Checkin’ in after years of inactivity

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
2,357
I’m sure only a few of you if any will remember me, but I used to frequent the forum quite a bit. I have been quite inactive due to many changes over the last 5-6 years. Thought I would come back and post a thread since I’m looking at picking up a new EDC next week. I haven’t actually carried a knife daily in years (no reason other than not feeling the need to) but I decided to get back on the horse and pick something up. I am not going to go back to the way it was when I was spending thousands on customs and hand-made knives. I have set my budget limit at $200 and have a few knives in mind. I’m looking at the Benchmade 755 MPR, a Commander (safe choice) and an Extrema Ratio BF2CD. I haven’t really kept up on the new trends or what else is out there. I live in Vancouver, BC now and there is a really good shop a few minutes from my place called Warriors and Wonders. I see there are some new “Super Steels” and some techy things coming out but my only real requirements are a bomb-proof lock, prefer flat ground drop point or a recurve and it needs to be burly. The knife will be for general tasks, pride of ownership, and for the “just in case emergencies”. I don’t carry a firearm for a job anymore so it needs not be some kind of overhyped defensive knife but I do like “tactical” style knives. Any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks.
 
How about the BOKER Epicenter that was just re-released. VG10, plain edge, 3.5" blade, all ti construction and a frame lock. Drop point to boot. Also look at CS new offering with the famous tri ad lock in there new "western" series folders(Makinac Series, which ain't really western per say but that is what they look like to me). I'm gonna grab one for sure. They look like a slip joint, but use the tri ad lock, thumb stud and clip. Faux stag grips. The larger is flat ground and the smaller I think is hollow ground. Just a few choices, or a g10 Bradley for less than 200 bucks. G10 off side, ti frame lock and ultra lite wt but prem. steel and a cutter pure and simple. Very flat and unobtrusive. Last but not least look at the TOPS frame lock. Thunderhawke CQT folder. Extremely well made frame lock and 690co steel. keepem sharp
 
Nice to see you back! I used to go by solidsoldier back then. As for the knife, I like the MPR but its too short for my needs. Great knife though.
 
you lucky bugger!
I wish i lived near wariors and wonders!
Anyhow, Im the knife guy at cabelas in winnipeg and one of the best all around folders i have seen people carry is a cold steel american lawman.
With a Triad lock its almost unbeatable. if you want a smaller knife there is a mini lawman, if you want a bigger one i would suggest one of cold steels recon one spear point folders.
Links to all below
[Non member link removed]

[Non member link removed]

Also for the money an Emerson commander, a CQC 10 or a CQC 14 OR an mini CQC 8 would be GREAT choices!!!

[Non member link removed]

-Owen
 
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Zero Tolerance seems to be the latest hot ticket in big beefy burly. I don't have one but I would imagine you could find one within your budget (W&W doesn't have much of a ZT selection though.)
 
Welcome back! Oh, about Warriors & Wonders, when you go in, save some time and just empty your wallet in front of Jay. ;)
 
I’ll take a look at the Lawman, however I do remember not being a big fan of AUS-8 from back when I had a few knives made of it in the past. I was more into D2, S30V and the CPM stuff... Last time I went to Warriors and Wonders I was there to pick up a flashlight. Ended up with a 4Sevens Quark X AA2. I grabbed some Eneloops batteries for it and it’s been a great light. I remember all the crazy choices they had for knives. I have been lucky though. I moved here from Maryland so I had Knifecenter about 25 minutes from my place, and now in Vancouver I can ride my bicycle to WaW lol... I call it dumb luck to have these places close by. I have been so caught up in other things that I just didn’t have the extra cash for a good knife and couldn’t bare buying something sub par. (The steel snob in me still slightly exists). My Ex took all my knives (the custom Darryl Ralph stuff and whatever else was there) except for one in the divorce in 07 and I gave that one which was an Emerson SpecWar folder to a friend that was going to police academy. So I have been without for a LOOOONNNNGGGGG time. I’m re-married now and my wife isn’t exactly a knife fan but understands that I want to get something nice and gave me a kitchen pass to blow a little coin.. But not too much hahah.

