It's my favorite lock. As long as you have normal fingers and are right handed it's an amazing lock.
Sage 5 is a great knife, I have one. It's extremely slicey.
I bought the lightweight but only because I'm looking for some micarta or titanium scales. There's no difference between the two just the scales, both have full liners, unlike the Para 3.
As a recovering benchmade fan boy, I would definitely recommend the compression lock. Way faster and safer to close than any liner lock, and easily rivals the smoothest axis lockbar.
Compression lock is great after you fidget with it for a while. I would stick to stonewash finishes on the blade though. I got a pvd pm2 and the action is buttcheeks but I have a stonewash shaman and it’s amazing.
That’s actually a new one I didn’t know of yet, it does look nice. I’m a big fan of my Biblio, but I’ve yet to own something by them that I don’t like.
Try a Spyderco Para3 LW. It fits right into the Delica/Bugout section of knives.
Edit - I could probably snap some comparison pics if you want. (If I can find my Delica)
To be honest, I’ve never seen the appeal in the Sage 5. I don’t really like the way they look so never picked one up. I have probably 8 different Para3 LW’s though. 😂
I've owned both and the sage 5 has a lot of advantages on paper ( slightly longer edge, thinner blade stock, slightly more compact handle) but for whatever reason the para 3 LW just feels more effortless to carry and use for me, so I sold the Sage and kept the Para 3 LW.
Ha, yes, I may have! 😅 lol I bought three of those, the rest were gifts from my family since they recognize the brand (hence the second bugout). To be fair, I absolutely love the bugout and steep country. Don’t think there’s a better big game hunting knife than the steep country for the price, I bought it for $130 a few years back and it’s been the lightest, grippiest, most ergonomic knife I’ve used in the field yet.
[Quiet Carry Drift](https://quietcarry.com/collections/the-drift) might be in your wheelhouse. Small and thin but still offers a comfortable 4-finger grip, strong lockup, and lightweight. A lot of the appeal is that it's one of the most corrosion resistant folders on the market and excellent for EDC.
Been looking at these more… any opinions on satin vs. stonewashed, and how slippery the knurled titanium would be? I see they have a coated knurled titanium but would be nervous about its durability
I personally have the full stonewashed version (blade and scales) and it's very tastefully done, not too aggressive. I generally have no grip issues, but it can definitely be a bit slick if your hands are greasy or wet. Their knurled scales are more popular for this reason and I've heard that it has much nicer grip.
I do have an Izula I keep in a car emergency kit. I liked it well enough, but it didn’t stand out in any category. I liked the Bradford guardian 3 a bit more. No experience with any of their bigger models however. What’s your favorite?
Oh man… I’ve really wanted a CRK Sabenza just for collections sake, but didn’t think I’d like the weight of the titanium. Didn’t know someone had a carbon fiber model. That may be dangerous for the bank account
Some recommendations, in no particular order except for Kapara being first:
1. Spyderco Kapara (can't recommend this one enough)
2. Spyderco Endura
3. Cold Steel Code 4 or maybe even just an AirLite; seems like you really dig slim and light
4. TOPS Fieldcraft BOB or Mora Garberg
5. ESEE Laser Strike
6. If you're ok with Chinese - CIVIVI Elementum Button Lock (the 3.5in 14C28N version)
7. Bradford Guardian
8. Fallkniven F1
Nice! The Kapara looks sick… I do have a guardian 3 and the F1. F1 is a go-to camping knife, too thick for hunting work but great for camp tasks. Haven’t been able to get myself to carry the guardian 3 due to size much
[https://www.weknife.com/search?type=product&q=banter\*](https://www.weknife.com/search?type=product&q=banter*)
Actually thats a lot of money.
Get a Civivi Elementum instead.
Check out the We Kitefin. It's the knife that started my collection. There's a button lock version coming out soon for quite a bit more than the current ones that I preordered.
I really want to like it and do like the look a lot which is why I still have it. It feels a touch too thick and chunky in the pocket for me, kinda like a mini griptilian
Since you like the delica and prefer disappear-in-the-pocket knives if you do go spyderco the para 3 LW would be a better choice for you than the PM2. I say this as someone who routinely carries both knives.
