A couple of mid-techs - looking for user feedback

Something unexpected has happened. After about 10 weeks (!) the Tolk arrived :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: I have nearly ordered a new one in the mean time (the one with Carbon scale, but they were fortunately sold out). The knife looks really awesome (practically new - I can not see any use marks) and feels really lightweight. I will need to play with it more before I can give more usable feedback, but the first impressions are very good - I love the blade shape. Next to small Sebenza it is like David and Goliath :)

The funny thing is - I have one lovely traditional folder on the way (also from US via BF) that should arrive any day, so when I saw this little package I expected the little lovely Northwoods Willamette - how surprised I was when I saw the Tolk inside :)

One more happy camper on this side of the pool.
 
matus, I have been following the thread from the start, but am only now able to add input as I recently joined the forum. Anyhow, I wanted to add another endorsement for the Diskin Flipper, which I have been carrying and using for over a year. Very sturdy knife, though in my hands it has a tendency to rotate under heavy use due to how narrow the overall handle profile is. This does make it relatively easy to carry though, despite the length and weight of the knife. I also have the Tolk and a Hati and the Diskin compares very favorably to both.

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I am definitely going to order a Freeman button lock, despite not being a fan of d2, aluminium or g-10
That should tell you somethin
 
And here is the Tolk. Now I have to admit - it really is a large knife. Makes me worried whether it will not turn to a drawer queen ...







 
My top recommendation is the Shirogorov, without a doubt, and the Model 95 in particular. I have two, a 95T in S30V and a 95 in Elmax. They're the best slicers I've owned, due primarily to the FFG, which (along with the CRK HHG), is the best all around grind for most cutting tasks. Other grinds excel in tasks an FFG wouldn't, obviously, especially in terms of toughness, tip strength, shaving, shallow slicing, etc.

Like the Spyderco FFG, the Shirogorov grind has a long distal taper, culminating in a very fine tip. But unlike the Spyderco FFG, the distal taper is not straight, but gently curved, meaning the spine is thicker until it nears the tip, providing extra strength. But... I wouldn't try popping beer caps or prying open paint-cans with it. I don't want or need my knife to be a pry-bar.

The Mod 95's ruined me for other knives, excepting customs and a couple outstanding makers like Rockstead (worth checking out, and worth adding to your list, the Hizen, Shin, and Shun in particular) and Direware. I was amazed by the Mod 95 when I first got it, so much so I bought another variety -- the 95T -- the next week. Every midtech I've owned was disappointing. The 95's didn't cost much more, but were on a completely different level in every way... it was like finally, this is the knife I've been looking for all this time. When I was not long into knives, I thought the Sebenza would be that knife, but... no. I love it, but not even close, IMO.

The Shirogorov F3 has a different clip and it's a liner-lock, but is another must-get for me. The blade is identical to the 95. Hold out for carbon fiber, anodized liners, and SRBS.

The Hati in G-10 can be had for cheaper, but I'd recommend waiting for one on bearings... it's almost the same knife as the 95, but Ha(lf)Ti.

The Shirogorov 111 is bigger than the 95 -- both numbers refer to blade length -- larger and it has a more aggressive profile; hold out for CF and MRBS, M390.

The ZT 0452CF is a great knife; I never thought of it as a slicer, but it has great flipping action. For hard use, it might be prone to having the lockbar pushed in and getting stuck, or that might be a random defect. Tightening the pivot works sometimes.

The Spartan Blades Akribis -- never owned one, never would. Poorly designed, ugly... I dislike the blade to handle ratio, and the look.

I've never owned a Diskin, either, but that's one on my list too, actually. The Vulcan Flipper, IMO is a great value, an awesome design, perfect choice of materials. Everything I see and hear of it is very positive, and I think the price will be going up considerably fairly soon.

Carson Tech Labs (Boiling, Griffin)... no idea, but I like a lot of what I've seen. Sealed bearings, lock-bar innovations -- CTL and Reate are well on their way to destroying negative perceptions of Chinese knife-makers... a bit over-priced, maybe, but not badly so.

When you say Sebenza is not even close compared to Shiro 95's,can you explain in few points why.Just interested to know because I do own Sebenza(great piece of cutlery),but never had pleasure of handling Shirogorov.Thanks.
 
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I bought one of the 2015 Diskin Flipper's at blade. Its one of the most expensive knives that I have purchased, so I have not put it to hard use. However, I think you have nothing to worry about when it comes to slicing performance. The blade stock is fairly thick, but its a tall full flat grind that comes to a very thin cutting edge. The blade also has a long distill taper that thins out the tip. Its a big knife, but its definitely not a pocket brick that won't actually cut.

The 452cf is a great knife, but the blade hight little too short to be a super slicer. That being said, the pointy tip is very useful, it flips like a dream, and its light weight feels great in the hand.

Another knife to consider is the 562cf. It does not flip as powerfully as the 452, but the extra blade hight on the grind lets it slice a little better than the 452.
 
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