Want to Upgrade My EDC

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Jun 11, 2006
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I've been toting a Delica 4 PE for a while now,more than a year. While I like the knife I'm thinking of replacing it with something that will hold an edge a little longer. I can't search,but I went back about ten pages looking for my answers. So at least I tried.

The specs I would like:

one hand opening
smooth action
plain edge ,functional design blade,no curvy exotic stuff
strong lock system
high quality steel
price range up to $100
tip-up carry pocket clip

I've looked at the Benchmade griptilian,I like the blade ,but not certain how 154cm performs in comparison to Spyderco's vg10. I've considered a Delica in zdp189,but nobody seems to mention it. I looked at Kershaw ,but heard they have some qc issues. Not sure how cpm d2 hold up either. I would appreciate some experience and advice.

Thanks Very Much
 
Sure! I have a D4 with the ZDP-189 blade. It keeps a shaving sharp edge a long time with light to moderate use i.e. opening and breaking down boxes, cutting bubble wrap, etc.
 
I looked at Kershaw ,but heard they have some qc issues.

I guarentee you that Kershaw has better QC then most other companies. They will hold up perfectly. And I can tell you that the Griptilians 154 CM is great and there is no problem with it. Its a great steel. Check out the OD-1 from kershaw and the Orange Griptilian and you will be right about at 100 for both.
 
Statmonster,any issues with chipping? How do you sharpen it?

crbauhs, if the qc is comparable to benchmade,then it's excellent. I'm not familiar with the od-1. Do have any experience with the composite blades?
 
TW, whoever told you Kershaw had QC problems didn't tell you correct! The last 10 Kershaws, including ZT's, have been absolutely perfect, with outstanding lockup, fit & finish, and hair poppin' blades. You might look at a S30V Blur from Kershaw, although it does have a slight recurve blade. The Lahar is another nice Kershaw with a 3.5" blade, no recurve, thick steel liners, nicely done black G-10 handles, and a price that would allow you to get a Spyderco Sharpmaker system for only a little more than a $100 total. A third one you might consider is a JYDII Composition. This one has the 13c26n blade spine with the CPMD2 blade edge, and also has the nice thick hardened steel liners. These things cut and cut, and then cut some more, and the lockup is second to none. These are available for around $75.00 and an excellent buy. The last one is one not out yet but should come out with a street price under $100.00 and that is the G-10 Tyrade. It also has a composition blade as it was the original one. The blade has a 154CM spine and a CPMD2 edge. It is actually made with the left over blades from the original Tyrade and will only be a run of around 800 I believe. Thinking it will be the last of April from what I last heard of the project.

Good luck on whatever you do decide on!:thumbup::D
 
I agree with what all have said so far. I EDC a Kershaw Random Leek and a Benchmade Griptilian, and both knives are excellent blades. They both hold a razor edge for a long time, and are well worth the money IMO. Personally, I'm a little afraid of using the Kershaw heavily, mainly because the blade is rather thin, and since it's a limited run knife I don't want to damage it. But when it comes to cutting the thing is like a scalpel, and has held it's edge remarkably well. And Benchmade is just as good, but I'm willing to abuse it a little more since the blade is thicker. But that's just my opinion......
 
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TW, whoever told you Kershaw had QC problems didn't tell you correct! The last 10 Kershaws, including ZT's, have been absolutely perfect, with outstanding lockup, fit & finish, and hair poppin' blades.

I must agree there. My 6 Kershaws are excellent. Even the cheaper ones like the Scallion.

The Lahar is another nice Kershaw with a 3.5" blade, no recurve, thick steel liners, nicely done black G-10 handles, and a price that would allow you to get a Spyderco Sharpmaker system for only a little more than a $100 total. A third one you might consider is a JYDII Composition.

I must disagree with you there. :D The Lahar DOES have a recurve blade but not as pronounced as some. Great tough hard-use knife though. Love mine! And the JYDII Composite Blade is on my list too. :thumbup:
 
I must disagree with you there. :D The Lahar DOES have a recurve blade but not as pronounced as some. Great tough hard-use knife though. Love mine! And the JYDII Composite Blade is on my list too. :thumbup:


Yeah, I have to disagree with me also!:eek: Sorry 'bout that.:)
 
cutter17, I think probably the person who reported bad qc,probably just got a rare bad one. I will add a kershaw with composite edge blade to the list of finalists.

De4thStr1ke could you comment on how the benchmade 154cm compares to the spyderco vg10?

SuzukiGS750EZ,thanks I've heard the griptilian handle is very thick. What do you think?
 
kershaws are excellent knives,,no quality issuses that im aware of,,try the benchmade mini grip in 154cm
 
I've been toting a Delica 4 PE for a while now,more than a year. While I like the knife I'm thinking of replacing it with something that will hold an edge a little longer.
Huh, the Delica 4 in VG-10 is one of my most often carried EDC blades, and I never noticed a particular problem with it holding an edge. Still, I don't use it all that hard, so YMMV.

I've looked at the Benchmade griptilian,I like the blade ,but not certain how 154cm performs in comparison to Spyderco's vg10. I've considered a Delica in zdp189,but nobody seems to mention it. I looked at Kershaw ,but heard they have some qc issues. Not sure how cpm d2 hold up either. I would appreciate some experience and advice.
Certainly, if VG-10 isn't doing it for you, the Delica with ZPD189 is a possible alternative. It is supposed to have about twice the edge retention of VG-10

I don't think Kershaw has any particular QC issues. An occasional bad knife will slip through with any company, but Kershaw is no worse than any other production knife company in this regard (and better than many). You might want to take a look at the Leek Composite (CPM-D2 edge steel) or the Leek G-10 (S30V blade). I've got both and find them supperior in edge retention to the 440A blades on the normal Leeks (although I am not sure how S30V compares to VG-10 in that respect).
 
Mdauben ,I am still considering a zdp Delica. Due to the overwhelming response of the "kershaw people" here I have placed a bid for a composite leek on ebay.

Does anyone have any experience with zdp189? Griptilian vs mini-grip? Still interested in hearing from people. :)
 
I skimmed a bit, but have you considered a Caly3/G-10? Exceptional knife there.

Also look at a Paramilitary (little pricey) or Tenacious.
 
I much prefer my Mini-Grip to my full size. I've been very happy with the edge holding, too. This knife is by far my favorite EDC.
 
+1 mini grip, great knife, i dont have too much experience with spyderco's vg-10 so i wont comment on that.
 
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