Best Folder under $200

Military, hands down for me... I've owned most of the widely discussed knives on any of the forums, and the Military takes the cake... I would recommend the Spyderco Rock Lobster, but there is NO REASON for it to cost as much as it does... Military can be had for $130 and the cheapest you can find the Rock Lobster is $200... there is no real sense of reason here... I think the Rock Lobster is purdier, but that is where it ends... All things considered, there are no upgrades on the Rocklobster over the Military... in fact, I would consider VG10 a downgrade... I love the VG10 on my Delica, but id does not hold a candle to the "Golden" Spydie S30V.

I WOULD recommend the Paramilitary, but I have not ever even held one... I am about to remedy that though since I have one inbound (S30V of course). The only things I think I may not like are how the tang sticks out in the closed position (a pet peeve of mine) and the compression lock (just sillly and gimmicky)... I will do a YouTube review after a while...

But for now... I don't think you can beat a Military, and IMO it beats out the Sebenza and SnG even if they all cost the same.
 
Can't believe no one has mentioned the other best spydie: Stretch II. ZDP + CF + great ergonomics + great blade/handle ratio + ambidextrous. I think it's one of the best knife quality/price bargains out there, particularly in the $150-$250 range.
 
thanks again guys!
I think i'll go with a spydie endura 4 for a lot less than my maximum price.
 
Of the knives I've own or have owned I'd suggest:

  1. Kershaw Titanium Bump
  2. Spyderco Military
  3. Bradley Alias
  4. Buck 110 (go to the Custom Shop to trick it out)
  5. Spyderco Police
 
benchmade hk 14200
BEN14200_1.jpg


or the 14205

bench_14205.jpg
 
Rock Lobster!

The sheepsfoot blade seems less threatening to people given the blade length. It is a unique looking knife. The handle has very interesting and comfortable ergonomics.

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I could get 4 good folders for 200.00. The Endura would sure be one of them. If you want s30v the Native is about 60.00. The Kabar Mule and Kershaw Backout are a couple more great ones. I also like the KOA D2 4 inch folder
 
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archieblue said:
.... The only things I think I may not like are how the tang sticks out in the closed position (a pet peeve of mine) and the compression lock (just sillly and gimmicky)...
Click to expand...

I think the compression lock is anything but "sillyand gimmicky", I've got two Militarys and two Para-militarys. I don't use the Militarys at all. I wish that every Spyderco model offered the compression lock as an option. It is super secure, probably the safest locking mechanim due to the blocking nature of the lock, and super "ergonomic", it just works well and feels good in-hand.
 
What are you talking about...:rolleyes: That does not compute..

archieblue said:
I WOULD recommend the Paramilitary, but I have not ever even held one... I am about to remedy that though since I have one inbound (S30V of course). The only things I think I may not like are how the tang sticks out in the closed position (a pet peeve of mine) and the compression lock (just sillly and gimmicky)... I will do a YouTube review after a while...
Click to expand...

Do you mean " silly and gimmicky".. As in, it is more secure. Also. closing the blade keeps your fingers out of the way to unlock it.. It is simply an improvement over the liner lock.. If the mili had a comp lock, I would own that too.. I have a feeling you will like it...
Matt
 
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Well they are in different weight classes.. So each are great..
0300- Super Duper Duty
0200- Super Duty
0350- Duty
But each is great in its own way..
:D

vpsaline said:
Why is everyone recommending the ZT0200? Isnt the new 0350 a better model to chose now?
Click to expand...
 
vpsaline said:
Why is everyone recommending the ZT0200? Isnt the new 0350 a better model to chose now?
Click to expand...

I recommended the ZT0200 mainly because I only rec things I actually own or have handled.

As for the 0350 being "better", I think it's subjective. Even though the S30V might be a better steel (I don't have S30V by Zero Tolerance, so I can't say), I prefer the contoured handle and blade shape of the 0200 over the 0350. The flat handle of the 0350 doesn't strike me as being more comfortable to use than that on the 0200, and the fat blade shape of the 0300 series never really appealed to me. The only noteworthy structural differences I've noticed between the 0350 and the 0200 is the steel and weight, and the weight difference isn't signficant for me. The slimness of the 0350 might be a plus for some, but I've never had a problem pocketing my 0200, so that isn't a deal breaker. Therefore, aside from the obvious difference in steel, I don't see why the 0350 is better than the 0200.

That being said, I am going to pick up the bead blast version when it comes out because I want to try a different ZT. :D
 
Boy that is a tough but very fun question. So many choices. Just be like
me and probably the rest of the people on this forum-buy several knives.
That way you don't have to worry bout wasting too much time making decisions
cause you know you'll just get another one. LOL!

I remember I spent so much time decinding on my first nice folder when I got back into collecting knives. Little did I know that it'd just become an addiction and I'd be buying them all the time. I had this: There can be only one! mentality. Well that flew out the window real fast! :D

My personal favorite folder now is the Benchmade Osborne 940. It is around $125 to $140 depending on where you get it. The Spyderco Tenacious is real
sweet too and it's only around $30 to $35. For your budget you could get
both! Why settle for one when you can have two or three?

I don't have a Spyderco Military, but I have read extensive reviews and done
tons of forum searches on that blade and I have not come across a single person who does not like that blade.
 
trimcut123 said:
Do you mean " silly and gimmicky".. As in, it is more secure. Also. closing the blade keeps your fingers out of the way to unlock it.. It is simply an improvement over the liner lock.. If the mili had a comp lock, I would own that too.. I have a feeling you will like it...
Matt
Click to expand...

I handled a para military at a store the other day. It's pretty nice, but wouldn't be my first choice. I get the compression lock design, but I don't like the large convoluted liner lever associated with it. I'm sure it works, but I prefer the simple, small, liner lock lever on the Military. I'd much rather have an Endura with a pointy tip than the para military.
Just a personal thing though.


 
shunsui said:
I handled a para military at a store the other day. It's pretty nice, but wouldn't be my first choice. I get the compression lock design, but I don't like the large convoluted liner lever associated with it. I'm sure it works, but I prefer the simple, small, liner lock lever on the Military. I'd much rather have an Endura with a pointy tip than the para military.
Just a personal thing though.
Click to expand...

I totally hear ya man... To each his/her own..
I was just referring to the "silly,gimmicky" line.... Thats all..
The mili in D2 is the matching family member that I need..
 
Get one of these.

S30V, tip up/tip down (unlike some others), right pocket/ left pocket carry. Fantastic liner lock. The green one has the same G10 as a $450 Strider. Blade on the Magnums series is 5/32's flat grind.

095.jpg


I have a couple of these. Carries like it's not even there. Opens with a nice snap using the middle finger.
 
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