Recommendation? $100 or less

Z

ZtCubster

Joined
Jul 25, 2017
Messages
145
Hello everyone just asking for recommendations for a new knife. i recently posted a thread on a recon 1 vs contego but since then I've read on the debate between an axis lock could be considered a gravity knife and scared me away from benchmades. Even now Im hesitant to carry my manix 2 which i love. Im looking for a knife between 3.5 and 4 inches or more. A tall blade with a good tip and weight doesnt bother me. And looking for a tanto but other blade shapes will also do. I was thinking of a code 4 but the handle seems way too thin. My father has a recon 1 and even that seems a tad bit too thin. My main edc is either a manix 2 or zt 0630. So far I plan on getting a recon 1 tanto and a lansky deluxe sharpening kit since i want to try it since i usually sharpen free hand on dmt stones and want to try a fixed clamp system
 
I'm planning on picking up the Kershaw Knockout in M390...

Blue aluminum and blade length of 3.25".

Just under a hundred bucks.

Not sure if links are cool here.

Good luck in your search!
 
If you’re wanting a tanto under $100 a cold steel product would probably be the best bang for your buck I’d say go with what you listed
 
Axis lock is just that, type of locking mech.
I see your in So. Cal.
Your fine.
Honestly? I'd rather a Cold Steel Tri-ad lock than a Griptilian anyway to be honest.
 
ZtCubster said:
Hello everyone just asking for recommendations for a new knife. i recently posted a thread on a recon 1 vs contego but since then I've read on the debate between an axis lock could be considered a gravity knife and scared me away from benchmades. Even now Im hesitant to carry my manix 2 which i love. Im looking for a knife between 3.5 and 4 inches or more. A tall blade with a good tip and weight doesnt bother me. And looking for a tanto but other blade shapes will also do. I was thinking of a code 4 but the handle seems way too thin. My father has a recon 1 and even that seems a tad bit too thin. My main edc is either a manix 2 or zt 0630. So far I plan on getting a recon 1 tanto and a lansky deluxe sharpening kit since i want to try it since i usually sharpen free hand on dmt stones and want to try a fixed clamp system
Click to expand...

Please google search Katsu Titanium framelock. Nicest knife I know for exactly $100. Handle is not too thin. Vg10 steel. The only issue might be the tip is abit thin but they have a second model with a thicker tip. 4 inch blade.

It’s the knife on the right in these pictures.
wwxmU1S.jpg

fvJlGVo.jpg


They also have this model.
6195wH%2BFkGL._SX425_.jpg
 
Lapedog said:
Please google search Katsu Titanium framelock. Nicest knife I know for exactly $100. Handle is not too thin. Vg10 steel. The only issue might be the tip is abit thin but they have a second model with a thicker tip. 4 inch blade.

It’s the knife on the right in these pictures.
wwxmU1S.jpg

fvJlGVo.jpg


They also have this model.
6195wH%2BFkGL._SX425_.jpg
Click to expand...
oh man i love this. looks like a beefier better leek
 
It really is hard to beat Cold Steel at the $100 price point. $93 got me a Recon 1 (clip point) with S35VN and a DLC coated blade, and it is a excellent knife. I would be hard-pressed to say it is too thin, since most folders I have owned have hovered around the same handle thickness the Recon 1 has. I would strongly recommend that knife if if has any appeal to you.

I don’t have any experience with SoCal and their police, but, if you have reason to be concerned, you’ll want to stay away from compression locks, axis locks, ball bearing locks (like the Manix), and button locks. All of those knives can be swung open by holding the lock mechanism down.

Anyway, on to other tanto suggestions:
Kershaw Tanto Blur (as someonen else already mentioned)
Cold Steel Voyager Tanto (less expensive, thicker handle)
Bestech Kendo
Stedemon Shy IV

I have owned all of those, and they are all excellent knives that are built to last. There are other knives - Hogue EX-02, Tanto Griptilian, Cold Steel Immortal, Benchmade Vicar - that I left out for price or lock reasons.
 
ZtCubster said:
oh man i love this. looks like a beefier better leek
Click to expand...

