Volli versus Everything Else
Been thinking about blades with thin flat grinds a lot the last few days of the Christmas holiday. This was inspired by trying to think what Benchmade I could offer someone to cure their deranged attachement to the Spyderco Para Military, something under three and a half inches blade length, thin, light handle, with full flat grind, and S30V steel or better. This hypothetical person doesn't need to be cured, of course, the PMII is a great knife that sells by the thousands. Certainly there are those who might think me deranged for my preference for the Griptilian over pretty much all other knives, and a preference for the plastic handles to boot.
So, back to the story line, I'm looking through my knife drawer, through Benchmade catalogs, looking for the knife most similar to a PM2, the knife I would buy and carry instead of a PM2. There was nothing there that really stacked up to the PM2 feature by feature, thin flat grind, premium steel, thin handle, no liners...but something similar in size and blade did come to mind, my Volli which has been languishing in my drawer as I buy LE Grip after LE Grip.
Taking up the Volli for a few days has reminded me of what a great blade it has, very thin wide flat grind, S30V steel. Mine came with a truly fantastic edge on it, that makes it one of the most efficient cutting tools I own. I've been using it for everything I can think of for the last couple of days, and I really love it.
It is somewhat similar to a PM2, on paper, also, cutting edges are almost identical in length at three and an eigth inches, slim G-10 handle. The Volli has virtually full length inlayed steel liners though, which the PM2 does not.
So here is a knife with a great cutting S30V blade, of similar size, except the Volli is an Axis lock, of course, oh, and has the Axis Assist, which I happen to think is great fun in addition to the ability to lock the blade both open and closed. The Volli has milled handle scales, while the PM2 has flat slabs. An unfortunate similarity between the Volli and the PM2 is handle comfort, or lack thereof. The back of the Volli handle is rather narrow, making hard cutting uncomfortable with bare hands, and I would swear that I feel the lock slider pressing on some nerve in my palm, though I don't see how it sticks up enough for this to be the case. This is similar to the PM2 which has the compression lock opening precisely where force is concentrated in your hand when cutting hard, and where any cutting and twisting would be likely to unseat the lock. None of the above is to say that the Volli is superior to the PM2, or that there is any reason why a person should not carry a PM2 just because they like it.
So where does the Volli stand with other Benchmade models, you might ask...go ahead...come on...ask.
Well, since the Griptilian and the Barrage are my defacto two favorite Benchmade models right now, lets start with how the Volli compares to them. The Volli actually is very close to filling that niche that a lot of us are looking for in terms of a slimmer Griptilian. The Volli is about .25" shorter than the Grip in edge length, though the overall length is very close, to me the Volli seems to be in a smaller size category, in between the Grip and 525 or Mini Grip. The Volli and Grip are really very similar in size, the Volli just feels smaller, slimmer, more compact. The Grip handle is very hand filling (also pocket filling) and comfortable for hard use. Though the 551 blade cuts well if sharpened effectively, the Volli blade cuts better. So yes, I think the Volli and Griptilian are more complementary than competitive, the Grip a heavy duty, hand filling knife, the Volli a slim, razor cutting knife.
Another Benchmade in the slim wide grind category is the Rift. I think the Rift and the Volli are very similar in terms of use. They cut with very similar efficiency, which is a good thing, because the handles of both are below average in comfort for hard use. The Rift does offer an almost half inch more cutting edge with nearly identical handle lengths, what an amazingly efficient design the Rift is. These two models, and I suppose the 940, have the best blades in the line up. You will have to decide between them based on personal preference.
The grind on the 520 is quite good also, if you taste runs that way. But again, I think the 520 in a larger use category than the Volli, where the two are complementary, the folding Presidio for hard work, and the Volli for a slimmer, slightly sharper alternative.
Just trying to give the Volli a bit of a boost around here. I've certainly been reminded of what a great blade it is, and am really enjoying using it. The Volli will be getting more time in the Griptilian, Barrage, Volli, rotation. And of course, I won't even be thinking of picking up a PM2 any time soon.
PS - remember, all in fun, I think the PM2 must be a great knife for so many to like it so much.
"Enough talk, let's fight!" - Po, the Dragon Warrior
So, back to the story line, I'm looking through my knife drawer, through Benchmade catalogs, looking for the knife most similar to a PM2, the knife I would buy and carry instead of a PM2. There was nothing there that really stacked up to the PM2 feature by feature, thin flat grind, premium steel, thin handle, no liners...but something similar in size and blade did come to mind, my Volli which has been languishing in my drawer as I buy LE Grip after LE Grip.
Taking up the Volli for a few days has reminded me of what a great blade it has, very thin wide flat grind, S30V steel. Mine came with a truly fantastic edge on it, that makes it one of the most efficient cutting tools I own. I've been using it for everything I can think of for the last couple of days, and I really love it.
It is somewhat similar to a PM2, on paper, also, cutting edges are almost identical in length at three and an eigth inches, slim G-10 handle. The Volli has virtually full length inlayed steel liners though, which the PM2 does not.
So where does the Volli stand with other Benchmade models, you might ask...go ahead...come on...ask.
Well, since the Griptilian and the Barrage are my defacto two favorite Benchmade models right now, lets start with how the Volli compares to them. The Volli actually is very close to filling that niche that a lot of us are looking for in terms of a slimmer Griptilian. The Volli is about .25" shorter than the Grip in edge length, though the overall length is very close, to me the Volli seems to be in a smaller size category, in between the Grip and 525 or Mini Grip. The Volli and Grip are really very similar in size, the Volli just feels smaller, slimmer, more compact. The Grip handle is very hand filling (also pocket filling) and comfortable for hard use. Though the 551 blade cuts well if sharpened effectively, the Volli blade cuts better. So yes, I think the Volli and Griptilian are more complementary than competitive, the Grip a heavy duty, hand filling knife, the Volli a slim, razor cutting knife.
