Best high end knife?? Midtechs/customs

Envy Sam said:
Thanks to everyone for the replies. PURPLEDC, you brought up some excellent points that I had already been thinking about, I love my production ZTs and wasn't sure if the quality was going to be a big step up. So, I am going to wait for a deal to pop up and jump on a custom. I'm leaning towards the Curtiss F3, for $500 a full titanium custom is pretty sick and I just keep hearing how amazing it flips. Anyone who owns an F3 please chime in :D
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The F3 is a pretty popular model right now but keep in mind that most custom knives running on bearings will flip just as well or better - it's really a matter of the detent strength and the weight/balance of the blade. This is also variable from knife to knife - not all F3s will flip the same.

If flipping action is mainly what you're concerned about then try to attend a knife show and handle some knives from makers you are interested in. What may be someone's ideal flipper might not be for another person, since everyone has different preferences for how they flip knives.
 
I do have an F3, and it has both its pros and cons (like mowt custom knives when you look beyond the pretty picture on the net :)). It is a very good flipper, mine is oily smooth, very solid feeling (then again, the flip on it has been worked on additionally by a custom knifemaker, and I got the knife in trade already modified). If you order the diamond pattern handle, it is excellent for hiding scratches and wear.

The knife is not a slicer, if you do a lot of fine cutting tasks, it might not be something you can keep on comfortably working with for a long time. Also, the one I have has N690 blade steel. While it is extremely rust resistant, it also goes dull pretty quick, so if you are used to, say, S30V, you will have to get reaccustomed to that the blade needs to be stropped/sharpened more often than what you are used to.
 
I have to second the olamic wayfarer


Or an Adv Butcher



(My lighting sucks but the knife is solid)
 
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Hi,
I gotta say that I love my Brad Southard AVO mid-tech.
My CRK's (Sebbie, Zaan) are in the safe and the AVO has been with me since Jan 1 or so. I love it. I'm a casual user, but I like the steel; it holds an edge. The fit and finish is impeccable. The bearings are smooth; lockup is perfect. Blade-shape and length are perfect.
It fits my hand better than my CRK's, as my hand is too large for "small" CRK's, and too small for "large" Sebbie or Zaan.
This is perfect.
I am no expecting to change any time soon.
Here is a review that I did with pics, if you are interested.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1252279-A-tale-of-two-southards
 
Even though its not a flipper, the les George talos is another extremely well made smooth operating knife.
 
Higher end ZTs and Kershaws like the 0600/TiLT, Grimsmo Norseman, or a Pohan Leu Hamachi. I have three listed and my Hamachi is on order :)
 
Grab a ZT 0801 in S-110-V. They are going fast. If you like it, flip it. If you don't like it, flip it.
 
Sebenza! Just kidding.

Brian Nadeau (Sharp by design) Typhoon. The absolute smoothest knife I had in my hands.
Shirogorovs - perfection in my opinion.
Southard Tolk - you can still pre-order it direct from maker.
hinderers (personally haven't tried em).
 
I just picked up a Viper Odino, full Ti. Midtechs have nothing on this production knife. Seriously.
 
Envy Sam said:
I'm looking to purchase my first high end mid-tech/custom "grail" knife, but I honestly have no clue where to start. My price range is $400-800ish, this opens up A TON of knives and I just don't know which ones are worth it and which aren't. So I'm pretty much looking for testimonials for which knives in this price range are best value. I will list my preferences to narrow it down:

-Prefer around a 3.5 in blade, 3.25-3.75 is fine.
-Weight does not matter, I am kind of into the "overbuilt" style
-Love flippers
-Smooth action is a MUST
-Must be easy to open and close (no sticky lock or uber strong detent unless it's a flipper of course)
-Prefer frame lock or beefy liner lock

Before you say sebenza, I had one and ended up selling it because I didn't care for it. I am however considering giving CRK another chance with the Umnumzaan as I totally dig the design. However, I want to know if the Umnum is prone to having a sticky lock and if the detent is very strong. Those were the 2 things that made me sell my sebenza, the pointy thumbstud in combination with the super strong detent hurt my thumb opening it and it developed a sticky lock after awhile.

Here are some knives I'm considering:

-Curtiss F3 Flipper
-Umnumzaan
-Todd Begg Bodega
-Midtech Redención
-Newer model Striders (non radius lock bar)

Thoughts/suggestions greatly appreciated.
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The Umnumzaan is a fantastic knife, had two of them. :) :thumbup:
 
Brigadier said:
I just picked up a Viper Odino, full Ti. Midtechs have nothing on this production knife. Seriously.
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Just got back to the jury room after running to KSF to buy my TiSpine on our lunch break, saw this post, ran a Google search, and began feeling that special feeling. I might have to order one. Going to be looking around and checking for reviews.

Curse you!

But, also... Kinda thank you.

Edited to add: N690? Eeeehhhhh... Not as excited. Gorgeous piece, but I'm comfortable in the S30V, S35VN, Elmax range. Good mix of edge retention and maintainability for me.
 
RBid said:
Just got back to the jury room after running to KSF to buy my TiSpine on our lunch break, saw this post, ran a Google search, and began feeling that special feeling. I might have to order one. Going to be looking around and checking for reviews.

Curse you!

But, also... Kinda thank you.

Edited to add: N690? Eeeehhhhh... Not as excited. Gorgeous piece, but I'm comfortable in the S30V, S35VN, Elmax range. Good mix of edge retention and maintainability for me.
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Amazing how far we have come[fallen?] when N690 aka VG-10 is considered "Eeeehhhh".
 
Here are a few of my favorites. Unfortunately, all have been sold. As much as I absolutely love collecting knives and appreciating the craftsmanship behind these pieces, it's always difficult for me to justify carrying a five hundred dollar knife when a Spyderco or ZT performs just a well. With that said, I'm still on the books for a Pohan Leu Hamachi.

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Yeah, the Umnumzaan and SMF aren't technically midtechs or customs but they're similarly priced and can certainly compete with the rest of them.
 
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Brigadier said:
Amazing how far we have come[fallen?] when N690 aka VG-10 is considered "Eeeehhhh".
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I have no problem with VG-10, in a vacuum. I have an Al Mar Payara in VG-10, and have considered an Endura. BUT... The Payara was a gift from a client when I was in the gun business (read as: I didn't pay for it), and the Endura doesn't cost $200. At that price point, I'll stick with S30V, S35VN, or Elmax. I'm not a "next great steel" guy-- not chasing M390, S110V, etc. I have just decided that I am very comfortable with the balance of properties with the steels I listed. I use as folder basically every day, so I like them to hold an edge for awhile without being a huge pain to touch up.

This may change when I get an Edge Pro, but I'm just using a Sharpmaker and a strop now.
 
Yet there are customs made in 154CM that sell for over a grand. Steel snobs and knife snobs in general can be so fickle.

VG10- may not be anything special now, but I remember when it WAS the new kid in town.

And the Odino was less than $200. Not much more than a 154CM Benchmade.

If I paid midtech prices for it, then yes, I would expect it to have a better steel.

YMMV
 
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