best folder I can get around $200?

M

morvlorv

Joined
Apr 3, 2014
Messages
587
Im looking to get my first quality knife.
By quality, I mean, not made in China and can be had for $50 or less. A good quality steel, and made of quality parts. I would like a really good steel that holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen. I am not well versed in sharpening yet.
Blade size about 3.5", and I do not care much for coated blades.
Something that is smooth and has good lockup.
I am in the woods quite a bit and do a lot of backpacking. This would be my EDC blade, and my blade for the woods.

I really like the look of the Emerson roadhouse, and I love my emerson/kershaw collaboration.
If a real emerson is better and smoother than the collab, then I think im sold on that bad boy.

But I would like your suggestions on other offerings that I might like and should look at in the $200 price range.

I sort of also have my eye on a lionsteel SR-1A, and a DPx Hest/F.

Anything else I should check out or go fondle? should stay away from lionsteel and dpx and just get the roadhouse?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
 
Last edited:
First off, I can show you a USA made knife or two by old and respected companies of quality parts and high end steel that are absolute disasters as far as fit, finish and construction are concerned. So that's no guarantee of quality, it's just a preference.

Since I don't own any of the other knives mentioned, I can't be of any help in recommending one.
 
I agree with nellem.
I been eyeing the contego myself. In the $200 area, spyderco and benchmade are in my opinion the best bet and you will get exactly what you're looking for. (except maybe with spyderco the made in USA part, then again there's the paramilitary 2)... Check out their catalogs. Both companies have a huge selection of different styles. I've owned a dozen or so between the two brands and have NEVER been disappointed.
 
The ZT0562 would be a good choice at that price point and it matches most of your requirements. I am in love with all of the the ZT Hinderers. I think they're just incredible. I guess the only thing is that ELMAX is not an american steel even though ZTs are built in the USA.
 
morvlorv said:
Im looking to get my first quality knife.
By quality, I mean, made in the USA, and made of quality parts. I would like a really good steel that holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen. I am not well versed in sharpening yet.
Blade size about 3.5", and I do not care much for coated blades.
Something that is smooth and has good lockup.
I sort of also have my eye on a lionsteel SR-1A, and a DPx Hest/F.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you really want, since both knives you mention are made in Italy (by the same company), but if you want to try a real USA-made knife with the technical criteria you noted get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. And you'll have the better part of $100 still left towards your next knife.
 
you are correct exmaxima, I edited my post, I should have been more specific.
I kept writing in my post as I was thinking of knives I liked and forgot I have already mentioned made in the USA.
I do like the idea of made in the USA, but its not a deal breaker if not.
I have plenty of knives made in China by Kersahw and esse, etc. I am not looking for another made in china blade.


I have eyed a lot of those ZT knives as well, im just sort of an oddball character. ZT seems super popular right now and for a while. I like something that not everyone has, and it seems like a whole crapload of people love and buy ZT's. Emerson has a ton of love too, but I dont hear much about the roadhouse, and I dont hear much about lionsteel and DPx.

I have never owned a spyderco, but im not sure I would like or get used to the thumbhole in the blade, but ive never tried it so I just dont know. but I do like those camo scales and the looks of the handle on the PM2

Thanks for the replies so far guys, sorry for the confusion in the first post.
 
morvlorv said:
I have never owned a spyderco, but im not sure I would like or get used to the thumbhole in the blade, but ive never tried it so I just dont know. but I do like those camo scales and the looks of the handle on the PM2
Click to expand...

The thumb hole is outrageously easy to use, and you would quickly learn and like it. I have many knives, and while I sometimes cut myself trying to open a standard knife w/thumb stud (such as a Sebenza), I never get cut with a Spyderco---the Stretch CF is my favorite by a large margin. A flipper knife is also cool, especially the ball bearing ones like the ZT 0562.
 
Both the SR1 and HEST are quality knives. I'm a big Lionsteel fan, although I only own one at the moment (SR2-A). I'm not a ZT fan, just bought my first one in fact, but the new CF models are pretty nice, I'm a sucker for CF. I'm also not a big Spyderco fan, but I've been looking hard at the Caly 3.5 ZDP-189. And I would buy a Valloton again.
 
Bigfatts said:
I'm also not a big Spyderco fan, but I've been looking hard at the Caly 3.5 ZDP-189. And I would buy a Valloton again.
Click to expand...

Don't like the wire clip on the Caly series, but the Valloton is AWESOME!!! I now know what to ask Santa for this year...
 
In my opinion, the ZT562 is the best knife in that price range. It really is awesome.
 
I've owned a lot of knives in the $150-250 range, and most have sold.

LionSteel SR-1A--Sold it, nice knife but the handles are slippery and its quite large as well (3.70" blade)
Spyderco Southard--Sold, didn't like how it flipped or the shape of the flipper
ZT0801-Love it. Its a beast, but a blast to flip.
ZT0770CF--Love it as well. Very lightweight.
Spyderco Gayle Bradley great knife, love it.
DPX HEAT--Smaller than the HEST, less expensive, but a GREAT knife.
Spyderco Nilakka--Sold, just could hold an edge
Hogue EX-01 4"--Sold simply because it was larger than what I like. Great knife otherwise.


Of those, the Gayle Bradley has seen by far the most use. If I were you, I'd look at that (though it isn't USA made) and the ZT0770CF. If you are willing to save your pennies though, I'd look at getting a TSF Beast. I love mine. My new favorite. Brand new they are $300, but I've seen them on the exchange for as low as $230. Handmade in Oregon. 3" CPM S35VN blade, full Ti handles.
 
Check out the TOPS Mil-Spie 3.5.
The blade steel is good, N690co which is a bohler-uddeholm steel, recommended working hardness is 58-60HRC. It is Similar to VG-10. Hitachi later produced pretty much identical (N690), ZA-18 steel, which was promoted to be better than VG-10
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top