Best High End Knife (over $500) for Actual Use

Over $500? My Medford Slim Marauder.

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No contest at all. I like it better than CRK, Strider, Microtech, customs and mid techs I've bought that cost more.
 
I'm going with my large PJ Inkosi with the Insingo blade. I admit it took me a while to warm up to it as I've been a Benchmade fan like forever. But now that I have, the Benchmades are usually in the drawer while the Inkosi is in my pocket. It's just a superb design and build with top shelf materials and fit/finish. Built to use and to last.
 
Out of all the knives I have bought and traded my CRK Ig insingo was the one that I found to be perfect for me. I don’t like busy designs, but I appreciate high quality which has its own artistic appeal. I had a few carbon versions that I liked but still to flashy for me. As others have said the Hinderer are another good option. A XM18 slicer would be my pick.
You would think with how popular the CRK knives are they would be more like them. I only have one knives I let go that I regret. I had a Garath Bull Shamwari Custom version I want back. I guess I like the SA style folders.
 
Lenny said:
I've been drooling over all the Shiragorovs, Holts, Olamics, and Koenigs that get posted here.
Just wondering, which one are actually great for everyday use.
Which ones are comfy in the hand, hold an edge for a long time, take up little pocket space,
and can take some harder use. Nothing fancy, just extremely well designed and made for actual use,
not just looking at.
Thanks all.
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Try Zieba knives. Custom made, premium materials, cuts like a demon.
 
I picked up a small Sebenza Insingo a couple years ago and it’s been in my pocket since. I’ve switched it up lately with some new purchases, but it’s really tough to beat, for most of the reasons stated above. Easy to take down and put back together, great service from the mfg and for me, great ergos.
 
Figured when I saw the title of this thread it would be a (justifiable) CRK lovefest. Wasn't wrong 😆 If you've spent any time checking out the photo threads, I'd guess somewhere in the neighborhood of 80%+ of the CRK photos are in a working context rather than beauty shots. I think that tells the story pretty well.
 
How about an authentic WWII Smatchet?
Nothing is built tougher...

(See: the smatchet IS the answer to every knife question...)
 
My shiro F3 hands down. Beats my Hinderers on blade geometry, my CRKs on ease of deployment, and my Medfords in weight and convenience.

That being said, I own nothing over $500 that I find to perform better than my Spyderco Police 4.
 
CyberRacer said:
Figured when I saw the title of this thread it would be a (justifiable) CRK lovefest. Wasn't wrong 😆 If you've spent any time checking out the photo threads, I'd guess somewhere in the neighborhood of 80%+ of the CRK photos are in a working context rather than beauty shots. I think that tells the story pretty well.
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Factor in ease of disassembly and bronze washers as well; I am a little hesitant to use anything with bearings for hard use to the clean up or ability to muck them up. I don't have any Shiro's though, so I will admit ignorance on their abilities.
 
Interesting thread to read; I am of little help here since I don’t own knife over $500. My most expensive knife is a CRK Mnandi and for me it works wonderfully. It is not a hard use knife and to be honest if I needed a hard use knife I doubt I would spend $500 for one. I am a cheap guy and a $200 or less, preferably much less Spyderco/Benchmade/Buck/etc. will work for me.
 
I’d look at some Emerson’s too. They’re tougher than a $2.00 ribeye.

Is it flashy, cost $500.00, give you a status symbol (if that’s what you desire), no, it won’t. It’s just a well thought out designed knife, non proprietary hardware, that just works. The 154CM will draw the ire of those who prefer a super steel, but it’s easy to sharpen.

I love mine, and I own some of the ones mentioned in your original post.
 
I like my CRKs large Inkosi and large21 with micarta inlays, my koenigs Arius and MG and my AD20
They are good users, but for real heavy use I am more comfortable beating on $200-250 knives : Emerson or Spyderco mainly

for higher end beater, an Hinderer or a Spartan would be my pick
 
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