First High End Production Folder

PayneTrain said:
Indeed. Screw what brand or what model, they're all great up there. If you have the money to spend, you've got such a wide selection of good decisions that it's really going to come down to what kind of knife you're into. What blade style, what kind of grind, handle shape, all that jazz.

I haven't reached that level of financial security yet, so take what I say with a teaspoon of salt. Currently, my knives top out at a Southard and a Lionsteel SR2 titanium, though I just put in a preorder for the ZT0562CF wihch will be my most expensive purchase by $9.95 (the Southard and SR2 were patiently found on the exchange for damn good deals). I love both those knives and they both constantly hypnotize me in the middle of use, and I have to stop and admire the design and construction. The Southard is as slick as they say and feels great in my pocket and in my hand. The Lionsteel is just a thing of beauty to the eyes, ears, and hands. Plus, I'm Italian so it's automatically superior.

Someday when I have the change to spare, I might like to get a Hinderer as I really dig his designs and I love flippers (hence the 0562), but I can't imagine myself ever wanting a CRK or a Strider. Just not appealing to me which at the end of the day is what really counts. If it's going to be in my pocket, I don't care how well made it is. I have to like it.
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That's kinda my thinking. Only issue is I want to have my cake and eat it too. So, I think I would like the best of both worlds, a well constructed knife that I genuinely enjoy.
 
Bumblingtinkerer said:
Thank you guys so much for all the responses. You guys are friggin fast too!
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Eh, I'm just bored.

But yeah, whatever you pick is going to be super well constructed. I speak for the lower end of this range (price wise) and I'm tellin ya, the Southard is really sweet. If it does get any better, I don't care. You should have one anyway. Mine flips like it's assisted, and I haven't oiled it once. Cuts like a laser too, and I haven't dulled it yet since the P.O. put a real nice mirror edge on it. You can spend a day reading the praises of the Taiwan factory and I gotta say in my experience, the hype is true. Not even just for Spyderco, but even my Taiwan built CRKT's are built way better than their price suggests. They take pride in their work over there.
 
I don't think I would've appreciated my CRK's or Hinderer or Strider as much if I hadn't worked my way up to really see for myself what the differences are. I also kept a few of those "lowly" knives and carry and use them too. I think the journey help makes it fun. Plus I've the experience with a lot of models if someone is seeking advice on one I've had before.
 
uofaengr said:
I don't think I would've appreciated my CRK's or Hinderer or Strider as much if I hadn't worked my way up to really see for myself what the differences are. I also kept a few of those "lowly" knives and carry and use them too. I think the journey help makes it fun. Plus I've the experience with a lot of models if someone is seeking advice on one I've had before.
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That's a good point. I don't want to forget where I came from, dull dime store pocket knives. I think I should do the graduation of different knives until I get to my grail, a XM18. Thanks, Tink
 
I wore out the bushings in a benchmade 44, gave a benchmade Emerson CQC-7 a good ten year run as my only daily carry and wore about 3/8ths of an inch off the end of a numbered first productions run benchmade nimravus before retiring 3 classic and would be collectible knives due to wear and tear. I enjoyed every minute of it, nice to think of having them in nib condition but that is what my microtech's and old cases are for...buy the one you really want and put it to the test.
 
I've got an Emerson CQC-8 and absolutely love it! I Also have a CRK Sebenza 25 and a Strider SMF CC. The strider and CRK are in a class of their own for sure!! Also have a Microtech SOCOM elite and Ultratech both of which are fantastic blades! It all comes down to what you like and how you will use it.
Happy hunting!
 
Bumblingtinkerer said:
That's a good point. I don't want to forget where I came from, dull dime store pocket knives. I think I should do the graduation of different knives until I get to my grail, a XM18. Thanks, Tink
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If the XM-18 is your grail knife, the upcoming ZT 0562CF is worth a look.
 
Agree with a lot of what others have said here. With the knives you have listed, any of them can be considered "reference" knives. Would go with the one that feels best in hand and is a comfortable size and carry weight for you. Also would steer clear of blades with a lot of recurve or are difficult to sharpen...you won't want to ruin your first high end folder while learning to sharpen. If you like the XM18, I would suggest spending less on the production ZT version, which is comparable in every way. I own a 0560 and it is incredible...especially for the price, which makes "stepping up" to high end a bit easier. The Southard is also a great choice at about the same price point, but I personably prefer the ZT in ELMAX. Both have titanium scales which are awesome in hand. Both are also quite large, so make sure you want a Crocadile Dundee knife if you go this route. The Sebenza is a good smaller option. Whatever you do get, I agree with the post above..it will be difficult to carry lesser knives you have accumulated "along the way". The Cold Steel's, Ken Onion whatever's, and other middle tier knives will become bastard stepchildren. Good luck, and have fun!
 
fnzeee said:
Whatever you do get, I agree with the post above..it will be difficult to carry lesser knives you have accumulated "along the way". The Cold Steel's, Ken Onion whatever's, and other middle tier knives will become bastard stepchildren. Good luck, and have fun!
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I'm a little different. Maybe I don't have a large enough collection, or haven't had it for long enough. I've only started buying compulsively maybe a year ago and have some really great knives that I really like for their individual strengths, but I still have a place in my pocket for my 10+ year old CRKT's, Kershaws, and what not. Variety is the spice of life!
 
PayneTrain said:
I'm a little different. Maybe I don't have a large enough collection, or haven't had it for long enough. I've only started buying compulsively maybe a year ago and have some really great knives that I really like for their individual strengths, but I still have a place in my pocket for my 10+ year old CRKT's, Kershaws, and what not. Variety is the spice of life!
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Yup. I still carry my 14c28n Kershaw Leek almost daily. I love that $30 knife :)
 
My collection goes up in price and class, still I find myself pocketing a skyline and a Swiss Army knife more often than I "should". Because I love the utility of knives as much as I love the art and design of them. Sometimes I have to pound on a knife, sometimes I just feel like "slumming" it. Much the same way I usually wear a more expensive timepiece when I'm in shorts and an old T-shirt and a cheap vintage Tissot when I have to wear a suit. Contrast is fun, at least for me.

In the words of the great warrior poet Notorious BIG: "Mo' money, mo' problems."
 
Well guys, it happened. I got my first High end folder on order. It'll be here in three to five days. I hope I'll like my new Southard! Thanks for all the recommendations!! Tink
 
Well guys, it happened. I got my first High end folder on order. It'll be here in three to five days. I hope I'll like my new Southard! Thanks for all the recommendations!! Tink
 
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