Advice: $400 folder

The large plain sebenza is the best at any price. The tolerances on those knives are unreal. And I've never seen a "bad" sebenza.
The only Folders I will buy.
 
My suggestion, get a Large Classic Sebenza!

For me, nothing beats the fact that you can clean & re-assemble a Sebenza easily, without having to worry about pivot tension or whatever. It's always perfect!

Ted
 
Thanks all, for the great suggestions. Based on the advice I have so far, it seems like my original thoughts about buying an SnG or Sebenza were not too bad.

I just wanted to answer some questions that have come up:

mschwoeb: I'm not a "steel snob", so any type of steel that would be put into a $400 knife is fine. I've had good experiences with S30V and 154CM, so those would work for me. As you can see by the knives I suggested, I'm open to almost anything. I think that, at this price range, my selection comes down to personal taste more than anything; you'd probably be hard pressed to find a bad knife in this price range.

ColoradoDave: As I mentioned in my post, I've been collecting for 20 or so years, so I have a feel for the price range, at the very least. I know there are many good tactical folders in the $350 - $450 range, so I just used $400 as a starting price. The problem with continuing to save is twofold: first, I'm a gadget junkie. I know if I hold on to this money for too long, I'm going to piss it away, little by little, and end up with 3 or 4 $100 toys instead of one nice knife. Secondly, if I spend much more than $400, I know I'm just going to put the knife in the display case, because I'd be afraid to use such an expensive knife. I'm really intent on buying a user, and really using it.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Large Classic Sebenza, but if a nice SnG comes up for sale...

I'm curious: I mentioned a Crawford KFF and Tighe folder, but no one has said anything about those. Anyone have a negative experience with either maker, or are they just "off the radar" right now?
 
Since you like Brian Tighe's work,
take a look at the Tighestick before you make a final decision.
It's a very interesting knife.
 
I have the Crawford KFF. I have the full size one with titanium bolsters and carbon fiber sclaes. I think that the steel is either ATS-34 or 154CM (ho, hum). It is very well made and has one of the sharpest edges of any knife I own. It is one mother of a knife. For me it is too heavy for pocket clip carry but rides nicely in the hozizontal sheath that Pat includes with the knife. I hate to have things hanging off my belt so it mainly sees the knife drawer. I prefer the large Sebenza as a daily carry. It has a good combination of blade size and pocketability. Also I prefer the framelock over the linerlock. Some say that the small Sebenza will do everything that the large one will and I thought so to until I started carrying the large. It's a whole different knife. I sent my large Sebenza to Tom Mayo for Mayonization and I think it's great. I think that all things considered it's the nicest knife I have except maybe my TNT's and my limited edition wood inlays. I think of it as my "replacable Tom Mayo knife". Anyway it's the nicest knife that I use regularly. I think that the large Sebenza a good compromise between cost, quality and size. As far as toughness, I think that it will hold its own against the SnG without the bulkiness. Plus the SnG doesn't come in a left hand version so it's a real no brainer for me.
 
Did somebody say Tom Anderson? I think they did. But just to be safe let's say it again. You ought to give Tom Anderson a look. Just look at this beauty:

15137281-c0db-020001FC-.jpg
 
At the $400 level I would by pass the Sebenza and go for a Custom! There are a lot of great makers and many have already been mentioned but I want to toss another name out; how about Bob Dozier and one of his folders? :)
 
Well with my latest acquistion, I'd say give a Bob Terzuola knife a good long look, very well made and excellent all around knife, I also have a large wood inlay Classic Sebenza and you can be sure that knife is also a great value, good to have a choice!
Here are a few sites that carry his knives, some higher than your $400 but a little more savings and you're there...good hunting!

BladeArt

Robertson's

Arizona Custom Knives

True North Knives

Knife Art

G2
 
I'll put in a vote for the Sebenza. Was fondling a nie large with wood inlays this week, and only reason I managed to avoid an almost overpowering urge to take it hom eiwth me is that luckily for me, my debit card has a limit of $300 per purchase, unless I call in(as a security feature to help abuse if it's stolen). If it wasn't for that though, that piece would be here right now.
 
Originally posted by Klesk

I'm curious: I mentioned a Crawford KFF and Tighe folder, but no one has said anything about those. Anyone have a negative experience with either maker, or are they just "off the radar" right now?
Click to expand...

Phew, glad I just caught this thread...I just bought a framelock KFF a few days ago...I love it! You can see more pics here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=262884

The KFF may be a bit more than $400 though (depending on how it is configured)...but IMHO, it's well worth it, especially if you are buying it as a "tactical"

Another "heavy duty" option may be an Obenauf Model 2 framelock...this is one BEEFY knife and a steal at $350!

RL
 
Well, I know it's redundant at this point, but I also must say the large Sebenza. It really is worth every penny it costs. I love all types of folders from many excellent manufacturers, yet IMO none are better than the Sebenza as far as tolerances, execution, etc.

I also love its S30V blade steel; it takes and holds an edge very well, yet is fairly easy to resharpen/maintain.
Jim
 
New member, first post.
I will definitely second Easyrider's suggestion of Bob Dozier.
Been using one of his folding hunter models for four years.
What I have purchased since has not replaced it as my EDC.
They include Mayo TNT (great but too hard to replace), Strider SNG (too chuncky and heavy), and yes ---- both large and small classic Sebenzas. Admittedly great knives, but the one big negative for me is getting cut. Did it with both. Don't like them. Tip up carry, blade opens in pocket and ouch.
 
Originally posted by Danbo
R.J. Martin Q40 is just what you need. And, it's a little under $400. S30V blade, razor sharp(and I'm not kidding). Titanium frame and liner(way overbuilt) with checkered G10 handle slabs.
Click to expand...

I second Danbo's opinion on the Q40. I picked up one at the ECCK Show in NYC in March. Also, the large Sebbie is always a good choice.
 
Originally posted by GigOne
You can't go wrong with a Sebenza !
Good luck. . .and let us know what you end up getting. :)
Click to expand...

Well, this doesn't make too much sense to me, so I'm sure it won't make sense to you... I guess it all comes down to what feels right at the time. When you're in that knife shop fondling all those goodies, logic kinda flies out the window.

Anyway, I generally don't like framelocks, and I own only one tip-up knife because I prefer tip-down. So of course, I only bought knives that are tip-up and/or framelocks. I then went a little overboard, and ended up with these knives:

1. Large Classic Sebenza, in S30V,
2. Emerson/Surefire CQC8 and
3. Atkinson Large Titanium Framelock, as pointed out to us by Walking Man here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=264004 Not a single tip-down liner lock in the bunch. :confused:

So now I'm selling off some knives on another forum to pay for these (hint, hint). Thanks to everyone who made a suggestion, and to those who took the time to shoot me an e-mail. I'm now going to find out how good the Sebbie is firsthand. :D
 
There are a lot of $400 folders out there. Since you did not specify a particular locking mechanism or blade length, it is hard to advise you.

If you are looking for a big knife, skip the Strider stuff and go straight to R.J. Martin's new Avenger! This is a balls-out massive piece of equipment that you can pick up for right around $425.

If you want something more of a looker, wait for the new William Henry Westcliff knife. I just talked to Rick at WH this morning, and he says they should be shipping at the end of this month.

Elishewitz has some new framelock models coming out with the base level (micarta scales and beadblast finish) at $425. The Pirate, Scout and the DaVinci look like winners.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top