best folder I can get around $200?

nwmetalbug said:
ZT/Emerson collaboration
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Another vote for the ZT 0620. Ti framelock with a classy G10 scale, ambi pocket clip, wave opener and Elmax blade are great features.

Otherwise you can afford 2/3 of the Emerson models at your pricepoint. Pick one that fits your hand. Most Emerson models are very unique and stand out in some way.
 
morvlorv said:
I have plenty of knives made in China by Kersahw and esse, etc. I am not looking for another made in china blade.
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Do you mean ESEE? The only blade they make that is not produced in the United States that I know of is their machete, being produced in South America.

I also have a Spyderco Vallotton, which was mentioned by a few other members, but from looking at the criteria mentioned, I do not think that it would be my first choice, considering the weight. I have a Spyderco Manix 2, and I would definitely recommend that, as it is a great blade that comes in a variety of steels and is produced in the United States. I do not have a Paramilitary 2 from Spyderco, but from pictures it looks fairly similar to the Manix, and is a lot harder to get your hands on.
 
Thanks for the input guys! my list of what to check out has now grown considerably. hah

Rostislav said:
Do you mean ESEE? The only blade they make that is not produced in the United States that I know of is their machete, being produced in South America.

I also have a Spyderco Vallotton, which was mentioned by a few other members, but from looking at the criteria mentioned, I do not think that it would be my first choice, considering the weight. I have a Spyderco Manix 2, and I would definitely recommend that, as it is a great blade that comes in a variety of steels and is produced in the United States. I do not have a Paramilitary 2 from Spyderco, but from pictures it looks fairly similar to the Manix, and is a lot harder to get your hands on.
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yes, i did mean esee, typing isnt my forte, haha. fingers got ahead of me. glad you got what I meant. ;)
I have the Zancudo, and im pretty sure that blade says Taiwan or china on it.
 
If you dig Lionsteel how about the TM1 MS? Personally, I love micarta scales on users, and it can be found for right around $200 if you look hard.
 
ZT 0562, 0801, 0350, 0566, 0550

Have you thought about a Spydeco Domino? Is a really great flipper.
 
I would recomend benchmade 275 its a very good lock up system (axis) and its a very beefy heavy duty folder, It does have a coated blade which I didnt like at first but it grew on me, 170 is the price, I love my 275 and would highly recomend you to at least look at one and play with it a little bit.
 
Long time backpacker here and I have similar tastes. I'm an Emerson fan and I don't like holes in my blades, even cheap ones. I was skeptical of ZT's quality control until I received two perfect ones.

To the point, I see a lot of fine knives mentioned here, but some are better in the woods. The Roadhouse is a good knife but not one I would chose for the wilderness.

I prefer two of my folders for bush....a Grayman Dua or DPx HEST 2.0. No need for any more. I have several other good ones but they never make it into my pocket by the time I leave.

The full size TOPS/Buck CSAR is a good choice too. I've used one and own it's little brother, the Liason, and like it a lot. In fact, a couple of the TOPS knives would be good choices ...
 
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morvlorv said:
Thanks for the input guys! my list of what to check out has now grown considerably. hah




yes, i did mean esee, typing isnt my forte, haha. fingers got ahead of me. glad you got what I meant. ;)
I have the Zancudo, and im pretty sure that blade says Taiwan or china on it.
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Alright, you are right, that is where the Zancudo is produced. For some reason I was thinking that since their folders are made in another factory and only branded ESEE, not appearing on their website or under their warranty, that they were not products of them. Now I think of it, a lot of companies do this, so you were right when you said they were produced in China (If you consider Taiwan part of China, there is a good deal of debate about that one).
 
I love my spyderco domino! Contrary to what some say i can flip the knife easily with the opening hole! Flipper is just as easy. Sexy a$$ knife, probably why i have two....
 
awooga142 said:
I love my spyderco domino!
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Looks like a great gentleman's folder, but I just have a hard time spending $200 on a Taiwan knife. Why are Spyderco's Para2 and Native5 cheaper than the Domino, while both being made in USA? I might accept a Japan-made knife to cost more (I love my Spydie Stretch CF and Mcusta knives), as the cost of living is high in Japan, but it's tough to justify with Taiwan. I work with many Taiwan companies, and the quality tends to be good, but many of their factories are actually on mainland China (for tax reasons) and the costs are not so high.

Just sayin'.........
 
The quality of the Taichung knives is much better than the quality coming out of Golden CO. It hurts me to say that about our US made Spydies, but it's true.

Try one and you'll be amazed.
 
wow, thanks for all the replies guys!

The roadhouse is off the list, and the horseman is on the list and in the lead for now I think.

I really do like the looks of that Contego, however, the blade is just a bit too long for what I would like. I can however get the regular Contego with the grey blade for $97, so I might have to look at that again.

I also like that Adamas, but the coated blade is a deal breaker for me.

That TOPS/Buck looks really nice, I like it a lot. Im not a huge Buck fan, but I might have to reconsider. Nothing against them, just never got into them. But the more I look at that knife, the more I like it.

I do really like the ZT/Hinderer a lot as well. it might be top 3 or 4 on the list, but I still have apprehensions with them. I remember reading in the past problems with detents and blade centering. but I havent done a lot of research on ZT's in a while.

That greyman DUA looks killer and would love one of those, but its a little more cash than I would like to spend. Trying to keep it at $200, but boy do I like that one. hah

That lionsteel TM1 MS is a contender now for sure. I really like the blade length and the looks of that knife as well.

I looked at other benchmades and i love the 484, i just wish the blade was a touch longer. but I can get it for $100, so I might go that route. Or I might just get the BM 940-1 for $140.
ARgg, I just dont know. haha


right now i think im leaning towards the horseman in first, the DPX hest in 2nd, lionsteel SR1 or TM1 in 3rd, ZT/hinderer and the BM 484 in 4th, and the BM 940-1 and contego in 5th.

so, looks like i have it narrowed down to 8 knives. haha

thanks again for the advice guys.
 
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DREW78 said:
ZT 0562, 0801, 0350, 0566, 0550

Have you thought about a Spydeco Domino? Is a really great flipper.
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This, though I'd bump out the 0350 because of personal taste. Other than that, this is exactly my list.
 
Benchmade MPR. Not too common and receive the discontinued, but for under $200 you likely won't find a knife with a M390 blade. The only downsides are it is a little bulky and the clip is only one position.
 
I have lots of $125-250 knives, but the ZT0562 (CF or G10...both are great) would be the one I'd pick if I could only keep one knife. That's saying something for ZT's latest Hinderer release.
 
0801 is my favourite under $200 knife.
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Size comparison of the Famous PM2 and 0801:
Pocketable size:
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Width:
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How it handle:
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Carries like a PM2 but with much more cutting edge!!!
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