Sage 5 LW

[Josh Crutchley]

I've been looking at the the Sage series a lot lately. I really like the idea of using different locks in the same knife so an actual comparison between locks can be done without other variables. The 5 LW is the most interesting to me, I love the Compression Lock. I'm also finding that I like the LW version of knives better, I seem to carry my Manix LW all the time and wont touch the G-10 Manix for months. The Native 5 LW and FRN Chaparral seem to disappear in the pocket, even in lightweight sportswear. I can imagine the Sage 5 LW being very similar in the way it carries. How does the comp lock on the LW compare to something with liners like the PM2? Is it similar to the Para3 LW?

I'm thinking of parting ways with my PM2, it's a Maxamet 2nds, since I don't really carry it at all anymore. Does anyone prefer the Sage over the PM2? I'm about 99% sure I will like the Sage more but there's always that 1%.

[JSumm]

The Sage 5 LW has liners and washers. It also has a pivot bushing from Taichung. I have only tried it out in the store. It is very smooth, I like the ergos better than my Para 3. I have a Para 3 LW. I had a Para 3 G10. From my limited experience with the Sage 5 LW, I much prefer the smoothness and the ergos on that Sage 5 LW over the Para 3 LW. Though to be fair, the Para 3 G10 and PM2 are both very smooth of compression locks.

[Josh Crutchley]

The Sage 5 LW has liners and washers. It also has a pivot bushing from Taichung. I have only tried it out in the store. It is very smooth, I like the ergos better than my Para 3. I have a Para 3 LW. I had a Para 3 G10. From my limited experience with the Sage 5 LW, I much prefer the smoothness and the ergos on that Sage 5 LW over the Para 3 LW. Though to be fair, the Para 3 G10 and PM2 are both very smooth of compression locks.

I didn't know it had liners, that changes things. Yes the PM2 is very smooth.

[ladybug93]

i've been looking at the sage 5 lw a lot recently too. i think i would really love it. it kind of reminds me of the manix, but a little smaller and with a comp lock. since the manix is my favorite and i love the comp lock, seems like a win all around.

[Josh Crutchley]

i've been looking at the sage 5 lw a lot recently too. i think i would really love it. it kind of reminds me of the manix, but a little smaller and with a comp lock. since the manix is my favorite and i love the comp lock, seems like a win all around.

The Manix is the only knife I bought twice. Yeah the Sage 5 LW seems like the perfect combo.

[z1r]

I much prefer my Sage 5 LW over my Para 3 LW. The action is better and I like the blade shape much more.

[Ramonade]

The Sage LW has liners though. It's nested liners like in the Chaparral LW.

So it's not as much LW as in the Native 5 LW or Para 3 LW(where the liners are really kept to minimum.

[Matus]

My PM2 is smooth as glass and the M4 Sage 5 LW I got for my wife has not seen much use yet. But it feels incredibly smooth for a brand new knife. The handle offers better grip than Para 3 does, but it is not as hand filling as the PM2 is. It is one step small, lighter and thinner than a PM2. More of an EDC and not quite as hard-ish duty as the PM2 (I am not saying it would not withstand similar use as PM2, but the feel in hand is where this impression is coming from). I would prefer straight spine on the blade - the leaf feels a tad too wide for my taste. The handle could use a little more rounding around the edges (along the lines of Para 3 LW). There is one company that makes custom micarta scales - should I ever get a Sage 5 LW myself, I would try to get them.

[Wartstein]

...

I didn't know it had liners, that changes things. Yes the PM2 is very smooth.

Since the Sage 5 LW is the only comp. lock folder I am currently interested in (just a great design!) I happen to know that it weighs pretty much exactly the same as your Manix 2 LW - but will perhaps "feel heavier" in hand due to the smaller size, but probably not in pocket.

So I don't think the about 15% more weight over a Para 3 LW will be a big deal?

[Ramonade]

Only thing I like about lightweight models is the FRN. This makes it a bit difficult to compare with other models but I can say that's handling it feels a bit like handling the Chap LW. FRN scales but an overall impression of both solidity and rigidity.

[mikey177]

I prefer the Sage 5 LW over the PM2, as I don't need the longer handle of the latter.

Here's a photo of the stepped pivot and nested liners of the Sage.

[SRT392HEMI]

My only regret about purchasing the Sage 5 LW is waiting as long as I did. Such a great knife.

[anycal]

I am a fan. I generally prefer G10, but this FRN works great for the Sage. Plus M4 and compression lock.

I prefer the PM2 and the size in general. But the Sage has displaced couple of Spydercos from the rotation for now - Delica and Caly 3

[Josh Crutchley]

I prefer the Sage 5 LW over the PM2, as I don't need the longer handle of the latter.

Here's a photo of the stepped pivot and nested liners of the Sage.sage5 stepped pivot.jpg

I don't know why I thought the Sage 5 LW was liner-less. I like the internal stop pin like the Chap.

I am a fan. I generally prefer G10, but this FRN works great for the Sage. Plus M4 and compression lock.

I prefer the PM2 and the size in general. But the Sage has displaced couple of Spydercos from the rotation for now - Delica and Caly 3

I really wanted to try Maxamet at the time but now I have a better feeling for what I like in a knife. Ultra high edge retention isn't on my list of wants anymore, I'm happy with S30V class steels.

[soulspy]

I just got one of the M4 LW's and I gotta say, for me, it's gonna replace just about everything I carried in the past.

[MFlovejp]

Wonderful knife, but “lightweight” is a bit misleading here. Though not heavy by any means, this is not a light-for-size knife like the linerless salts are. That said, it is among the smoothest and best put-together knives I own. This one is permanent in my collection.

[Josh Crutchley]

This thread is making me want one even more. I need to sell a few knives before I get anymore.

[araneae]

It is a nice knife. I got one at the seconds sale and really like it a lot.

[ladybug93]

i know! same here. i have no issues s30v but i'd like this one in something other than s30v or m4, if possible. if i didn't already have plenty of knives, i'd be happy to get the standard model, but i like to keep my collection diverse.

[Bolster]

I just got one of the M4 LW's and I gotta say, for me, it's gonna replace just about everything I carried in the past.

Much as I love the Caly3, the Sage5LW in M4 is getting carred a lot. I expect to go back to the Caly when the LW version of it comes out. But I think the Sage5 LW is the best Caly3 substitute out there.