Please help me decide on an EDC folder for my SO

J

Jappelle

Joined
Dec 12, 2016
Messages
6
I want to buy a knife for my boyfriend. I've have narrowed it down to the Mantra 2, BM 940/943, BM foray and ZT 450. I've handled them all and just can't decide. Metal scales are a pro because they are easier to customize (via anodization). With G10, I would have to either order or make custom scales.

Mantra 2
Pros: Full flat, M4, titanium scales
Cons: Horrific clip

BM 940/943
Pros: Doesn't take up much pocket space, aluminum scales, axis lock
Cons: Saber grind

BM foray
Pros: CPM-20CV, clip, axis lock
Cons: Thick (.137), saber grind, G10

ZT 450
Pros: Bearings, titanium scales
Cons: Handle slightly too small

Thanks!
 
Id vote for the bm940-2, or any of the bm940 series. Incredible all around knife.

PS you're a badass gift giver :D

Edited to add: you can andoize aluminum but there are far less people who do professional anodizing on aluminum compared to titianium and your options on colors and patterns for aluminum is much smaller in comparison to titanium.

Just food for thought if that's a large part of your criteria :)
 
For customization I'd go with the Mantra or 0450.
Personally, I love my 940 and have never had a problem with the grind. So I would choose that over the other ones you listed. It's a classic for a reason.

If you are looking for some "WOW!" factor check out Spyderco's Magnitude. I can't believe how close that looks to a Carey custom. I's a bit larger, but not over the top.
Also a fantastic knife to consider would be the Brous Mini Division which is on sale at Blade HQ.
 
Hey, your boyfriend has a great knife in his future...and it already looks like he has an awesome SO! Without knowing how your boyfriend carries a knife and what kind of tasks it needs to fulfill, I'll just take a swag from my own experience:

Of the knives you've mentioned, I'd go with the BM 940/943 with the ZT 0450 in a close second place. The 94X family of knives are such an iconic EDC option, they're hard to beat. The 0450 is great too, but just so much smaller in the the hand and problematic for some people to deploy.

Of the BM 94X knives, I actually think I prefer my 943. It's a tough choice because my 943 is stock/vanilla and my 940 has some custom scales. I have a lot more money into the 940, so I'm not sure if it's apples to apples.

Good luck and Happy Holidays to you!
 
He will probably use it for office stuff, opening boxes, cutting fruit etc. He is currently carrying the CRKT eros.
 
I've had the ZT 0450, and it is a great knife, although it was just a bit too short in the grip for my large hand.
 
Mantra 2 is on my short list. The 940 didn't do it for me but was very good. Nothing on your list is bad. You won't disappoint unless he changed his tastes to GEC or Case. Uh oh.
 
Big 94x fan here but the Mantra sounds like it could fit your criteria quite well also. Can't comment on the Foray. Don't care for the handle design on the 450 but it is a beautiful knife.
 
If he likes the gentleman like look of the eros i think he would feel familiar with the 0450. Its the reason i want one so bad right now ah ah
 
How good of a sharpener is he and does he have what he needs to sharpen them?

Of those I only like the BM 940. To me the Mantra 2 is just ugly and odd. Love the M4 on it but cant get past the look. Of course this is only an opinion. The Zt would be my next choice followed by the Foray.

Manix 2 would be what I wanted from my wife, but it's not on your list. I have one and wood grips on those look amazing.
 
If you like the ZT0450 but feel it is a little small have you considered the ZT0808 or ZT0456? They are heavier but if he is cutting up boxes and things like that they would do an incredible job. Out of the ones you have suggested I agree with most everyone here, the ZT0450 or Benchmade 940 are great knives.
 
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943 all day long!! It is the sexiest of the ones you listed......by far!!
Do you have any sisters??? Maybe you can do some seminars???
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He will love any of the knives listed......go with the one that catches your eye!! They are all great knives from great companies!
Good luck and let us know what you decide!!
Joe
 
How big are his hands? That is important. And do laws preclude 3" or larger blades? I tend to prefer 3" or smaller blades for office stuff, so as not to scare the populace. So I prefer the BM mini-Grip which can be highly customized down the line:

IMG_0099_zps4fe23370.jpg
 
I've had three of the four on your list. I vote for the 0450 with a CF scale. The 940-1 and 940-1502 are really nice too. The mini grip is another one.
 
Thanks so much everyone for your responses!

Locutus D'Borg, those scales are killer! The ritter grip was on my list but he literally just bought himself one. His hands are quite large and 3-3.7 (ish) is his preferred blade length range.

To answer other questions, he is a competent sharpener who has the proper tools. He actually really likes GEC and Canal Street but has a ton of traditional folders already. He is also very particular about blade thickness which is why he likes the Eros. That's why the 0808 and 0456 didn't make the list (practically disqualifies the foray). They are very sexy knives.
 
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I would definitely add another vote for the ZT - go with the ZT450CF - it's a tough little thing and perfect for the uses you specified. I had that BM model and I've had bad experiences. I also had a BM943 and both BM's came with blades that were off-center, had a burr on the blade edge, and was overall very cheap in my opinion. The axis lock was just not right. Maybe defective or maybe that's how they all are, I'm not sure since I only had the one.

I had a ZT450 with CF scale and I loved it. I sold it recently to fund some bigger purchases and also my needs changed and it was just too small.
 
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