Something a little different?

For bigger than what you have: Military. I've never held a Manix, but I know the Military is lighter. Maybe even more slender too?

For smaller than what you have: Dragonfly 2. Lightest knife I own and very good for summer carry in shorts or any lightweight pants.
 
I'm still lacking some hand time on a number of these recommendations, but I think I might be leaning toward a Southard with custom wood scales. Not convinced yet (and the price means I probably will wait for Christmas). The Domino is in the running too (it was before I bought the Sage 1 actually).

Thanks for all the recommends, guys.
 
For me, nothing beats the feel of titanium scales. My Sage 2 is my favorite 3" folder...
 
Sonnydaze said:
For me, nothing beats the feel of titanium scales. My Sage 2 is my favorite 3" folder...
Click to expand...

I spent a while deciding between the 1 and 2. The 1 better fit my needs (in a corporate office, it looks a bit more "purty" with the CF scales.) But it was a tough choice.
 
Seeing as you wouldn't hate something a bit heavier I'm going to suggest a Manix XL. It has a different lock type to your other folders and a different feel - like a really solid feel.
I have a Manix in Cruwear and it's a great knife but I actually prefer the XL version. I find it easy to open/close one handed, provided the pocket clip is on there to grip with your fingers. The Manix XL is one of only 2 Spydercos I've found to really benefit from a deep carry clip.
You could easily get custom scales for an XL. Here's a pic of my S35VN Para 2 with Cuscadi wood which to me has a certain smooth warmth to it.

Para2Cuscadi2_zps81a90130.jpg
 
Cursum Perficio said:
Seeing as you wouldn't hate something a bit heavier I'm going to suggest a Manix XL. It has a different lock type to your other folders and a different feel - like a really solid feel.
I have a Manix in Cruwear and it's a great knife but I actually prefer the XL version. I find it easy to open/close one handed, provided the pocket clip is on there to grip with your fingers. The Manix XL is one of only 2 Spydercos I've found to really benefit from a deep carry clip.
You could easily get custom scales for an XL. Here's a pic of my S35VN Para 2 with Cuscadi wood which to me has a certain smooth warmth to it.

Para2Cuscadi2_zps81a90130.jpg
Click to expand...

Love that PM2.

Several on this thread have mentioned a Manix of one variety or the other. I've held a Manix once and it didn't speak to me. But that was a while back. Maybe I should one another go.
 
I like the Sages and the Delica too. Along with the Endura, another favorite of mine - yet unmentioned in this thread - is the Southard. Based on our mutual likes you might find the Southard to be a perfect next Spyderco.

Here is the Brown version but it also come in a black on black version - and then below is mine wearing a weathered teak scale.
This brown version with the Ti scale on the carry side is pretty nice without any mods.



 
Two of my current favorites. Can't go wrong with either although I slightly prefer the Southard.

EUWfW3N.jpg


The Vollatton is just a thing of beauty.

uBQDTO0.jpg
 
Let me be the first to recommend the Sage 3. I like the geometric check CF handles, and the bolt action lock is a hidden gem.
 
RayseM said:
I like the Sages and the Delica too. Along with the Endura, another favorite of mine - yet unmentioned in this thread - is the Southard. Based on our mutual likes you might find the Southard to be a perfect next Spyderco.

Here is the Brown version but it also come in a black on black version - and then below is mine wearing a weathered teak scale.
This brown version with the Ti scale on the carry side is pretty nice without any mods.
Click to expand...

I do like the Southard. I just need to find one to get in my hand first. How does that one open? Can you finger flick it like the Sage?

tvenuto said:
Let me be the first to recommend the Sage 3. I like the geometric check CF handles, and the bolt action lock is a hidden gem.
Click to expand...

This was going to be the Sage I got, but I found so little love for it online. Is the bolt lock the same as on the Manix? I find the Manix a pretty stiff lock (compared to the Benchmade ones at least).
 
JWheel said:
This was going to be the Sage I got, but I found so little love for it online. Is the bolt lock the same as on the Manix? I find the Manix a pretty stiff lock (compared to the Benchmade ones at least).
Click to expand...

