Small, excellent quality, everday knife reccomendations, please>>>

You say the delica seemed too big, but are you sure you were checking out a delica and not an endura? (Endura=Big Brother, Delica=Little brother). I got my hands on the newer delica 4 yesterday when I picked up a new BM 42, and it's pretty sweet. Sal and Spyderco nailed it. It's got new screw together construction so it can be disassembled and cleaned easier, a bigger spyder hole for openeing, the blade is a vg-10 (great steel in my own opinion) with a redesigned blade (the previous delica/enduras had a more pointy tip, that was easy to break), and it now has stainless liners to add a little strength. It's got a little more weight to it too, which I like. In fact, I think I'm going back during lunch to pick it up. :) (They also have a limited S30V Emerson commander that I've been eyeing too!)


Edit:spelling
 
If you're really going to be doing a lot of scraping and stuff, you may want to look at something with a tanto edge. It would give you a tough spot on the tip for scraping and light prying, as well as a nice straight edge for cutting. Scraping and prying can be hell on a blade, causing edge rollover and even chipping. Scraping and light prying also produces lateral stress on the blade's lock, so you'll want a lock that's very tough.


This Mini-Griptilian should do the job well.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BM557P

The steel is only 440C, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The 440C would probably be more likely to have the edge roll over rather than chip, as S30V might do. 440C is also much easier to sharpen, at the cost of having to sharpen it more often than S30V. The 440C might also be more stain resistant.

Normally, I wouldn't recommend either a tanto edge or 440C, but your uses ride that fine line between a cutting tool and a multitool. That Griptilian looks like a dependable compromise. Sorry, but no screwdriver tip there.
 
How about a Spyderco Dodo

it's an unusual looking knife, that's for sure (some have called it ugly, hideous, bizzare), but it's a knife that has to be *held* and *used* to be fully appreciated, the blade is around 2" or so, but the Reverse-S blade design has a lot of cutting power, in short, it cuts like a much *bigger* knife, the G-10 handle is grippy and gives you a confident hold on the knife, and the grip layout fits the hand *perfectly*

everyone i've let try out the Dodo makes the expected remarks about it being "ugly", but once they open the blade and put it in their hand, they immediately understand the reasons for it's appearance, they then generally remark that it's the best fitting/most comfortable knife they've ever held....

there's no better example of Spyderco's "designed in the dark" philosophy, ergonomics and functionality are the primary concern, appearance is irrelavent

problem is, Spyderco's discontinued the Dodo and supplies are drying up, get one while you still can....

then you can join the "Cult of the Dodo" ;)

Anyway, I found so many uses for that thing that I want to get a really nice knife to carry with me. I want a knife I can use for everyday tasks, that will hold up and stay sharp. Mundane stuff like scraping paint, trimming tape, scraping plaster off molding (doing a lot of rennovation on our house) stripping the odd wire, cutting open blister packaging, plastic bags, etc, etc. A knife I can *use*.
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as far as the scraping duties go, a paint scraper would be a better choice, but everything else the Dodo could handle, it would excel at trimming tape, cutting open blister packaging (that little hook at the front of the blade does wonders on clamshell packaging), the serrated model would work well for stripping insulation off wire, just put the wire in one of the serrations and peel off a layer of insulation

the only thing the Dodo really woulddn't be good at is anything needing a "stabbing" motion, or scraping, the curve of the Reverse S doesn't really lend itself to scraping duty
 
beady said:
Redguy, those Leatherman knives were among the first I found, and I thought "this is just what I'm looking for". I was thinking more along the lines of the LMC305 as it is thinner, without the bits in the handle. However, I did more searching and found a site with pics of it from various angles in a man's hand, and it looked to be too thick (wide) for me to carry every day. Also, I can only find that the blade is "420", not 420A,B,C or HC. I read that 420A and B is sort of junk, and 420C is the minimum you want, if not HC. So those things kind of knocked it off the list :-(
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There are several Leatherman models with 154CM blades also, but xou are right, the handles are a bit thick. There's always a tradeoff. ;)
 
If you can find one of the Buck/Strider Mini881 models in a tanto blade it sounds like the scraper you are looking for to me. Strider designed it with a thicker point and the blade isn't sharp at the tanto tip like the rest of the blade. In fact it has a "scraper" edge on it when you get it.

