Want to change up my EDC.. 150$ budget.

[leafstorm]

150$ is a good budget for a nice high quality edc. You have many many choices in this price range. Im also from Canada and I realize that there is next to no stores where you can 'test drive' a knife. Warriors and wonders out of BC has an amazing selection and fair prices.
Forget the gayle bradley, although im sure it is a lovely knife I am not convinced M4 is a good choice for edc unless you WANT a high maintenance blade. IMO of course.

The benchmades are nice too, I have both the 940 and 943 and LOVE these knives. They absolutely disappear in your pocket while still giving you about 3.5" of cutting edge. Only downside for me is that the anodized aluminum will get scratched up a lot quicker than something like G10. I baby them

Get whatever feels good in your hand and gives you that stupid grin when you hold it for the first time. Your going to be carrying it everyday so make sure you enjoy it. You cant go wrong with a BM or spydie. I can personally recommend these BM's since you say you dont want another spydie at this time.

BM 940/943 - Love the green handle and purple/blue ti backspacer. Axis lock is smooth and easy to use. 3.5 inches of reverse tanto blade. Not intimidating but not office carry either. I love mine.

They are all good, just different.

Good luck.

 

[Jesse B.]

My vote goes to a Benchmade 940 (or 943 if you want the slightly-more-intimidating? pointy version), if you can swing it.

 

[cordawg92]

How about the Gayle Bradley? It's a great knife with excellent fit and finish, great steel and is darn good looking.

I don't think I want a Gayle Bradley because at the moment I'm not very interested in Spydercos. Same thing goes for the Para 2. However with the Para 2, I wouldn't get it because it's too big (I already find the Sage a little big) and I find it too intimidating to use around the people I'm around.

If you are going to look at the mini grip, why not look at the Ritter or use Benchmade's custom shop? The mini is a NICE EDC for the money, with your budget you could even upgrade it!

I can't use the Benchmade Custom shop because I don't feel like paying the duty on a knife that has to cross the border into Canada, It could cause too much of a hassle if it gets stopped, etc...Also, I would rather get the base model of a high quality knife than upgrade a lower quality one (Obviously they are both high quality, but I'm speaking relatively).

2nd the Gayle Bradley. Since getting mine, it's become a rotation of one!

I find it too heavy, I would want a lower profile pocket clip with that size knife, I don't really want a spydie...

+1 to Para2, Gayle Bradley, Alias, and Calys. All excellent choices! Judging from what you have already, a Para2 or Caly 3.5 would be an excellent upgrade in my opinion.

Para 2 = Too big and intimidating for what I'll use it for
Gayle Bradley = I prefer my EDC knives to be under 4 ounces. Also, I'm not in the mood for a Spyderco
Caly = Too similar to Sage 1.

I'm looking to change up my EDC not because my current one is insufficient, I'm doing it because I'm getting bored with it. My Sage 1 is a great EDC, but I just want something with a different feel for now.

150$ is a good budget for a nice high quality edc. You have many many choices in this price range. Im also from Canada and I realize that there is next to no stores where you can 'test drive' a knife. Warriors and wonders out of BC has an amazing selection and fair prices.
Forget the gayle bradley, although im sure it is a lovely knife I am not convinced M4 is a good choice for edc unless you WANT a high maintenance blade. IMO of course.

The benchmades are nice too, I have both the 940 and 943 and LOVE these knives. They absolutely disappear in your pocket while still giving you about 3.5" of cutting edge. Only downside for me is that the anodized aluminum will get scratched up a lot quicker than something like G10. I baby them

Get whatever feels good in your hand and gives you that stupid grin when you hold it for the first time. Your going to be carrying it everyday so make sure you enjoy it. You cant go wrong with a BM or spydie. I can personally recommend these BM's since you say you dont want another spydie at this time.

BM 940/943 - Love the green handle and purple/blue ti backspacer. Axis lock is smooth and easy to use. 3.5 inches of reverse tanto blade. Not intimidating but not office carry either. I love mine.

They are all good, just different.

Good luck.

The 940 is my dream EDC, however It's currently out of my price range. It's almost impossible to find used ones located in Canada. I would rather go with the 940 than the 943 because the 943 is a little too pointy/intimidating. My friend got the 940 at the time that I got my Sage 1 , so I've had plenty of time to play with it and see how it feels. I love the purple backspacer as well as how smooth it opens..Anyways, I probably won't find one in the 150$ range located in Canada (Unfortunately)...

What do you think about the Mini Presidio or the 530?

 

[leafstorm]

I have the mini presidio ultra which is smaller and has a 440c blade with noryl gtx (plastic lol) handles. Ive played with the larger version with the anodized handles as well and im sure it would make a great edc. I hope to one day make g10 or micarta scales for my mini presidio.

