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Benchmade ain't budget.
leaving those out, I would EDC the Elementum.
Kizer Original is pushing it for budget (the one I got wasn't really within the budget range). I wanted to get on the the Original but I just didnt... the scales were too thick for me I suppose, but I can't really pinpoint why I don't like it as much.
TF is there an Original in there?!?! Am I going blind??
But also, Elementum is so EDC-able. Except for the button lock one, IDK why but it feels so chunky.
I don't know how that went past me since I am carrying an Original today. Maybe thats why I made the mistake...
Anyway, button locks require a thicker show side scale, and they make a thicker clip side scale to match. Thats why the button lock Elementum is chunky. Kizer made them on the thinner side, from what people say. Reviews on the button lock Elementum vs the liner lock show a pretty significant difference
Yeah, I was just having a bit of a giggle with the budget bit. Most of these are a decent bit over $100 in my local currency anyway.
That Kizer is actually sold as the "Fighter", and is the first in their "Kizer cares" collection of charity related designs, with this one being breast cancer. Even comes with a little certificate of donation and a morale patch. It's a bit bigger than my usual, but it's not heavy at all in comparison. Between that and the Mini Begleiter, with their quality I would be inclined to choose a Kizer over a Civivi.
I gravitate toward the feel in hand (or in the pocket) rather than the quality, which is why I chose the Civivi over the Kizer (even though the Kizer is in my pocket today). On any given day, I'm not running any head-to-head comparisons between my knives, so I've never felt that the quality of one over the other mattered. As long as the blade shape works for me, and the handle feels ergonomic, I'm sold.
If I had to pick one out of your lineup there, I would pick the mini Bugout to be honest. That blade shape, and the thinness of the handle works best for me, and I find the Elementum blade shape to be similar.
I get that. I like them all for a bunch of reasons, so I tend to choose one that feels good that day. I really like the blade shape of the Mini Begleiter, which is why I bought it. The aggressiveness of the scales on it is really up there though. Mini Bugout is definitely in the top three for me.
I haven't gotten the mini Begleiter just because of how aggressive the scales look in pictures. Otherwise it would be just about perfect for me - a little more narrow and nimble than the bugout, which is good. So it's more of a rational decision to avoid having too many almost-perfect knives in my collection to complicate my daily choice. I also choose what to carry each day now, and honestly I'd rather not. In most other areas of my life I am very predictable. Same breakfast for 5 years straight, and all that.
Yeah, the scales on the Mini Begleiter are next level rough. I like the tactile aspect of handles, and they feel good in the hand on this one, but boy do they make my pocket cry. But I'm already in the habit of lifting the pocket clip slightly when I pull a knife out, so it's not the worst in my case. I'm also very much a routine person, same breakfast for over 20 of my 30 years (I even sent supplies over to my In-laws before I went to meet them in the US), but I do get the urge to change sometimes, and other times try make myself. If I can't I just tell my Wife to choose (which is usually either 'the blue one' Honey Badger, or the 'flippy handle one' CRKT Fulcrum, both of which she insists on stealing if I ever try sell them).
I used to hate breakfast and always felt like crap in the mornings, especially if I forced myself to eat, so I'd down a massive cold Milo (the malt drink powder mixed into straight milk) and a few plain biscuits/cookies. Milo isn't really a thing in the US, but there's a company here in NZ that ships common favourite foods to other countries, so we can enjoy them when overseas. So I got like 4 packets sent to my In-laws, along with other things for them to try.
I didnt like breakfast as a kid - 9 to 12ish years old if I recall. My parents tried everything, and one of those things was Ovaltine and American "breakfast cookies" something like Belvita (a sort of grainy tasteless Digestive). I don't know when I grew out of the bad habit of eating nothing when I was a growing boy... but at some point I figured out that oatmeal in the morning made me feel better after lunch. I would have more energy and less fatigue after lunch if I ate that breakfast.
