Looking for a new long term EDC knife

[derekmac]

I'm on a quest for a new long term EDC, and so far I've narrowed my choices down to either a Buck Vantage Force Avid or Pro, or a Spyderco Delica 4 either VG-10 or ZDP-189.  I want to keep the price at or below $100, and a blade length around 3", and preferably a CE blade (non tanto).

I'm hoping with those choices, they will be able to last for awhile as I plan on eventually giving the knife to my son, and he's only 4 so it'll be awhile yet.  I want him to be like "Wow, dad's always had this knife!" 

Of those, which do you think would be a better choice?  I'm also open to suggestions if you can think of something else that you think will fit the bill.

Cheers!

[jekostas]

My personal preference is Delica.  Both are great knives, but the Delica is thinner and much more comfortable to carry.  Think about it - is your knife in your hand or your pocket more?

I also think for the pricing you get better steel options in the Delica.  VG-10 vs. 13C26, or ZDP-189 vs. S30V.

Don't get me wrong, both knives are good and you'll be happy with either.

Some other knives in your size and price range to consider would be a Kershaw Blur CE in S30V(~$70), a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian CE (~$80) or perhaps a CRKT M16-01 Titanium CE (~$70).

[5hif7y]

+1 for the delica 

[enki_ck]

I'd go for the delica or as Jekostas recommended the mini-griptilian. I'd stay away from the M16 though. Bought one a few years back and wasn't happy with it at all. It uses the thumbstud as a blade stop and the thumbstud got loose = serious blade play. I've even heard of cases where the thumbstud fell off. Poor design feature.

[bladechick777]

The Delica Is A Great Knife And Will Last You Forever.
You Can Get It In FRN, Stainless, Or Even G-10(May Have To Look For A Few Minutes).
I'd Preferably Try To Get One With G-10.

The Blur Is Also A Great Knife.  And You Can Get It In s30v Which Is Known As A "Super Steel" So That's Good.

Also, Another Great Knife Would Be The Kershaw Leek, You Can Get It In G-10 Handles With s30v Blade Steel. Great Knife. - But I Think This Only Comes In PE. But PE Is My Personal Preference.

Also, If You Can Stand Plain Edge, A Great Knife Is The Kershaw Rake CB. G-10 Handles, Utilitarian Blade Shape, Sandvik Steel/D2 Steel, And Just A Great Knife.

Another Knife For Under $100, Try The Spyderco Sage 1 - Carbon Fiber Handles, Liner Lock, 3" Blade, s30v Steel.

[bladechick777]

Buck Vantage Pro Has G-10 Handles And s30v Blade. I've Heard Nothing But Good About It. I Actually Want One Myself.

Buck Vantage Force Pro - G-10 Handles, s30v Black Blade - Looks To Have A Wider Blade As Well. - I'm Sure This Is Great Too.

Buck Vantage Force Avid - Aluminum Handles Are Nice But I Prefer Stainless Over Aluminum, And G-10 Over Both Aluminum And Stainless. Sandvik Steel Is Very Good And Is Actually Used On Most Of Kershaws USA Made Knives Unless Of Course They Were Made With A Special Steel, A Composite Blade, Or Are One Of Their Way Higher End Knives.

Out Of Those I'd Go With The Buck Vantage Pro, Or Buck Vantage Force Pro.

[bladechick777]

Out Of The Options You Listed And Options Others Have Listed I'd Go For:
Spyderco Delica
Benchmade Mini Griptilian - Or The Full Sized Griptilian
Buck Vantage Pro
Buck Vantage Force Pro
s30v Blur
s30v Leek
Kershaw Rake CB
Or, Over All The Others I'd Probably Go For A Spyderco Sage 1.

[derekmac]

Wow, thanks for the awesome replies!  Hmm, now I have a few more options to look at, good thing I'm not in a hurry to get it, lol.