The 530 I have always found a little slim and flimsy feeling for the price and the ergos didnt work for me. Just my impressions of it.

Of the two I would take the mini presidio hands down. 154CM is tasty stuff.

 

[leafstorm]

Just a thought based on my past experiences. Sometimes its worth waiting a little longer and saving a little more money to get that 'dream edc'

All the best

 

[MRaymond]

Take a look at the Benchmade 710 or 707 Sequel. The 710 is basically a larger version with a slightly re curved blade compared to the 707. The 707 has aluminum and g10. the 710 is just g10. Both are very slim. The 2.95 inch blade in the 707 is HUGE for the handle it is packed into. I feel that you get the same amount of usable cutting edge in this small, very friendly looking knife as you do in much bigger spydercos and other brands (particularly spydercos). You can save some money to if you get the 707. To me, it is the perfect EDC. You don't feel it in your pocket, it has a very usable blade, it is very "small" except for the monster 2.95in blade, and it looks friendly in any environment, provided you get a satin blade. Black blades look more "tactical" to most people. The 710 is kinda the 707's big brother if you want something a little bigger. The blade is almost 4 inches and uses D2 steel instead of the very versatile and easy to maintain 154CM.

Good luck, if you want something different than your spyderco, this is your answer. I am in a similar situation but reversed, I want a para 2 now just because I don't have any spydercos.
Mike

 

[Jet B]

Be careful about the Benchmade 530. It's a great little knife for certain uses but like mentioned above, it's very light duty with a slim blade. The thing only weighs 1.8 ounces... I use mine for around the house cutting chores and jogging, times when you want the knife to disappear weight wise.

I think you are on the right track looking for some Benchmades. They are just as nice as a Spyderco but very different, and you will love the Axis lock. Don't discount the Griptilian or Barrage. I know the Barrage is around your price range and it's nice but it is an assisted opener in case that turns you off. I really like the M390 Barrage that's out there but it's a bit more expensive than the 154cm model.

The 940 is a beauty as is the 930 Kulgera, but pricey too. There was a time when I was drooling over that Kulgera big time with that blue/black g10 but I didn't pull the trigger when I had the chance.

Good luck with your continued search. These searches are one of the best parts of being a knife collector...

 

[Zookie]

I've found a BM osborne for slightly over $150, it had a black handle instead of green. I googled BM 940 under the shopping option and clicked on the cheapest price.

If I were you I'd save the extra 30$ to 40$ for you're "dream knife". The osborne is worth it!

 

[Keyman]

Originally Posted by leafstorm:
I am not convinced M4 is a good choice for edc unless you WANT a high maintenance blade.

Why do you think a M4 blade would be high maintenance??
I have ATS34, 154cm, s30v, D2, A2 among others. I do less edge maintaining on my M4 & M2 than any other knives that I've ever had.

I would still go for :

Originally posted by Keyman:
One of the best steel deals going on right now are the Limited Edition - Presidio & Mini-Presidio with M4 steel, BM520 & BM525-1101. These are great knives with an awesome steel that you can't get everyday! When they're gone......they're gone.

 

[Stainz]

The Benchmade 15030-2 mini-Bone Collector with walnut scales and a 2.95" x .115 D2 blade lists for $140. Great ~$110 knife. The larger 15020-2 Bone Collector may be too much, as I am sure the new moose of a knife, the 275 Adamas is - but still... ~$150 - a bargain.

I really like my Spyderco S30V Native 4 knife - just wish it wasn't riveted FRN. Fear not - the Native 5 is S35VN and G10 over skeletonized SS - and screwed together! It runs ~$125-$140.

Stainz

 

[leafstorm]

Why do you think a M4 blade would be high maintenance??
I have ATS34, 154cm, s30v, D2, A2 among others. I do less edge maintaining on my M4 & M2 than any other knives that I've ever had.

I wasnt referring to edge maintenance but the fact that the stuff patinas and rusts alot easier than a modern stainless. For me personally, I like not having to worry about my 100$+ edc rusting just because ive broken a sweat that day.

 

[pmek5]

Before reading most of this thread I was going to suggest a Benchmade 940 or 943 like a lot of others have. Based on your response in post # 1 & 23 the 940 seems to be what you really want. Just hold out a little longer for some more cash. There is a good online retailer in Canada, and you can keep checking this forum's exchange too. You won't be disapointed in any of the 94X series. I have a 943 and plan on keeping it for a long time.