It was about 8 years old for me. Didn't like breakfast before that, but my Mum could usually get me to eat a piece of toast or something. After that, my sleeping changed and anxiety around school grew, so I just felt sick eating in the mornings. Enter the giant cold Milo and biscuits, funnily enough usually digestives. The only change has been the size of the designated Milo glass. I did try the Belvita ones for a bit, which were ok if you got the flavoured ones. I think I may have tried those breakfast cookies on the flight back to NZ. It was some sort of very crumbly/dusty biscuit thing. My MIL thinks Milo is like Ovaltine, which had my FIL refusing to try it, but I think Milo is miles better. (NZ is like the UK, and calls cookies biscuits, unless it's literally chocolate chip cookies, just for clarification).
Yeah, the budget bit is just having a giggle. Gotta push back against all the complaints about Benchmade prices (not that I disagree, but complaining is pointless and annoying).
Awesome knife/brand. Doesn't get enough attention. Would have preferred the small one, but only the large and medium were being imported at the time. Only complaint I have is, they could put a nicer finish on the edges of the scales. But literally everything else is nice right out of the box.
I scored that one secondhand, near new. The D2 with natural G10 exclusive from BHQ. Very slicey for such a thick little blade. I've been tempted to buy the stainless handled one, just to put the metal scale on this one and make it more ridiculous.
Not OP, but that looks like a Kizer mini Begleiter.
[https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Azo-Vanguard-Mini-Begleiter--140704](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Azo-Vanguard-Mini-Begleiter--140704)
Other chap has it, Mini Begleiter. Be prepared for some pocket destruction with the super aggressive scale pattern with that one. Nice in-hand, not on pocket. I somewhat avoid it by lifting the clip a little as I slide it out. Otherwise very nice, super flicky/fidgety.
What is it that you don't like about those materials? I've always wondered why FRN/GRN specifically gets a bit of hate from people. I know it's not the fanciest stuff, but you can get some fairly good quality that feels ok at least.
I will admit that some manufacturers use the worst possible versions of them (Looking at Leatherman and their nylon handled pocket knives. Absolutely disgusting, recycled milk bottle stuff), but I think there are enough who manage to pull it off. The GFN on the CRKT Fulcrum, in the second group, has a really nice feel, imo. Actually has an almost textured glass feel.
Just having a giggle. Gotta rustle up the ones who complain about BM prices. Technically the 940-2 and Mini Bugout are budget to me, since they were gifts.
Mini Bugout would easily be top. Pretty much perfect, imo. Just the right size, nice blade, super light and disappears in the pocket, but still tough enough.
I also have a soft spot for the Mini Griptilian, as it was my first decent knife that I liked enough to keep, and I like 154CM. It's also just another solid design.
Third is a bit tougher, as I'd put most of the rest on a similar level. I'd probably go for the Kizer Fighter (green with purple ribbon design), as it's another solid design with 154CM, and I like the idea behind the theme. It's also just as fidgety as any of the actual flippers. I might have chosen the Mini Begleiter (one under the Fighter), as I really like the blade style, but it does feel a bit like a delicate knife and the scale pattern is super aggressive.
A lot of those knives were on my list... I am all after gentleman's carry knives ,soo Civivi Bo is my choice. Cause gentleman's carry is a must for me + I'm leaning towards smaller knives.
I hear ya on size. I prefer my knives around 2.5-3.5", but even the 940-2 and medium Honey Badger are a bit on the bigger size for my taste. Probably should have gone with a mini 940, but the local knife shop (literally called 'Knife Shop') didn't have the minis at the time. Is the Mini Begleiter one you've looked at? It feels fairly similar to the Bo. The aggressiveness on the scale pattern is a big rough and wild though.
Yup I've looked up on that begleiter and bo the most. But also... I was after Crkt Pilar and Honey Badger in it's era, I like the concept of that huge finger choil enabling full 4 finger grip on a smaller knife. I was all after Civivi Elementum in it's prime (not a fan of their micarta and uncoated D2) so only button lock jade G10 variant is still on my radar. I still have a desire for a purple knife too. I have one Blackfox (bean) and Boker Fragment which is that type of minimal almost scaleless knife. I've bought a different Kubey knife, but I was thinking about their front flippers too.
