Advice/Recommendations Wanted

W

Wishfulthinker580

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2023
Messages
536
I’m in the research stage of buying a knife for a friend. My all in budget will be $500 USD. I’m looking for everyone’s input on what my best options are.

I’m new here so I’m not knowledgeable at all but I have a rough idea of what I need.

It needs to be a folder. The knife needs to be legal in as many jurisdictions as humanly possible so I’m guessing no autos/assisted knives. I assume blade length is a factor. Needs to be non traditional.

The most important thing I want is to get the absolute best knife I can buy within that budget so that’s why I’m asking for help.

Thanks in advance.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
So many variables without a lot more information. Off the top of my head a CRK Small Sebenza is the first that comes to mind.
Click to expand...
I understand. I haven’t set many parameters. I’m open to suggestions. Especially on makers or designs to avoid. Mainly concerned with getting the best quality I can get at that price point.

Thanks for the recommendation.
 
Lucky friend, it doesn't really need to cost the entire 500, but if you insist, an XM18 if you can get one, people keep hoarding those. small sebenza, current opinions of CRK withheld. Also look into full sized adamas
 
You get one of the best for sure with a Sebenza. The small has a blade of 3" so legal in most places.

Spartan's Small SHTF is another top choice, but the blade I believe is 3.25". Still legal in lots of areas, but 3" is the limit some of places.

Slightly larger at 3.5 an Arno Bernard imamba is a great knife, just depends on size restrictions for where you will be.

There are lots of really great knives that may fit, these are just a step up from many in tolerances and materials. I can recommend these as I have them, but there are lots of great options besides these. These came to mind by your guidlines.

If you go to some of the knife dealers online you can use the built in filters in their search functions for size etc... and that will give you lots to look at and maybe narrow down what you what/need. I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions.
 
Last edited:
I concur with JJ_Colt45 JJ_Colt45 above, only to add that the Small Sebenza is not only the first, but the only thing that comes to mind. Grab a small Sebenza in Magnacut; and he will have an iconic knife of the highest standards, in the most well-rounded steel ever, from a highly regarded company that stands behind their product, that will serve him well for a lifetime.
 
Knives&Lint said:
I concur with JJ_Colt45 JJ_Colt45 above, only to add that the Small Sebenza is not only the first, but the only thing that comes to mind. Grab a small Sebenza in Magnacut; and he will have an iconic knife of the highest standards, in the most well-rounded steel ever, from a highly regarded company that stands behind their product, that will serve him well for a lifetime.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that was my thought also, especially with the stipulation of "being legal size" for the majority of places at 3".
 
DocJD said:
Unless this friend is a real knife knut , the difference between a $150 knife vs. 500 will probably not be discernible .

What kind of activities would this person need a knife for ? Other relevant preferences ?

A really nice SAK might be more usual and also be the most widely acceptable to carry .
Click to expand...
Well you see, a swiss army knife is technically, technically, a multi-tool
 
I'd go with the small Sebenza. If you want the best, most iconic knife at that price, get them a Sebenza. It's really the knife the knife community uses as the measuring stick to compare knives. "Is that knife as good as a Sebenza?" "How's the fit and finish compared to a Sebenza?" "On a scale of a Sebenza to a S&W, what's the support like from the manufacturer?" Etc.
 
Wishfulthinker580 said:
The knife needs to be legal in as many jurisdictions as humanly possible so I’m guessing no autos/assisted knives. I assume blade length is a factor. Needs to be non traditional.
Click to expand...
The American Knife & Tool Institute recommends "traditional slip-joint patterns with multiple blades, such as the stockman, cattleman, Barlow, whittler, etc.".
https://www.akti.org/is-there-a-50-state-legal-knife/

Many state and local laws are so vague that whether a knife can be legally carried is up to the police officer, prosecutor, judge, and jury.

You might also look at
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/knife-laws.735/
 
Without knowing where your friend lives it’s hard to give advice. “Legal in most places” not only excludes autos for example, but also locking knives and blades over 3”. It might even exclude one handed openers or double edged blades in some places.

That being said, you really don’t have to spend $500 on a small slip joint to get something that's excellent. As far as recommendations go, I’d say take a look at Viper out of Italy, they make some great classy looking modern slip joints. Many people also seem to like Jack Wolf knives, and they’re certainly more expensive than viper.

If a locking knife is no problem, then people here have already mentioned the small Sebenza 31. I will actually recommend a Mnandi, maybe with ebony inlays. I think it would make for a much nicer gift knife.
 
I would take a look at the Benchmade Full Immunity.

Right size, very cool looking, fun to fidget with, Benchmade warranty, three different color choices, lots to like here.
 
Small Sebenza sounds like the correct answer. An enduring, simple design built to last.

Can confirm it's a great little knife for adventures, and work too.
i-6J85qhF-L.jpg
 
You need to give us more than that. "As legal in as many jurisdictions as possible" rules out all locking blades, which is... most folders. Relatively few jurisdictions prohibit locking blades, but it matters a lot if the recipient is in Europe. And you said no traditional knives, which rules out most non-locking folders. And also that blade length is 'a factor,' but we don't know what blade length is permissable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top