$200.00

Helderberg · Jul 18, 2014

My wife wants to give me a knife as a retirement gift. I have fourteen Benchmade knives, Bali's, Fixed, Axis folders. I am thinking of a ZT fixed blade or maybe an ESEE? Any help would be very appreciated. Looking for a working knife, fighter, camp, tactical, not set on any one style.
Thanks in advance, Frank.

Andrew Carlson · Jul 18, 2014

Bark River makes some amazing knives. Just bought a Bravo 1, which has a really nice balance of utility and aesthetics

spikebot587 · Jul 18, 2014

I'd reccomend a custom, go to the hunt and Terro sub forums and just take a look, seriously awesome knives that will mean more than a production that everyone has

Sonnydaze · Jul 18, 2014

Get something you can/will use quite often. I liked the idea of going to the Knifemaker's Forum to get a custom fixed blade...probably the most for your money.

Krissig12 · Jul 19, 2014

ESEE 4 and keep a hundred bucks. Your search is over my friend

But seriously, this thing is a work of art both fit and finish wise and with regards to functionality. Its a Jack of all trades knife that will do just about anything quite well. You could use it as a tactical knife, woods blade, camp knife, anything really. The heat treat is INCREDIBLE on ESEE knives, so you dont have to worry about toughness, and ive seen some amazing edge retention out of this 1095. Get one! You wont be sorry...

AntDog · Jul 19, 2014

Helderberg said:
My wife wants to give me a knife as a retirement gift. I have fourteen Benchmade knives, Bali's, Fixed, Axis folders. I am thinking of a ZT fixed blade or maybe an ESEE? Any help would be very appreciated. Looking for a working knife, fighter, camp, tactical, not set on any one style.
Thanks in advance, Frank.

If you are looking for an esee I would suggest the 3, 4, or 6. A junglas if you want a chopper. The 5 sucks, skip it. It's too thick due to the saber grind, and heavier than the 6 - and with a shorter blade. I have no experience with the ZT fixed blades, but if their folders are any indication they should be great! I would also suggest you get a one of a kind custom as an alternative.... It would be special because they are as individual as a fingerprint! For $200 you could get a nice one here on the custom knifemakers forum. It might mean a lot more to you than a run of the mill production knife. Best of luck with whatever you choose. Happy retirement man!

spikebot587 · Jul 19, 2014

Again I reccomend a custom, your retiring it's a special occasion get something special to celebrate, but if you do want to go the production route get a Becker. Works as well if not better than an esee of the same size and a whole lot cheaper, which means money for more toys

Helderberg · Jul 19, 2014

Thank you all for some great ideas. I had not even given the custom market a thought.
Thanks again, Frank.

Yo Mama · Jul 19, 2014

Why not personalize a folder from Benchmade, in your price range you can get a Griptilian, with s30v, any color handles you want, and laser engraving that's pretty impressive.