Here is a view of how thick it is. The knife next to it is a Kizer Feist.
1XRL8RK.jpg


Honestly I don’t think there is a nicer knife for $100. It runs on bearings and has steel tab lockbar insert for long lasting lock life. Titanium frame.
 
ZtCubster said:
Hello everyone just asking for recommendations for a new knife. i recently posted a thread on a recon 1 vs contego but since then I've read on the debate between an axis lock could be considered a gravity knife and scared me away from benchmades. Even now Im hesitant to carry my manix 2 which i love. Im looking for a knife between 3.5 and 4 inches or more. A tall blade with a good tip and weight doesnt bother me. And looking for a tanto but other blade shapes will also do. I was thinking of a code 4 but the handle seems way too thin. My father has a recon 1 and even that seems a tad bit too thin. My main edc is either a manix 2 or zt 0630. So far I plan on getting a recon 1 tanto and a lansky deluxe sharpening kit since i want to try it since i usually sharpen free hand on dmt stones and want to try a fixed clamp system
Click to expand...

The Stedemon Shy IV is an awesome knife as suggested by Comeuppance. So is the Bestech Kendo. I had heard that the shy iv had some detent issues so if you go with that knife email whoever you are buying it from send them an email to verify it is all good. Also it has a clip made out of g10 which I find abit concerning.

Stedemon Shy IV, comes in many colours.
Stedemon-ZKC-C03-tanto-tan-G10-black-sw-BHQ-68971-er-large.jpg


Bestech Kendo also comes in various colours.
BG06C-2_1024x1024.jpg


Comeuppance Comeuppance do you own a shy iv and does it have any detent issues? I heard the knife has virtually! no detent and see them selling for WAY less than they used to. Is this maybe because the detent issue?
 
Lapedog said:
The Stedemon Shy IV is an awesome knife as suggested by Comeuppance. So is the Bestech Kendo. I had heard that the shy iv had some detent issues so if you go with that knife email whoever you are buying it from send them an email to verify it is all good. Also it has a clip made out of g10 which I find abit concerning.

Stedemon Shy IV, comes in many colours.
Stedemon-ZKC-C03-tanto-tan-G10-black-sw-BHQ-68971-er-large.jpg


Bestech Kendo also comes in various colours.
BG06C-2_1024x1024.jpg


Comeuppance Comeuppance do you own a shy iv and does it have any detent issues? I heard the knife has virtually! no detent and see them selling for WAY less than they used to. Is this maybe because the detent issue?
Click to expand...
i like the shy iv a lot but i have a bit of trouble sharpening tantos with the curved front part. any tips?
 
I just bought a Kizlyar Supreme Whisper off the exchange to gift to a friend, and dangit if I didn't almost keep it. It opened fast & smooth as butter, and ive been more then happy performance wise with my other 2 (a ute & vega)...
Just shy of a hundy...
 
I'd say the Kershaw Knockout in m390 that's been mentioned or also a Buck Vantage with micarta handles and 20cv.. Just google search it.
 
ZtCubster said:
i like the shy iv a lot but i have a bit of trouble sharpening tantos with the curved front part. any tips?
Click to expand...

Yeah all you have to do is treat it like two seperate knives. Sharpen the main edge first without touching the secondary edge at the tip and then sharpen the tip edge after seperately.

I know that sounds annoying and tedious probably but it is the only way to really do it.

If you try and do the entire blade (main edge and tip edge) in one stroke per side you will eventually round off that little secondary tip where the two edges meet.
 
Honestly, the Cold Steel Recon is a great knife and choice. The Code 4 is a little thin and the metal handles are slick imo. One day I'll try to make some G10 handles for it.
 
The Kershaw CQC-7K is a tanto. If it's built like the 4K it's a nice knife for the price and well below your budget.
 
ScooterG said:
Maybe a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter? No tanto but those handle scales are really nice. UH on the left vs a Recon1.

View attachment 921499
View attachment 921500
Click to expand...

^^^^^^ This is exactly what I was going to say. Scooter even put some pics up for you! The handle on this knife is awesome. I have used it for everything. It is a freaking awesome all purpose knife. I don’t know if you hunt but I have a good amount of fixed blade and folding hunting knives. The Ultimate hunter is hands down my favorite for processing game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top