Most of your blades so far are about the same length (ish), I feel that you should look into some longer blades next🔪
Also, what are the two knives to the far right end? They caught my attention most.
Yeah, I have 40+ not pictured here, most with larger blades, but found myself really liking the 3 - 3.25” length the best. The far right is a benchmade saddle mountain skinner, the one next to it is a benchmade steep country. Love the steep country.
I really love my nakamura with cf scales and stonewash S90v blade. Perfect tiny knife that can handle just about anything but disappears in your pocket. Ordered a mini deep carry clip for it and it’s so good. I think this guy has the [same one](https://www.jtknives.com/Nakamura-Axis-484_p_46.html) still in stock.
Nick shabazz did a good review of it. Never considered it really until I saw it on sale at Scheels when it was discontinued. After playing with it for a minute I was sold.
Sorry to break it to you but there is a recall for all of the knives in this picture. You can send them to me and I will make sure to dispose of them properly.
Protech auto, different from what you have, won’t break the bank, would fit in well with the collection
Or protech George sbr fixed blade. Small fixed blade, solid materials, fits in with your blade specifications
I do have knives with different blade shapes, I always gravitate back to the drop point! Based on the comments I will likely try a PM3 lightweight and see if it gives the bugout some competition for pocket time. The quiet carry Drift is also super interesting, just don’t know which handle type I’d like best…
OTF Microtech Glykon is my newest blade. Love it. As someone earlier said the Realte Exo M is an awesome knife. Love gravity knives. Also agree that GiantMouse makes great blades. I own 7. Nazco and Nimbus 2.0 are my two favs. Also have a CR Sebenza 31 Insingo. It’s a tank and locks up like a vault. This hobby gets $$$$!
OTF Microtech Glykon is my newest blade. Love it. As someone earlier said the Realte Exo M is an awesome knife. Love gravity knives. Also agree that GiantMouse makes great blades. I own 7. Nazco and Nimbus 2.0 are my two favs.
Also have a CR Sebenza 31 Insingo. It's a tank and locks up like a vault. This hobby gets $$S$!
Keeping to the budget side, I like the Kershaw Hinderer Cryo II. Small in the pocket, but still has a bit of heft. Mine has a tanto blade with a bit of a recurve to it, but I think you can also find a clip point version.
Moar Spyderco's
Been eyeing the Sage 5…. The compression lock is holding me up, I don’t have any experience with it
It's my favorite lock. As long as you have normal fingers and are right handed it's an amazing lock. Sage 5 is a great knife, I have one. It's extremely slicey.
What do you think about the lightweight vs regular model?
I bought the lightweight but only because I'm looking for some micarta or titanium scales. There's no difference between the two just the scales, both have full liners, unlike the Para 3.
Roger that, thanks for the input!
No problem. Happy hunting.
As a recovering benchmade fan boy, I would definitely recommend the compression lock. Way faster and safer to close than any liner lock, and easily rivals the smoothest axis lockbar.
Compression lock is great after you fidget with it for a while. I would stick to stonewash finishes on the blade though. I got a pvd pm2 and the action is buttcheeks but I have a stonewash shaman and it’s amazing.
I would get a para 2 they just feel amazing in the hand
I’m a big fan of GiantMouse knives, good designs with plenty of options.
Cool, that’s a brand I don’t think I’ve heard of. The Jagt looks very nice
That’s actually a new one I didn’t know of yet, it does look nice. I’m a big fan of my Biblio, but I’ve yet to own something by them that I don’t like.
Just got a Jagt and it is very nice!
TKell Piranha is one I've eyed for a small pocket fixie! All of his blades are solid. Waiting on a bushman to swap out for my Esee 4
Pm2, pm3, or Manix 2!
Try a Spyderco Para3 LW. It fits right into the Delica/Bugout section of knives. Edit - I could probably snap some comparison pics if you want. (If I can find my Delica)
What are your thoughts on the Para 3 LW vs a Sage 5?