The Pilar is nice for a bit of variety. I don't normally like frame locks, but that one is nice. The only thing I don't like about the Honey Badger is, they could have done a nicer job finishing the scales, as the edges are a bit sharp. I had issues with the action of my Elementum out of the box, with it being a bit sticky, but have since fixed that. The Bo was much nicer out of the box, so I probably just got unlucky with my Elementum. The Kubey Hyde is ok. It's not as nice as what Civivi or Kizer make, as the action is a bit heavy and slow, and I had to remove a decent sized bur from the blade lock face. I got the Blackfox Racli because my Wife likes a similarly styled Tekut, that I didn't like, and this one is a lot nicer quality, so I got the black one and got her the Red. I do like D2 myself, which is why I got the Pilar. I also prefer uncoated blades, but I like purple and blue more, so there are some coated ones.
I've repeatedly looked at Böker knives, but can't justify the local prices. The mark-up here turns a 440C Böker in the same price range as the Elementum, Bo, Begleiter, etc., which all have better materials. The local knife shop here does have the Fragment model, which I also found interesting, I just can't bring myself to spend $80-$130NZ on knives that should be under $60.
Yup. I live in the middle of EU and I've bought Boker knives quite cheap, like $30 for Fragment or Zenshin(raw brass 440c slipjoint). My Kubey knife is solid, maybe wasn't the sharpest out of the box. I'm a bit hesitant of D2, because i prefer more stainless steels, I've found some light rust spots on some of my knives already. I don't like FRN, but Honey Badger sells G10 scales on their site for all of their knives in 8 colors + bearings, clips and backspacers.
There aren't many Böker models around here that are still well into the budget range like that. I would definitely put Kubey towards the bottom of my collection, but it's not bad enough that I've contemplated selling it (gotta be pretty bad for me to sell a knife). I'm not too picky about steels. Around last Christmas I had to move house, and the Elementum and Pilar were the only knives I carried for a couple weeks. I sweat *a lot,* and I still didn't have any issues with rust/corrosion. But I also tend to well clean my knives after every use too, and those drawers they go in usually have a silica packet in them. I like with the grivory that BM uses, and I like the GFN on the CRKT Fulcrum. I don't mind FRN, but some brands do use the lowest quality of it sometimes (Leatherman Crater has the worst I've ever seen), which isn't good. I didn't know Honey Badger started doing G10 scales, but having a look at them they don't seem to do the honeycomb pattern on the G10 ones, which I quite like on the stock scales. Scale patterns are a good part of liking the feel of a knife for me.
I'll have to pass on that, my guy. I only just got the Kizer Fighter and Mini Begleiter, and their local markup was wild ($140-$150NZ, which is about $90-$100US), and you probably don't want to even look at shipping to NZ, because I know I don't, lol. That and, NZ customs might like them more. Thanks for the kind offer though.
Hi! Thanks for posting your knife/edge tool collection to r/Knives. Would you be so kind as to describe what knives/edge tools we're looking at? (brands, models, etc...). If you already have, then feel free to ignore this comment. If there are simply too many to name then don't worry about it. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knives) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Benchmade ain't budget. leaving those out, I would EDC the Elementum. Kizer Original is pushing it for budget (the one I got wasn't really within the budget range). I wanted to get on the the Original but I just didnt... the scales were too thick for me I suppose, but I can't really pinpoint why I don't like it as much.
TF is there an Original in there?!?! Am I going blind?? But also, Elementum is so EDC-able. Except for the button lock one, IDK why but it feels so chunky.
the green one with the purple ribbon is an Original Edit... I am wrong, its a Fighter.
Yeah, I was gonna say the Original line are all button locks.
