$500 Folder?

ManOfMisery

ManOfMisery

Joined
Jan 20, 2010
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I've done some research but still can't make a decision. I'm looking to spend up to $500 on a very nice folding knife. Right now I am debating over a Star-tac Umnumzaan, Strider SMF DGG, or ZT 0801 Brownwash. This will be used as an edc and will see some use on the farm so I want something reliable but still pleasing to the eyes. Of the three which one would you guys go with or is there another blade I should consider? I should mention I like larger folders and weight really isn't an issue.
 
One I would NOT choose is the ZT 0801 but that isn't because it isn't a nice knife. It is. The problem is that the secondary market is inflated to the point where it makes more sense to buy a CRK. Personally, I find Striders to be a bit crude (and yes, I have owned them) so I, myself, wouldn't choose one of them either.
 
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I much prefer the Umnumzaan over the other two.
I also prefer the Sebenza over an Umnumzaan. You may want to look into a 21 or 25.

We all like different things though, so you'll get responces for all three.
 
Ken44 said:
I much prefer the Umnumzaan over the other two.
I also prefer the Sebenza over an Umnumzaan. You may want to look into a 21 or 25.

We all like different things though, so you'll get responces for all three.
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I've had a 21 before and the Umnumzaan has been calling to me for a while now.

I hate the price of the ZT, but since it's an LE I don't know if it will get any better.
 
Considering you can get a standard 0801 brand new for about $160 and here on the exchange for even less, I'd probably start there to see if you even like it. Then you could decide where to go from there.
 
I think that your choices are all pretty good, but I definitely think the 0801 has some inflated prices right now, and unfortunately they don't look like they'll go down. Personally, I think the Umunmzaan is a very good choice, and the Strider is good, but not as much value for the money.
If I were to suggest something besides what you mentioned, I would say look into a Sebenza 21 or 25, like Ken44 said, they're amazing knives and will last a lifetime. If you aren't looking for anything right this moment, then you should also look around here on the forums for a Dskin Fire. You can get them for about the price you're in, and they're awesome knives. Elmax treated properly, dual-action mechanism with a concealed auto release, and stellar materials. On the downside, they're hard to find, and tend to reach above their starting price of $500, though not by too much.

I will say that the DGG, in my experience, is not my favorite way to get any Strider. It absolutely destroys pants, even heavy jeans, and it can chew your hand pretty hard when really being used.

Other than that, I think that whatever you choose, as long as you use it without sticker shock, you'll be happy ;)
 
I have a regular new pivot Zaan, a new pivot Star Tac and both a 25 and a micarta 25.

Of all of them, and having grown up on a farm, boy it'd be a toss up. I really like the regular Zaan, the Startac didn't impress me as much as I thought it would when it arrived (still doesn't but we all have our own taste) but the 25s are stellar.

The micarta 25 and the regular Zaan are my favorites, and I can tell you the micarta 25 is much more impressive in person than it looks in a picture. Fills the hand well too. Glad I have both because they both rock.
 
I have a Sebenza 21 and the Umnumzaan (old pivot). Out of those two I'd go with the Umnumzaan. Honestly, for real dirt work those two almost always lose out to a lower value knife. Your tastes may differ but I just cannot bring myself to beat on a CRK. I just can't. I also own several ZT's including the 801. You might also take a look at the ZT 0200. It's a lot of knife for the money. Good luck.
 
I own two of the three options and my go to would be the umnumzaan.

The one I don't own is the strider and after handling one at blade this year I probably never will. Just seemed to much on the utilitarian side for me. Plenty of knives that function as well as a strider for less. The same can be said about most any knife over a certain price point but for me the strider just didn't offer much more than being a good user. The other knives in this price point offer more "pizazz" in my opinion, yours may be different. Then there is the Strider history, I wont clutter up this thread with the details but one of the first few google search results for Mick Stirder will lead you back here where you can find the rather unsavory history about him. At this kind of price point I have no room for makers with such a history.

