Please Help Me Pick a Knife

B

banderso

Joined
Feb 11, 2010
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3
I am going to buy a knife and a sharpmaker as graduation gifts to myself, and am looking for some input. Right now I have a Delica, and while i like like it, I think something heftier would suit me better. I am a mechanical engineer and spend a lot of time in machine shops and cut lots of tough materials. I also spend lots of time outdoors on day hikes and backpacking and would like the knife to be appropriate for that. Hopefully this knife will be good enough to be my edc for a long time and be able to handle anything I need it for.

Here are some things I would like to see in the knife
  • Good steel
  • ZERO blade play
  • Approximately 3.5 to 4 inch blade
  • Very durable when used hard. I won't abuse the knife *too much*, but I don't want to have to baby it.
  • Heavy is okay
  • Slow opening is okay. The knife will never be used for self defense, so I don't care how quickly it opens.

Here are some things I would not like to see in the knife
  • Recurve blade
  • Assisted opening
  • Ridiculous looking mall ninja styling

These are the knives I am looking most closely at
  • Benchmade 950-1 Rift. This is the front runner right now. This a terrific looking knife, especially the blade. I also expect the G10 to feel great. I'm concerned that the handle may be less rigid than the 520 Presidio. No matter how tight the pivot screw is on my Delica, I still have some side to side blade play as the handle flexes near the pivot and I don't want the same issue with my new knife. I am also turned off by the fact that this knife only comes in 154CM, which from my reading sounds like it is good but not great.
  • Benchmade 520 Presidio. I like that this knife seems to be regarded by everyone as being very tough. The aluminium handle may be good for the reason I mentioned above, but I don't think I will like the feel, especially in cold weather. As with the 950, I am concerned about the 154CM.
  • Benchmade HK14205. Seems to have a reputation for being tough, but the blade looks like it is better suited for stabbing than work related cutting and it's still 154CM
  • Benchmade Bone Collector 15020. It seems like it would suit me well because it is supposed to be tough, it has G10 handles and D2 which sounds like it would be better for my uses. I'm just not sure I can get over how ugly I find this knife, especially the blade.
  • Kershaw JYD II CB. It is supposed to be tough but costs significantly less than the Benchmades I listed. How does it compare when used hard? It also sounds like the steel would be a better fit for me. How does the liner locker compare to an axis lock? At first I though it looked great, but I'm less excited about that now.

I'm looking for recommendations and advice before I make this purchase. Which knife would you recommend and why? The sharpmaker would be a good choice for me, correct? Thanks for any input you can give.
 
Congrats on graduation. A large plain Sebenza 21 would be the perfect choice for your criteria. It will last you a lifetime. Here is a pic of mine. Yes, the sharpmaker would be fine.
ry%3D400
 
Out of the ones that you said, I'd vote for the Rift, because it has good steel and a nice gripped handle. The Axis lock will last for a long time. +2 on the Rift. (one :thumbup: from me, one :thumbup: from FlaMtnBkr)
 
damn. It'll be tough for me to help since I think the Rift is one of the ugliest knives I've ever seen. The Proprietor of my local knife store ALWAYS whips out the newest models she has in for me. I did not really know what to expect of it, but I did not like it at all.

1. Bulky. Too wide when closed.
2. Too heavy.
3. I don't like he black/grey G10
4. The handle shape is just fugly *IMO*

You asked for it... "Get a Sebenza." If you actually end up interested and learn about knives and reeeeealy pay attention you'll have one before the year is out anyway.

Your criteria is describing a Sebenza. Look at "pre loved" ones here on the "Production Knives For Sale By Individuals" For Sale forum & you can get one for the same price you could resell it for and you'll be out nothing but $5 for Priority Shipping.

YOU'RE WELCOME!~

and "welcome to the BF!"
 
What is the Most you want to spend for this knife ? That would help

everyone give you suggestions.
 
price is one thing that would affect what i would recommend, but for your criteria i think a large sebenza would fit the bill.
 
Sounds to me like you need a BRK&T Woodland (3") or Highland (4") Spcl.
Capable for tough duty machine shop or campsite.
A2 steel, multitude of handle materials, take your pick.
Guaranteed ZERO blade flex.

Forest Green G10 Woodland Spcl
FGwdLndRhsPnt.jpg


Macassar Ebony Highland Spcl
HiLndMacEbRHS.jpg


Or a Schrade USA LB7/6OT, plenty around and proven worker bee. :D
 
others that people havent mentioned that meet your criteria are:

al mar sere
zt (may be a bit ninja for you)
bradley

i like the looks of the rift more than I do the presidio, but the presidio does have a thicker blade.
 
Wow the Sebenzanists strike early.

And I don't even need to scream RIFT!!! anymore as it's already been done for me. :D

Everyone has their opinion, and mine is that the Rift looks awesome. I am surprised that the handle shape is what is not liked as I could see the blade being different and therefore unattractive to some. But the handle with it's 3D machining looks great to me as does the blade. I wonder if the handle slabs were flat G10 if Archie would still find it ugly? For it's size I don't find it much wider or heavier than other knives in it's size range. I have knives that are the same size and wider and heavier than the Rift and find it middle of the road at most?

The 520 looks like a good design but I don't like aluminum handles. I'm sure it is a tank but you don't have to worry about the Rift being flexy like the Delica as it is stout.

The 14205 is great as is the Bone collector but I personally don't like either as much as the Rift but do have both. The 14205 has a thicker blade and the Bone collector has a thicker handle. I say go with your first choice!
 
You're better off getting an Emerson Commander or Spyderco Military over a Sebenza.
 
Wow, thank you to everyone who has given their input so far. Yes, the Sebenza is a beautiful knife and it sounds great from everything I have read. I think it is a little out of my price range though, even used. It would be nice if I could keep it under $125ish.
 
If I was in your position I'd get the Spyderco Gayle Bradley without thinking twice. I don't like BM axis locks and think the M4 steel of the Bradley will suit you well from what you described.
 
I believe the Manix 2 is still available. G10 handles and 154 Blade. Made in the USA and in my opinion of very high quality. MUCH lower cost than the Sebenza but I would consider it a hard use folder.

Bill
 
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