$180 to spend, recommendations?

R

rodogg

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Nov 25, 2011
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Im new to the knife scene, but am about to buy 2 knives: an esee izula and micarta handles, and a becker bk-16. Also a spyderco doublestuff. This comes to around 180 dollars.

Before I go and buy these, I thought I'd ask what you guys think. Is this a good choice? Or would I be better buying one knife for the money? Maybe a fallkniven f1 or something similar? I know its a personal choice for me, but what would YOU do? :)

Thoughts appreciated! :)
 
If youre just starting, i'd get one good fixed blade and one good folder, like split your budget, you can get two really good knives at that point and you may appreciate them more later, my philosophy is buy once cry once
 
I'd stick with the Becker and use the rest to buy a good folder. You can get a BM Adamas for roughly $120 and that would be a great folder for just about everything. Maybe a BM 710 or a Spyderco of your particular flavor. You can get a ZT 0200 for a little over $100 as well. I find I spend more in good folders than fixed blades because I use a good folder much more than I do fixed blades. Look at what you will use the most and spend the bulk of your money there.
 
Bigfatts said:
You can get a ZT 0200 for a little over $100
Click to expand...
I recommend going this route, but 0200s have jumped up to the $140 range as of late, so it all depends if you want to spend that much one a single folder.

If you want a good all-arounder for outside use, Scrapyard has their 711 on sale for $140, but it does not come with a sheath. They also have the 2.75-inch Scrapivore that's similar to the Izula if you're interested.
 
I would get a ZT0350 and BK2! ZT0350 on Amazon is $112 + free shipping and the BK2 is $61 + free shipping.

Just my 2cents.
 
Sorry I probably should have said, but my main use is outdoor, bushcraft, hunting, survival etc. I don't have a massive amount of use for a folder really. Another reason is that I cant carry a knife daily in Ireland, as its illegal, unless it was part of my job, which its not... :P Also I put my knives through a lot of use and abuse (not stupid abuse though). Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming! :)
 
Get a job that requires a knife.
 
I think you got it right with the Izula 2 and a BK16.

For a folder get a swiss army knife.
 
Get either the BK16 OR the Izula, depending on whether you want a 4 inch or 2-3 inch blade, then get a SAK or multitool, and then something a little beefier for heavier work should you come across it, like an ESEE5, BK2, or ESEE6. From what I can tell the Izula and the BK16 or similar in thickness, so in my opinion either could serve in the same capacity.
 
I think your choices are solid. Although, some folks have not cared for the handle ergonomics on the bk16, iirc. Other fixed blades I'd consider in your $180 budget scenario...definitely the fallkniven f1, esee 3 or 4, becker bk2, any Swamp Rat or Scrapyard offerings, anything from blind horse knives....all of these suggestions are from reputable companies and made from good materials.

Smart thinking to include a sharpening system of some sort as well. Also, check out Spyderco's Sharpmaker.
 
Your choices are good as long as you like them. The specific models you are looking at are all fine blades and it also comes down to personal preference. If I had $180 I would go with the best ONE knife I could afford but that’s just me. Just ask yourself what kind of carry you plan on using the most and if you prefer a fixed blade over a folder. Otherwise just go with what you want. If you do your homework on the BF and read as many reviews as you can you really can’t go wrong. I was out of the knife scene for a bunch of years, came back, read a bunch and ended up with a Spyderco Gayle Bradley folder. Couldn’t have been any happier. Then last week I bought a Chris Reeve Professional Soldier. They cost a little more in the long run but I’m super happy with the 2 knives I have now.
 
Go with the ESEE 4 or Fallkniven F1 and the Izula, also may want to look at the Fallkniven DC4 stone as well. I tend to lean more towards ESEE knives...Great warranty from ESEE!

You may also want to check out some videos on the selections above, a picture is worth a thousand words.
 
I think the Izula and BK-16 will serve you very well. An ESEE-4 would also be a great choice.
 
Hmmm thanks guys for the help and advice, will have to mull it over. Seems like Im not going too far wrong with the izula and bk-16 though! If I had more money the choices would be easier to make, I could just buy every knife I wanted! :P Anyway thanks again
 
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