Need advice on folding knife purchase

[Royksprekk]

Ok, I'm bumping this thread.

I've been looking for a good, solid, all purpose folding knife for a while now.

Originally, I was hell bent on getting a Benchmade Auto Stryker. In an unrelated decision, I was also hell bent on repainting my Crown Vic black and white (hey - I'm on a Mission from God; I'm recreating a modern Bluesmobile.)

But...

I don't want trouble. I never cause it, but I don't want to attract it either.

So, I painted my car black (incidentally, it still evokes about the same amount of paranoia in traffic as the black and white would have, but I'm not flirting with pissing off the law.)

And now, the most appealing knife to me is the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian.

I'm sold on Benchmade, and am definitely not budging on that. I am however, wondering if any of you have any other suggestions on similar Benchmades, perhaps spring-assisted?

More importantly, any advice on good places to order from?

P.S. In case anyone cares, my avatar has been made into 16 inch cut vinyl logos that will be going on my car doors as soon as I've got the thing washed and waxed...

[Royksprekk]

An afterthought: Pros/Cons...

Mini-Griptilian vs. Griptilian?
Black blade finish vs. Stainless?
Serrated vs. Plain Edge?
Standard vs. Tanto? (I like the way that Tantos look, and the fact that they're sturdier, but recognize the trade of in usable cutting length...)

ATM, leaning towards:
http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadem...plainedge.aspx

I kinda wish they had the full size version of that setup...

[Sal1000us]

Good decision not going for the auto.

I find the mini more practical for urban EDC use as it is more comfortable and smaller and therefore easier to carry with you everyday & everywhere. I have a full-size griptilian which is bulkier than the mini and maybe just a little too big for a comfortable urban EDC, but a good choice for more serious chores.

A satin plain edge drop point blade is probably the most practical for normal EDC.

The least practical blade for normal EDC (Black, combo, Tanto) happens to be the most attractive (evil, intimidating) looking blade.

If you are a soldier, special ops, etc. where you’ll have to use your knife to defend your life or possibly kill the enemy, a black Tanto would be ideal. A black blade doesn’t reflect the light and a Tanto is perfect for stabbing.

I guess it’s ultimately your decision to go the practical route, purely good looks or somewhere in the middle. Oh, or maybe just the happiness factor . Mine are both combo Tanto. Here is the comparison:

[Royksprekk]

Yeah...

As long as I'm going for an EDC, practicality should override aesthetics...for the most part.

To that end, this is just plain cool:
http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadeb...ellimited.aspx

I really like the reverse tanto design...seems like you get a fairly sinister looking blade but don't sacrifice cutting edge. If price wasn't an object, my search would be over.

I'll probably end up with a Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian. Serrated edges seem more for looks than practicality, and if I ditch those, the reduced edge of a Tanto is less of a big deal. Any drawbacks to the black blade finish?

No idea how I'm going to decide...

[Sal1000us]

Well, a satin blade will definitely show the stain and small scratches less than a black blade. A satin blade is also much easier to clean but then again, black looks pretty cool.

[Sal1000us]

This is what can happen to a black finish after it is used for couple of months. These scratches probably wouldn't show or be as drastic if it was a satin blade.

[Royksprekk]

What are your thoughts on the combo serrated blades? Do you find yourself using them enough to justify their existence?

While I'm into knives, I'm not anywhere near as much of an aficionado as you or some others here. The knife I pick will be my primary one, so I won't have the luxury of swapping out for another as my mood (or setting) changes. ;D

I'm thinking Mini Griptilian, black blade finish, and I could see myself resigning to the fact that drop edge is more useful for all around purposes (I'll just tell myself that I got my aesthetics from the black blade selection.)

Do you find that the compact size of the mini outweighs the "full featured" blade of the original? Do both versions "snap out" in equally satisfying ways? One of the main reasons I like the Benchmade Griptilian is that I am a lefty, and I really want a knife with quick, smooth, one-handed operation.

Didn't think this would be such a difficult decision after I landed on the Benchmade Griptilian...

[Sal1000us]

I noticed you have been discussing and asking all the right questions but we never discussed the most important question. What are you going to be using this knife for, purely self-defense, a little bit of everything, mostly camping, etc.?