How about the Fox Havok? That knife seems kinda cool. I’m not a huge tanto fan but it has the nice curve on the main cutting surface. Any thoughts on the Extrema Ratio stuff? The BF2 kind of reminds me of the LUDT (which I guess isn’t even around anymore). I agree about the MPR being a bit on the smallish side but it does seem overbuilt which is something I want. That and I do like frame locks over everything else. Arrggghhg Choices...:confused: The CQC15 was another one I was looking at. I still like Emerson stuff as it was what I used to EDC mostly before. That and Strider, but I’m not paying those prices now lol

timberweasel said:
Zero Tolerance seems to be the latest hot ticket in big beefy burly. I don't have one but I would imagine you could find one within your budget (W&W doesn't have much of a ZT selection though.)
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I did look at the ZT stuff but am not as familiar with the brand other than it’s a KAI sub brand of sorts, or appears to be to me. I didn’t want an assisted opener unless it was really well made since I have had some break on me in the past. That and the WaW prices on ZT stuff are kind of all over the place. The ZT35ST is a great price but it seems to be less burly than the bigger ones when looking at them on paper.

Crazy enough I have also been spying the ESEE Izula II... I know it’s a fixed blade but it looks to be tough as nails and could likely be easily carried for EDC. Just speculation though.
 
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Welcome back, I remember seeing your posts/avatar when I first joined up. If you are looking at ZT, the 200 and 300 series is where I would be at for the price.
 
Without a doubt you are looking for a ZT 0550. ZT is VERY high quality. Technically it is KAI's military/law enforcement line but in general represents the very best products KAI is capable of from a production standpoint. ZT is about as solid and bomb proof as it gets.
 
Hey dude. Welcome back. Warriors and Wonders has just moved. They'll be opening up in the Mall on 12th ave and Cambie down the street in a few days. (Althrough I'm sure you're probably aware of that if you've been on the site recently)

Have you considered a Benchmade? What about the Subrosa. That's a beautiful $200 folder
 
I think the ZT0550 definitely meets your criteria.

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I have the 755. It's nice, but it's blocky because it's thick and short. Thick and long would probably be okay.

I just "got back in" also. My previous knife was yrs ago and is a Spyder Caly3 with VG-10. It's kind of outmoded now with all the new steels.

I have a couple new knives. The Para2 is available in many new steels. I have it in 20CP which is a super-steel. Extremely popular knife.

I also bought (received yesterday) an Emerson CQC-7V which is a tanto blade, although Ernie Emerson has lots of other designs. He is most famous for his Wave (rapid opening device) design. Great knives. Many in use by Seal teams, SAS, etc. Benchmade also sold one of his designs under license by him.
http://www.emersonknives.com/
Sonny
 
I decided on the Emerson Gentleman Jim. It’s got a lot of what I want in a knife (except the flat grind) and looks really cool, plus I have put a solid beating on Emersons over the last 15 years and can attest to their strengths. The blade reminded me of my old SOCOM which I really liked which was also a deciding factor. Just called Warriors and Wonders and they put my name on one. I’ll pick it up next week when they re-open at the new location, which is actually walking distance to my place as opposed to a 10 minute car ride like before hahaha... I must resist visiting too many times. I’ll let you all know what I think of it once it’s in my hands, even though I’m sure there are plenty of reviews already.
 
I just got my CQC-7V delivered yesterday. A fine knife IMO.
Your Gent Jim looks like it will carry really nicely also.
Glad you're back...and me too.
Sonny
 
Sonnydaze said:
I just got my CQC-7V delivered yesterday. A fine knife IMO.
Your Gent Jim looks like it will carry really nicely also.
Glad you're back...and me too.
Sonny
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Cheers! I’ll try and stick around a little more in the future. I’m not going to get too deep into the “knife culture” anymore but I do appreciate discussing this stuff. I’ll report back after I get the GJ in my hands.
 
I thought I had it all decided and then started to look further into the 275 Adamas... Holy crap what a deal! I will have to check it out at the shop this week before buying the Emerson. I may have to change my mind lol
 
Check out the width of the handles...0.730" That's rather wide. Some folks go nuts over a big knife.
My 755 MPR is 0.610" and I think that's wide.
My Para2 is about .450" and my Emerson CQC-7V is 0.567". So make sure you like a knife that big before you jump.
I'm not even too happy about my 755 @ 0.610".

Sonny
 
I will check how it feels in the pocket for sure. I don’t want something too too big. I’m not wearing BDUs every day anymore so I have less room in my pockets for stuff like this. The guy that spent the better part of his working life behind the sights of an M-4 wants the biggest, strongest folder I can afford despite the size. The current guy that’s got a much more relaxed lifestyle thinks I would be better served by the Gentleman Jim due to the fact that it’s still got the tactical badass pedigree yet is more refined. That Adamas though looks like it could survive the Zombie Apocalypse on its own. I’ve had too many days to think about this waiting for Warriors to open their doors at the new shop lol. I just need to get in there and put my hands on them.
 
he came back as a vampire and he still needs a knife. i also let my knives rust a little but i'm back after years of zombification.
 
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