First higher end knife?

CryoGuy5272

CryoGuy5272

Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Messages
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So until now I have only been able to afford sub $50 dollar knives, done a lot of research but lots of it seems to be overwhelming when I have no experience with various brands. So here's what I want hoping y'all can lend some opinions-
$100-$150
frame or liner lock
can be assisted
preferably pillar construction

Any experience you could lend would be awesome as well
 
There are several USA-made Kershaw's in that price range that fit your criteria.
Also several Spyderco's, but I think mostly non-AO and many lock-backs.
There are several 3" Benchmade models in your price range too - street prices, not MAP.

It's a good budget bracket to be in. It would be hard to go wrong starting with those three manufacturers.
What size are you looking for, and do you have any blade length restrictions?
 
What are your typical uses gonna be, also your attire can affect your carry or vice versa. A little more.info would help in process
 
I'm almost always in jeans. I have a leek that fills the roll of my dress knife. My typical uses are gonna be cardboard opening boxes or mail cutting zip ties small amount of food prep if my lunch needs something cut. Normal edc stuff nothing super heavy but I tend to like knives that are more heavy duty than the uses they will see. Of all the knives I have now. My Cryo and Cryo 2 see far more use than anything else
 
Maybe another preference would be something with a bit of grip. My only complaint with my Cryos is they are very slippery
 
Spyderco Sage 2 as edgedweapon88 states on youtube, it really is second to none. This is on par with higher end productions.
 
Fanglekai said:
Without knowing your preferences I'd recommend the Spyderco Gayle Bradley.
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You're not gonna get a better knife than the Gayle Bradley for even $200 IMO. The GB is a lean, mean, cutting machine and that M4 will serve you very well.

Don't be put off by the very "plain" look of it, because once you actually hold it, you will feel the quality rather than see it.

Imo, it's the only knife (in that price range) I'd compare to a Sebenza, it's got that "bank vault" feel that everyone talks about. And once it's locked up, it feels like a fixed blade.

The grind on it is going to slay any cardboard and that M4 will keep holding that edge forever, that steel is used in cutting competitions for a reason.
 
With m4 being a tool steel is it gonna be hard to keep the rust off? I travel for work and for the next several months will be in coastal states and wouldnt wanna ruin it
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
With m4 being a tool steel is it gonna be hard to keep the rust off? I travel for work and for the next several months will be in coastal states and wouldnt wanna ruin it
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Put yourself some tuf-glide on there, that will keep it rust free. If it's for food prep, just use it until it forms a patina and then just keep it clean and dry, or use frog lube.

Tool steels aren't as rusty as people make them seem. I tried forcing a patina on my GB and it took forever, so I couldn't imagine it rusting under normal use as long as you know how to maintain a knife.
 
Gayle Baradly, ZT 0550/350/566, Kershaw Blur in S30V/CPM154/Elmax would all meet you needs I think.
 
Didn't think of Froglube for a knife but that's a good idea. I'm assuming you do it just as you would your firearms?
 
Another vote here for the GB.
And I am glad too see it's getting the love it deserves!

Build quality is as perfect as it gets in a production knife.
M4 is a wonderful steel. Easy to sharpen, tough, tends to roll rather then chip, and holds an edge very well.

It is on the higher end of your budget, but I see them in great condition on the exchange for between $110-$140.
 
Yessir, the Gayle Bradley. Owned a few. Wonderful folders, even down here in Florida.
 
I like Benchmade a lot, but the ones I like are a bit above your range. In that bracket, I don't think you can go wrong with Spyderco. They have a variety of folders in that range. The Military, GB, and Para-military 2 would be among the first I looked at.
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
Didn't think of Froglube for a knife but that's a good idea. I'm assuming you do it just as you would your firearms?
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Yep, just a thin light coat. You could use a mix too, tuf-glide in the pivot area and frog lube on the blade. Frog lube is hard to get in pivots without taking the knife apart.

Or just wrap the blade in a vinegar soaked towel for a few hours and let it patina, that's what I'd do. Then it almost like its coated.
 
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