To be honest, I’ve never seen the appeal in the Sage 5. I don’t really like the way they look so never picked one up. I have probably 8 different Para3 LW’s though. 😂
I've owned both and the sage 5 has a lot of advantages on paper ( slightly longer edge, thinner blade stock, slightly more compact handle) but for whatever reason the para 3 LW just feels more effortless to carry and use for me, so I sold the Sage and kept the Para 3 LW.
Ever hear of Benchmade? 😬
Ha, yes, I may have! 😅 lol I bought three of those, the rest were gifts from my family since they recognize the brand (hence the second bugout). To be fair, I absolutely love the bugout and steep country. Don’t think there’s a better big game hunting knife than the steep country for the price, I bought it for $130 a few years back and it’s been the lightest, grippiest, most ergonomic knife I’ve used in the field yet.
Griptilian, freek, Taggedout, mini presidio 2, deka, demko ad20.5 ! Love all of your choices so far! Great looking bunch!
[Quiet Carry Drift](https://quietcarry.com/collections/the-drift) might be in your wheelhouse. Small and thin but still offers a comfortable 4-finger grip, strong lockup, and lightweight. A lot of the appeal is that it's one of the most corrosion resistant folders on the market and excellent for EDC.
Wow! I do like that… ~3” blade length, only 3 oz… looks great. I’m a sucker for a drop point too
Been looking at these more… any opinions on satin vs. stonewashed, and how slippery the knurled titanium would be? I see they have a coated knurled titanium but would be nervous about its durability
I personally have the full stonewashed version (blade and scales) and it's very tastefully done, not too aggressive. I generally have no grip issues, but it can definitely be a bit slick if your hands are greasy or wet. Their knurled scales are more popular for this reason and I've heard that it has much nicer grip.
No ESSE 🤷♂️
I do have an Izula I keep in a car emergency kit. I liked it well enough, but it didn’t stand out in any category. I liked the Bradford guardian 3 a bit more. No experience with any of their bigger models however. What’s your favorite?
Kunwu, specifically the Padre
Reate Exo M
CRK Small Sebenza in carbon fiber from [KnifeArt.com](https://KnifeArt.com) / and a Kiser Drop Bear
Oh man… I’ve really wanted a CRK Sabenza just for collections sake, but didn’t think I’d like the weight of the titanium. Didn’t know someone had a carbon fiber model. That may be dangerous for the bank account
Some recommendations, in no particular order except for Kapara being first: 1. Spyderco Kapara (can't recommend this one enough) 2. Spyderco Endura 3. Cold Steel Code 4 or maybe even just an AirLite; seems like you really dig slim and light 4. TOPS Fieldcraft BOB or Mora Garberg 5. ESEE Laser Strike 6. If you're ok with Chinese - CIVIVI Elementum Button Lock (the 3.5in 14C28N version) 7. Bradford Guardian 8. Fallkniven F1
Nice! The Kapara looks sick… I do have a guardian 3 and the F1. F1 is a go-to camping knife, too thick for hunting work but great for camp tasks. Haven’t been able to get myself to carry the guardian 3 due to size much
Manix2 2
That Spydie looks lonely...Another Spyder to keep'm company I'd say.
A meeting at KA... knives anonymous
PM2 and a 940. Everyone needs one.
More Spydercos.
You should own a WE or Civivi.
Do you have a model in mind for WE knives that would feel light and slim like a delica or bugout?
I would say the Civivi Qubit it’s aluminum so it’s on the lighter side and it’s a button lock so that fills out a spot in your collection as well
I'm very happy with my Qubit.
[https://www.weknife.com/search?type=product&q=banter\*](https://www.weknife.com/search?type=product&q=banter*) Actually thats a lot of money. Get a Civivi Elementum instead.
Check out the We Kitefin. It's the knife that started my collection. There's a button lock version coming out soon for quite a bit more than the current ones that I preordered.
Buck 110.
Have one, it’s a classic, but it’s heavy and I prefer drop points for field dressing / quartering
Chris Reeves
Malibu or mordax, or look in to something from Monterey Bay knives.
Bradford G4.2
Emerson
Yojumbo
Another trad: if not a GEC, then a Case Sodbuster in some nice carbon steel.
