Fantoni S125V or...?

Noctis3880

Noctis3880

Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
11,409
Okay, so I've been feeling a bit itchy, and I was looking around for my next greatest purchase.

I've built up an obsession with "super steels" and I currently have:
-S110V
-ZDP-189
-CTS-XHP
-Dozier D2
-H1(okay, maybe not that "super", but certainly exotic)

I recently missed an opportunity to get ahold of a Spyderco Military in S90V with Carbon Fiber handles.

I have my eyes on the Fantoni S125V folder, which sounds like something I might be able to get into. However, I have this thing against coated blades since I always manage to strip the coating off. Though I could probably just buff that right off beforehand. One review made a mention about the substandard QC and FF of the knife(but since it's knifenut, the standards might be unreasonably high there). Only downside I could foresee was the same old G10 handles, as I kind of wanted something a little more exotic.

Still, I'm starting to question my choice. I sharpen my knives daily, and I have this "thing" for razor sharp edges that whittle hair. My ZDP-189 Endura ought to do nicely in that regard, but I'm kind of itching for a better handle to match the blade, plus I'm not a big fan of the back lock. Also not too crazy about the fat leaf blade of the Manix 2 and Caly 3.

For some reason I can't help but look at the Sebenza as an alternative. I've never really been picky about ergonomics or fit and finish, but I can't really tolerate the "cheap" materials of the Endura when the blade kicks so much ass. However, the S30V blade of the Sebenza just doesn't quite seem to match the rest of the knife in top notch materials.

There's no real practical reason to get another knife really, I EDC my Super Karambit, my Dozier Buffalo River Hunter, and a third knife(either SpyderHawk H-1 or Manix 2 CTS-XHP) everyday, and it's not like I failed to get through the day with them. My Manix 2 is sitting in the #1 spot. My disliking the leaf blade is just a personal thing, as the shape actually seems to help with cutting quite a bit.

So I'm just wondering if I don't already have what I'm looking for, and if I should just work out my knife OCD in the corner.
 
Its a nice knife and yes my standards are very high, the price was my major issue with the blade. Can't really be helped though because of the limited production.

The steel itself was not what I call ideal for edc, its extreme wear resistance would be ideal for maching applications but on a knife I feel there are "better" steels. 125 will cut forever it seems but looses sharpness quickly, the edge doesn't deform like say VG10 would but wears too a smooth roughness. if that makes sense...

If your looking for a pure performance steel look at M4 and Elmax. S90V if you can find it ;)
 
knifenut1013 said:
Its a nice knife and yes my standards are very high, the price was my major issue with the blade. Can't really be helped though because of the limited production.

The steel itself was not what I call ideal for edc, its extreme wear resistance would be ideal for maching applications but on a knife I feel there are "better" steels. 125 will cut forever it seems but looses sharpness quickly, the edge doesn't deform like say VG10 would but wears too a smooth roughness. if that makes sense...

If your looking for a pure performance steel look at M4 and Elmax. S90V if you can find it ;)
Click to expand...
I've been split between a Spyderco Gayle Bradley and the Zero Tolerance 0350CB Elmax now that you mention it. I'm still on the lookout for any Spyderco's in S90V, but I'm not entirely sure I really want it anymore.

Besides being near impossible to find, I feel the only new thing the steel would introduce is the "chainsaw" effect, and I tend to favor push cutting over slicing. I like the way the carbon fiber handles look, and on that point I find myself drawn to the Gayle Bradley.

The M4 sounds like the polar opposite of ZDP-189, with maybe edge rolling and abrasion causing edge degradation rather than chipping.

Still, I can't seem to help but be drawn to the beefy design on the ZT 0350CB. The flipper is a "cool factor" that gets old yes. But the fat G10 handles is one thing I liked about my Manix 2. The "fat" leaf blade of the Manix 2 seems to grate at me, but the same "fat" blade on the ZT with a recurve agrees with me. Ergonomics points me over to the ZT.

However, I've recently been getting into polishing my knives to a mirror finish with my new buffing compounds, and I feel like that wouldn't work well with the ZT composite blade, especially with those thumb studs in the way. Though it sounds like a great idea with the Gayle Bradley since the mirror finish will help with corrosion resistance.

Still, I think the deciding factor is how "super" is Elmax compared to that old M4?
 
I have the fantoni s125v folder. It didn't hold an edge well, chipped on 12 ply cardboard multiple times, and the lock fails easily. I regret buying it, at a premium.
 
The Fantoni HB01 is a great tough Bill Harsey design folder. I have it and the HB02 (3" blade) in S30V and G-10.

However, there's a HB01 in M390 and Carbon Fiber for $325 which is $150 less than HB01 S125 with G-10. Fantoni makes the best titanium liner locks in the business. No lock stick from day one and the lock doesn't budge.
 
I really like M4, K390, Maxamet, M390. All of those get very sharp and hold a great edge!! Pretty much all of them are easy to sharpen too.
 
Noctis3880 said:
I've built up an obsession with "super steels" and I currently have:
-S110V
-ZDP-189
Click to expand...

These are the ones that would be considered "super steels".

S125V can be very good if done properly. If you can afford it look for a custom by Big Chris.
Another "super steel" you can find right now is Maxamet in a couple of Spyderco models.
 
just to complicate things: you could also get aftermarket scales for your Endura
I have the early "Beretta" version of the HB01 and love it, but in S30v
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top