Pika II v Tenacious v Rat 1

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Egnar T Seinnhoj

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Jan 13, 2013
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I'm not huge on folders but I want to get a decent one for EDC. I've narrowed it down to the Pika II, Tenacious and Rat 1. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on those knives and which you would consider the best. Since I'm not huge on folders I'll gladly take other options into consideration. Just try to keep it under $50 ;)

Thanks in advance!
 
Haven't handled a Pika II, but I'd pick the RAT-1 out of the three you mentioned. The Pika II design just didn't resonate with me. Having used both a RAT-1 and Tenacious, I prefer the RAT-1 by a big margin. It just handled better and felt more solid in hand and during use.

If you don't mind blems, you can pick up a Blur from kershawguy for under $50. For just a tad over, you can even get one in S30V. The Blur is comparable in size to the RAT-1 and Tenacious. For a slimmer knife more like the Pika II, also check out the Leek, Skyline, and OD-1. A composite blade Leek would be my top pick from those (can also get a blem of that within your budget).

If you like the Spyderco designs, keep an eye out on the exchange here for a Delica4, Endura4, or Centofante3. Retail for those seldom drop below $50, but occasionally LNIB ones will show up on the secondary market for under $50. I think I've seen a Stretch go for under $50 before as well.

Large Buck Vantage might be another worth looking at. The Select and Avid models fall within your budget. The Pro model sometimes gets there as well, and they too pop up on the secondary market for under $50 sometimes.
 
Hell of a lot of info man. Thanks! Really appreciate it.

I had a skyline and loved it but lost it in WV. Only Kershaw I own now is a Half Ton.

Definitely gonna consider those other options.

Thanks again.
 
I would personally get the rat 1 or one of Bucks offerings, I have been eyeballing a camo bantam and a paperstone 112 from buck recently. If you do get a pika, try to find one of the older models, I used to love those folders before they changed the handle material and shape and also the blade grind. Now they feel kinda flimsy.
 
Yeah I've got a Bantam BLW in Orange and it's a fine little knife. Definitely was more interested in the older version although I'll admit it was mainly for Benchmade name instead of Heckler & Koch. Good to know that there's a real difference involved. Thanks man.
 
I have both a benchmade and HK pika, I find them to be actually pretty good knives, I can get them razor sharp and they hold the edge much better than say 14c28n through cardboard. Neither have blade play and the lowride clip is very nice. I admit not the greatest looking knife but for edc it's a good choice.
Now for the tenacious is going to feel overall like a bigger knife but it feels great to hold, I have only used the one I bought for my friend and it slices well and feels more than $30. I haven't been able to test the edge but I've heard good things about spyderco heat treat.
Also I did buy my other friend a Buck vantage pro is s30v for $50 bucks and the 13c26 or 420hc are much cheaper. So far he hasn't gone back to any of his other knives and says it's the perfect edc.
The benchmade vex is also a good little knife if you can find one.
 
Oh and I can only tell tiny difference in between the benchmade and HK pika. I have tested both and the edge feels the same and they feel as sturdy as one another. I'm not sure if all the new HK pikas are any good but I've used mine the last 5 days at work and that makes it the most used knife in a row outlasting my benchmade ares.
 
Thanks a lot man.

I'll have to look into those suggestions. I've also been eyeballing the OSO Sweet. I'll probably get it and if I don't dig it, the misses will so it's a safe enough buy.
 
The texture patterns are completely different between old and new pika, the old being dimpled like ostrich skin, and the new like the sogzilla or spyderco endura 4. The new handle material feels like very smooth slick plastic and has a cheap feel, whereas the older stuff felt more like frn like a griptilian.
Also the blades are the same shape but have different grinds, the old has a saber grind that actually slices pretty well and feels really strong, and the new style is a deep hollow grind which slices better but feels less sturdy.
The opening holes are different as well, the older pikas had the oval chamfered hole and the newer design has a sharper round hole like a spyderco.
I think that is enough difference to notice and have a preference one way or the other.

Look for a benchmade mini ambush, now discod. But still around for good prices. I had one and really liked it. A rather unique locking and detent mechanism. One of there better red class knives, the full size ambush was quite large but the mini is about the same size as a mini grip.
Did not care too much for the vex I had, just a preference thing, it was a solid knife for the price. I still have a monochrome it's a sweet knife as well. Smoothest opening knife I have ever owned.
 
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