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

VorpelSword said:
I have written this here before,. I'll try to keep it brief and non controversial.

Our son went to Texas A&M with the intention of entering the USMC on graduation in 2002. I committed to buying a Randall Made #16-1. Their "Special Fighter" based on the blade stock and construction or their beefy #16 "Diver's zKnife", but with the blade profile of their iconic #1 "All Purpose Fighter". Delivery daste was four years later. To keep the story short, I'll just say that I also got him a CRK "Green Beret". He took them both on deployment in 2004-'05. The CRK did not come home. He won't say, but he may have dug a shallow fighting position with it.

When he came back I asked him and he said the CRK had his confidence and seemed more robust. I got him another one. Next deployment, the Randall stayed home. The Breen Beret went on his plate carrier.

Today, the Randall is in a display case in his office. The CRK lives in the gun safe at home.
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this right here is real world testimony
 
A touch over 3” but an REK SparrowMT.
 
J. Doyle said:
There's a reason mosaic Damascus is super expensive.

I looked at at a rike S05 on a couple websites. They don't say what the blade is actually made of.....just "custom "mosaic" Damascus". Looking at the pics, there are ay few things that seem off to me. The whole knife is only around $550.

I'd personally be super leary of buying that.
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Suchat Jantanong from Thailand has been selling anodized mosaic damascus including blacked lipped abalone scales, pearl, hand carved, etc., etc. for 30+ years and will still make most knives at under $500 price point.

I would like to know how much actual work it is to make some of the super hot knives, not mentioning names but several are dagger designs in either otf auto or flipper, or one I will completely be comfortable mentioning as confusing pricing is RMJ... Like "tactical" plastic fraternity paddles for hundreds of bucks.

I'll say it again, we live in a golden age for knives, never been more choices yet there's some makers who can't keep factory made stuff in stock.

At the risk of sounding like a shill, my dollars are going to Winterblade, at least there is innovation and zero ego at fair prices.
 
Thornburn knives are amazing.
Action is very hard to compete with, ive got some L51s and a a6 and the Blades are explosive using the flipper.
I finally tried a Arius this year and i ended up with 3 within a month.
A big advantage Koenig has you are not limited to just the flipper tap.
my only gripe with the Arius is the pocket clip.

On the other hand you also have to know where you want your knife to come from.
All of my knives are US Made. With the exception of Andre Thorburn.

Aldo have to take into consideration, if something ever happens to the knife. Where to get it warrantied or service.

I just sent a Thorburn in for service, they ask you to send it to Blade Gal. (Washington state)
Luckily Thorburn was there for a class, and fixed it.
Otherwise it would have to be shipped to Africa.
And like most i dont wanna wait.
 
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I'll add a vote to the Mini Arius. There are some beautiful configurations that can climb north of $1k, but the action and lockup are superb. They're both fidgety and capable, and can be serviced domestically here in the U.S. While some won't care, the company's story really hits hard with me as well.
 
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