New knife for $100 or so

[bickford]

I have $100 to spend and I always want a new knife. I have a pretty decent collection built up (many of the knives have come as a result of reading on this forum). My current EDC is an Endura I've used for a couple of years. I really like it and it does anything a knife is supposed to. But I'm thinking of a Griptillian. Give me the pros and cons. Mini or not? D2 or not? Why will I love or hate the Benchmade Griptillian? Also, any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[Valkman]

I love the Griptilian and just ordered one from knifecenter.com. Drop point, 154CM steel, AXIS lock - all for I think $97 shipped. What's not to love?

 

[mole]

The only downside I've found to my mini-griptilian is that the axis lock is a bit harder to keep clean when compared to my other pocket knives. I tend to use my pocket knives a lot to cut up fruit and a good flushing with hot water always worked for my other knives, but not as well on the mini-griptilian. Other than that it's a solid knife and the one I carry the most.

John

 

[ugaarguy]

Bickford, I think your Endura is a good starting point to answer your questions. If you want something close to the same size as your Endura, then get the standard Griptilian. If you want something smaller, then the the Mini-Grip is the way to go. If you're happy with how your Endura does with edge holding then the 154CM blade Griptilians will offer similar performance. If you want crazy edge holding capability, at the expense of reduced corrosion resistance, get the D2 blade. I have the old 440C black blade full size Griptilian, and it's been a beast of a knife.

The only thing that I can say negative about the Griptilian is that the wide rounded grip doesn't carry as easily in small or tight pockets as thinner knives like the Endura. Conversely, that wide rounded grip makes working for extended periods far easier on the hand than using something with a thin, flat grip.

I think the Griptilians are really hard to go wrong with. If, however, you want something different - thinner, smaller, bigger, whatever - tell us what you want, and we'll throw more suggestions out.

 

[2WheelsGood]

But I'm thinking of a Griptillian. Give me the pros and cons. Mini or not? D2 or not?

There are no cons. Well, price maybe. I just started carrying a Benchmade Mini Barrage instead of my Mini Griptilian. The only knife I have that feels as well made is an older Boker. Something wonderful about a well-made knife.

 

[bickford]

Is D2 carbon? I have an Esee 4 that I love b/c it holds it's edge forever no matter what I do to it. I like the Endura but it's sort of a pain in the butt to sharpen in my opinion. I can't ever seem to get it razor sharp. Is the D2 easier to put a nice edge back on? I'm thinking a mini with D2 right now.

 

[JShirley]

I had a Griptillian, back in 02 or so. Pretty good knife. <shrug> Spydercos just seem to stay in my pocket.

I've been carrying the Tranluscent Manix 2 for the last couple of months. I LOVE this knife. It's large, but lightweight, holds an edge, resharpens easily, is strong, opens smoothly, is grippy but not hard on pants or skin. You can get one delivered for $80 or less.

 

[conw]

I'd pick up one of Spyderco's highly refined Golden Co. made folders (they use Crucible steel and G-10 scales, for the most part). Examples are the Native 5, Paramilitary 2, and...um...can't really think of others. Anyway, just browse spydercos by cost on bladehq.com or knifecenter.com.

 

[JShirley]

Manix 2s are also US-made.

 

[conw]

I thought they might be but at their very reasonable pricepoint I didn't want to say for sure, and it's hard to find country of origin info online for Spydies.

I don't have anything against their non-US made stuff but I like the G10 a lot so I guess it was my way of saying "Any spyderco with G10 scales and fairly new steel"

 

[JShirley]

I think the Manix 2s are an incredible bargain. Great steel, super-strong lock, G10, large knife...for well under $80 delivered. I just like the Translucent even more.

Here's how to check for US-made Spydercos, though many folks claim the Taiwan and Japanese-origin knives are at least as good...

 

[conw]

Thanks John. One other thing, the Sharpmaker is worth factoring into the $100 IMO, that thing is awesome for getting spydies back to factory sharpness.

 

[inherentical]

I've carried Benchmade for years, Mini Grips, Grips, and a few other models. I recently started carrying a Zero Tolerance 0350. A good solid knife, I've been impressed with it and the assisted opening. The thumb studs don't work worth squat compared to a Benchmade, but nothing is perfect.

Zero Tolerance 0350 on Amazon. It's right in your price range.

 

[JShirley]

The Zero Tolerance knives look pretty good, but I don't like that recurve blade shape on a pocket knife. I think shorter knives need all the usable blade surface they can get.

 

[Gordon]

How I'd spend my $100
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-PUM...ible_Knives&hash=item20c0b26b37#ht_500wt_1202

 

[Spec ops Grunt]

I'll claim that the Japanese Sydercos are just as good as the USA ones.


Haven't had a Chinese or Taiwanese one yet.

 

[Patriotme]

I've got the mini in D2 steel. I can't think of any reason to not like the knife. I went out and bought two more for family members. It's a great knife. I've been thinking about getting the full sized version but just haven't had the money for yet another knife. There's so many different versions of the Griptilian and Mini Griptilian that you should be able to find anything you want if you go with the Benchmade. It's a lot of great knives out there in the $100 range.

 

[bickford]

So I made my choice. I went to Bass Pro to handle a few knives and see what I liked. I didn't see that I needed to spend $100 on anything that isn't any better than the Endura I already use for everything. So I just bought my 2 year old son lots of clothes for 2012.

 

[conw]

I didn't see that I needed to spend $100 on anything that isn't any better than the Endura

No, you don't. But, they are.

 

[smallbore]

Have you checked out the selection on Amazon? Made my last 3 purchases from them. Bought a couple of Spydercos and a Case.