Best $1K folding knife (blade length of 3 inches or less)

155440 said:
I've been out of the higher-end knife game for a minute... what the hell is the appeal of the oz roosevelt? It's a basic b titanium frame lock in 20 cv - someone please explain to me why people are willing to pay 1k+ secondary for them.
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mitchnola said:
Tight tolerances bruh! Why else? 😂
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I thought CRK kind of figured out the tight tolerances plane jane ti frame lock in the 90's but I guess people want their unique snowflake ti frame lock. For me if I'm paying north of $500 it better be for performance or pocket jewelry or both.
 
As a HUGE CRK fan, collector and user I can attest that the Rosie is a completely different knife in its own way and I love it. Carrying one today as a matter of fact.
 
155440 said:
I've been out of the higher-end knife game for a minute... what the hell is the appeal of the oz roosevelt? It's a basic b titanium frame lock in 20 cv - someone please explain to me why people are willing to pay 1k+ secondary for them.

To keep my post on topic you can get an awesome custom slip joint for 1K
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For me:

It fits my hand better than any small folder I have felt. It melts into my palm and is extremely comfortable.

The geometry of the blade is superior to most. It slices through it all with enough blade stock to also be a sturdy companion.

It is close to 3 oz of weight and I barely notice it. Makes is a great option for a secondary knife, a coin pocket knife, or a knife you use when in sport shorts. The skeletinized version is even lighter.

Even with the weight being low the feel and lockup are perfect. No flex in any direction.

I like the exclusivity and the fact they are a small American company. You are helping support a small local business and that is always a bonus.

I've never needed service but I've been told their customer service is A1.

Blade centering and tolerances are as good as any knife I've experienced.

The aesthetics are nice but not beautiful at all. It grows on you. Similar to a partner you might rate a 6 based on initial looks, but their personality makes them a 9 or 10.

Last but certainly not least, the action. It is near perfection. The deployment is perfect for me. I can open it slowly or with the easiest of finger flicks it flies open with authority.
 
155440 said:
I thought CRK kind of figured out the tight tolerances plane jane ti frame lock in the 90's but I guess people want their unique snowflake ti frame lock. For me if I'm paying north of $500 it better be for performance or pocket jewelry or both.
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Isn't part of the fun of knives as a hobby buying different things and trying them out? I've spent $500+ on plenty of knives that I felt "meh" about just looking at pictures on the internet. Some of them I loved and understood the popularity, others the "meh" was confirmed and they were soon sold on the secondary market. Being passive aggressive on the internet about people liking things that you don't is not productive. We're all here and this forum exists because there isn't an end-all-be-all solution that works for everyone. If we were all perfectly satisfied to carry grandpa's Buck 110 this forum wouldn't exist.

The Rosie performs great and plenty of people would consider them pocket jewelry. There are plenty out there beyond the plain jane stonewash.

To keep the thread moving in the right direction, what kind of stuff WOULD you pay over $500 for since OP is looking for something in that price range?
 
I have maybe 6 customs, slipjoint AND liner lock and all were 650 or less. Several I snagged off the BF exchange. My customs are by Italian, South African, and Belgian makers and they are all great value for the money.
These 3 are a sample. Left is by well-regarded Belgian maker and is Timascus and Stellite 6K blade; middle is S. A. maker with mammoth tusk and Damasteel; right is Damasteel and mammoth ivory by Italian maker (made for me). All have 3" or less blades and all cost less than $650.

IMG_3945.JPG
 
At that price I'm having something custom made. From one of our absolutely fantastic BF makers again. Maybe a couple things!

dcT543l.jpg



The big one I didn't get from here, but it's my only full custom, the Big Fat Bastard by the late and great Mark Kee. The smaller one is a midtech, the EK&T Companion by Brian Evans, who I unfortunately haven't seen post in a few years. Hope he's doing alright. He makes a hell of a knife, though thankfully it didn't cost $1K. I know these are fixed blades and not what you're asking to see, but hopefully they're a good example of the excellent quality you can expect from makers here.
 
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lintonindy said:
For me:

It fits my hand better than any small folder I have felt. It melts into my palm and is extremely comfortable.

The geometry of the blade is superior to most. It slices through it all with enough blade stock to also be a sturdy companion.

It is close to 3 oz of weight and I barely notice it. Makes is a great option for a secondary knife, a coin pocket knife, or a knife you use when in sport shorts. The skeletinized version is even lighter.

Even with the weight being low the feel and lockup are perfect. No flex in any direction.

I like the exclusivity and the fact they are a small American company. You are helping support a small local business and that is always a bonus.

I've never needed service but I've been told their customer service is A1.

Blade centering and tolerances are as good as any knife I've experienced.

The aesthetics are nice but not beautiful at all. It grows on you. Similar to a partner you might rate a 6 based on initial looks, but their personality makes them a 9 or 10.

Last but certainly not least, the action. It is near perfection. The deployment is perfect for me. I can open it slowly or with the easiest of finger flicks it flies open with authority.
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If your looks are a 6, into the friend zone you go.
 
Another option would be to take your favorite Benchmade knife & get the Gold Class version. They have some really sweet ones out there.
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
Like others have said, I would seriously look into the South African knifemakers.

Just off the top of my head.....

Andre Thorburn
Trevor Burger
Clyde Challenor
Andre DeVillers
Gareth Bull
Jason Guthrie (no longer in SA)
Kosie Steenkamp
Willem Steenkamp

All make AMAZING knives
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thank you for that. Will take a look
 
John Phillips said:
Mini Arius is under $1,000
Rockstead Hinzen is under $1,000
Herman Sting is under $1,000
A2 was $800
Oz Roosevelts are $850 if you can win one
Almost all CRKs , even uniques are under $1,000, bought a large 31 unique Hematite last night for $800 shipped.
Almost all Hinderers are well under $1,000 unless you get into BPU or Battle Hound
Neon is under $1,000

Maybe I misunderstood your post???
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Indeed. I see you are talking about the prices that you see while I am talking about the prices that I and a few others are wisely willing to pay. It's people like you that Jack up the prices of these knives. I'll never pay $1k for a small CRK Folder and absolutely not for a shiro neon. Actually everything you said is UNDER $1k at the already hyped prices.
 
sharp_edge said:
Indeed. I see you are talking about the prices that you see while I am talking about the prices that I and a few others are wisely willing to pay. It's people like you that Jack up the prices of these knives. I'll never pay $1k for a small CRK Folder and absolutely not for a shiro neon. Actually everything you said is UNDER $1k at the already hyped prices.
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I think you or I am completely misunderstanding each other. All the best man.
 
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