Favorite folder to play with?

H

Haggard616

Joined
Sep 15, 2014
Messages
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I'm looking to buy a new knife. I want one that is fun to flip. I find myself finger flicking my PM2 open at least a hundred times a day while I'm watching tv or daydreaming. It's become my new OCD.
I want to spare my PM2 the abuse and get another knife that's a joy to flip. I don't care if it's thumbstud, spydie hole, has a flipper.. Etc.
just tell me what knife you can't seem to stop flipping.. And hopefully one that can take such constant abuse.
I'm really eyeballing an XM18 3" maybe Wharncliff.. Blue scales.. Drool. Bet she flips real nice..
I'm a complete NOOB, only owning a startac and pm2. Those two knives are the ONLY folders I have held. No joke. I want to stay under $500. I think I would only spend $500 on the Hinderer at this time.
 
Oh yea..
I have smallish-medium hands, and don't want to go larger than the PM2s size.
I don't need big blades, looking more for comfortable ergos, and good pocket fit.
 
Don't need to spend big bucks for a knife you're just gonna flip all day. I like the way the CRKT Ripple flips. The Kershaw Skyline is a good option if you wanna work on getting good at flipping it since it requires a certain technique. Benchmades with axis locks are really fun too. A 550HG Griptilian would be fun since it has the opening hole and axis lock.
 
Axis locks are fun to play with... But the ultimate play with knife to me is a balisong... If that isn't your thing go find a used hinderer as it sounds like that is what you want.
 
Balisongs are awesomeness to flip around if legal in your area.
They arent in mine, and so far am addicted to flipping my Kershaw Chill that cost about $20. Its a slim and thin knife that should work well for small hands. My hands are giant and it kinda disappears so YMMV.
 
Opening hole AND axis lock.. I'll have to check that one out. I have been curious of those axis locks.. I heard they typically develop blade play though..? Probably just B.S. Hearsay...
I didn't think of Benchmade.. I'll definitely look at it. I'm guessing its decent steel too?
I do have my heart set on the XM18, but I'm being very specific on the one I want because it is a big $$ purchase. I only want a blue scale, 3", Wharncliff blade with flipper. If I can find that around $500, I'm buying it. Obviously I could end up waiting a while, so a $100 knife could be the ticket to tide me over.
How do those Benchmade Griptillians resell? I may want to hock it if/when I find my XM.
 
Umm.. This may be blasphemy, so let me apologize to those who inevitably will be offended up front..
Has anyone handled one of those Kevin John Hinderer *style* knives? That could be a cheap substitute for me to play with while I wait for my unicorn..
If I'm outta line here, just say so politely please..
 
I like the axis and the compression lock a lot and I think they are fun but nothing beats a smooth flipper . ZT 801 and the 560 so smooth . My wife and kids constantly tell me to stop with the flipping of the knife .
 
Believe it or not my favorite play/flipping knife is the Kershaw RAM. Takes a little getting used to but its a flipping machine. Next would be the new ZT0562 its kick ass and last but not least my Norseman .
 
Of all the knives I've owned the PM2 is the most fun to play with. Why not get a second PM2 in a different variation than what you own?

As far as the Griptilian goes, yes the axis lock is fun, but the knife is over priced. Plastic scales and 154CM for $100+? IMO the Grip/Mini Grip offers nothing over the Spyderco Endura/Delica in terms of materials and should be priced similarly. Don't get me wrong, the Grip is a good knife, I own a mini (with custom G10 scales tho), but I think there are better options out there if you like the concept of the axis lock.

For $85 you could get a Spyderco Manix 2 with S30V and G10. It has Spyderco's ball bearing lock which, while mechanically different than the axis lock, is functionally the same.

For a little more coin there is the Spyderco Sage 3 with the bolt action lock and CF/S30V. The bolt action lock is again, functionally the same as the axis lock.

IMO I think both the Manix 2 and Sage 3 offer more for the money than the Grip. But I am pretty biased when it comes to the Spyder vs the Butterfly. :) Just some food for thought.
 
Sage 1 is a super nice flicker. I also have a hinderer XM 3.5 that is a ton of fun to flick or flip all day long. I've never worried about wear and tear either. The hinderer is still smooth and solid even after flipping and flicking and also using the crap out of it.
 
The_Knife_Man said:
Why not get another PM2? Maybe different handle or blade color?
Click to expand...

I get what you guys are saying about just getting another PM2. I would like a gray M390 or Elmax one day.
I'm totally new to knives though, so I want to branch out and buy/try different styles with my available funds now. I can always go back and buy another PM2 when the time comes.. And I'm sure I will. I really wish they had a ZDP-189 PM2.
Zero Tolerance is similar to the Hinderer in terms of what features I'm looking to try.
I know I prefer frame lock, and I want to try a "beefier" knife with the flipper coming out of the spine.. I don't know the technical name for it..
Someone build me a PM2 in ZDP, with frame lock and a flipper lol.
I know the older militaries are frame lock, but I don't want to go any longer than a PM2. The PM2 is my length limit. I actually wish it were a half inch shorter in the handle.
 
I don't recomm the Hinderers for a knife to play with. They are notoriously difficult to flip, especially to someone newer to the hobby, though they are great knives in almost every other respect.
This is way above your price range, but my favorite knife to play with is my Shirogorov Mod95 T...of course unless you're willing to drop at least $800, you're unlikely to ever get one of those.
On the lower end of things, the ZT 0801 and 0562 have the best flipper actions of thier price range imo. For thumb studs...well. There are honestly a lot of options, and it often comes down to preferance more on those. For me, it's a Diskin fire on the more expensive side (~$500) and a Wilson combat ELC on the lower side (though I dontt have my ELC anymore).
There are tons of options, and lots of different styles, but from what you're describing the hinderer will be extremely hit or miss, and the money they demand makes it rough when you don't like the action for your style. I love all kinds of opening methods, and in terms of flippers, I've owned several, including a Hinderer, which I just recently sold to fund my 3rd Shirogorov, if that gives you an idea.
 
Haggard616 said:
I get what you guys are saying about just getting another PM2. I would like a gray M390 or Elmax one day.
I'm totally new to knives though, so I want to branch out and buy/try different styles with my available funds now. I can always go back and buy another PM2 when the time comes.. And I'm sure I will. I really wish they had a ZDP-189 PM2.
Zero Tolerance is similar to the Hinderer in terms of what features I'm looking to try.
I know I prefer frame lock, and I want to try a "beefier" knife with the flipper coming out of the spine.. I don't know the technical name for it..
Someone build me a PM2 in ZDP, with frame lock and a flipper lol.
I know the older militaries are frame lock, but I don't want to go any longer than a PM2. The PM2 is my length limit. I actually wish it were a half inch shorter in the handle.
Click to expand...


Also, besides the ZDP, you seem to be basically looking for a Spyderco Domino, right?
You should look at them if you haven't. Not insanely beefy, but excelent for EDC, good flipper, and a good steel in a compact package, within your budget range.
 
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