Total newbie here! Looking to buy a folding knife for $200 or under.

C

Crash32

Joined
Oct 26, 2013
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I just wanted to remind you guys that I am a total newbie and I currently only have 2 knives in my collection that might be worth mentioning. I purchased my first halfway decent knife at REI years ago and it is the Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian Serrated. The only reason I bought it is because I had REI rewards money and couldn't figure out what to get so I settled on the Benchmade knife. Last year I handled a SOG Vulcan (VG-10 Japanese Steel) which I love. It is much bigger and heavier than my Benchmade but I wanted something different. I keep the SOG in my car for a bit of self defense due to its size and tango edge although not quite sure what purpose that serves as I always carry my Wilson Combat 1911. I still have not got a clue about knifes and what makes them good. Which ones are slicers and which ones are not.
Could any of you guys critique my current two knifes so I can learn a bit about them and their quality. I think that this would help me a lot in my next selection.
I am currently looking at the Spyderco military. I looked at the Sage, but do not care for their design. Is there a difference between the Spyderco ParaMilitary II and just the plain ol military? The Spyderco knives come highly recommended which is why I have set my eyes on them.
I am not the type of person that carries knives in my pocket each day but I still do tons of handy work, fishing, hunting so I still appreciate knives. Most of my fishing is saltwater so I reserve my $20 knives for that (Kershaw spring loaded).
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
A military would be an excellent choice friend. Because of its long, full flat ground blade, it's an excellent slicer, and great all rounder. The difference between paramilitary 2 and military is size, and lock type. Para 2 has a compression lock, Millie has a liner lock.
 
Yeah, if it's legal in your area, carry a Military. Great all-arounder. Just wish we had a 4" blade limit here in CO:grumpy:
 
Thanks guys, any opinions on my Benchmade or SOG Vulcan? All I really know is that Benchmades are known for their great locking mechanism and it seems as if my SOG Vulcan uses the same locking mechanism..... Axis lock I believe???? Whats the difference between a compression lock and a liner lock?
 
Griptilians are excellent first knives and an edc workhorse. Vulcan I've never held, but to me it looks like the same concept as an axis lock- a movable bar with a spring that presses the bar into the blade, locking it in place. I also have never held a spydie with compression lock, but I'm pretty sure it's just a liner lock, but is operated from the back of the knife instead of the front like a liner lock
 
The single best knife i know of that is under $200 and folds is the Benchmade Contego... the steel is better than anything else i'm aware of in that price range
 
For what it's worth, I much prefer the Spyderco Paramilitary II over the Military. The Military is a great knfe and many swear by it, but the compression lock is just great. You have to use one to fully appreciate it. It is strong and easy to use. Others in your price range to check out would be the Benchmade Adamas and Zero Tolerance 550. Both are beefier knives.
 
I also am a fan of the contego's blade shape and steel, but the handle isn't great for extended use (oriented more as a self defense blade) lots of sharp angles and aggressive jimping.. Good for some applications, bad for others.
 
Spyderco Pacific Salt would great for you. The H1 steel is virtually rust proof and still great in other applications. Besides that I'd look at the PM2, a higher end steel Endura or Delica, Manix 2 XL or regular size.
 
I definitely do not want a salt series knife as I am always losing my knives at the beach and using it for hard stuff such as cutting steel leader. I save those for my cheaper Kershaws.
 
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