Total newb, rube and know-nothing

I don't think I've ever seen a new axis lock knife cheaper than $55, and that was a mini grip.
 
LawyerSam said:
Does Benchmade have a cheaper knife like the Mini Grip as I do like that blade locking system and the opening system and I do like the handle material. The blade I would not mind being bigger but the price is $55 cheapest on line and kinda out of my ball park. I did like the weight of it and it could be a bigger knife and even the full sized Grip was something I liked. How does a Spyderco say Tenacious, Delica, or Persistence compare in weight and blade and stuff? Scallion?
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As far as weight goes, the Tenacious is going to feel the heaviest of those listed. The Persistence isn't much lighter. The Delica and Griptilians are almost weightless since there isn't as much metal in the handles.

As far as blade steel, that's where we get into murky waters. The Benchmades have "better" steel than the less expensive Spydercos. But then you'll get into a hug pissing match when you pit VG-10 against 154CM. Who uses better steel? Who cares?! For what you are planning to do with this knife I would call it a draw. These are all VERY good EDC knives with VERY good steel by anyone's standards.

What you really want ot focus on here is ergonomics and blade shape. It's gotta be something that you want to 1. carry with you, and 2. hold in your hand and actually use. Ergonomics on pretty much every Spyderco I've ever owned are fantastic. I would be hard pressed to find one that didn't want to just live in my hand forever. Benchmade does a pretty good job with ergonomics, but Spyderco does it just ever slightly better. In the end, though, you'll be hard pressed to decide between the two.

-nate
 
Have you looked at the Buck Vantage Pro? It's a great knife for around $50 - good steel, flipper, black G10 handles. I carry one in my vehicle all the time.

With regards to the Leek, there are several variations available, with one of the best being the model 1660G10, which has black G10 handles and a S30V stainless steel blade. It runs about $70-80 from internet vendors.

Sam, you may be confusing OCD with ADD. I can usually spot a fellow sufferer!:rolleyes:
 
Dallas, my bad, and guilty as charged. And I dither a lot. Also, dont know much about the Buck line and at $50, well, I open up a whole larger assortment of knives and get into maybe Enduras and other stuff. So $35 is my limit which I can bump up but I dont want to now move it to a $50 limit. Because I held the Griptilan, I considered a Benchmade but it was the feel as well as the features in that particular knife.

Nate: Thanks, so steel, I have nothing to worry about. Since the Grip is the cheapest Benchmade that has that locking and flipping system, may have to be a second knife. So that leaves me with, I think, the Kershaws and the Spydies. Leek with the G-10 handles, $70, too high. I guess then that it may be a Delica if I can bump my $35 limit to $40 or so and find one. Or I am still thinking of the Nascar leek at $20 and a Persistance less than $30.
 
LawyerSam said:
I don't know why but I want a knife.
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:D

Any Spyderco is great. I think the Delica is too small though so if you want to put in $10 extra you can get an Endura.
Spyderco tenacious or the smaller brother persistence is a good choice. Only downside is the fairly craptastic blade steel.
Kershaw knives are great! They're cheap and will last forever if you don't abuse them. They are not hard working knives, though, but I'm guessing you probably won't need it to cut carpets all day.

I personally don't like the griptillian but the quality of Benchmade is outstanding. It's up to you really :thumbup:

Edit: if you get a kershaw and have some money left, get a Rough Rider knife. Great quality despite the price. That way you have a traditional knife and something new.
 
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Good, now I have head-to-head on the knives. Delica too small? Ok, Ill go read up on the Endura and a Native and that will move the price point up a bit. No, I wont be cutting carpet. I may have to pop for the Leek anyway, at $20 for the Nascar one, I cant see a better deal and it will have the fun opener.
 
The Spyderco Tenacious or the smaller Persistence offer great bang for the buck. The Spyderco Sharpmaker is a good sharpening system and excellent for anyone learning how to sharpen. It may sound like I work for Spyderco but I don't. I have many knives from many different makers. I just happen to believe the two knives I mentioned are good quality at an affordable price.

I used to carry a small screwdriver in my shirt pocket. One time I was on jury duty and forgot to leave it at home. The guards at the courthouse told me I either had to surrender it and not get it back or take it back to my car. It was raining cats and dogs so I donated it. Luckily, pocket screwdrivers are cheap. :)
 
LawyerSam said:
And wow, I just found the review sub forum!!! Off for reading a bit
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If you are after reviews, just watch some YouTube videos, there are a couple hundred thousand avauilable on just about any knife you can think of.
 
eygen said:
Haha, I fixed this for you



After reading stuff on bladeforums you will :D
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ain't that the goddamn truth! i startedd out just wanted a nice knife. one. came here, and ddecided it would be a 940.... and now i'm planning on an mcusta and a whole litter of other knives. subliminal messaging methinks
 
I am watching youtube videos on the mini grip, endura, tenacious and native.

I like the mini grip. I like the locking, the weight and the width of the back of the blade. Don't know what that does, but the nutinfancy videos on u tube had a SOG next to it and its spine, I think that is what it is called, was skinner. He said that makes for a better slicer. The mini grip looks sturdier.

