Best large knife under $140

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youknowwhatimsayin

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Jan 2, 2014
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I've just got into high dollar knives. And wanna get a good one. I've been looking real hard at zt 0200 and many spydercos. Such as manix 2 xl, military and such. So what's the best large edc knife? Gotta have over 3.5 inch blade and no serrations.
tell me what you think is best.
Thanks guys and gals,
Chris.
 
Get a ZT 0200. Had mine for about 4 years and have yet to put it through any task that it doesn't beg for more. A true beast. It won't disappoint.
 
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Hey Chris. i see no one has responded. i am not the best to answer this question, but i will try my best to give you a wishy-washy answer. :D

there are many folders (i assume by your OP that you mean folders) that will fall in your $140 range. but, is a spyderco PM2 better than a Ontario RAT1? therein lies the rub. it really is up to the user to decide.

i guess my first question would be to determine how you want the knife to deploy. i.e. if you want a flipper, there is no sense considering the thumb stud or spydie-holed openers.

others may suggest to find the steel you are looking for and then only look for knives that have that blade steel.

for me, if we are talking about EDC, the ergonomics do it for me. steel is actually secondary. i want the handle to be comfortable and i want a blade shape for the cutting tasks i most perform. but again, all of it is subjective. what deployment do you like? what steel do you like? what handle is comfortable? and, don't get me started on grinds! :eek: the only way to really know is to experiment a bit.

my advice would be to find a local store or gun (or knife) show that will allow you to handle as many as possible. however, i'm guessing that you are posting because you do not have this option.

so, if that's the case, i guess i would recommend scouring the Exchange here on BF, and if you find a good deal, purchase it and check it out. if you are looking at the popular brand names, then even if you don't like it, you can sell it and not lose too much on the trial period.

i also like to cross-check the knives for sale against "popular internet sites" to view feedback scores. you have to take all of it with a grain of salt, but i can be sure i will not buy a knife that has a 3-star rating from 43 reviews (e.g.).

best of luck to you.

EDIT: looks like others have commented now. that is also good recon. there are many threads like this. be a sponge and spend some time scouring these types of threads. while favorites are subjective, they are favorites for reasons. and certain names pop up more than others.
 
For right about $140, the best suggestions I have for large folders are the Benchmade 710 and Spyderco Police, with a nod to the 710. A nice 3.9" D2 blade, and the original implementation of the Axis lock.
 
thanks for your response! I should have been more specific. I'm really digging the manix 2 xl. I'm not to picky about blade steel. Something premium. Like s30v and the such. I got quite a few budget folders, and I like them a lot. I just wanna get a more "premium". And I'm like you if it don't have 4 out of 5 stars I ain't buying it!
 
not to muddy the waters further, but what will you be using the knife for? and, will those tasks really be of the "every day" variety?

the reason why i said i am not the most qualified is because i don't currently own a large, folding knife. the reason? that is because most "EDC" cutting tasks, i can perform using a small slipjoint knife. if i know i need to do more "hard use" tasks (please forgive the term), then that usually means i am out-and-about and will have a fixed blade on me. i.e. if i am going to have a 3.5" blade on me, i would rather it be a fixed blade.

now, don't get me wrong....i have owned many knives that meet your criteria. i just decided that for everyday use, i really don't need a knife that large.

i would be interested to hear everyone's input on why they want such a large folder. no offense intended. in fact, i have a ZT 0801 on the way. but, i already expect that i will not use it much. so, i am legitimately curious.
 
I like big knives because I think there cool. You don't really need a big knife. I carried a Victorinox or a Ontario rat 1 for a long time. Great knives. I just like big knives. I think it's the cool factor to me. Just to say look at this thing! (Still taking about knives here). YMMV
 
youknowwhatimsayin said:
I like big knives because I think there cool. You don't really need a big knife. I carried a Victorinox or a Ontario rat 1 for a long time. Great knives. I just like big knives. I think it's the cool factor to me. Just to say look at this thing! (Still taking about knives here). YMMV
Click to expand...

lol. fair enough. so, you like big knives. really, that is the perfect answer and just what i'm talking about. ;) :D
 
There are plenty of knives this size out there for less money, but between the BM 710 and the Millie - get the BM 710 first. I love my Millies, but my 710's just carry so much better, being narrower and over an inch shorter when closed. Weight difference is .3 oz. Blade length is virtually the same. Both are very efficient slicers, but the 710 has the advantage of a recurved blade, if you know how to use and sharpen one. I also prefer the Axis lock (over a liner lock) and the superior tip strength of the 710. Handle them both, then decide for yourself which to get first. You're gonna eventually own both, if you like this size blade.
Just another opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
 
the spyderco police 3 is pretty good. it is a very underrated knife. its pretty big but the handles are slim and its light for its size. the back lock gives it a strong detent and it snaps open real nice. i actually got the fully serrated version which looks awesome, and im looking to get a plain edge soon as well. i wish they would make an all black version.

this is the police and the military next to eachother, not my pic

DSCF0015-12.jpg
 
I've had a ZT0200, Millie, the original Manix 95, and a 710. For edc, I liked the Millie. It is wider but lighter and flatter than the other two and therefore carries better IMO. The ZT knives are more impressive, if you are hoping to impress people, but tend to be so heavy that they are not worth carrying. The 710 is a lot of fun--the blade always seems huge for the handle, and the recurve looks nice. The original manix seemed to have missed the mark somehow; maybe the newer version with ball bearing is better, but the design just didnt do much for me. Was a big knife though :D

Nowadays I usually carry a Mnandi, but none of my friends are impressed. Size matters :P

Cold steel has some ridiculous large knives, if you dont need a practical knife.
 
I have a zt 0200 and love it, however it is heavy and really overly bulky for my edc. I just bought an all black spyderco military and it has kicked every other knife out of my pocket. It is literally that good. The military has better steel and is extremely light for it size. It carries in the pocket if it were not even there and is still a very tough knife.

Go with a military.


Mayhemflipper
 
I'm carrying the XL Voyager. Between it and a Buck Stockman also in tow, I figure I can do about anything knives can do.

voyagers.jpg


- OS
 
If you want a knife that shows how manly you are when you pull it out and show it to people, and also lets you know how manly your hand really is, there's no question about it, it is a Benchmade 810 Contego. Since it comes with a deep carry pocket clip, no one will know that you're carrying a 4" monster in your pocket either. The carbide tip glass breaker on the end also makes for a good emergency tool. The CPM-M4 steel on the blade has been known to hold an edge better than your average premium steel.
 
The 810 looks good but I ain't liking the blade shape. I love the 275 but would like it in something other than D2. Is there such knife?
 
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