Need Knife Decision Help

[ugaarguy]

My Benchmade Mini-Griptillian has been been pounded on for the last year, stripping wire, opening MREs, cutting camo netting to make holes for antennas, and everything else we use knives for as field oriented comm Airmen. The blade has gotten chipped from all the (ab)use, and it's time for it to go back to Benchmade under their Life Sharp program to be re worked. Now it's time for another knife while this one is away. I don't usually like assisted openers unless they use a flipper type extension on the bottom of the blade to open. Then they must have a a safety switch up near the flipper to keep the darn thing from opening in my pocket while maintaing ease of use. Right now the Buck Sirus is the best example of this that I've seen. To get to the meat of the thread; I'll list what I'm looking at, and if you folks could comment on the knives listed, and add any others you think I should consider.

1) Emerson Mini Commander. Price is my only hesitation, otherwise I really like it, even though the 3.5" blade is a bit longer than what I prefer. I love the Wave feature.

2) Buck Sirus. Good price, Good blade length

3) Gerber Appplegate Covert. Decent Price, but a bit long in the tooth.

4) Benchmade Pardue design spear point blade axis lock (cant remember the model number). Good blade length, decent price.

I prefer black blades as well. You folks thoughts?

Thanks,
"Uga"

 

[Soap]

Personally, I would pick the Benchmade. The Emerson and Gerber's locks would make me hesitate from buying them; I'm just not a huge liner lock fan even though they serve most people quite well. As for the Buck, you're right, it has one of the most user friendly assisted opening methods, but still, I don't really like to fumble around with buttons and switches. If it isn't a full on auto (no safety, just a sidebutton) like my Dalton, I probably wouldn't carry it. The Axis lock is sweet and not likely to ever let you down.

 

[tarrigoni]

If you're thinking of the Benchmade Griptillian or Mini-Grip then those are both good choices.

I have both the mini grip and the emerson mini commander and the blade length on the mini-comm is just a smidge longer than on the mini-grip.

The ergonomics on the Emerson are far superior to the benchmade, in my opinion. The construction is also way better and the knife feels way more solid in my hands.

I've become quite the Emerson fan in the past month or so.

 

[Jalexander]

I have one of these, and I love it.

http://www.aeromedix.com/?_siteid=a...905885ed5499a485a682b429&action=sku&sku=bmsbt

 

[ugaarguy]

Decision Made

I decided to stay with the Axis lock mechanism that I really like. As soon as the new knife gets here my Mini-Grip is headed to Benchmade to get serviced. The front third of the blade has several chips and will likely require the edge to be totally redone - I'm glad Benchmade offers their LifeSharp service. I've ordered a BM Model 530SBK to add a litle variety beyond the Mini-Grip.



P.S. Thanks for your thoughts and advice folks. Please feel free to contunue with suggestions; I may pick up another knife as a backup to the one already ordered. Having good suggestions is also nice when other Airmen ask me for thoughts on a good knife. Again, thanks for the replies.

 

[pete f]

I wish i had read this earlier, as an active duty airman you are legal to own and carry an auto, and the pardue is available as an automatic.

 

[ugaarguy]

Knife is here

My Benchmade model 530 arrived a few days ago. Thus far I'm very pleased with it. I looked into the auto version, but went with the manual for a couple reasons. The first is that I just truly like the manual Axis lock mechanism. The second reason was thickness, or lack thereof. I knew from the listed dimensions that the knife was thin, but you don't realize how thin until you handle it. This guy will comfortably clip to the waistband of my uniform PT shorts, and it disappears in a uniform pants pocket. Much like slimline pistols (the BHP comes to mind) the little 530 carries much smaller than it's just over 3" blade indicates (much like the BHP just doesn't feel like a full size service pistol). I'll try to get some good pics as soon as the my new camera arrives.

I did also pick up a $20 Boker/Magnum auto opener to see how I like using an auto for EDC. I figured it will also make a good work knife and prevent the 530 from taking some of the abuse the Mini-Grip saw. In it's own way the Magnum has a hand filling yet ergonomic grip which reminds a bit of how the Mini-Grip does the same. We'll see how durable this knife is soon enough.

As both knives see the use I'll no doubt put them thru over the coming months I'll post a report as to how each one performs.