I'll probably end up leaning towards the Delica, but it's a hard choice, definitely some nice knives out there.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'd get the Delica.  I love Spydercos and have a difficult time using anything with a thumb stud anymore.  I can't say anything about the ZDP version, but I've had no problems at all with any Spyderco I've got that has a VG10 blade.

The carbon fiber Sage 1 is also an awesome knife; while I don't have one myself, I've read nothing but good things about them, literally not a single bad comment.  I've been jonesing for one for a long time.  They also make a very similar version with a back lock instead of a liner lock, called the Chaparral. 

If you want maximum versatility and can live with a knife without a pocket clip, the Dyad Jr. is a sweet little knife too. 

Also, check the prices at Cutlery Shoppe, they have the best Spyderco prices of any seller I've found.

[Flying Dutchman]

I have 2 Buck Vantage knives with the plain edge, both are excellent. Mine are the base models, but it only gets better with upgraded materials. Best of luck!

[jerseydevil]

I have a lower-end Vantage, and it is a great knife. I also have both a Delica and a Sage, and I have to say, the Sage is one kick-ass blade!  It hasn't left my pocket since I got it. Great steel, beautiful fit and finish, the carbon fiber handle is great, and i love the deep carry pocket clip. The Vantage also has a great clip. If tip-up isn't an issue, you can't go wrong with either. The Delica tip-up shows a bit more handle than I like, but that's a minor issue. Tip down is just fine. Another advantage to the Vantage ( ) is that it's available in several different sizes. If you get a chance to handle all three, great. If you don't though, you really can't go wrong with any of them. My vote is for the Sage, and of course it's the most expensive option. But hey, I'm spending your money, not mine! Well, I already spent mine.......

[bladechick777]

I'd Do The FFG Delica Or The Sage.
Out Of The Two If You Don't Mind Going The Extra Cash, Get The Sage. If You'd Like To Keep It Cheaper, Get The Delica.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I agree with JD; if you're willing to spring for it, get the Sage.  That would truly be a knife worthy of passing down to your son.  It's also a true gentleman's knife; very classy looking. 

It's also got a 'flow-through' design, so it won't accumulate as much lint, dust, etc. while in your pocket, and it's full torx-head construction so you can easily disassemble and reassemble it for cleaning and maintenance.

[edcgear]

Benchmade Mini Griptilian all the way... 

[bladechick777]

Or A Benchmade 530?
You Can Get The Blue Handle s30v Steel Version For $74.95 + $7.95 Shipping On Knife Works.

Awesome Little Knife!

[derekmac]

I do like the Sage, but it is around $30 more then the ZDP Delica (on ebay).  The Benchmade Mini Grip is a nice looking knife also, and I like the looks of the lock on it.  One thing I really like about the Buck, is the flipper.

One knife I don't think I have seen mentioned is the SOG Flash I.  It might not compare with the others mentioned (or maybe it does?) but I do like the look of it.

[jekostas]

I do like the Sage, but it is around $30 more then the ZDP Delica (on ebay).  The Benchmade Mini Grip is a nice looking knife also, and I like the looks of the lock on it.  One thing I really like about the Buck, is the flipper.

One knife I don't think I have seen mentioned is the SOG Flash I.  It might not compare with the others mentioned (or maybe it does?) but I do like the look of it.

Skip SOG.  Their overall quality has been on a steady decline for the last few years and their customer service BLOWS.

[bladechick777]

The Only SOG I Would Get Would Be A SOG Twitch Or Trident.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I do like the Sage, but it is around $30 more then the ZDP Delica (on ebay).  The Benchmade Mini Grip is a nice looking knife also, and I like the looks of the lock on it.  One thing I really like about the Buck, is the flipper.

One knife I don't think I have seen mentioned is the SOG Flash I.  It might not compare with the others mentioned (or maybe it does?) but I do like the look of it.

If you want a Sage, get it here:

http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/sage-carbonfiberscales-walkerlinerlock.aspx

Best price I've seen on the 'net, even flea-bay.

