Pm2’s have just recently gone from $99 to $105 on the exchange. No wiggle room on budget?
I'm fortunate enough to have a good job, and good spending habits. Because of this, the budget is completely artificially imposed. I'm sure I could make a higher price work for the budget, but so far I've never spent more than $65 on any knife I own, and so even saying the budget at $100 feels pretty out there (turns out, the reason I have savings, is because I'm reluctant to spend, so while that means I have cash to spend, it means I'm... reluctant to spend it :/).
However, if there is a knife that is like AMAZING and everything I ever wanted, and made me lunch, and got the mail every day/etc and it was $101, I would probably do it.
That was my first thought. The Delica/Stretch/Endura/etc as well.
The Kershaw carbon fiber Leek also comes to mine. I love mine, although I carry it tip-up with a 3rd party deep carry clip. The lightly textured carbon fiber feels good adnd looks great. CMP-154 is a fantastic steel and hard to beat for the price point. For about $80 you can also get the Kershaw Dividend in M390.
I actually discovered the Kershaw Dividend in M390 last night. I had no idea it was a thing, and was actually the reason I created this thread, as I realized there could be tons of other things out there that I might like that I just wasn't aware of.
Are the Dividends able to be de-assisted? I've got an old Kershaw Blackout with the assist, and its nice, but not sure I want that on a knife I may be taking to work.
I also see the Knockout, and skyline as the other most likely options from Kershaw. Any idea how the dividend compares to either/both of those?
New under $100 is tough. The nicer knives are over $100 and the cheaper knives are well under $100, there isn't much in the middle there.
Used is more possible. I remember not too long ago trying to sell a used PM2 in good condition for $85 and got no takers. One of my favorite non-Spydercos is the Benchmade 913 Stryker. I tried to sell a couple of used ones for under $100 and couldn't get any takers. I would advise looking for a used PM2 and keep looking until you find one in your budget, or increase you budget a bit.
Yeah, I've been noticing this a lot lately. Budget knives tend to be $20-40, and then after that you get really quickly into the low to mid $100's. There isn't really tons in the $40-80 range, which is honestly where I'd rather be.
And, I must not look at the exchange at the right times. Every time I go there I check the last 3 pages, and everything is WAAAAAY out of my budget usually, and everything is LNIB/BNIB. I've historically not been attracted to spyderco, but at $85, I might give the PM2 a try, even though the ergos look all wonky to me.
Don't laugh... although I have much more expensive and sleek looking knives, my favorite tip down pocket clip knife in that size range is actually the LM Crater C33TX and C33T (I have both). I only wish the flathead was a tad smaller and included a can opener. I did sand the handle countours to better fit my hand though. I haven't picked up the knife only version, as I prefer thicker handled knives. The blade material isn't a modern supersteel, but it's done everything I've asked of it very well!
Edit: Props to my Esee Zancudo (again, I prefer thicker handles than available on that). I like it more than my Rat 2, but some prefer the latter. Both of those have tip down options and fit your criteria.
I've also been looking at the Boker Tech-tool, as the idea of a knife with tools, and a clip, and wasn't huge is appealing to me. I've never heard of these, thanks
.
Although, I wish the blades were a bit better than 420HC. I'm not a steel snob usually, but I typically try to go beyond the really low end stuff (3cr, 5cr,7cr, etc).
As I just mentioned in another thread the Buck Vantage in micarta and 20cv is just under $100 and a dang fine choice.
It took me a while to find the knife you're talking about, and I do really like the looks. Can it be configured to tip down?
That is a nice knife.
Another knife that fits your criteria is the Delica with zdp steel.
I didn't realize that the ZDP version sqeaks into the budget. Now, I said before I've always been reluctant to try spyderco, their ergos look forced to me, and they all look like they'd be really wide in pocket (over a flipper or thumb stud knife). That makes me worry, as with RR pocket carry, wide knives get sat on, while slimmer knives get pushed to the side, and I don't notice them.
Have you ever RRP carried a spyderco like that? Also, is the ZDP version worth the extra $$ over a standard version?
Lionsteel Big Opera. They're all tip down only. Lovely knives.
I've never heard of this one either. I know lionsteel (if only by name), but always associated them with more of a gents folder (like many Mucustas).
Do only the "USA" versions come with clips? As some of the wooden handled ones look pretty slick as well.
Thanks for the help everyone, I've already found out about a lot of folders I never had really considered/or even knew existed.