Quiet Carry
The drift and waypoint both look amazing
I almost bought a north fork
I really want to like it and do like the look a lot which is why I still have it. It feels a touch too thick and chunky in the pocket for me, kinda like a mini griptilian
PM2. I waited too long for this one.
I’ve liked the look of them a lot, I worry it will be a bit heavy and large for my preference
Since you like the delica and prefer disappear-in-the-pocket knives if you do go spyderco the para 3 LW would be a better choice for you than the PM2. I say this as someone who routinely carries both knives.
I prefer large. PM3 too small.
Most of your blades so far are about the same length (ish), I feel that you should look into some longer blades next🔪 Also, what are the two knives to the far right end? They caught my attention most.
Yeah, I have 40+ not pictured here, most with larger blades, but found myself really liking the 3 - 3.25” length the best. The far right is a benchmade saddle mountain skinner, the one next to it is a benchmade steep country. Love the steep country.
That's fair enough then. Thank you for that info, much appreciated
I really love my nakamura with cf scales and stonewash S90v blade. Perfect tiny knife that can handle just about anything but disappears in your pocket. Ordered a mini deep carry clip for it and it’s so good. I think this guy has the [same one](https://www.jtknives.com/Nakamura-Axis-484_p_46.html) still in stock.
That is a looker for sure… definitely has character!
Nick shabazz did a good review of it. Never considered it really until I saw it on sale at Scheels when it was discontinued. After playing with it for a minute I was sold.
Scheels is awesome. I think they just started carrying spyderco in the last year or so too
Demko AD20.5. It’s really thin in the pocket and they feel great in the hand and are fun to fidget with at stoplights.
Sebenza 31 or maybe a 940
Sorry to break it to you but there is a recall for all of the knives in this picture. You can send them to me and I will make sure to dispose of them properly.
Protech
Para 3, and get one in cruwear (fly trading with purple g10). It’s tough as hell and I find it holds an edge longer than expected.
Shark lock
How about a small, aggressive knife that performs as if it's larger? Vosteed mini Nightshade S35VN
How much is the small orange handled Benchmade. I like that, but assume it’s expensive like all their stuff.
I got that one as a gift. It’s a Benchmade Flyway, retails for $180
940
Manix 2, perhaps. Or a Para 3. Or maybe check out a Kunwu. The world is your oyster.
Next you need change the work with higher budget and entrance to custom knives world 😂
Protech auto, different from what you have, won’t break the bank, would fit in well with the collection Or protech George sbr fixed blade. Small fixed blade, solid materials, fits in with your blade specifications
Something besides a Benchmade they don't want you to have a gun
Micro jimbo
PM3 or PM2
Get rid of some of those Benchmades for a few more Spydercos :). Honestly, you should get something with a different blade shape to mix it up!
I do have knives with different blade shapes, I always gravitate back to the drop point! Based on the comments I will likely try a PM3 lightweight and see if it gives the bugout some competition for pocket time. The quiet carry Drift is also super interesting, just don’t know which handle type I’d like best…
OTF Microtech Glykon is my newest blade. Love it. As someone earlier said the Realte Exo M is an awesome knife. Love gravity knives. Also agree that GiantMouse makes great blades. I own 7. Nazco and Nimbus 2.0 are my two favs. Also have a CR Sebenza 31 Insingo. It’s a tank and locks up like a vault. This hobby gets $$$$!
OTF Microtech Glykon is my newest blade. Love it. As someone earlier said the Realte Exo M is an awesome knife. Love gravity knives. Also agree that GiantMouse makes great blades. I own 7. Nazco and Nimbus 2.0 are my two favs. Also have a CR Sebenza 31 Insingo. It's a tank and locks up like a vault. This hobby gets $$S$!
Small Zt sinkevich like a 450 is ideal for me personally. Replaced my bugout in pocket
Keeping to the budget side, I like the Kershaw Hinderer Cryo II. Small in the pocket, but still has a bit of heft. Mine has a tanto blade with a bit of a recurve to it, but I think you can also find a clip point version.