These are some heavy duty little folders. I have one in a spear point and really like it. You might try the Buck Store to see if any of the tanto versions are left. They still had a few last time I checked. They had them up for sale for 50% off. I think the spear points are all gone now. They recently discontinued the knife so if you are lucky you can still find one either from Buck new or on the used market. They show up in the for sale forums a lot.

It was a big mistake discontinuing this one in my opinion. If Buck had marketed it better by letting people know the exact details of the thickness of the lock and blade instead of vague details about it for just length and blade steel I think it would have sold better. The things are little giants. Mine has like a .070 thick lock which is akin to a small frame locker. The blade is 4.5mm thick and yet the whole package is the size of a smaller gents folder.

STR
 
Spydercos are bullet proof. I would recommend them to anyone. If the Delica is too big, try going down the line some. Try the Dragonfly. Great little knife that is will even cost you less.
 
If you are going to scrape with a single-bladed knife I would recommend one with a tool steel blade, either D2 or M2 alloy. I would look at a Mini-Griptillian. Either the model with D2 blade from Cabellas or the one with the M2 alloy blade from Aeromedix. The D2 would be significantly cheaper.

For the M2 model go to www.aeromedix.com and enter
bmm2mini in the search field.

For the D2 model go to www.cabellas.com and enter
d2 griptillian in the search field.
 
I know you say you've ruled out SAK's but have you checked out the Alox models, the Vic Soldier and the Wenger Standard Issue or the Pioneer range?

Everything you're asking for in a knife just yells out SAK to me, but I admit I'm biased...I love them.

Just check them out, if you still don't want an SAK that's fine, good luck in your search.:thumbup:
 
+1 for the Griptilians. I have a Ritter Grip, a 440C 550 and I'll be picking up a Cabela's D2 next opportunity. Great, great knives full size or mini. My advice, handle a few models, then pick what feels best for YOU! Chances are, you'll get bitten by the "bug" and it won't be your last knife anyway :)
 
I think the very best smoothest action knives are BENCHMADE AXIS LOCK knives
look at mini griptilian, griptilian in D2, HK version, 710 etc. The Axis Lock is far superior to any other locking mechanism imo.
 
When I said I thought the Delica was "too big", I meant the blade looked aweful "tall" with the hole cutout for opening the blade. The overall knife didn't look like it was that compact when folded. I've only seen pictures of it though.

The more I read, the more I'm leaning towards a BM Griptilian or an RSK mini. Both are in the sub-3" blade length, and both seem to get oodles of good reviews. And I like the locking mechanism. I'd just go for the RSK with the S30V right now, but I'm wondering if the point is too "large". Sure it's heavy duty, but I wonder if it's not fine enough for what I might use it for? Sort of like a pair of needle nose pliers that not quite thin enough for what you want to use it for, but you don't have to worry about breaking the tips off.

I like the blade of the Griptilian D2 mini, and it costing a little less is a bonus as well. How corrosion resistant will the D2 be in everyday use. I probably won't baby the blade as much as most of you would, and I don't want it to rust on me. As long as I keep it relatively clean and don't let moisture sit on it, should I be OK? It should be easier for a novice to keep sharpened, compared to S30V, as well, right?

Are the grips on the Griptilian and RSK mini too wide for everyday carrying? There are so many BM knives, might I be happier with another model with a slimmer profile?

Thanks for the help so far, I know a knife is a pretty personal choice, and everyone has their favorites.

Mike
 
beady said:
When I said I thought the Delica was "too big", I meant the blade looked aweful "tall" with the hole cutout for opening the blade. The overall knife didn't look like it was that compact when folded. I've only seen pictures of it though.

