$400 for pocket knife......your choice?

David E

David E

Joined
Nov 10, 2005
Messages
2,983
I have a special birthday coming up and was wondering what you folks would want in a pocket knife with $400 as the max budget.

I have a Bradley Alias I, Benchmade Skirmish and others. I've had 3 and sold 3 Sebenzas.......they just don't quite do it for me.

It would be for EDC, so thin is in, as well as one hand opening and closing ability.

Please don't say "get a 40 Mora's" or a Griptilian. I want some cool ideas. I have 2.5 months to work with, should a maker be able to craft one for that price.

ideas ?

thanks !
 
Hard to say if your time frame can be met because it's going to depend on the maker. That aside, I'll offer one custom knife you may like based on your stated likes - the Model 3 by Mike Obenauf. Thin, light, smooth, solid, beautifully made and Mike's knives are, IMO, a great value for the money.
 
Chris Reeve Mnandi or William Henry Lancet would be my choices in the $300-$400 range. Or I'd go for a Buck Mayo Waimea or Mcusta Yoroi in the $200 range.
 
You might have a look at Kevin Wilkin's site. I doubt that he could make anything to a customer's personal specs in your time frame, but he has some of his stuff readily available and it sounds like it might fit your requirements.

He's in Berlin, so the shipping and currency conversion might will be a bit different than buying from a stateside maker.
 
Check out the Knife Makers Forum, Folding Knives for Sale site. There are several people there that regularly sell very nice folders in your price range.
 
Ben Hastings makes a nice knife. I have a Sand Shark II and like it very much. I don't know about the timeframe though (I got mine on the secondary market). Les Voorhies makes some very nice flippers also. One of his IKBS flippers will probably be my next custom.
 
Pat Crawford's one piece handle frame lock. Simple- slim and strong. Just what yer look'n for!
Lycosa
 
I would suggest you snoop around sites like Steel Addiction, True North Knives, Plaza Cutlery, Robertson Custom Cutlery, Moore Custom Knives, and EDC Knives, to see what tickles YOUR fancy.
That time frame does not give a maker enough time to make you something.
 
Check out what William Henry has to offer. Not just their current offerings, you can still find a Matt lock model around. I still think those are awesome.
 
Like TKC said, check out the dealer sites she mentioned. Two months is definately not enough time for a custom order, but dealers regulary get new inventory which they ordered months, sometimes years ago. As far as custom knives go for around $400 (I'm talking about knives that are regulary available near that price point) I would take a look at Obenauf, JW Smith, Lightfoot, Lambert. Strider is also worth a look. I've noticed that makers list prices have started to creep up. Many models which listed for around $400 a year or two ago are now more like $450-$500, so definately take a look at the secondary market as well. New/mint condition knives which are $500+ are often available at a substantial savings.
 
If you are looking for a fancy gentleman's folder, I'd suggest looking at William Henry.
 
Severtech it is one of the strongest, beefiest folders you will ever hold...... here it is in tanto, note that it also comes in a drop point, called the "Spartan, but cost more......

IMG_2281.jpg



ITS .187 inches thick....


IMG_2293.jpg










Bill
 
Someone else has already mentioned the William Henry Lancets. I recent aquired a Carbon Fiber Lancet and am very pleased with it. They are smaller than I imagined, but an outstanding knife. Also, they are very classy. I am not sure that I would choose it to wander in the woods with, but in the city/ office environment it is an excellent fit.

Good luck with the search, and most of all have fun.

Ed T
 
Zero Tolerance ZT 0300 series-- 0301, 0302 (I think those are the right model numbers!)

Or get your favorite Emerson liner-lock model and send it to one of our wonderful knifemakers for a frame-lock conversion.
 
Peter Marzitelli could probably make you a knife that could be had for under 400 bucks. www.marzknives.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top