I think the Endura is bigger than the Tenacious and is bigger than the Delica. I like it, but for a first EDC, maybe too big. Dont know how the Leek compares to the Mini in size, if I recall, it is closer to the Endura as far as blade length but skinnier. If the Mini was like $40 or so, Id be all over it and it would be done.
 
In order of size:
Knife-----------------------------Length-------------------------Thickness

Benchmade mini griptillian------17,2 cm- -- 6.7 inches-------------2,5 mm
Kershaw Leek ------------------- 17,8 cm -- 7,0 inches--------------2,2 mm
Spyderco Delica-------------------18,1 cm -- 7,1 inches-------------2.5 mm
Spyderco Tenacious ------------ 20,0 cm - - 7.7 inches-------------3,0 mm
Spyderco Endura -----------------22,0 cm -- 8.7 inches-------------3,0 mm


The Endura isn´t too big for an EDC unless you live in a knife unfriendly environment.
A thinner blade will be a better slicer (it will cut easier but isn't as suitable for heavier tasks). Still, the difference between 2 and 3 mm is minimal.
 
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LawyerSam...another lawyer in Memphis? What are the odds. I am am lawyer in Memphis.

Anyway, if you haven't found out yet, there are no really good knife stores in our area.

The question you need to consider first is do you need a locking blade. If so, then you are certainly on the right track looking at Leeks, Grips, Delicas, etc. If you do not need a locking blade, i.e., if a slipjoint is sufficient, well you just opened up a whole other world.
 
Wayne, thanks, I thought so.

Nope no slipjoint. Better to have a locking blade.

Yup, I am narrowing it down. I know my preference is the 2.75 to 3.25 inch blade. Probably 3 inches or less so I dont run afoul of any carry law which I have not gone to TCA to read or not. Bass Pro had some in stock but they were out of some too, like the Blur, Scallion, etc.

I did like that Benchmade, probably because of the lock and opening. I have a Benchmade Crawford I traded a razor for and it is nice, very nice, but it does not sing to me and it is heavier and bigger than what I wanted.

So what you got?
 
Only thing I have found in the TCA is it doesn't like hawkbills, for whatever reason.

I tend to carry lighter knives. Right now I have a Canal Street Splitback Whittler in my pocket, but it is a slipjoint. As for lockbacks, my rotation has narrowed considerably to: Spyderco Leafstorm, Spyderco Delica 4FFG, Buck/Mayo Waimea, and Al Mar Falcon Talon. Of those, the Delica is most in your current price range. The Delica is very nice, great cutter and very light. The sole isse on it is width (because of the whole). In a suit a slippie or the Waimea or Al Mar work better...but they cost more, too.
 
Wayne, I wont carry it in a suit. I will keep my cheapie at the office because I use it less than once a week. IF I go to lunch I doubt I am gonna remember to take a knife. Now at home, I will use it more. Then that may get me to wanting to have one at the office and then carrying it with a suit. I tend to not empty my pockets just to walk for court, and then I carry it all on me and not in the coat pocket, since I ditch that whenever I can. So phone is holstered in a belt clip, I carry a wallet in my back pocket, check book is at office or home, and I carry change with me and pen in shirt pocket. I know some guys empty before they go to court and have checkbook/wallets for the suit pocket with their cards and such but I don't.

So width, huh? Ok, then my choices I think are these

A Persistence and a Leek Nascar that I can get for $45 combined

A Native of some description about $40

Try to find a Delica for around $40

I can get an Endura for $40 and maybe get that and the Leek or the Persistence

Maybe a Scallion but that curved edge?

I do want one as close to the Mini Grip as possible in size. Which of these knives is that? Or maybe someone will tell me the Mini grip and find it cheaper and then go for a bigger knife. I do know that the Benchmade Leopard full size I got is too big and it is 3.5" and heavy, so I am gonna sell it somehow. Ill have like $60 to spend then, and up to $80. I think the 2.5" to 3" range is gonna be perfect for me.
 
You can also get a leek with S30V steel and G10 handles for about $75, I've been eyeing one of those.

Seeing as I work out east and am a transactional attorney, I do not have to worry about carrying in court all that often.
 
You are probably going to end up getting a few knives - so you could end up with all the models you like.

For now I don't think you could go wrong with the Endura (or if that is too big then the Delica). Spyderco knives are really good for the price and they just work well. I have an Endura and a RAT-1, I like my RAT-1 but I would not recommend you get one - you said you want light and the RAT-1 is kinda heavy. My Endura is fairly light but with a decent size blade that can be used for all sorts of daily tasks, the handle is comfortable with really good grip. I say - get one and use it, I don't think you would regret it.
 
Wayne, good job. You probably know a lot of guys I know. Im 50 and work downtown, solo. If I go that range on a Leek, it opens up a whole world of knives and Id probably not be as inclined.

Saw the scallion, don't like that curved end as much. Seems like it would be hard to sharpen. I might try to get the Endura and the Native to see how I like them and may go that route if I sell the Crawford I traded for. I tend to do that, jump in and trade stuff figuring it is just a few dollars postage. I think the Persistence is out because, well, I read that the steel is not all that great and I will have to sharpen it more, and heck, the Endura is only $15 more, though used, it has been sharpened. If none of those work out, then I know the Mini Grip but I have to be careful, many blade configurations there. I am learning a bunch and narrowing them down.
 
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