EDC super steel knife

[TigFur]

Hi,
I've been pretty happy with my Lionsteel M4, but people do notice it around the office so i had to go back to my CRKT Minimalist.

I decided to regrind the Minimalist to a slightly convexed very steep scandi grind and ever since it performs amazingly (equally to the lionsteel in all wood carving applications i tried).

I really love the handle and how comfortable it is, but the steel really isnt too great.

Is there maybe some knife similar to the minimalist but in some high end steel? Like K390 or M390 or whatever is the best for a small blade that wont be doing any batoning.
Edge retention and sharpness are the key here, but if they were near to equally performing i would rather have a stainless. I would choose the K390 over M390 anytime though just for the performace alone.

I have seen the bradford guardian 3 and the lionsteel M1, both could be used but are too big for what i need.

Everything i mentioned so far are fixed knives, i do prefer those. They are often cheaper than folders and i just trust fixed knives a lot more. They are more comfortable too (no hole in the handle).
I have seen some tiny M390 chinese folders on ebay, those look cool and maybe would work... but they have no lock.

 

[Cereal_killer]

I really don't think the G3 would be to big, it's a tiny knife...

 

[gazz98]

Budget?

Nothing comes to mind with that same finger groove profile of the minimalist.

Hogue EX F03? 154 cm is good steel.

You can always try to get a custom knife made in the steel of your choice from a maker here on the forum too.

 

[Pomsbz]

Are you sure you need a lock?

 

[joeldworkin307]

Buy a custom Alan Folts Minimalist. He's the designer of the CRKT. He mostly does his knives in CPM154, but a custom maker with a superior heat treat on an already high performing steel and you'll never functionally see a difference between it and the highest performing super steel.

That said, I carry a Spyderco Urban in K390. It was 60 bucks new, blade is just over 2.5 in, and it performs amazingly. Best bang for your buck I've ever found in a production knife.

 

[QAJAQ]

Take a look at the Enzo Birk Necker.

 

[TigFur]

You can always try to get a custom knife made in the steel of your choice from a maker here on the forum too

Buy a custom Alan Folts Minimalist. He's the designer of the CRKT

Yeah i was thinking about that, having the same design wuth just a superior steel would be great. But if i were to do it, i would want to have the best materials ican get just to put my mind at ease. If the price is right it would be cool with CPM154 too i guess. Still much better than the original.

Are you sure you need a lock?

For my primary EDC blade? Definately. That said, they could be a nice secondary, havent really found a design i like though.

That said, I carry a Spyderco Urban in K390. It was 60 bucks new, blade is just over 2.5 in, and it performs amazingly. Best bang for your buck I've ever found in a production knife.

WOW what a deal! I'd go for that right away, would be a great chance to try the steel out.
I looked it up and it costs about 115$ here and is not availible right now.

I really don't think the G3 would be to big, it's a tiny knife...

Yes it is. But it is still a 3 inches large blade and the minimalist is under 2, plus the minimalist handle looks shorter. I have considered this knife when deciding between it and the Lionsteel M4, i even made paper models to check how it fits my hand. It is too big to hide as easily as the Minimalist.

Hogue EX F03? 154 cm is good steel.

Thanks for the suggestion... A recurve.. a hollow grind.. over 200$.. i pass Looks cool though, i have friends who are into that style, not me though.

Take a look at the Enzo Birk Necker.

Oh and this is the exact opposite style... I dont know anything about the sandvik 12C27 steel. The design is very plain and the blade is too big. It is a nice knife though. Reminds me of a simple mora

 

[TigFur]

Looked it up, beautiful! For people who don't like locks like my parents and are used to swiss army knives, this is the perfect thing.
Edit: So it seems that the Lionsteel Roundhead is a Collector Knives special and is not as wide spread availible as i hoped from a lionsteel folder. Thats a pity, it would have made a solid present.

 

[Groundhogsniper]

Have you checked out the Benchmade Valet?
I've been carrying mine on the weekends for over a year and love it.
Carry a mini grip through the week.

 

[TigFur]

Have you checked out the Benchmade Valet?
I've been carrying mine on the weekends for over a year and love it.
Carry a mini grip through the week.

Checked it out. Im personally not into those popular folders like benchmade or spyderco. I just dont like them in my hands and i find them almost always overpriced. My friends love them but i find them umcomfortable. A deal like k390 for 60$ i would grab. Over 100$? Not so much... I would prefer a fixed there. Im a perfectionist and i know i would keep tinkering with a folder and there is always some blade play to bug me, even if one can barely feel it.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Checked it out. Im personally not into those popular folders like benchmade or spyderco. I just dont like them in my hands and i find them almost always overpriced. My friends love them but i find them umcomfortable. A deal like k390 for 60$ i would grab. Over 100$? Not so much... I would prefer a fixed there. Im a perfectionist and i know i would keep tinkering with a folder and there is always some blade play to bug me, even if one can barely feel it.

If you're after a fixed blade why not go custom? The price gap between production models and customs isn't as wide in fixies as it is with folders. Often times you can even get one made to your exact specs for the same price as a comparable production model.

 

[Velitrius]

White River Knucklehead would give you some big bang for the buck. $65-ish IIRC.

Me, I'd go custom. A small fixed blade won't break the bank, and you get it just like you want it.

 

[TigFur]

i like the idea, i have no experience with customs on the paying side though. I made a few knives myself one of them even being a larger full metal handle Minimalist. I dont have access to the tools though.

65$ sounds nice, if the steel and heat treat are right, that would be a steal.

So i guess i should check out some pros and see if their eye for detail at least equals mind while not trying to rob me?

Customs and taxes are a pain though, made in europe would be the best, but i cant imagine anyone creating a high end knife for 65$ Not even myself. The materials alone would cost me much more. Plus it needs a small kydex sheath.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

The Real Steel mini line is about as good as you're going to get I think. They're inexpensive, come with a kydex sheath and are made if D2 which outperforms many higher end steels. A quick search showed them available from European retailers as well.

i like the idea, i have no experience with customs on the paying side though. I made a few knives myself one of them even being a larger full metal handle Minimalist. I dont have access to the tools though.

65$ sounds nice, if the steel and heat treat are right, that would be a steal.

So i guess i should check out some pros and see if their eye for detail at least equals mind while not trying to rob me?

Customs and taxes are a pain though, made in europe would be the best, but i cant imagine anyone creating a high end knife for 65$ Not even myself. The materials alone would cost me much more. Plus it needs a small kydex sheath.