Crusader Forge Blade Shape On A Knife I Can Actually Afford??? (Not A Schrade!)

Ares1307

Ares1307

Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
545
As the title hints, I am deeply in love with the blade design of the Crusader Forge Vis 01, but the prices are unrealistic for me. So I am reduced to trying to find a quality knife that has a relatively similar blade shape, but I can't find anything close. I have been searching for about two weeks straight, spending hours at a time looking at picture of different knives online and now I feel like I could look right past my dream knife if I see it because I've been at it too long. So now I know I need help, I know there is a knife out there that will satisfy me, but I don't think I'll find it on my own. I know I won't find a quality knife that is exactly like the Vis, because most respectable makers wouldn't rip off CF like that, I just want something close to the same blade shape.

I do have a few requirements:

Good blade steel
3.5 - 4 inch-ish blade length
Under $300 (or just over) would be ideal... BUT $400 might be due able.
And something that isn't extremely hard to acquire (like the AG Russell Acies 1)
Tip up right and left hand carry preferred but not a deal breaker if its really close

Thank you for reading this and trying to help me...
 
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There is no hope....:(

How about anything with remotely close to the same blade shape??? o_O
 
Grayman Dua might fit the bill, if you can find a Grayman Satu, that might be a better fit for size, but upwards of the $300 limit.
 
Thanks for the reply. I do like the Satu, I just wish it wasn't a recurve. The Dua is a bit tiny for me. I am starting to think I might have to extend that limit to $400. I really like the Medford TFF 1, but I don't know what they cost used... new its $550.
 
Ares1307 said:
Thanks for the reply. I do like the Satu, I just wish it wasn't a recurve. The Dua is a bit tiny for me. I am starting to think I might have to extend that limit to $400. I really like the Medford TFF 1, but I don't know what they cost used... new its $550.
Click to expand...

Not much less for used.....my company distributes Medford knives, and they are very, very scarce....their output is quite small.....and the demand is extremely high.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Ares1307 said:
Thanks for the reply. I do like the Satu, I just wish it wasn't a recurve. The Dua is a bit tiny for me. I am starting to think I might have to extend that limit to $400. I really like the Medford TFF 1, but I don't know what they cost used... new its $550.
Click to expand...
That recurve on the Satu isn't necessarily a bad thing. Recurve knives on fixed and folders (when done well) provide some better cutting power and are no more difficult to sharpen. I left the same way about recurves years ago, but then one day I had no choice but to use one while working on a cabling project for a doctors office being built. I was happy as can be with the performance and never looked back in doubt again. Give it a try, you might be surprised.
 
Thanks for the heads up. I really like the shape of the blade too. It has the deep round belly with the tip of the blade sweeping up, without being an upswept blade.. if that even makes sense... o_O The TFF 1 and Viper Start are the only blades so far that have the blade style I'm after. I just don't know much about the Viper, it doesn't look very functional from the vids I've seen, smooth/useless jimping and a not a very grippy looking handle. And I haven't carried a lockback since my first knife (an old Buck 110). Any other suggestions?
 
Thanks RevDevil! I do love my ZT303.. and never had any issues with sharpening, and its a damn good knife. The Satu reminds me a lot of my 303, but with the sharp tip that I wish the 303 had. I might have to give them a look and some serious thought. I do love the look, and they keep popping up every time someone asks about good hard use folders.
 
Also the DPX Hest folder has a blade that I love, but also a tiny knife... I saw that they're coming out with the HEFT Folder, but I can't find any good pictures to see the blade shape without it being turned to the side a little. From the pictures it reminds me of the BM Adamas.
 
Ah, I see you've been familiarized with the recurve. That's a good thing, I really like the way the CPM-Blur cute. It's a great knife. While I don't own one yet, the Grayman has a really good reputation behind it. I've heard that they are very willing to stand behind their product and the owners are very nice folks and easy to work with to boot.

I have no experience with the newer DPx knives, I have a couple of the original HEST fixed knives back when rowen was making them. I cannot say I am disappointed with them. They are a great size and easy to carry on whatever gear, bag, or pocket you have.

As STeven mentioned in his post above, Medford knives have a strong following and command some pretty high prices. Unfortunately for me, a little too high and a little too heavy/blocky for my likes. It's always fun to have some funds to shop for a new piece.
 
Recurves are what first drew me to this forum.. Hunting down Speed Bumps, 350s, 200s, and my 303. :D I've recently started to buy non recurves, which is a nice change but I like to find with deep bellies, after owning nothing but recurves I'm used to that nice deep belly. I have to admit, the HEST would be in my pocket right now if it was just a tad bigger. It has a PERFECT shape, too bad I can't find anything that looks similar with the same shape. Every time I try to talk myself into one I see pictures of it next to knives that are more my size and its just tiny. I am on preorder for a ZT 562, I'm hoping that when I receive it that I'll fall in love with it.
 
Heres a pic of the HEFT fixed blade. it should be VERY close to the folder. Considering how close the HEST fixed & folder are.

dpx-gear--hest-4-milspec.jpg
 
Ares1307 said:
Recurves are what first drew me to this forum.. Hunting down Speed Bumps, 350s, 200s, and my 303. :D I've recently started to buy non recurves, which is a nice change but I like to find with deep bellies, after owning nothing but recurves I'm used to that nice deep belly. I have to admit, the HEST would be in my pocket right now if it was just a tad bigger. It has a PERFECT shape, too bad I can't find anything that looks similar with the same shape. Every time I try to talk myself into one I see pictures of it next to knives that are more my size and its just tiny. I am on preorder for a ZT 562, I'm hoping that when I receive it that I'll fall in love with it.
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I love the old Boa, Baby Boa, and Speed Bumps. You have great taste in odd and aweome knives. :thumbup:
 
I know it isn't exactly what you are looking for but it fits you price and dimensions.
How about a .......
ZT 0300
 
I would reco the Triple Aught Design (TAD) Dauntless model 3. I had one and sold it, as the choil was too large for my liking. But I think it's one of the finest folders you can find...3.5" blade. It's a great knife.
Sells new for $300 in G10 or $400 for titanium slabs. These things are marked up a lot by owners who are reselling so be careful.
sonnydaze
They are NEVER in stock and sell out within one day when they do have some. Sign up for the TAD monthly email and once or twice a year you can get a chance to buy one. I love these darned things, but didn't like the choil. Everything else is First Class.
sonnydaze
 
I can say with certainty that the satu's recurve performs better than the ZT 300. IMHO
I have worked with both. if you got a satu you'd be very happy with it.
You might want to look at the Ontario XM-1 you get a lot for what you pay for with that one also
 
Thanks for the suggestions everybody!

thebrain: I already own a 303, same as the 300 but with a tiger striped blade.

Lycosa: I've been looking at the SMF so far, I like it but I've heard that Striders have poor edge geometry but have never had the opportunity to see one in person.. Do you have experience with any?

Sonny: I love the Dauntless designs, I didn't know they were in my price range. I will have to keep an eye out for these bad boys!

CharlesIV: Thanks for the info on the Satu, I am thinking hard on this knife. That XM-1 is very nice, that's one that wasn't on my radar. Thanks!

Anybody have opinions on the Lionsteel SR1 or Spydie Lionspy?
 
Ares1307 said:
Lycosa: I've been looking at the SMF so far, I like it but I've heard that Striders have poor edge geometry but have never had the opportunity to see one in person.. Do you have experience with any?
Click to expand...

He sure has! LOL I can tell you that they are thick but you can reprofile them (as I do and many do to) to slice toilet paper with easy ;-)
Solid blade
 
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