M390 for $47 more than S110V?

[cptdean]

Title says it. I want a Para 3 next, but I can't decide if the BentoBox M390 is worth the premium. I'm fortunate enough to get Spyderco's veteran discount on the S110V version, and I always buy enough to get free shipping from them. The BB offering would cost me an additional $47 with shipping. If I don't really care about scale color, is there a reason a novice like myself should prefer M390 at that price difference? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Evil D]

"BentoBox" is $47 more.

[SG89]

S110V takes more time to sharpen than m390. DLT could possibly commission a m390 para 3 in the future if it's PM2 version being so popular is any indication

[cptdean]

"BentoBox" is $47 more.

Yep, I picked up on the distinction. How close are the prices from other providers? More or less even for the same model knife?

[ZrowsN1s]

I love both. If you don't have any S110V get that if it's cheaper.

[SG89]

For example the BBS exclusive m390 pm2 was $189.95. Plus their $15 shipping.
And the dlt trading m390 pm2 was $162.47. With free shipping.
Edit:these were the prices before they ran out of stock. Not sure what the original prices were

[bearfacedkiller]

Bento’s Para3 is an exclusive that you can only get from them and their prices are always quite high. Is the M390 version worth more? That is up to you. You may value a sprint over a regular production, you may not like S110V, you may prefer one color over the other or you may have an opinion on Bento’s business practices. Value is subjective. If you look at it as objectively as possible then I would say no, the S110V is a better value and offers a more exotic steel for less money.

I don’t care for their pricing but I have two of their exclusives and if they did a foliage green Elmax Military I would bite the bullet again. Long after the sting of overpaying wore away all I was left with was a knife I really wanted. Shoot, it costs more than $47 for my wife and I to go out to dinner. I am not willing to overpay for any and every knife but every once in a while I just decide to suck it up and open my wallet.

Just an FYI, Bento sells on Ebay so you can always wait for a 15% or 20% off coupon and grab it that way. I have almost grabbed the S90V Military that way a few times.

Let us know what you decide, and we love pics!

[BigGrove]

I avoid Bento. For example, selling the REX 45 sprints at MSRP is straight up gouging. Why support that?

[JD Spydo]

I'm one guy that will tell you that you can't go wrong with a GOLDEN made Spyder with M390. I've been EDCing my M390 Military model for over 2 years now and I have no plans to change anytime in the near future. I have a Para2 with 110V and it's nice and takes a super edge but there's just something about M390 that I really like. So far it's been my favorite blade steel for everyday uses in plain edge. Spyderedge is a different story. I would love to an XHP Spyderedged blade at some point.

[cptdean]

Thanks, everyone. This is getting me closer to where I wanted to be. I’m not bashing BentoBox, and I’m not overly concerned about the cash. I was mainly trying to understand which steel was more premium, if there is such a thing.

If both knives were the same price, and with the same scales, which would most of you prefer? It’s starting to sound like maybe the best solution is to have both, at whatever price is comfortable to me.

[Evil D]

Thanks, everyone. This is getting me closer to where I wanted to be. I’m not bashing BentoBox, and I’m not overly concerned about the cash. I was mainly trying to understand which steel was more premium, if there is such a thing.

If both knives were the same price, and with the same scales, which would most of you prefer? It’s starting to sound like maybe the best solution is to have both, at whatever price is comfortable to me.

Personally I see S110V as a higher grade steel, but M390 is perhaps more exclusive since S110V is standard production on a few models while M390 has only been done for sprints and exclusives.

[Sumdumguy]

S110V, hands down.

[RickC27]

I have the BBS M390 Para 3... it's one of my top 2 favorite Spydercos I own out of my 12. It's a nice color, great steel that holds a great edge and is easy to touch up if you don't let it get too dull. I prefer it over my BHQ/M4 Para 3...just got the Rex45 in hand today, will have to give it some time to see if it can kick the M390 out of my pocket. I got the BBS for $170 shipped...worth every penny.

[abbazaba]

For example the BBS exclusive m390 pm2 was $189.95. Plus their $15 shipping.
And the dlt trading m390 pm2 was $162.47. With free shipping.
Edit:these were the prices before they ran out of stock. Not sure what the original prices were

$150 (free shipping) for the DLT M390 PM2, $140 each if you bought 2. Great deal but they seemingly threw out the red carpet for the flippers.

I really hope they put out more M390 sprints (red Lil Native to be exact).

[Sjucaveman]

S110v is amazing steel.

[Calicoast]

Shoot, it costs more than $47 for my wife and I to go out to dinner. I am not willing to overpay for any and every knife but every once in a while I just decide to suck it up and open my wallet.

Is this going to be for EDC?
Might be biased because I don't have any S110V, but I am loving my M390 Para 3. Works well on everything, easy to sharpen, edge has held up very well after I reprofiled it, and no chipping.

When I bought this knife, planned a few days ahead before I bought it and cooked my wife dinner instead of going out and saved me some $$ and or the $47. Thing of the past. Love the M390 steel. :)
C

[Forest Green]

I also have the BB Para 3 M390, one of my top 5's of my thirty Spyderco's. I would pay the $47.00 extra.

[cptdean]

Is this going to be for EDC?
Might be biased because I don't have any S110V, but I am loving my M390 Para 3. Works well on everything, easy to sharpen, edge has held up very well after I reprofiled it, and no chipping.

When I bought this knife, planned a few days ahead before I bought it and cooked my wife dinner instead of going out and saved me some $$ and or the $47. Thing of the past. Love the M390 steel. :)
C

Yep, EDC. So far I’ve got a PM2 S30V, Native 5 S110V, Chaparral CTS-XHP, and Dragonfly VG-10. I like the PM2 best of all. May as well get a new steel along with a new knife.

[Sharp Guy]

If the price were the same I'd opt for the M390. If I didn't have either steel yet and I could get the S110V for $47 less I would probably go with that.

I have a few knives is S110V and I really like it but it does take more effort (for me) to sharpen, even with bonded diamonds. I've reprofiled my UKPK & Manix 2 S110V to less than 15° per side and I really like how aggressive the edges feel when cutting with them. But it took some experimenting to get them to where I'm happy with each. I don't need ultra high edge retention so for me it's not really worth the extra effort to maintain it.

When DLT had their M390 PM2 exclusive for sale I jumped at the opportunity to buy it. I liked the idea of having a red PM2 and I didnt have any M390 yet. The price was pretty good so it was a win for me all around. It turns out that I really like M390. It's fairly easy to get it sticky sharp and it seems like it's fairly easy to keep it that way. I haven't used it as much as some other steels but it just might be my favorite stainless.

After a short time with the PM2 M390 the BBS Para 3 M390 was announced. I've always like that bright blue they use on their exclusives so I was all in for this one too. Yeah the price was a little more with the shipping but I added a Lil Matriarch to the order to kind of help justify the shipping. That blue M390 Para 3 is now one of my favorite knives and I've long forgotten about the extra shipping charge. I'm honestly surprised that knife is still available. I bet if they made the price $170 with free shipping they'd be sold out by now.

[bearfacedkiller]

Sorry, I gave a bad suggestion. Bento does not appear to have the M390 Para3 listed on EBay. They don't seem to have very much listed on there. I think they used to have more on there?