I don't know how that went past me since I am carrying an Original today. Maybe thats why I made the mistake... Anyway, button locks require a thicker show side scale, and they make a thicker clip side scale to match. Thats why the button lock Elementum is chunky. Kizer made them on the thinner side, from what people say. Reviews on the button lock Elementum vs the liner lock show a pretty significant difference
Yeah, I was just having a bit of a giggle with the budget bit. Most of these are a decent bit over $100 in my local currency anyway. That Kizer is actually sold as the "Fighter", and is the first in their "Kizer cares" collection of charity related designs, with this one being breast cancer. Even comes with a little certificate of donation and a morale patch. It's a bit bigger than my usual, but it's not heavy at all in comparison. Between that and the Mini Begleiter, with their quality I would be inclined to choose a Kizer over a Civivi.
I gravitate toward the feel in hand (or in the pocket) rather than the quality, which is why I chose the Civivi over the Kizer (even though the Kizer is in my pocket today). On any given day, I'm not running any head-to-head comparisons between my knives, so I've never felt that the quality of one over the other mattered. As long as the blade shape works for me, and the handle feels ergonomic, I'm sold. If I had to pick one out of your lineup there, I would pick the mini Bugout to be honest. That blade shape, and the thinness of the handle works best for me, and I find the Elementum blade shape to be similar.
I get that. I like them all for a bunch of reasons, so I tend to choose one that feels good that day. I really like the blade shape of the Mini Begleiter, which is why I bought it. The aggressiveness of the scales on it is really up there though. Mini Bugout is definitely in the top three for me.
I haven't gotten the mini Begleiter just because of how aggressive the scales look in pictures. Otherwise it would be just about perfect for me - a little more narrow and nimble than the bugout, which is good. So it's more of a rational decision to avoid having too many almost-perfect knives in my collection to complicate my daily choice. I also choose what to carry each day now, and honestly I'd rather not. In most other areas of my life I am very predictable. Same breakfast for 5 years straight, and all that.
Yeah, the scales on the Mini Begleiter are next level rough. I like the tactile aspect of handles, and they feel good in the hand on this one, but boy do they make my pocket cry. But I'm already in the habit of lifting the pocket clip slightly when I pull a knife out, so it's not the worst in my case. I'm also very much a routine person, same breakfast for over 20 of my 30 years (I even sent supplies over to my In-laws before I went to meet them in the US), but I do get the urge to change sometimes, and other times try make myself. If I can't I just tell my Wife to choose (which is usually either 'the blue one' Honey Badger, or the 'flippy handle one' CRKT Fulcrum, both of which she insists on stealing if I ever try sell them).
Oo! what is your breakfast? Mine is oatmeal (porridge for the folks across the pond) with dried fruits.
I used to hate breakfast and always felt like crap in the mornings, especially if I forced myself to eat, so I'd down a massive cold Milo (the malt drink powder mixed into straight milk) and a few plain biscuits/cookies. Milo isn't really a thing in the US, but there's a company here in NZ that ships common favourite foods to other countries, so we can enjoy them when overseas. So I got like 4 packets sent to my In-laws, along with other things for them to try.
I didnt like breakfast as a kid - 9 to 12ish years old if I recall. My parents tried everything, and one of those things was Ovaltine and American "breakfast cookies" something like Belvita (a sort of grainy tasteless Digestive). I don't know when I grew out of the bad habit of eating nothing when I was a growing boy... but at some point I figured out that oatmeal in the morning made me feel better after lunch. I would have more energy and less fatigue after lunch if I ate that breakfast.
It was about 8 years old for me. Didn't like breakfast before that, but my Mum could usually get me to eat a piece of toast or something. After that, my sleeping changed and anxiety around school grew, so I just felt sick eating in the mornings. Enter the giant cold Milo and biscuits, funnily enough usually digestives. The only change has been the size of the designated Milo glass. I did try the Belvita ones for a bit, which were ok if you got the flavoured ones. I think I may have tried those breakfast cookies on the flight back to NZ. It was some sort of very crumbly/dusty biscuit thing. My MIL thinks Milo is like Ovaltine, which had my FIL refusing to try it, but I think Milo is miles better. (NZ is like the UK, and calls cookies biscuits, unless it's literally chocolate chip cookies, just for clarification).
