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Best high end user folder out there?
- Thread starter BJE
- Start date
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- Apr 12, 2006
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- 3,079
I realize high end probably isn't the correct word to choose. I eventually want to own knives like that, but I want a good user in the meantime. I am also afraid that if I spend over $200 maybe even $150 (depends on what it looks like) on a knife I might not want to use it. I have lots of less expensive knives to edc, $100 and under, but I am just not finding the right one in that price range. So I figured I would step it up a notch. No doubt in my mind I will be posting this again probably in a month or so, and every following month until I have $1000 to drop on a custom (even then it may not stop me
), but the search is half the fun.
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- Apr 12, 2006
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- 3,079
I really like the way the 750 looks, but I can't find them anywhere:grumpy:.
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
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- 627
Emersons are nice knives but you may find his chisel grind a pain if you're right-handed.
Find somewhere local that carries Chris Reeve knives and handle the Sebenza. If you are OK with a minimalist knife (no serrations, no blood grooves, no dramatic finger slots . . .) you will find the "Sebbie" a world-class knife. If a minimalist knife isn't for you then ignore all the Sebenza comments and buy on price alone.
Find somewhere local that carries Chris Reeve knives and handle the Sebenza. If you are OK with a minimalist knife (no serrations, no blood grooves, no dramatic finger slots . . .) you will find the "Sebbie" a world-class knife. If a minimalist knife isn't for you then ignore all the Sebenza comments and buy on price alone.
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I handled a Sebbie at a gun show once, and I really liked it, it didn't scream "perfect knife" though, but it was several years ago. I do want a minimilist knife. I have many knives from the major brands and the ones that always seem to make to my pockets are Kershaws, but I wouldn't have figured on it because I like to have as few a parts as possible and an easy to clean frame lock with out a big backspacer (I prefer the little pin type spacers). I tend to not use my Kershaws for kitchen or really dirty work because there are many parts to clean and dry. That is why I am looking at the Alias/Sebbie type. I found a good deal on a Kershaw Boa and I am going to get that but I know it won't fill that space, it has too many parts and a black coated/dramatic ground blade, not my idea of simple.
Spyderco Caly 3.
I've gone through a lot of knives from different companies and this is the one folder I've settled on for EDC (Though I'm using a UKPK at the moment, plan to trade it or sell it towards the Caly 3 in the near future).
The reason I chose this knife above others is primarily for the control and ergonomics it offers. It handles much better than anything else I've used, including a lot of my favorite Spydercos. The handle is the best I've ever held. The workmanship is as good as anything else I've seen in a production folder and the materials fit my desires well.
Not only does it feel good in the hand, but its also the best folder I've owned as far as pocket carry goes. It's light and thin, but more importantly not nearly as wide as other similar sized knives like the Native or Boker Trance. I've never had a knife that lets me access my pocket so easily. The low ride clip is also much less noticeable than nearly any other clip on the market, as well as more comfortable in the hand during use.
When I hold most folders, like a SAK, it's comfortable enough, but it feels like any other mundane object a lot of the time in that my hand is conforming to an object not designed around it. The Caly 3 feels like it was designed start to finish to fit in a human hand, and it makes a world of difference when you use the folder.
I've always preferred larger folders, like a Manix, Military or Kershaw Bump, but I haven't found anything the UKPK / Caly 3 isn't capable of yet. Even things like slicing large loaves of bread or cutting slices out of a canteloupe the modest sized blade has handled. For the first month or two I carried it, I always had a large folder IWB for back-up, but I found I never needed that knife for anything.
I've gone through a lot of knives from different companies and this is the one folder I've settled on for EDC (Though I'm using a UKPK at the moment, plan to trade it or sell it towards the Caly 3 in the near future).
The reason I chose this knife above others is primarily for the control and ergonomics it offers. It handles much better than anything else I've used, including a lot of my favorite Spydercos. The handle is the best I've ever held. The workmanship is as good as anything else I've seen in a production folder and the materials fit my desires well.
Not only does it feel good in the hand, but its also the best folder I've owned as far as pocket carry goes. It's light and thin, but more importantly not nearly as wide as other similar sized knives like the Native or Boker Trance. I've never had a knife that lets me access my pocket so easily. The low ride clip is also much less noticeable than nearly any other clip on the market, as well as more comfortable in the hand during use.
When I hold most folders, like a SAK, it's comfortable enough, but it feels like any other mundane object a lot of the time in that my hand is conforming to an object not designed around it. The Caly 3 feels like it was designed start to finish to fit in a human hand, and it makes a world of difference when you use the folder.
I've always preferred larger folders, like a Manix, Military or Kershaw Bump, but I haven't found anything the UKPK / Caly 3 isn't capable of yet. Even things like slicing large loaves of bread or cutting slices out of a canteloupe the modest sized blade has handled. For the first month or two I carried it, I always had a large folder IWB for back-up, but I found I never needed that knife for anything.
If you're looking for an easy to clean blade you should consider the Spyderco Paramilitary. The open back construction makes it a breeze to clean, the compression lock is one of the strongest in the business, and it can tackle just about anything you throw at it. It is a bit larger than the Sebenza but it is also built like a tank. Relatively thin and lightweight too. It definitely feels like a high quality folder and should at least partially satiate your desire for the mid-techs and customs.
Kershaw 1636 Mini-cyclone TiZDP .This knife was a limited run and most are store and holds for collectors.But they are available for around $150.00. ZDP-189 blade ,Titanium frame lock ,4 oz weight and a little over 4" long closed. Handle is big enough to hang onto and 3" and a fraction blade is big enough to do some work with.Things not to like -the thumbstud for me is pretty much useless -flipper with tip up carry works works really well.Thumbstud is removable (pressfit) -which is what I did to my knives. I own three -cause I expect to either break 'em or loose 'em ( the ordinary fate of a EDU in my expereience -sigh!). Final point -you can install the blade from a regular mini-cyclone into the handle -thus allowing you to carry a different color or tip strength option if you want.The reason I got three was have been simply amazed at how long it takes to dull down the ZDP-189 in my regular use -spoiled me.
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I really like the design of the TNT, but I would buy the Northshore first just to be sure. How do the TNT and NS compare in terms of F+F, ect.? Is it the same knife only with different meterials or does the price difference reflect the quality of each?