Take a look at this too; also the best price I've seen from any seller.

http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/delica4lwttrainer-non-sharpeneddrone-1-1.aspx

(I have no affiliation with the seller, just a very satisfied customer.)

[bladechick777]

You Can Actually Get Them A Bit Cheaper On Amazon And Ebay With Free Shipping. 
Here's Amazon:
Sage - http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Carbon-Fiber-Plain-Knife/dp/B0013AW8Y2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323819268&sr=8-1 - $96.09 Shipped

Delica 4 FFG - http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Delica4-Lightweight-Ground-PlainEdge/dp/B003CH3V5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323819324&sr=8-1 - Blue $50.39, Brown $51.19, Grey $52.79, Green $53.29, Purple $53.29.

Delica 4 Combo Edge - http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-C11PSBK-Delica-Lockback-Knife/dp/B000BT1G9E/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1323819484&sr=8-7 - $50.29

And Here's Some Links To Ebay:
Sage - http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPYDERCO-SAGE-LINERLOCK-C123CFP-KNIFE-NEW-/230709886661?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item35b7617ec5#ht_3622wt_718 - $92.84 With Shipping!!

Sage - http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPYDERCO-Carbon-FIBER-SAGE-Plain-Edge-Knife-C123CFP-NEW-/290646212155?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43abdd3e3b - $96.95 Shipped

Delica 4 FFG - http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPYDERCO-Blue-FRN-DELICA-4-Plain-Folding-Knife-C11FPBL-/290644139513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43abbd9df9 - $52.49 Shipped

Delica 4 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPYDERCO-DELICA-4-FOLIAGE-GREEN-FOLD-KNIFE-C11PSFG-NEW-/230716313151?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item35b7c38e3f#ht_3616wt_718 - $54.84 Shipped

Delica - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spyderco-New-Delica-4-Combo-Edge-Folding-Knife-C11PSBK-/190605226887?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c60f4f387 - $49.99 Shipped

Delica - http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPYDERCO-Brown-FRN-DELICA-4-Plain-Edge-Knife-C11FPBN-/270866989828?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f10ee4304#ht_1872wt_763 - $53.73 Shipped

Delica - http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPYDERCO-Black-FRN-DELICA-4-VG-10-Combo-Knife-C11PSBK-/270868287632?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f11021090#ht_1856wt_763 - $52.67 Shipped

Good Luck. 

[derekmac]

Thanks for all the links and great suggestions, but one problem I have being in Canada, Amazon won't ship here, and Amazon.ca doesn't list any Spyderco knives or really anything other then SOG.

EBay does seem like a good route to take, but I'm nervous about getting a fake.

If I compare the Sage to the Vantage pro (I know, apples to oranges), I see they are both S30, but is one better then the other?

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[bladechick777]

Well There Is A Difference In Blade Shape, Handle Shap, Ergonomics, And Heat Treat.
I Personally Prefer Spyderco. Also The Sage Has That Great Low Riding Wire Pocket Clip.
Overall, I Love The Way Spyderco Knives Feel In The Hand, And Over All How Solid And Beautifully Put Together They Are.

Best Choice Would Be Spyderco In My Opinion. But The Buck Vantage Pro Is A Good Knife As Well. But As Far As Ergos, Fit And Finish, Pocket Carry, And Solidity, I Think Spyderco Has Buck Beat. Unless Of Course It's A Buck 110 Or Something. Either Knife Will Last You For Years, But My Overall Choice And Experience With The Brands Would Be Spyderco.

[jzmtl]

Sage is easier to open with gloves on due to larger hole, has CF scale, flat ground vs. hollow, pointier tip, and skeletonized liners. Vantage pro has a flipper that works alright. Mainly depends on if you are willing to shell out the extra dough for a better F&F, and flashier handle material.

I usually buy from newgraham.com in u.s., S&R knives (caledon2 on ebay, great price as far as canadian retailer goes), and warriors and wonders (their price is getting pretty high lately).