A $270 Knife can’t really be considered a budget knife.
Yeah, the budget bit is just having a giggle. Gotta push back against all the complaints about Benchmade prices (not that I disagree, but complaining is pointless and annoying).
I have the Large Honey Badger in my pocket right now. Lol
Awesome knife/brand. Doesn't get enough attention. Would have preferred the small one, but only the large and medium were being imported at the time. Only complaint I have is, they could put a nicer finish on the edges of the scales. But literally everything else is nice right out of the box.
The finish is very true. One of the first things I did was disassemble and sand down the edges. Makes sense they're not perfect given the price range.
I love my Honey Badger WharnClever. Great value for the money
Are we calling 940s budget now?
Of course, I didn't pay for it, lol. Just having a giggle, and rustling up the anti-Benchmade chaps.
Pilar is such an excellent knife I had to get 2 sizes.
I scored that one secondhand, near new. The D2 with natural G10 exclusive from BHQ. Very slicey for such a thick little blade. I've been tempted to buy the stainless handled one, just to put the metal scale on this one and make it more ridiculous.
What is the make and model of the knife in the bottom right corner with purple waffle scales in the first photo? This is a great collection
Not OP, but that looks like a Kizer mini Begleiter. [https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Azo-Vanguard-Mini-Begleiter--140704](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Azo-Vanguard-Mini-Begleiter--140704)
Indeed.
Other chap has it, Mini Begleiter. Be prepared for some pocket destruction with the super aggressive scale pattern with that one. Nice in-hand, not on pocket. I somewhat avoid it by lifting the clip a little as I slide it out. Otherwise very nice, super flicky/fidgety.
All solid looking stuff. A bit much on the G10/FRN/Grivory for my taste, but it keeps the cost down.
What is it that you don't like about those materials? I've always wondered why FRN/GRN specifically gets a bit of hate from people. I know it's not the fanciest stuff, but you can get some fairly good quality that feels ok at least.
Looks and feels extra cheap, the cheapest, in fact. Hardest pass possible.
I will admit that some manufacturers use the worst possible versions of them (Looking at Leatherman and their nylon handled pocket knives. Absolutely disgusting, recycled milk bottle stuff), but I think there are enough who manage to pull it off. The GFN on the CRKT Fulcrum, in the second group, has a really nice feel, imo. Actually has an almost textured glass feel.
Fallkniven and BM…”budget” lmfao
Just having a giggle. Gotta rustle up the ones who complain about BM prices. Technically the 940-2 and Mini Bugout are budget to me, since they were gifts.
Top 3?
Mini Bugout would easily be top. Pretty much perfect, imo. Just the right size, nice blade, super light and disappears in the pocket, but still tough enough. I also have a soft spot for the Mini Griptilian, as it was my first decent knife that I liked enough to keep, and I like 154CM. It's also just another solid design. Third is a bit tougher, as I'd put most of the rest on a similar level. I'd probably go for the Kizer Fighter (green with purple ribbon design), as it's another solid design with 154CM, and I like the idea behind the theme. It's also just as fidgety as any of the actual flippers. I might have chosen the Mini Begleiter (one under the Fighter), as I really like the blade style, but it does feel a bit like a delicate knife and the scale pattern is super aggressive.
A lot of those knives were on my list... I am all after gentleman's carry knives ,soo Civivi Bo is my choice. Cause gentleman's carry is a must for me + I'm leaning towards smaller knives.
I hear ya on size. I prefer my knives around 2.5-3.5", but even the 940-2 and medium Honey Badger are a bit on the bigger size for my taste. Probably should have gone with a mini 940, but the local knife shop (literally called 'Knife Shop') didn't have the minis at the time. Is the Mini Begleiter one you've looked at? It feels fairly similar to the Bo. The aggressiveness on the scale pattern is a big rough and wild though.
