knife that had a spring of some type where that spring did not break. They all break in my experience and I don't want to deal with that problem especially when the spring is responsible for the lockup.

The BM940 is certainly great knife and has a reputation for a reason. It has springs.....

The Kizer Activ Bantam is nice but it is a bit small, has titanium against steel, and I have only seen them with tip up only. The Kershaw Skyline has always interested me and I like its overall design but the stupid pocket clip has always turned me off. I can always change the clip I guess. How good is this knife really in an emergency hard use situation and as an EDC? The Sage 5 looks interesting too but is the blade handle ratio really any better than the PM2? The 0770 deassisted would be no better to me than the 0566 deassisted. It also would have cavities inside to collect gunk and needing disassembly to clean.

Slysz? Too much money........

The Esee Avispa d2 blade is not much different than the RAT 1. A ZT 0620/0630 would be OK but I hate the thunmb disk and how much it blocks the cutting path. I am also not a fan of wave opening. Spyderco endura, got it, not impressed. The Byrd Cara Cara 2 is a much better design IMHO but let down by its steel. The Cold steel recon folder is also one of my considerations but huge for the cutting edge. The Cold steel Lawman, which I have, is the worst knife to handle ratio knife of anything I have seen. I never carry it. The Kershaw Knockout has a spring..... The Emerson Horseman has the thumbdisk, which I hate, and wave which I am not fond of too.

The Sliver from Spyderco looks like it would be uncomfortable in my big hands. We will see what it costs too.

As far as fixed blades go I have that covered. Fixed blades are not EDCs though IMHO. I have a Fallkniven F1 and A1. Love them, but not sheeple friendly, and not good for walking around in the mall.

If the Cold Steel Lawman didn't use up soooo much handle and blade for the finger choil, it might be the blade for all round EDC. It is way off of that for me because of the huge deficit of cutting length in its overall size. The PM2 is much better but it still bugs me. The PM2 would be my choice if faced with only one knife at this point. The ZT0566 is great too but springs.....and the compromise made on the washers to make the spring fit. This makes it not very good without the spring plus the dirt trap. Code 4? Slippery handles don't inspire confidence. It is damn close too though. Give the Recon 4 the same handle material as the Lawman and then we have a knife. Maybe the Mini Recon 1? If the Byrd Cara Cara 2 had better steel and a deeper carry clip, that would be good enough for me.

That is the problem. All these knives seem to be down on one or two points. I have never seen a knife yet that meets my needs, at least under $250. It is not a matter of quality or durability. They all just seem to be short on design features or two. Of all the knives suggested so far the old boring Skyline looks like the most promising perhaps.

Edit: I should explain my aversion to springs. Every knife that I have had that has had a spring, the spring has failed.
 
One thing that got me thinking was your comment(s) on springs.
Aside from friction folders, every single locking knife i can think of has some form of spring, lock back, axis, frame lock (the lock itself has a "spring" as an integral part of the deaign), mid lock, triad, compression, traditional (slip joint), et al...

If you don't want springs, you are looking at Svord, Opinel, Mercator, Higonokami...
Friction folders.
 
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NJBillK said:
One thing that got me thinking was your comment(s) on springs.
Aside from friction folders, every single locking knife i can think of has some form of spring, lock back, axis, frame lock (the lock itself has a "spring" as an integral part of the deaign), mid lock, triad, compression, traditional (slip joint), et al...

If you don't want springs, you are looking at Svord, Opinel, Mercator, Higonokami...
Friction folders.
Click to expand...

OK, you are correct. I am technically wrong. I should be more specific.

I am talking about springs made from wire, as in omega springs, torsion springs as in assisted Kershaws and ZT. I also had a Benchmade Mini Ambush fail on the "indraw" spring. Any back lock and triad lock I have owned so far have not had a spring failure. Technically frame locks, liner locks and compression locks all have springs as an integrated part of the lock device. I have yet to hear of one of these fracturing from fatigue. The Cold Steel Swift also has a bad reputation for its spring bar failing. Springs as added additional part of the design seem to be a bad idea for most knives. I want to avoid them.

I will be buying a Kershaw Skyline to give it a try. I am no knife snob.
 
What about a SpydieChef? It's like a ~$100 cheaper version of a Slysz Bowie (as far as materials and construction)
 
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