 

[Thalestin]

Why don't you try something totally different and try throwing a traditional slipjoint in your pocket. Give great eastern cutlery a look. It might be fun to have something different than what you already have

 

[cordawg92]

Take a look at the Benchmade 710 or 707 Sequel. The 710 is basically a larger version with a slightly re curved blade compared to the 707. The 707 has aluminum and g10. the 710 is just g10. Both are very slim. The 2.95 inch blade in the 707 is HUGE for the handle it is packed into. I feel that you get the same amount of usable cutting edge in this small, very friendly looking knife as you do in much bigger spydercos and other brands (particularly spydercos). You can save some money to if you get the 707. To me, it is the perfect EDC. You don't feel it in your pocket, it has a very usable blade, it is very "small" except for the monster 2.95in blade, and it looks friendly in any environment, provided you get a satin blade. Black blades look more "tactical" to most people. The 710 is kinda the 707's big brother if you want something a little bigger. The blade is almost 4 inches and uses D2 steel instead of the very versatile and easy to maintain 154CM.

Good luck, if you want something different than your spyderco, this is your answer. I am in a similar situation but reversed, I want a para 2 now just because I don't have any spydercos.
Mike

Wow, I can't believe I missed the Benchmade 707. I really like it. It is light, has a low profile and a good sized blade. I really like aluminum scales on a knife (Hence the 940), and 154CM is a pretty good steel. Why would people rather the mini grip over the 707? I guess I'll have to look into this knife a bit more. Thanks for showing this to me

Be careful about the Benchmade 530. It's a great little knife for certain uses but like mentioned above, it's very light duty with a slim blade. The thing only weighs 1.8 ounces... I use mine for around the house cutting chores and jogging, times when you want the knife to disappear weight wise.

I think you are on the right track looking for some Benchmades. They are just as nice as a Spyderco but very different, and you will love the Axis lock. Don't discount the Griptilian or Barrage. I know the Barrage is around your price range and it's nice but it is an assisted opener in case that turns you off. I really like the M390 Barrage that's out there but it's a bit more expensive than the 154cm model.

The 940 is a beauty as is the 930 Kulgera, but pricey too. There was a time when I was drooling over that Kulgera big time with that blue/black g10 but I didn't pull the trigger when I had the chance.

Good luck with your continued search. These searches are one of the best parts of being a knife collector...

Yeah, I was kind of skeptical of how useful its blade shape would be on the BM530. I'm only discounting the barrage because I don't think that I'm allowed to carry assisted opening knives around where I live. Even though I could probably get away with it, I would always be too nervous to take it out in public. I really do like the look of the barrage though...

I might give the mini grip another shot after looking into it a bit more. As far as the 940 goes, I just think its out of my price range. I really do want it, but I would probably end up keeping it locked in a box rather than using it.

Before reading most of this thread I was going to suggest a Benchmade 940 or 943 like a lot of others have. Based on your response in post # 1 & 23 the 940 seems to be what you really want. Just hold out a little longer for some more cash. There is a good online retailer in Canada, and you can keep checking this forum's exchange too. You won't be disapointed in any of the 94X series. I have a 943 and plan on keeping it for a long time.

I'll think about getting a 940 only if I find a good deal on one. The price isn't the only issue with the 940. The other problem is that I would probably baby it to the point where I would be afraid to use it. I would get nervous if I carried a 200 dollar knife around (after tax) every day.

 

[cordawg92]

Why don't you try something totally different and try throwing a traditional slipjoint in your pocket. Give great eastern cutlery a look. It might be fun to have something different than what you already have

Not really into the look of the slipjoint. It doesn't offer any more functionality than I already have since I carry a Leatherman wave with me too. Maybe when I get older I'll prefer a slipjoint, but for now I think I'm going to stick to traditional folders.

 

[OzarkCreekWalker]

Not really into the look of the slipjoint. It doesn't offer any more functionality than I already have since I carry a Leatherman wave with me too. Maybe when I get older I'll prefer a slipjoint, but for now I think I'm going to stick to traditional folders.

Yes, yes you shall. Start with a stockman

 

[cordawg92]

Funny guy!

 

[Jaiofspam]

3.5" hogue elishewitz ex-01 if you want something different... sub $150 if you look around & a great knife too

 

[tjswarbrick]

Nothing new to add - just reiterating what others have said, that I agree with.
Wait for your dream EDC. Especially if you have one that works, but you're bored with it.
The only things that kick my 940 out of my pocket are my Sage1 and sprint Para2.
I picked up the 940, used, at a show, for under $100. They're out there.
It is a fantastic carry blade, but I have big hands and wanted something a little more ergonomic for me.

 

[Cynic2701]

Nemesis Manx?