Requesting thoughts to help indecisiveness...

B

Broken Sword

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
4
This will be my last knife for a while due to a pact I made with my wife to lay off buying new knives. I managed to negotiate one last small/medium purchase before the pact takes full effect and now I am lost in a sea of indecision over which to settle on.

I am considering a smaller (blade length 2"-2.75")all-purpose type of knife that will take a good sharp edge and I won't cry to much if its lost or confiscated (airport if I forget)and my max dollar amount to spend would be $50 (ideally including shipping). I am considering for more of a fun factor Kershaw's Baby Boa or Mini mojo (interesting side note; on Kershaw's website its actually called a mini-mojito; I know this because it took forever for me to look it up:rolleyes: ), but I am skiddish over the 440A steel, because of this I am also considering the SS Cricket from spyderco with the VG-10 plain edge blade. Overall I tend to prefer a lot of Spyderco knives. However, I am more of a casual collector and end up with all sorts of knives. Just F.Y.I. I already have a Boker SF and WF as well as a Spyderco SPIN. I was actually kind of disappointed with the SPIN, it is very very tiny and very very thin. Even though they did well enough with the ergos to make it an effective cutter it is just difficult to utilize with my big hands.

So, I am looking for and thankful for any type of input both good and bad towards the Baby Boa, Mini Mojo or SS Cricket. Also I just would like to mention that I am not entirely a steel snob, but I do like trying out various kinds of steels and unique locking mechanisims. I guess I enjoy unique functional designs. Therefore I am not against 440A steel, but sort of wonder if I am getting the most for my money so to speak if I went with the Baby Boa or Mini Mojo. It seems like for a small knife that cheaper steels are the norm, which is why I really appreciate Spyderco using VG-10. Anyway, sorry to go on, but any input would be really appreciated. THANKS!
 
I really like my mini mojo, shipping and all it was $46. For me the 440A was fine for that knife because I wasn't camping with it but something to have on me while at work with slacks on. The AO is addicting, plus Kershaw CS is the best in the business. Good luck
 
If I were going to get something that small, I'd kind of like to try out one of Buck's Prince models from Wally World even though it's 420HC steel in the blade, or (and I may do this for myself) one of the A G Russell 2.5" titanium handled locking gent's knives. They have VG-10 blades and it's only $24.95 on their web site.

I don't usually carry anything smaller than a Delica and that's a 2.9" blade, but that's also a possibility. They're under $50.00 from dealers like NGK or Osogrande or Grand Prairie.

Good luck... hope the "pact" isn't open-ended and has a close expiration date :)
 
Spyderco does a very nice job with its VG-10 .... not only a quantum leap over 440A but IMO a much better all-around blade steel than "premium" S30V. So many of the Spyderco VG-10 knives are excellent values.

For exceptional value in a very economically priced knife, though, I would look at Spyderco's imported Byrd line. The way they heat treat their 8Cr13MoV steel it actually compares well with VG-10. A Byrd Meadowlark - only $22 or thereabouts with G-10 handles - is going to hold an edge a lot better than the other knives you've mentioned; not fancy or gimmicky, actually kind of an ugly knife IMO, but a serious cutting tool that the price won't break you if the airport ninjas confiscate it.
 
I'm Glad for the replies so far. I actually considered the a.g.russell folder, but it looks like it will be way to thin. Sort of like the SPIN and I don't really want to go that route.

Glad to hear that someone enjoys the Mini Mojo. I tried finding some general reviews of both the Baby Boa and the Mini Mojo, but didn't have a lot of luck searching through the forum.

I do own two Delica's:) , in fact I just got a ZDP-189 British racing green delica and I love it, but probably won't be carrying it everyday.

I have never seen anyone compare the 8Cr13MoV to VG-10 before. This may be a way for me to go. Does anyone know of a place where I could view the content specs for 8Cr13MoV steel? Spyderco is sort of mum on the content but compares it to Aus-8. Plus from what I understand the Byrd line is manufactured in China. Not to Knock China, but "Made in China" doesn't really compare to well with "Made in USA" or "Made in Japan" for that matter. At least IMHO.
 
Hi, Broken Sword. You can find some useful info on 8C13CrMoV, including composition, and other steels here:

http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/blade_materials.html

specifically -

http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/blade_materials.html#S_8C13CrMoV

Reading the many posts and comments about the Byrd line on these forums, you'll see the overwhelming impression is very positive. I got one of the seemingly very few with a few problems, and I still think it's a great value. Running their 8C13CrMoV at ~61 HRC is what makes it compare well in terms of edge holding.

In terms of quality, there have been a number of reports of Spyderco Manixes failing spine whack tests, none I've seen with the Byrd line. Of course that's only one aspect, but I think it's fair to say that the Byrds are of very decent quality.

A Spyderco Caly3 at ~$96 is of course a much nicer knife, but as a cutting tool it's nowhere near 4x-5x better than a Byrd. The Caly3 would be a nice gift to give yourself, while a Byrd makes a much more sensible gift for your favorite airport security personnel. :)
 
wait a week or 2 for the kershaw junk yard dog-

looks like it may be one of the top dogs in the under $50 segment-street price ive seen are about 32-34$
 
Another thought is the Spyderco Native available at many Wal Marts for just under $40. Made in Golden, Colorado, USA, Earth :D . Personally, I find the S30V steel of the Native superior for my uses to the VG-10 of the Delica, but YMMV.

The whole Byrd line is also a fantastic value. They work like much more expensive knives, and don't break your heart when they disappear.
 
I have a Mini Mojo and I love it , it reminds me of a Mini Spec Bump.

The only issue you might have is the size of the handle. I have small hands so it's fine for me , but it could be an issue for someone with larger hands.

You didn't mention the Leek, the blade is more in the 3" range, but for around the same price as the Mini Mojo you can get the framelock SS version. It just seems like more for the money, although the Mini Mojo's blade might be more versatile.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top