Choices to make

jaypowell0185 · #1

So I do a a lot of hiking around where I live. Over the past few years I have been searching for the "perfect" hiking knife. Recently my wonderful wife bought me a Gayle Bradley. I love this knife, but it is a little heavy when I am trying to conserve weight. So I think I have narrowed my next knife to either a stretch in vg-10 or a lightweight manix in black. Originally I wanted a manix 2 but then that weighs about the same as the Gayle Bradley. I really like the blade shape of the stretch, but am not the biggest fan of back locks. I love the ball bearing lock on the manix lightweight, but the handle just feels cheap to me. So here are my opinions.

A. Stretch
B. Lightweight Manix
C. Other (with recommendation)
D. Be happy you have a wonderful knife like the Gayle Bradley and carry it.

Jazz · #2

I say Endura FFG. Great knife - period. It's not even that weak of a tip, even with FFG. I love them. Probably going to add a brown one to my rotation soon. If not that, then you should definitely try the Stretch. It's great too, but for an all arounder, I'd pick the extra bit of blade on the Endura. They're light - they're strong.

Cheddarnut · #3

D.
Love can move mountains, it can certainly help you with a couple of ounces

hs1sco · #4

Gayle Bradley is great knife. Be happy you have a wonderful knife like the Gayle Bradley and carry it.

Lightweight Manix 2 is also a good choice. (my EDC knife)

I carrying a folder knife i use it

TomAiello · #5

Lightweight Manix 2. Definitely.

ABX2011 · #6

Lightweight Manix 2 is my second favorite hiking knife. My number one is the fully serrated Pacific Salt. It's very light too.

hs1sco · #7

Gayle Bradley is more costly for me. I carrying a Cheaper folder knife .It makes sense to use it.

RanCoWeAla · #8

I would be tempted to try the Stretch. I am to where I'm not that big a fan of the ball bearing lock plus I have a Manix 2 in the Translucent Blue lightweight and it takes up an awful lot of room because of the width. My favorite all around Spyderco and most comfortable to carry is the Caly 3.5 which wouldn't be a bad choice at all either.

Pockets · #9

The Stretch is remarkably comfortable. It is also an excellent slicer and I highly recommend it.

Per-Sev · #10

I see you live in Arizona and aren't there a lot of nasty critters there, you have black bear, bobcats, mountain lions just to name a few, I would not be worried about saving a few ounces but want a robust knife like the Schempp Tuff that can handle just about anything from cutting a walking stick to making a spear. Not to mention if your stuck out at night or get lost or hurt your knife might just save your life. I am Just thinking what I would carry if I lived there I live in Florida and do a lot of cycling and weight is a factor in that sport also but I still have my Tuff clipped in my pocket and I have carried it so long now I don't notice the extra weight or size in fact I think for the size it carries better than some of the smaller knives I have had.

DRKBC · #11

I have to throw the military in the mix. I thought it would be too large but it is such an elegant knife, it is extremely refined and really light incredible ergos. Awesome knife, for what you are looking for I would consider it.

SpyderNut · #12

C. I would go with either a Delica (many options available) or a Dragonfly. I personally prefer the Dragonfly Salt (PE) for my EDC summer carry. The Dragonfly is especially comfortable when I'm wearing thin nylon or polyester shorts--it doesn't drag my shorts down at all. I also prefer the wire clip over the traditional clip when I'm wearing shorts. True, the D'fly is a little on the small side, but still has plenty of cutting potential.

araneae · #13

Both are good options, but the stretch carries thinner in the pocket. You can't really go wrong with either. VG-10 is probably a superior steel in most respects.

jaypowell0185 · #14

Jazz wrote:I say Endura FFG. Great knife - period. It's not even that weak of a tip, even with FFG. I love them. Probably going to add a brown one to my rotation soon. If not that, then you should definitely try the Stretch. It's great too, but for an all arounder, I'd pick the extra bit of blade on the Endura. They're light - they're strong.

I had an endura an found it to be to large in hand. I think I am leaning toward the stretch

jaypowell0185 · #15

Per-Sev wrote:I see you live in Arizona and aren't there a lot of nasty critters there, you have black bear, bobcats, mountain lions just to name a few, I would not be worried about saving a few ounces but want a robust knife like the Schempp Tuff that can handle just about anything from cutting a walking stick to making a spear. Not to mention if your stuck out at night or get lost or hurt your knife might just save your life. I am Just thinking what I would carry if I lived there I live in Florida and do a lot of cycling and weight is a factor in that sport also but I still have my Tuff clipped in my pocket and I have carried it so long now I don't notice the extra weight or size in fact I think for the size it carries better than some of the smaller knives I have had.

I know we have a lot of animals in the desert. Whenever I hike I always carry a firearm at all times just in case.

xceptnl · #16

DRKBC wrote:I have to throw the military in the mix. I thought it would be too large but it is such an elegant knife, it is extremely refined and really light incredible ergos. Awesome knife, for what you are looking for I would consider it.

I must echo the above thought. If you must stick to your list, the Manix 2 Lightweight should serve very well.

senorsquare · #17

I'll go ahead and throw in the obligatory "get a paramilitary 2" comment. Get a paramilitary 2. It's fairly lightweight, carries well, great ergos, etc. The Military is awesome too.

Edit: If you're sticking to your list I'd probably just flip a quarter over the manix or stretch.

Blerv · #18

A Sage1 would be a nice folder too.

jaypowell0185 · #19

Blerv wrote:A Sage1 would be a nice folder too.

The amazing Sage 1 is my dress knife

FCM415 · #20

Stretch is my favorite folder - EDC - user whatever period. So I'd recommend it to anyone but when I go hiking, an activity me and my wife often enjoy... I take the Endura. Why? I don't know maybe because it is longer and if a Bear or an Owl attacks us I get more length to defend with. Heh, take that part in jest. We like to carve or names with the cute heart and a short blade is better, Endura feels akward but whatever, at least I have a 4 inch blade and very lightweight.

The Manix lightweight would be perfect for hiking as well. You think the handle feels cheap but it is very strong just like the FRN, actually even stronger. I wish people got over that cheap/weak stigma because these are tough knives actually. I wouldnt use it as a hammer or anything but yeah...

Sorry for not being clear on what i would recommend LMAO...Theres about xx or more Spydercos I'd take hiking. Point being, you cannot go wrong!