I am only using a particular blade and the rest will never be used. The one I always use happens to be the cheapest, heaviest, thinnest and not an EDC at all. It is a Byrd Crossbill designed by Spyderco and built in China *sigh*.This cheap knife has become my favorite; you just have to hold it in your hand to realize what I am talking about. I wish Spyderco would make the same knife here and make it a little lighter.

[Royksprekk]

I will be using the knife for pretty much everything:

-As a tool for day to day use (although my tried and true basic old school soldier issue Swiss Army knife is arguably more functional in many cases.) A more solid, dedicated knife would be nice, especially for those summer vacations up north, but at the end of the day, I'm an urban type of guy.

-As a gadget/toy (I'm one of those freaks that occasionally enjoys flicking a knife open and snapping it shut repeatedly just for the sake of it; much like most of the YouTube posters seem to enjoy.)

-Lastly, and hopefully never, as a capable form of SD.

So, I suppose, the best fit would be a good all around knife, but some of the features I'm unsure on how to select over others. I'm just looking for a knife I'll be glad to carry around with me for pretty much any reason.

I guess I like the looks of the combo blade tanto the most, but I don't want to just go with what I think looks the coolest if it makes the knife completely unpractical.

[Sal1000us]

Yeah...

ATM, leaning towards:
http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadem...plainedge.aspx

No idea how I'm going to decide...

Don't make it too hard for yourself. The link you have posted above is a very nice and hard to find Benchmade mini. I'd say bite the bullet and go ahead and buy the knife. The mini fits the bill for an all-purpose normal EDC. I will buy the knife from you if you changed your mind after you bought it (provided it is in new condition).

BTW, pretty soon it will be very hard to purchase Benchmade at these low prices. There are talks that Benchmade will not distribute or sell to dealers that are not Benchmade certified dealers and therefore in couple of months all Benchmade prices will be MSRP. Good time to buy one.

[Royksprekk]

Pulled the trigger...

Except, I sprung for the combo blade. I'm rationalizing my decision by telling myself that I carry a more traditional type of blade on my SAK, which is always in my front pocket, and serration can come in handy at times.

Plus, it looks sick.

I was thinking of getting the full size, but I'll be carrying this clipped in my back pocket, and I'm pretty sure the approved limit for blade length at work is less than 3 inches. 2.91 fits the bill.

Can't wait.

[Sal1000us]

Pulled the trigger...

Plus, it looks sick.

Can't wait.

Congrats man. Post a pic when you get it. I have a feeling it's a black one, that's is a sick looking mini motha

[Royksprekk]

My current knife collection:


1. Old School Swiss Army Knife - Basic, tried and true. I like the AlOx handle, it's surprisingly grippy, and the ones with plastic panels always get all scratched/crack off. It opens bottles of beer, unscrews 90 percent of the screws I come across, and has that evil looking, if not nearly useless awl spike. Shaped like an elongated pill, gravity tempts it to glide it out of my pocket any time I sit in a bucket seat or go to the movies...
2. Benchmade BM557SBK- I'd be bummed that I'm stuck using my iPhone to take shitty pictures, but this knife cannot be fully appreciated until you have it in your grasp. I'm already glad I went with what I originally thought was good decision only for looks; I find that the tip of the Tanto blade is great for scraping things, and the serration was nice for cutting a cable today. I've got a vanilla type blade on my SAK for those "apple slicing" moments. I barely notice the thing in my back pocket (enough to worry the clip has failed me), and find myself wondering if the fullsize would have been worth it for less than $10 more, but it's nice having the compact size and more "compliant" blade, even if it looks armor-piercing. Two words: Axis Lock. I could go on another paragraph about that; 'nuff said.
3. Total pile of Chinese garbage that planted the seed to buy the above mentioned.
4. Smith & Wesson Model 960 - I love the weight distribution on this one; the blade weighs about the same as the handle, and it just feels solid in your hand. I'll probably never find a practical use for it, so it just kinda lies around and looks cool...

[Sal1000us]

Beautiful black mini griptilian, you did pretty good man, congrats. Yours looks much better than mine because of the black blade. From the way you have lined up your babies, I can tell you are on your way to become an avid knife collector :wink:

BTW, some of those little SAKs supposedly keep the sharpest edge even compared to the most expensive blades out there. I think Victronix is making the little SAks now.