I know, and it's a darn shame. The BAL is nothing like the CBBL, except for how you actuate it. It disengages with much less force than the Manix, so if the Manix is a 10, and the Axis (BM) is a 1, then I'd say the BAL is a 3. It easily disengages by pulling on only one side of the lock, something I have trouble doing with the CBBL. The self close is rather weak, compared to the CBBL, but the opening is amazingly smooth.

I'm not some sort of visionary either. I won it as a calendar contest prize (which, if it were more popular, I'm sure it would not have been), so I lucked into this awesome blade.
 
JWheel said:
I do like the Southard. I just need to find one to get in my hand first. How does that one open? Can you finger flick it like the Sage?
Click to expand...

This is a yes and no answer - here is a thread I started on the subject - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1263407-Southard-flipper-action-disappointing?highlight=Southard+opening

As you will read there are a variety of answers to your question. I like the Southard very much - so I recommended it - but I must admit that mine does not "rocket" out as I expected. Still it's a great knife that deploys easily.
 
tvenuto said:
I know, and it's a darn shame. The BAL is nothing like the CBBL, except for how you actuate it. It disengages with much less force than the Manix, so if the Manix is a 10, and the Axis (BM) is a 1, then I'd say the BAL is a 3. It easily disengages by pulling on only one side of the lock, something I have trouble doing with the CBBL. The self close is rather weak, compared to the CBBL, but the opening is amazingly smooth.

I'm not some sort of visionary either. I won it as a calendar contest prize (which, if it were more popular, I'm sure it would not have been), so I lucked into this awesome blade.
Click to expand...

When you say the self close is weak, what do you mean? Not an easy flick back like the Benchmades?
 
So on lockbacks, CBBL, and bolt action locks, the lock pressure against the back of the tang of the knife provides a closing force that keeps the knife securely closed. With liner/frame/compression locks this is accomplished by a detent ball. With the BAL, the spring pressure is lighter, so it takes less force to shake the knife out of the handle. It's not unsafe by any means, but some people prefer a strong self close/detent. It's quite easy to flick back closed, actually.
 
Sage 4 is a classy choice, however if looking for GB, Southard, Domino, Chokwe, Vallotton, or Native as mentioned in some of the previous posts, I just happened to list these for sale today! Shameless plug but all LNIB...
 
tvenuto said:
So on lockbacks, CBBL, and bolt action locks, the lock pressure against the back of the tang of the knife provides a closing force that keeps the knife securely closed. With liner/frame/compression locks this is accomplished by a detent ball. With the BAL, the spring pressure is lighter, so it takes less force to shake the knife out of the handle. It's not unsafe by any means, but some people prefer a strong self close/detent. It's quite easy to flick back closed, actually.
Click to expand...

I see now. All my current folders are liner, frame, or compression locks so that didn't quite compute. But I know what you're talking about. Grew up with slip joints and Buck 110s.
 
tvenuto said:
So on lockbacks, CBBL, and bolt action locks, the lock pressure against the back of the tang of the knife provides a closing force that keeps the knife securely closed. With liner/frame/compression locks this is accomplished by a detent ball. With the BAL, the spring pressure is lighter, so it takes less force to shake the knife out of the handle. It's not unsafe by any means, but some people prefer a strong self close/detent. It's quite easy to flick back closed, actually.
Click to expand...

Well, now you've got me wanting a Sage 3. Which doesn't solve my problem as I already have a CF Sage! :)
 
I got my hands on a few of these today. The Manix2 and Native 5 both seem great but not what I'm looking for. The Starmate (not recommended but checked out anyhow) was also a no. The Domino was pretty awesome.

The catch is I like the Domino and maybe the Sage 3. But they both are pretty darn similar in size, look, and feel to the Sage 1. Am I wrong in that assessment?

No Southard where I went. Still looking.
 
The Domino is like a happy medium between the Southard and the Sage series, sporting a similar leaf style blade shape to the Sage's with a flipper and titanium frame lock. I think you'd enjoy the best of both world's that the Domino offers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top