Another Benchmade in the slim wide grind category is the Rift. I think the Rift and the Volli are very similar in terms of use. They cut with very similar efficiency, which is a good thing, because the handles of both are below average in comfort for hard use. The Rift does offer an almost half inch more cutting edge with nearly identical handle lengths, what an amazingly efficient design the Rift is. These two models, and I suppose the 940, have the best blades in the line up. You will have to decide between them based on personal preference.
The grind on the 520 is quite good also, if you taste runs that way. But again, I think the 520 in a larger use category than the Volli, where the two are complementary, the folding Presidio for hard work, and the Volli for a slimmer, slightly sharper alternative.
Just trying to give the Volli a bit of a boost around here. I've certainly been reminded of what a great blade it is, and am really enjoying using it. The Volli will be getting more time in the Griptilian, Barrage, Volli, rotation. And of course, I won't even be thinking of picking up a PM2 any time soon.
PS - remember, all in fun, I think the PM2 must be a great knife for so many to like it so much.
"Enough talk, let's fight!" - Po, the Dragon Warrior
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Of all the assists in the Benchmade line, I like the Volli the best. The long thin flat grind, the thinner profile handle than the other axis assists, and the S30v, all make for a great knife.
When it comes to cutting efficiency and long thin flat grinds, don't forget the 746.0 -
The grind on my new 5400, slices AND dices! 0 -
PO surprised you think 950 handle is uncomfortable. Maybe straight out of the box, but once you & MFL tipped me off to using an Emory board to sand down hot spots the 950 is really comfortable for me.
PS did you see G-10 scales now on sale for the Barrage0 -
The Volli has nested liners.
It uses the same liners as the mini barrage does.
However, the Volli has got a longer blade.
It fills that void between mini barrage and the full size barrage.
As well as the void between the mini grip and the full size grip.
The full size grip being one of my main go to carries.
The Volli is not quite as invisible as the mini grip is in pocket.
But not nearly as bulky as a full size LE G10 Griptilians.
I find the LE G10 Griptilians to be a little too thick/bulky for my tastes.
Luckily custom scales can slim the profile considerably.
The same can be said of the already slim Volli.
I find the 525 and the Volli to be quite similar in size with the 525 having a more traditional liner/scale build (like a brick house) and the Volli having more of the modern nested scale build, which makes feel much flatter/thinner.
Both the 525 and the Volli fill that in between void and unfortunately both seem to get over looked.
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Near FFG?
Premium blade steel?
3.5" blade?
Comfortable in the hand?
Oh man, way too easy...
581
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Another great alernative, if you can find one
890-111
Only thing not fitting the parameters is the torrent is missing the FFG.0 -
Bill -
Now that you mention it, I never did smooth the handle edges on my 950-1201 because I wanted to keep it NIB originally. Think I'll smooth it over and sharpen it, and call it a keeper now. The handle back will still be pretty narrow though.
I have seen the NSF Barrage scales, beautiful. I actually like the Valox scales on the Barrage a lot. The light weight makes the knife an easy carry regardless of clothing, and I don't let the sound bother me. I know the knife is extremely durable. I have a tanto Barrage with factory G-10 LE scales. It is way nice, but a bit hefty.
Keyman -
Nice! Thank you very much for the inside info on the Volli. Uses Mini Barrage frame, fascinating! So the back spacer is screwed into the liners as on the 585/6. Outstanding!
Lightning -
Right on wrt the 581 and 890. Actually, in my comparisons, I was looking for something with a 3 inch cutting edge to be comparable to the PM2, and in the Benchmade line I was trying to compare and contrast with other similar models. I thought of the 581 and 890 both as being a clear step up in blade size, though I know they are not that different, and the 950 I did include is also closer to 3.5", so I wasn't very consistent there. Bottom line, I'm sure the 581 and 890 are both just as great cutters as the Volli, and both in another league from the PM2.
I keep dissin' the PM2, I never like either Military at all, but in all honesty, I know how personal a knife choice can be. One of my favorite knives is a big Spyderco with a ridiculous 3 3/8 inch cutting edge and overall length of 9 inches. It is an absurd design in some ways, but I really like the feel of it.0 -
"deranged attachment" Oh man..laughed hard, very funny.....never even held a PM2.. Ive been infatuated w/ a Military lately...so, Im no one to judge.
Appreciate the thought and time you put into this, Po..Make for interesting comparisons. I think you hit it well. I also think the mention of the 746 by Taxes is spot on..
This absurd Spyder, 3 3/8' cut edge, 9' overall..? Is it the Tuff, you elude to?0 -
Manix 2 XL with S90V blade. 0 -
Ah. Had an S30V example..gifted it. The S90V was mighty tempting...and the Sprint Para in that steel was almost my first PM2..
All this said..I walk away wanting a 746 LE..CF/D2...I got issues..0 -
I had my PE satin Volli for about 6 months before I bought my PM2. I carried the PM2 daily for a couple of months and really liked it, and I continue to like it. But I LOVE the Volli. Whenever I go too long without it in my pocket, I miss it. I miss the way the sculpted handles fit so perfectly in hand. I miss the way it slices, the way it opens with such authority yet closes with ease. I don't have many assisted openers but it is by far my favorite. I do like my PM2. It's a great knife. But where it's just kind of "there," the Volli just brings a little more character to the table for me. 0 -
May be 665 XAS might do the trick. 0
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