The more I read, the more I'm leaning towards a BM Griptilian or an RSK mini. Both are in the sub-3" blade length, and both seem to get oodles of good reviews. And I like the locking mechanism. I'd just go for the RSK with the S30V right now, but I'm wondering if the point is too "large". Sure it's heavy duty, but I wonder if it's not fine enough for what I might use it for? Sort of like a pair of needle nose pliers that not quite thin enough for what you want to use it for, but you don't have to worry about breaking the tips off.

I like the blade of the Griptilian D2 mini, and it costing a little less is a bonus as well. How corrosion resistant will the D2 be in everyday use. I probably won't baby the blade as much as most of you would, and I don't want it to rust on me. As long as I keep it relatively clean and don't let moisture sit on it, should I be OK? It should be easier for a novice to keep sharpened, compared to S30V, as well, right?

Are the grips on the Griptilian and RSK mini too wide for everyday carrying? There are so many BM knives, might I be happier with another model with a slimmer profile?

Thanks for the help so far, I know a knife is a pretty personal choice, and everyone has their favorites.

Mike
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Delicas are a bit wider when closed than other knives of it's size, which is typical with most Spydercos. Spyderco is an acuired taste. Most people look over them when they first get into knives, and then you hold one and use it, and suddenly it all makes sense.

The tip on a regular Grip is thinner, but the Ritter version is a bit beefy. Either way, you don't need to worry about the tip breaking with normal use.

I like the D2 much over the S30V, and I think it's black coated on the Grip version, which should keep it pretty easy to keep rust free. Just keep it dry and maybe wipe the blade down with some WD40 or other machine oil every now and then just to be safe. I find D2 much easier to put a good edge on than S30V.

I think the Grip's handles are a bit fat and round for my taste, but they feel great in the hand. The handles are also a plasticy kind of material called FRN that some find to be cheap feeling/looking.

Take another look at that 707 Sequal. It's slimmer and has a higher quality feel than the Grips, and is still right where your desired blade length is. 154CM is good premium steel too. Nothing to scoff at.
 
I do NOT care for black blades. The Ritter Mini-grip is a very comfy knife for EDC. I actually have one clipped to my PJ pants as we speak. Excellent little knife. I am partial to S30V too. As much as I do NOT like black blades, if I could afford it, I would get the Ritter Mini-grip in the M2, if there were any left at this point.
 
J85909266 said:
The Leek knives are assisted openers, and not very heavy duty at all. Assited openers use springs that will eventually break and need to be replaced, sometimes sooner than later, and I find the assited opening to get pretty annoying over time.
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Springs? Does anyone have a link to an exploded diagram of the Ken Onion/Kershaw SpeedSafe mechanism?
 
I just got a Spyderco Poliwog. It has what could only be called a 2 5/16" Native blade attached to one of the odder hilts ever devised by and for the huiman hand. I can only say that it works. It feels like a much larger knife in my hand than it really is and I am happy that I have bought it and am carrying it in my "go to work in a federal building" EDC rotation. Oh, and Eric Glesser's "Ball Bearing Lock" really does appear to work, although I must admit to having my doubts. As the old advertisement said, "Try it, you'll like it."
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6510
 
Well, I was at the point where I thought I could go for the 707 Sequel, but then I found the 960 in silver with the D2 blade :-) I like the 960 better than the 707 in most areas (visually).

After doing a lot of reading, I guess what I'm looking for is a "gent's folder, EDC", with a tough blade. 960 seems to fit the bill.

The question is, do I go for the 960, or pony up another $30 and get an Alias II? I like the Axis lock concept a lot, and the 960 is lighter (thinnner also?), but has a bit longer blade and folded length. I know I said I wanted a 3" or less blade, but VA doesn't seem to have a blade length law, and the 960 is only an eight inch or so longer than that.

So, go for the 960 in D2 or the Alias II in S30V? Guess I'm leaning towards the 960 for strength, locking mechanism, weight and price. Not really much to decide, eh? lol

Thanks,

Mike
 
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