What should be next?

Z

Zizworth

Joined
Jun 4, 2012
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I have enough money to get 1 knife from my short list, so which should it be?

Spyderco Caly 3.5 ZDP
Benchmade 940
Spyderco Stretch ZDP
Spyderco Sub Hilt
Michael Morris Knives Fixed blade of some sort.

For those who have handled both, is the caly 3.5 similar enough to the stretch that you think having both would be redundant?

Thanks in advance.
 
Caly 3.5 has a narrower profile than just about any similarly-sized Spyderco except for Southard. It carries small. Not redundant with Stretch due to above and CF handle. Benchmade 940 carries small too with even narrower profile. Two good choices.
 
I would definitely get the southard if it had any other clip positions, but I know i'll never carry it with just RH tip up.
 
Do you own an axis lock folder? If not, get the 940. It's very lightweight and compact knife that still packs a lot of blade, I've got the 943 and use it a lot. Otherwise, go for the Caly 3.5 in ZDP.
 
I've got an M390 Barrage that I deassisted, and I used to have a 710 and a 530. Would you say the 940 is closer to a 710 or a 530 in sturdiness?

I almost never carried the 710 because the g10 is so slippery and it's a little big for my uses, and the 530 rubbed against the liner and the axis lock was hard to disengage.
 
The Benchmade 940 is probably my all time favorite EDC knife from any manufacturer. The anodized aluminum handles have a great "chalkboard" like texture to it that holds well in bare hands. I know that may actually sound like a turn off at first, but once the texture breaks in a bit it feels great. It's a good size for a knife. Not too big, not too small. Carries thin in the pocket. The reverse tanto tip is nice and stout and would not break off easily.

I also have a Caly 3.5, and I love it as well. Just know that ZDP can be quite brittle and the tip on the Caly is somewhat delicate. It wouldn't be difficult to snap the tip off if you're not carful. Compared to the Stretch I like the Caly better. I like the feel of G10 better than FRN, plus the wire clip on the Caly is excellent. I've never owned or held a Vallotton, but that knife will come from Spyderco's Taichung plant which is known for producing the best quality Spydercos on the market. I've no doubt that knife will be awesome in terms of build quality. Plus it's nice to see a hollow ground Spyderco.
 
Well, depends on what you're getting it for.

Hard use? Fixed blade.
Rough-and-tumble EDC? 940.
Much better looking EDC? Caly 3.5 ZDP.
Moderate use EDC? Stretch.
Knife with astoundingly good fit and finish? Vallotton.

I'm just going to toss this one out there: Spyderco Gayle Bradley. If you're looking at carbon fiber and supersteels, the Gayle Bradley is an overbuilt CF-handled M4-bladed knife, made in Taichung (both I have had were astoundingly smooth and had no flaws whatsoever), and well within the price range.
 
I carried a Caly3 for several yrs. I've had two blu Stretches...FRN, but then, I love the blue.
Yeah, I'd take the Stretch.
 
So you'd say the 940 is not a delicate knife? It just seems similar in construction to the 530, which felt a little delicate when I'd use it for more than tape or apples or something.

I tend to carry a SAK for things like scraping, prying, opening cans, or lending a stranger a knife, so my main knife is just for whittling, cutting cardboard, and any other actual cutting jobs.

From what people have said, it seems like the Stretch is not really in the same class as the caly 3.5 or BM 940, so one final question: Does ZDP-189 rust as easily as M4? I actually had a GB that I gave to a friend after about 6 months of carrying it. The M4 started developing rust spots on the tang even after I'd cleaned and oiled it, so I sent it to my buddy in Arizona figuring he'd probably like it and not have a rust problem so easily.

Thank you all for so many opinions by the way.
 
Zizworth said:
So you'd say the 940 is not a delicate knife? It just seems similar in construction to the 530, which felt a little delicate when I'd use it for more than tape or apples or something.
Click to expand...
I have the 530 and 940 on the table. The 530 feels delicate because it weighs less than 2 ounces, is extremely thin, and has a plastic handle. It is similar to the 940 insofar as it is roughly the same size and employs the Axis lock, but the 940 is slightly thicker and heavier, has a metal (aluminum) handle, and the tip of the blade is probably a little stronger. The 940 feels noticeably sturdier and IME is pretty durable.
 
I found the 940 to be rather narrow/didn't fill up the hand well, that being said I have 'long spindly' fingers, a tad delicate, the zdp 189 is a great feeling blade but the frn takes some getting used to. I'd choose the Spyderco Sub-hilt Vallotton, with the fit and finish, and the thicker 'armour' penetrating tip alongside the double bolster seems like a winner in my book.
 
As far as corrosion goes, Marine Tuff-Glide is your friend. I carried a GB for over 6 months in Oklahoma during a particularly muggy summer, and I sweat easily.

Not a single rust spot or patina on the blade. IIRC, ZDP-189 is less resistant to corrosion.
 
I regularly use a Douk Douk for hours at a time comfortably, so I'd imagine the thinness of the 940 would not be an issue. If anything, the vallotton's thickness may take some getting used to.

Is Tuff-Glide food safe?

I think I'll get the Caly 3.5 in ZDP and then get the 940 at my earliest convenience. The laminated steel should help eliminate the need to check the pivot area for rust, which is the only area i've ever really had issues with. Thank you all for the input.
 
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