[bladechick777]

I Also Personally Like A Flat Ground Blade.
All In All, Get The Sage. 
You'll Be Very Pleased. And Later On Down The Road If You Decide You Want A Buck Vantage Pro, You Can Get It Without Shelling Out Another $100. But If You Shell It Out Now For The Sage, You'll Be Very Pleased With It. But If You Get It Now You Won't Feel Disappointed And Wish You Would Have Got It And Have To Wait Around For Another $100 To Come Up. Instead You'll Be Paying About Half Of That Later On. 

[derekmac]

Ahh, I think you've talked me into the Sage. Guess I now know my new years gift to myself My wife is going to kill me, lol.

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[bladechick777]

Get Your Wife A Knife Or Multi Tool Or Something In Her Favorite Color And She May Not Be So Mad. 

[derekmac]

Haha, I wish it was that simple!!  It took months to convince her to put the SwissCard I gave her in her wallet.  She did nab the Sapphire Signature I bought pretty quick though, so could be hope yet 

[jerseydevil]

Haha, I wish it was that simple!!  It took months to convince her to put the SwissCard I gave her in her wallet.  She did nab the Sapphire Signature I bought pretty quick though, so could be hope yet 

There you go! And once you get the Sage, you can also get yourself a Caly3 and pass it off as the same knife. "No, honey, I got this one a while ago, remember?" Works on my girl with SAKs.........sometimes.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'd go with the Sage myself for sure.

I still recommend Cutlery Shoppe... I don't think the owner, Jeff, will have any problem sending to you in CA.  Also, he's in Idaho or Montana... don't remember which one for sure, but the point is he's closer to you than most any other U.S. based seller so you should get pretty prompt shipping from him; I always have.

I also don't trust Flea-bay... too many knock-offs and fakes, and general flakiness there.  I don't think saving $5 or $8 is worth, especially because I've seen lots of sellers there mark up their shipping, so in the end you're not really saving anything. 

I also don't use them because of their predatory payment policies.  A few years ago, I bought some baseball cards from a flea-bay seller and was automatically signed up for one of their credit cards, which the payment for the item was made from.  I was never asked for this to be done, I never received notice it had been done, nor did I ever receive the card in the mail. 

Three months later I start getting threatening emails from them because I haven't made a payment on the card I didn't ask to be signed up for, didn't say I wanted to use, etc.  To add insult to injury, they imposed a late payment fee that was more than the cost of the cards I had ordered!  In fact, they levied the $25 fee for each month I hadn't made the payment, so they were charging me $75 for $20 worth of baseball cards I had ordered.

I called their customer service department about the issue, and explained exactly what I've said above about not asking to be signed up for the card, etc.  The were VERY belligerent and threatening...  I told them if they wanted a single dime from me they'd waive all the late fees, and deactivate the credit card they'd signed me up for, and the next communication they'd get from me would be from an attorney.

Well, the CS drone on the line said he'd 'need to check with his supervisor' for approval for that, and asked me to hold.  I held.  Click-click.  Literally less than two seconds and he was back and said his supervisor had approved waiving the late fees and deactivating my account.  Now, there is no way in hell, even Speedy Gonzales could have made that check and gotten back in two seconds, telling me their policy was set in advance to simply try and bilk extra money out of people who weren't savvy enough to protest it, and that when pressured about it readily acquiesced because they new their actions were illegal and wouldn't ever hold up under legal scrutiny. 

As such, I will never, ever, EVER, buy anything from FLEA-bay, ever again.  They are lying filthy crooks.

[bladechick777]

Some People On Ebay Aren't So Bad Actually, I've Gotten Many Products From Them And Never Had A Problem.
Really It's Up To You Derek.
I Know Some People Have Had Issues With Ebay And Others Haven't. And I Know Normally If It's a Fake They Charge Less Than Normal. But In The $90+ Range For A Spyderco It's Normally Not a Fake. I Myself Have Never Received A Fake.
Anyways, Good Luck With Getting Your Sage.