Which folder for general use?

S

Seagull

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Mar 12, 2007
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I'm looking for a new EDC/knock-around folder, and have narrowed my choices to two knives. Whichever I get will be used for cutting only, and 90% of that will be slicing type cuts. I would like it to perform adequately on everything from cutting rope to making fuzz sticks, opening those annoying plastic packaged goods to field dressing game. Price is a concern, I would like to keep it at or under $50, and I understand that I wont be getting a "wonder" knife in that price range. I don't need or want a "tactical-uber-ninja" blade, just a decent working knife.

My choices are the Benchmade Vex and the Kershaw Mini-Cyclone.

I would like to hear from others who know more about knives than I do, and hopefully from people who own these particular models. Which would you choose and why?

I like the Vex's handle/scale design, it looks like it would be comfortable in the hand, but it sounds like this one has inferior steel. I don't mind touching up a blade after use, as long as it responds well to sharpening, but the Vex sounds like it has issues there. Also, it has been compared to AUS8, which I hear has some rusting problems. Any truth in that?

The Mini-Cyclone has a nice belly that should be hell on wheels for slicing, and it's Sandvik steel is something I'm familiar with. I know this steel works well with light touching up after use, but I've never abused it. How durable would it be under hard use? Also, the AO with this one would just be one more thing to break, although it looks as if this knife would still function without the AO feature. The fact that the AO feature can be disengaged is a plus too, I'm not sure if I would like it or not.

I'm at an impasse... the Kershaw seems like it might be the better of the two for me, but the Vex has recieved some good reviews and Benchmade certainly has a rep for quality. So, which one?
 
Oh, I suppose I should mention that I'm only interested in the two knives listed. I already have several others that fit other needs, from small SAK's to a Becker 7. I don't really like Spyderco knives, the design just doesn't appeal to me even though I know they are good blades.

Another question for the Kershaw owners... how does it feel in the hand? I tend to use a "fencer's" grip mostly, although I also choke up and lay my finger along the blade spine a lot for finer work.
 
I'd get the Kershaw. I don't know how important it is to you but the Kershaw is USA made where the Vex is China made. Outside that, the Vex comes with a coated blade which doesn't appeal to me. And then, at the end of the day I EDC Kershaws absolutely positively 100% of the time so I may be a little biased but i think they are the best.
 
Thanks for responding. I actually lean toward the Kershaw due to it being made in the U.S., and I can get it for the same price as the Chinese made Vex. Just judging by looks, the Vex would be more adaptable to different grips and situations, but for my standard use the Mini-Cyclone would work just fine.
 
One other thing that draws me to Kershaw is that they have an order form for replacement parts on their website. This basically means that they allow you to open and work on your own knife without that voiding the warranty. Top notch in my opinion.
 
Seagull said:
I'm looking for a new EDC/knock-around folder, and have narrowed my choices to two knives. Whichever I get will be used for cutting only, and 90% of that will be slicing type cuts. I would like it to perform adequately on everything from cutting rope to making fuzz sticks, opening those annoying plastic packaged goods to field dressing game. Price is a concern, I would like to keep it at or under $50, and I understand that I wont be getting a "wonder" knife in that price range. I don't need or want a "tactical-uber-ninja" blade, just a decent working knife.

My choices are the Benchmade Vex and the Kershaw Mini-Cyclone.
Click to expand...

Since I wouldn't buy either of those as a folder for all around use in the
$50.00 range, I guess I'll watch the thread along with you. ;)
 
No kidding? I like the sound of that. I was initially drawn to the Kershaw, but the Vex is a Benchmade... that made me reconsider. I guess I've actually already made up my mind... the Kershaw has steel I'm familiar with, it's made in America, and sounds like it has a great warranty. I'll hold out a bit longer to see if anyone would recommend the Vex, and why, but I have a feeling I've found my new EDC.

What do you think of the AO feature on the Kershaw knives? Would it stand up to years of use? Is it safe to carry?
 
rifon2, I certainly haven't done an exhaustive search of what's available, what would you recommend? This isn't a knife I would stake my life on, just a decent general use knife.
 
I would go with the Benchmade--I have had terrible luck with edge retention on my Kershaw
 
okbohn, really? Was it the same model/steel? I've never had any trouble with the Sandvik steels. Of course, I don't expect them to pass the ridiculous torture tests some people seem to subject their knives to, but if this was the same model/steel, I would like to hear more!
 
i personaly would avoid a china benchmade-
what about a spyderco native?
or wait a week or 2 and get a kershaw jyd framelock
 
I agree, the 110 is a good knife. I already have one, heh! I take it hunting with me, and it's cleaned a lot of game. Fish too, actually. I'm looking for something a bit different though, the pocket clip and one hand opening/closing type of knife, they're just more convenient in day to day chores where one hand might already be occupied.
 
I've never had any of the above mentioned problems with edge retention on my Kershaws.

In regards to your question to your questions about the AO mechanism, I love it. Yes, every once in a while a torsion bar will break but it is one of the parts Kershaw makes available for order through their warranty page and is super easy to replace. The other nice thing about the mini-Cyclone is that you can turn the A/O mechanism off and on with a switch on the spine so that you can use it as a regular knife as well as an A/O knife. It's a winner.
 
Seagull said:
rifon2, I certainly haven't done an exhaustive search of what's available, what would you recommend? This isn't a knife I would stake my life on, just a decent general use knife.
Click to expand...

I'd get a Spyderco Endura 4 in VG-10.


IMO a better choice for your purposes than the Kershaw or the Benchmade.

I think VG-10 is better steel than you get in the others; it's a top-tier steel.
I personally like the Spyderco locking system better than the locking system on either of the others.

Anyway, no need to sing the praises of the Endura, it's been done so often for
so long by so many.

Here's info on the knife: http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=208

________________________________________________

There are some excellent dealers out there, here are two:

http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4894
http://www.gpknives.com/item/spyderco-endura-4.html
 
My EDC is a Benchmade 710 D2. I like it so well, that I seriously doubt that I'll ever buy another folding knife. (Unless Benchmade brings back the 710 M2:D )
 
I have a regular Cyclone and love it. The torsion spring broke and I sent it in to Kershaw and received a new knife with a (little more than) two-week turn around. I personally like the Sandvick steel. Another nod for the Cyclone.
 
I just order a Kershaw G-10 Knife Leek with Premium S30V Blade 1660CGT for $62.74, if that fit you budget. The ebay seller has 1 more left.

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Go with the Vex!!!! Great knife with G-10 for under 50 bucks! I have the Vex, and it makes my Manix and BM710 compete for pocket space. A lot of people complain about the steel being soft, but they have obviously never sharpened/use one. This thing gets sharper than any knife I own, and keeps the edge almost as good as my "premium steel" knives in S30V and D2. It's a great, well designed package.
 
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