Spyderco Sage 1 or Benchmade 707 Sequel or...?

midnightreport

midnightreport

Joined
Nov 29, 2010
Messages
163
Hi everyone,

I'm looking for something a little nicer to add to my daily carry rotation (I currently switch between a Spyderco Delica 4 FFG, Spyderco Dragonfly2, and a Kershaw Skyline).

My criteria:
- classy-looking and unobtrusive so I don't frighten the non-knife people
- blade length around 3-inches (preference, not law)
- pocket clip and one-hand opening (NOT assisted-opening though due to my first point)
- less than $150
- better than AUS-8 blade steel, but I'm not picky

The first two knives that came to mind were the Spyderco Sage 1 and the Benchmade 707 Sequel. Anyone have experience with either/both of these knives? Any other suggestions?
 
I don't have a BM 707, but I do have a Sage 1. It's fantastic -- one of my favorite knives with a blade of 3 inches or less (along with the BM 755 and Sage 2 & 3).
 
I don't have a Sage 1, but I do have a BM 707 1. It's fantastic -- one of my favorite knives with a blade of 3 inches or less (along with the BM 907 and BM 710). ;)
 
The Sage1 is one of the best knives in the world for under $100. I'm pretty confident saying that.
 
Ive owned both and wouldnt think twice about it, id go with the spyderco, then again Im a spyderco fan boy so my opinion isnt one you wanna base your choice on. The BM is nice, but just doesnt seem as user friendly to me, when you hold the spyderco, it feels like an extension of your hand. I will say, if it was me, Id go with a caly 3 over the sage. A bit more sleek and slender, cuts out of this world, rides the pocket wonderfully, can hardly tell its there, that and Im partial to Japan made spydercos, silly preference I know.
 
I've had both a Sage 2 and the 707 Sequel. I much prefer the ergos on the Sage 2 (same as the Sage 1), but it is also a substantially bigger knife in terms of overall size. I have small to medium hands, and I thought the Sequel was ok, but I expect most would find it somewhat tiny. The Sage is about as big as I tend to go in folders.

Oh, right, yeah, if I was going to pick one of those two, it'd be the Sage. But I might also consider a slightly smaller Spyderco if you want something in the size range of the Benchmade 707.

If I knew when it was coming out, I'd say the Spyderco Chaparral. It's the Sage's little brother, but with a midlock, which I prefer to liner locks (not that there is anything wrong with Spyderco's liner locks, they're just dandy).
 
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Another vote for the Sage 1. Although honestly, I really like the Sage 2 and would suggest that.
 
Slowstarter said:
I don't have a Sage 1, but I do have a BM 707 1. It's fantastic -- one of my favorite knives with a blade of 3 inches or less (along with the BM 907 and BM 710). ;)
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:grumpy:


Well played. :D


Also, since when did the BM 710 have a blade of 3 inches or less? :p
 
i have a 707 and a caly 3 cf i find that i carry the caly 3 a lot more then the 707 because i feel the handle is a bit to small and i dont really care for the pocket clip, i like the wire clip better. good looking knife but i feel the caly cf looks more "classy" having said all that i think i would rather have a sage 1 then my caly cf. im eventually going to buy me a sage 1
 
btw the caly 3 cf is a really really nice knife and if i remember its a smaller knife then the sage while still being 3 inch blade, i just dont really like it as much as the sage because i cant seem to sharpen zdp
 
I own both.

The advantages of the 707:
-- Smaller size for pocket carrying and possibly less chance of people-scaring.
-- Axis lock

The advantages of the Sage:
-- Slightly larger size may be better for holding and using.
-- One of the classiest folders at any price.
-- Deep pocket wire clip -- well, near deep.
-- Love the solid "thwack" it makes when opening.
-- Genuine bargain -- one of the best.
 
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I've had both... still have the Sage 1. The 707 is a nice little knife... "little" I say. It was too small for me to be comfortable using it for anything. I gave up on mini-Grips because of their size and the 707 felt even smaller and less usable to me than they do. BM sells a lot of them, so my opinion is obviously not true for everyone, but if you're also thinking about something the size of a Sage, you might want to try to handle the 707 before you buy it. They have totally different "feels" to me.

Either one should work fine for what a knife does. The Sage will look more refined with CF scales and polishes liner edges, and it'll have a different blade steel (S30V as compared to 154CM on the 707). It will also carry differently since it has a different profile and more weight to it than the 707.
 
The 707 and the Sage are very different knives. The 707 is a small knife that feels like a small knife. That could be good or bad depending on what you're looking for. The Sage is a smallish knife that feels like a medium sized knife. Despite having similar lengths, they handle extremely differently.
 
Like others have said, the Sage is a fantastic knife. But if you are looking for something that is ok with non-knife people, I think the Sage is a terrible idea.

You could check this out:
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-3-0-titanium-lockback-folder/p/RUShhhP73TI/

Or maybe see if you can find an alox victorinox sak.

Also Sanrenmu makes a nice little folder, the 710. It's pretty much a dwarfed Sebenza, with inferior materials. It's a good knife, and an incredible value at $8.

-Freq
 
I have to say that the 707 is my favorite EDC. I wouldn't take it camping, but on a daily basis it handles anything, it's a joy to open and close, and it's barely noticeable in the pocket. I never hesitate to take it out at work, I used mine this morning to spread cream cheese in the office kitchen and no one said anything.
 
Thanks for all the input! I've given the "scary" factor some thought...I perpetually carry a SAK Tinker in addition to my dedicated knife, so the unobtrusive factor isn't really as significant. Anyway, I'm leaning towards the Sage 1 next paycheck, but I'm intrigued by the Caly 3 suggestion... it's very handsome, but the choil seems to be much shallower and longer than the Sage. I have small-to-medium sized hands; which do you think will be the better fit?
 
I have small to medium sized hands and have a Spyderco UK Pen Knife (same shape/profile as the Caly 3 but a slipjoint) and it's very comfortable to hold and use. With the choil you get a full four finger grip which is nice, many knives of this size only have a three finger grip. It carries very deep in the pocket too which is good when you're around non-knife people.
 
midnightreport said:
Thanks for all the input! I've given the "scary" factor some thought...I perpetually carry a SAK Tinker in addition to my dedicated knife, so the unobtrusive factor isn't really as significant. Anyway, I'm leaning towards the Sage 1 next paycheck, but I'm intrigued by the Caly 3 suggestion... it's very handsome, but the choil seems to be much shallower and longer than the Sage. I have small-to-medium sized hands; which do you think will be the better fit?
Click to expand...

While they're similar knives they also have a lot of differences such as lock and steels. To me the main diff. Is that the caly3 requires the use of the coil for a full hand grip. With the sage I can get a full grip on the handle itself without using the choil if desired. FWIW I wear large gloves but have thin hands.

I love both knives but reach for the sage1 more often.
 
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