Small knives with "super steels"?

Munchy

Munchy

Joined
Feb 28, 2013
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465
Hello and happy Friday!
I was looking at maybe buying my step dad an upgrade from his vg-10 stainless handled ladybug 3, as he actually uses it a lot and I'm tired of hearing how it's dull. Vg-10 is one of my favorites because I don't use my knives all that often and I have so many of them that edge retention isn't the biggest concern for me, and I can get that steel really sharp. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy trying to get a wide variety of super steels just to say I've tried them. Back to the topic though...

Besides the zdp-189 version of the ladybug and the Gayle Bradley air with m4, what are some other small, preferably without a pocket clip knives, with steels that have high edge retention? Thanks!
 
The benchmade 707-1201 comes to mind with m390. Tho I'm not sure on the availability of it, but it would serve him well. My buddy carries a 707 without a clip and has done so for several years.
 
ZDP-189 manbug? There are also super blue ladybug3's and manbugs, but to my knowledge they are pre-orders as of right now.

Take the clip off the ZDP-189 ladybug? I love that little knife!
 
I love the Spyderco Techno model, pretty short blade, but very heavy-duty, with CTS-XHP blade-steel.
 
If he doesn't sharpen or strop/maintain his edges, a super steel won't help. You are still going to hear it ain't sharp.

An up graded steel knife would make a nice gift though.
 
Jastab said:
The benchmade 707-1201 comes to mind with m390. Tho I'm not sure on the availability of it, but it would serve him well. My buddy carries a 707 without a clip and has done so for several years.
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This was my first thought too.

There is also the Spyderco Titanium Chaparral. That one has CTS-XHP which is a pretty good steel IMO. I don't know if everyone else considers it a "super-steel" though.
 
Kershaw 3550 Speedform II. Small with an Elmax blade. Easy to remove the clip. As previously mentioned any steel eventually dulls. Maybe also get him a reliable and inexpensive sharpening system and teach him how to use it. Even better, get him the same thing you use and demonstrate its' use. Diamond sharpeners work on anything and can be had inexpensively if money is a concern.
 
Fallkniven make great pocket knives, many without clips, with great steel. Pricey, though. They feel better in my hand that the Spydies.
3G is magic stuff.
 
If someone doesn't maintain his own edges....a supersteel probably isn't going to help them. It'll just aggravate YOU when you have to sharpen them again.
 
Munchy said:
Hello and happy Friday!
I was looking at maybe buying my step dad an upgrade from his vg-10 stainless handled ladybug 3, as he actually uses it a lot and I'm tired of hearing how it's dull. Vg-10 is one of my favorites because I don't use my knives all that often and I have so many of them that edge retention isn't the biggest concern for me, and I can get that steel really sharp. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy trying to get a wide variety of super steels just to say I've tried them. Back to the topic though...

Besides the zdp-189 version of the ladybug and the Gayle Bradley air with m4, what are some other small, preferably without a pocket clip knives, with steels that have high edge retention? Thanks!
Click to expand...


Benchmade shoki. Carbon fiber handle scales, button lock, anodized titanium liners/backspacer, and M390 steel
 
+1 for a good sharpening system. There's nothing wrong with that knife, it just needs regular sharpening. Although I have to say, if he likes the Spyderhole, maybe you could upgrade him to a Dragonfly.
 
The better question is what does he use his knife for? Depending on what he is cutting, different steels will be best. But that is just masking the problem... he needs to get a knife sharpener. If he is using a really small blade, something like http://www.bladehq.com/item--DMT-Dia-Sharp-Mini-Hone-Sharpener--9244 will be just fine. I used them for about 3" blades without issue. I even did a large fixed blade... keep it with small blades.
 
You can find N690 on several German made Boker knives now and they really know their heat treats over there.
 
Spyderco Air.

MinSpydercoGBradleyAirCPMM4REXenavtvknivar1.jpg


~Paul~
 
SOLEIL said:
Kershaw 3550 Speedform II. Small with an Elmax blade. Easy to remove the clip. As previously mentioned any steel eventually dulls. Maybe also get him a reliable and inexpensive sharpening system and teach him how to use it. Even better, get him the same thing you use and demonstrate its' use. Diamond sharpeners work on anything and can be had inexpensively if money is a concern.
Click to expand...

I have one and wouldn't recommend it. First off its too big if he wants a small knife. It's discontinued. The fit and finish on mine is sad. The blade is ground very unevenly. The thumb studs are poorly placed and too small. The recess for the lockbar is terribly placed and makes for an awkward grip. It's a bad design.
 
I like the Speedform2, although it might be too big in comparison to the other knives being mentioned. The F&F on mine is pretty good, and I reprofiled the edge thinner anyway since it was too thick behind the edge for a knife designed to do delicate work. The thumbstuds are the same as those on the Blur and I have no problem flicking it out. The 3D machined G10 gives it a better grip than a Leek for example, which I find too flat. I love the Speedform and Speedform2, they're my favorite Kershaws.

+1 for the Fallkniven U2 and Air.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I appreciate it!
He cuts a lot of cardboard(the reason it goes dull) and probably picks his nails with it and other everyday cutting tasks.
So.. a lot of suggestions for getting him a sharpening system and teaching him how to use it. I agree! But..I don't think he is interested in that. I'm pretty sure he'd say that's what I'm for haha. Right now all I have is a lansky system, but I'm planning on getting an edge pro and a sharpmaker system.

-The benchmade 707 looks a little big, I think he would prefer it to be on his keychain if possible. I have been trying to convince him that if he is willing to let go of the keychain aspect, it would open the door to so many more options.
-I showed him the zdp version of the ladybug when I bought him his and he said he preferred the stainless handled one, so I'm not sure about the manbug either.
-The sypderco techno is one I've been wanting myself...again, I think it may be slightly too chunky for his tastes.
-I like that shoki, he might like that even though again, it's too big probably.
-If I could get a cf s110v native...I don't think my step dad would be getting it :P
-I'll look into the Fallkniven's, thanks!

Pretty much I knew the perfect knife for him would be the spyderco GB air(minus the fact it doesn't have a hole for his keychain)..is this the only one of it's "class"? Are there similar knives to the air from other manufacturers? If not I think I'll end up ordering the Air!
 
I would suggest he use a utility knife for cutting cardboard on a regular basis. Cardboard is rough on an edge. He will have to learn how to sharpen his knives and VG-10 is considered a "super steel". I think the key chain knives are too small a choice for regular use unless their are legalities on blade length to contend with.

The Native is a good size.
 
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