The umnumzaan is an awesome knife especially in star-tac. I hadn't planned to buy one because the blade shape wasn't to my liking but, I found a sweet anodized one for the right price and jumped all over it. Now that I have it, it's my favorite knife. The size is perfect for an edc, it's solid as a rock and can handle any normal use you throw at it (ie everything short or batoning with it). All the rest of the traits of the knife fall under the pizazz I mentioned earlier, with the exception of the CRK quality. CRK is known for it's quality and while there a couple lemons coming out here and there, it appears to be at a much lower rate than others. This is of course only based on my limited ownership and what I have read here and other knife communities regarding CRK defects.

The 801BRWCF on the other hand is adds a little something different to the pizazz category. That is the limited edition aspect. Any of the other knives can be picked up at nearly any time. The 801BRWCF however, is limited and still offers plenty of functionality. I've experienced some incidents withs ZTs quality but, their customer service was great at remedying the problem.

IMO they all offer the same functionality, given they are good specimens from the factory. This is most likely with CRK but not unlikely with ZT or Strider. Everything else about the knife, looks, history, exclusivity, etc.. are what separates them. I would base my decision on which one of the knives I find to have the extra pizazz that I liked the most.
 
Ide go with the Chris Reeve out of your choices... I have sebenza 25 and its damn near perfect. It has some of the features of that Umnumzaan but doesnt have the little washers on the thumbstuds that I hate. Ive handled some striders and I wasnt that impressed and I agree that the ZT is that pricey only because of the demand and lack of supply, not the quality of the blade
 
Any opinions on an Olamic Wayfarer? A little more pricey but they look to be a real quality piece of work.
 
ManOfMisery said:
Any opinions on an Olamic Wayfarer? A little more pricey but they look to be a real quality piece of work.
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They are. They are production knives essentially but a lot of handwork winds up going into them. You actually get a few more custom touches than you'll get in a lot of custom knives.

The knife was designed by Master Smith Michael Vagnino and he has basically trained all of the Olamic makers (they made fixed blades primarily) on how to make a killer flipper.

I sold mine and I miss it a lot.
 
I of those 3 I would be the umnumzaan. Ppl I have meet say the same as Charr about the DGG, it is too rough. I've had both the 801cf and 801brwcf. The Bronze wash didnt do it for, i like the 801cf better.

What little research I did on the olamic before didnt net much reviews, but they are a larger size folder with many scale options.

There also Curtiss knives. He is base out of Indiana and his plain models start around $500 from him.
 
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Out of what you listed I'd go for the Umnumzaan. I have a 25 and it's a very tough knife and the Umnumzaan is very similar. The other options of an SR1 or a Curtiss are options to look into as well. I have an SR2 and it's a very well made knife and I could imagine it's big brother would be a brut. Good luck in your search.
 
You haven't checked out the Grayman Satu??

The Wayfarer is a very cool knife.
 
Design the one you want and have Alan Davis make it. If you don't want to wait then email him here on the forums and ask him what he has ready to sell. Good Luck! Kevin :thumbup:
 
EChoil said:
You haven't checked out the Grayman Satu??

The Wayfarer is a very cool knife.
Click to expand...

The Grayman Satu is truly a beast. I have the full titanium (all stonewashed including blade) one and it weighs 11.5 ounces with a 4" blade of S30V that's 0.19" thick. Very smooth.

I've been looking into getting an Olamic Wayfarer but can't find the one I want which is without the titanium bolsters with some form of CF or silver twill, mirror finish on the blade and either CTS-XHP or S35VN. They'll also be making some in 3V and eventually mostly CPM-154. Blades are 4" in length and 0.15" thick. It's titanium liner lock (0.71" thick).
 
I had the Umnum and Strider DGG. Honestly I would just get a plain LG Sebenza 21 and be done with it. The ergos on the Umnumzaan never really worked for me. The DGG tore the shit out of my pants. Plus the Strider never felt like a $500+ knife in terms of fit and finish and egros.
 
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