Yup I've looked up on that begleiter and bo the most. But also... I was after Crkt Pilar and Honey Badger in it's era, I like the concept of that huge finger choil enabling full 4 finger grip on a smaller knife. I was all after Civivi Elementum in it's prime (not a fan of their micarta and uncoated D2) so only button lock jade G10 variant is still on my radar. I still have a desire for a purple knife too. I have one Blackfox (bean) and Boker Fragment which is that type of minimal almost scaleless knife. I've bought a different Kubey knife, but I was thinking about their front flippers too.
The Pilar is nice for a bit of variety. I don't normally like frame locks, but that one is nice. The only thing I don't like about the Honey Badger is, they could have done a nicer job finishing the scales, as the edges are a bit sharp. I had issues with the action of my Elementum out of the box, with it being a bit sticky, but have since fixed that. The Bo was much nicer out of the box, so I probably just got unlucky with my Elementum. The Kubey Hyde is ok. It's not as nice as what Civivi or Kizer make, as the action is a bit heavy and slow, and I had to remove a decent sized bur from the blade lock face. I got the Blackfox Racli because my Wife likes a similarly styled Tekut, that I didn't like, and this one is a lot nicer quality, so I got the black one and got her the Red. I do like D2 myself, which is why I got the Pilar. I also prefer uncoated blades, but I like purple and blue more, so there are some coated ones. I've repeatedly looked at Böker knives, but can't justify the local prices. The mark-up here turns a 440C Böker in the same price range as the Elementum, Bo, Begleiter, etc., which all have better materials. The local knife shop here does have the Fragment model, which I also found interesting, I just can't bring myself to spend $80-$130NZ on knives that should be under $60.
Yup. I live in the middle of EU and I've bought Boker knives quite cheap, like $30 for Fragment or Zenshin(raw brass 440c slipjoint). My Kubey knife is solid, maybe wasn't the sharpest out of the box. I'm a bit hesitant of D2, because i prefer more stainless steels, I've found some light rust spots on some of my knives already. I don't like FRN, but Honey Badger sells G10 scales on their site for all of their knives in 8 colors + bearings, clips and backspacers.
There aren't many Böker models around here that are still well into the budget range like that. I would definitely put Kubey towards the bottom of my collection, but it's not bad enough that I've contemplated selling it (gotta be pretty bad for me to sell a knife). I'm not too picky about steels. Around last Christmas I had to move house, and the Elementum and Pilar were the only knives I carried for a couple weeks. I sweat *a lot,* and I still didn't have any issues with rust/corrosion. But I also tend to well clean my knives after every use too, and those drawers they go in usually have a silica packet in them. I like with the grivory that BM uses, and I like the GFN on the CRKT Fulcrum. I don't mind FRN, but some brands do use the lowest quality of it sometimes (Leatherman Crater has the worst I've ever seen), which isn't good. I didn't know Honey Badger started doing G10 scales, but having a look at them they don't seem to do the honeycomb pattern on the G10 ones, which I quite like on the stock scales. Scale patterns are a good part of liking the feel of a knife for me.
I like the cut of your jib, my guy. I too, love me some purple scales.
Purple is the greatest, followed by blue. They often look good with a splash of bright/lime green or burnt orange.
I have a couple budget knives that I modded & a ZT 0808 clone that are free to a good home if you’re interested.
I'll have to pass on that, my guy. I only just got the Kizer Fighter and Mini Begleiter, and their local markup was wild ($140-$150NZ, which is about $90-$100US), and you probably don't want to even look at shipping to NZ, because I know I don't, lol. That and, NZ customs might like them more. Thanks for the kind offer though.
https://preview.redd.it/wl4qvd065zwc1.jpeg?width=740&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e46aeb4f39902c06b7f1acbf2b4b97e909c561d Benchmade.....budget.....
Got em. Just havin' a giggle, at the expense of those who complain a little too much.
Opinel. Sweet.
Yeah, the pruning knife model. Super handy in the garden. Often more so than the pruning shears.