Recommendation? Favorite sub $200 knife

ktataragasi said:
I decided to group all of the Pm2 votes together.

How is the overall size of the knife compared to what I have listed? I imagine it will be one of the larger knives which I don't really mind. Plus I've heard that if you use the choil it feels like a smaller knife. I can never seem to make my mind up about a first Spyderco but the pm2 may be it. I may have found a Maxemt one also.
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Close in specs to the Bug Out and Bare Knuckle but it's going to handle differently due to, IMO, a much more ergonomic shape.
In other words, I couldn't imagine a PM2 being anymore troublesome to carry than a Bug Out.
The PM2 is what I consider a medium-sized, light-weight pocket folder. I happily carry mine in board shorts all the time.
The PM2 has size when you need it, but the extra "horsepower" doesn't get in the way.

If you use the finger choil or even just simply choke up on the blade with your pointer-finger down the length of the spine,
the PM2 seems to slice in a very wharncliffe type manner IMO, and it's something I really enjoy about mine.
I have a partially serrated PM2 in 52100 ball-bearing and it has just the right ratio of serrations to plain edge.
This ratio is way off on a lot of compact folders and, I think, one of the main reasons partially serrated edges get such a bad wrap around here.
 
Another contender - well within budget. Cold Steel Code 4.

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PM2 is just more useful in my opinion when comparing it to the 3, because one of if not the only discernible difference is the size of the knife, why limit yourself to only 3 inches when the other half can make all the difference in the world?
3.5 is good for a EDC/tac folder. if you want to really get turnt up then find something with a 4 inch blade
 
Well, depending on your definition of 'traditional', I'd recommend a Lionsteel Warhorse - i just got mine last week and love it. This is my EDC, and seems likely to be so for a long time. It's the perfect blend of classic and modern style, and a ridiculously good slicer.

But if that's too traditional for you, I love my Benchmade 556-1 Mini Grip with 20CV and G-10. I took the clip off, and, if I must have one-hand opening and a lock, it's now the perfect knife for me. I know that's not a popular choice on this forum, but this has fantastic ergonomics, solid and easy lockup, a very well designed blade, and stays sharp a long time.

Ultimately, you have to figure out what you value in a knife, and buy that. It's fun to read the suggestions, but in the end it's your knife, not ours.

Good luck! Please show off whatever you end up getting!

-Tyson
 
ktataragasi said:
I decided to group all of the Pm2 votes together.

How is the overall size of the knife compared to what I have listed? I imagine it will be one of the larger knives which I don't really mind. Plus I've heard that if you use the choil it feels like a smaller knife. I can never seem to make my mind up about a first Spyderco but the pm2 may be it. I may have found a Maxemt one also.
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I don't have a Guru anymore, but I carry the the Bugout and Bareknuckle a lot. Here are some comparison pics... The PM2 carries light and easy for what it is, but it's definitely way more robust than the other two.

LwZYeJh.jpg

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J0JBR6A.jpg
 
ktataragasi said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I've heard and seen many great things about this knife.
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I’m just going to throw this out there. I love my PM2. I love my Gayle Bradley. I love my Manix 2. Put aside all sentimental attachment I have to my PM2 (it was a gift), I would take the Ritter/Hogue over every knife I own. It’s fit an finish is amazing. Great steel. No lock play (every Benchmade I have owned has had play and that’s including the Super Freek), and incredible ergonomics.
 
Well, I am definitely a Buck fan. For less than $200, you could get a Buck 110 Slim Pro with a 3.75" blade, and a 112 Slim Pro with a 3" blade. S30V, thumb studs, and micarta sides. (G10 is also available) You could also substitute a Vantage Pro 3.25" blade, for one of the others, same steel, G10 and flipper tab. In any case good luck with the search, and let us know what you decide on :thumbsup:

YWhIFmT.jpg
 
Buck 722 spitfire is a nice little knife for under $100 in s30v. They also did limited runs in s35v & s90v if you can find one.

Lionsteel sr2 was a great little knife. One of the only ones I wish I never sold, may pick up an sr1 in the near future?

There's also the Doug Ritter RSK made by Hogue, basically a better quality built and improved version of a Benchmade Griptillian. Exclusively to Knifeworks, but proceeds do help Doug continue to fight the good fight through "Knife Rights".
The Hogue Deka is a nice option too...

I also really like my Viper Ten, though a flipper on bearings only, so no thumb opening, but snaps open nicely. Often consider buying a 2nd in a different color, but the Lionsteel ROK and MKM Arvenis also have my attention with similar "flipper only" designs.

Benchmade 531 as well is a real thin lightweight slicer.

Not necessarily "unique" blade steels, but all well done.
 
Well everyone I have to say I am more unsure than ever. Below are some possible knives I am considering. Input is appreciated.

  • Para 3 Maxemet g10/Pm2 really can't narrow it down....
  • Spyderco Smock
  • Buck Marksman
  • TRM Atom
  • ???
Also as a curve ball I can get a Wells blade works knife with M2, micarta scales with brass liners with a thumb hole and front flipper...

I am both blessed and cursed with the number of choices available.
 
Some great choices. Looking at your collection I agree that a Spyderco would be a nice addition, and you can't really go wrong with whichever one sings to you. I'm partial to the Manix myself.

EffxSGJ.jpg
 
I know this past was stated a while ago but I just wanted to update you all since you contributed.

I decided on a Para 3 in Maxamet:

6kc2tjM.jpg


This is my first Spyderco and it will take some getting used to but so far I like it. It is a bit different in person than I ever really thought from everything online but I think I made the right call on getting the Para 3 over the others I was thinking. There ergos seem nice and the blade actually shaved easily out of the box. I do foresee a new pocket clip though.

Thank you all for the input.
 
ktataragasi said:
I know this past was stated a while ago but I just wanted to update you all since you contributed.

I decided on a Para 3 in Maxamet:

6kc2tjM.jpg


This is my first Spyderco and it will take some getting used to but so far I like it. It is a bit different in person than I ever really thought from everything online but I think I made the right call on getting the Para 3 over the others I was thinking. There ergos seem nice and the blade actually shaved easily out of the box. I do foresee a new pocket clip though.

Thank you all for the input.
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Awesome pick! Maxamet is a behemoth of a steel, and the Para's are fantastic.

I'd recommend MXG Gear's clip that is made specifically for the Para 3. I tossed one on my Manix 2 XL because it suffers from the same lanyard tube placement problem as the G10 Para 3's. This particular MXG Gear clip is deeper than any Spyderco clip I can find.
20200819_082205~2_resize_69.jpg
 
Eversion said:
Awesome pick! Maxamet is a behemoth of a steel, and the Para's are fantastic.

I'd recommend MXG Gear's clip that is made specifically for the Para 3. I tossed one on my Manix 2 XL because it suffers from the same lanyard tube placement problem as the G10 Para 3's. This particular MXG Gear clip is deeper than any Spyderco clip I can find.
View attachment 1425068
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Thank you for the suggestion!
 
I also recommend Ritter Hogue full size because its blade profile is great and the knife is better priced than its benchmade counterpart (20cv g10 full size grip). But I also want to point out that based on my experience the quality and f&f are on par between the two models (and both are good).

Of course Spyderco PM2 is always a safe buy. You won't be disappointed.
 
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