First Knife purchase in 2 months. HELP!

not-too-sharp

not-too-sharp

Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
243
So I've staved off my addiction for 2 months, and this is my limit.
My wife's ok'd it and I have a few general guidelines, but I also want to celebrate finally getting a gold membership here on BF and I want you guys to be the main source of ideas for this knife. Here are my guidelines, the only one that can't be ignored is the price. Otherwise go nuts.
1.Price: 200$ (remember i CANNOT go over)under is fine though ;)
2.Steel: Preferably s30v,Bohler N690,154cm,VG10...you get the idea.
3.Handle Material: G10 or Micarta please.
4.Blade Shape: Anything but an American tanto.
5.Locks: Anything, I'm partial to Axis and framelocks though.
6.Intended use: EDC and anything I may have to do with a folder in the outdoors. BUT, the tougher the better.
I can' think of anything else haha, any replies will be great :D
Thanks-Andrew
 
The cheaper the better? The tougher the better?

American Lawman. While it isn't a steel you listed, tests by other forum members have placed cold steels AUS8 in the same category as S30V.
 
I would say, going by your statement that "the tougher the better", i would go with a ZT 030X. from all i hear, it is uber chunky and, with a handle made of half titanium, then you really can't go wrong.
 
How about a spyderco bob lum chinese with carbon fiber handles I've had good experiences with there vg-10.
 
How about the Benchmade 805 with M390 'super steel' and sculpted G10 handle with the awesome AXIS lock. About $190. It is a LE but still some left and should be starting to ship any day.

The ZT 0551 and ESEE Hest folder are both highly anticipated and available soon.

The great Spyderco Stretch with carbon fiber and ZDP looks like it is discontinued this year but has a back lock. The new Paramilitary 2 is also a really cool knife but with the compression lock which is one of the strongest knife locks on the planet.
 
Benchmade 710 and 943, and Zero Tolerance 0551.

It doesn't fit your requirements exactly, but I think the Gayle Bradley is what you're really looking for. Not G-10, but carbon fiber handles, and they're very nicely finished. Not a framelock, but a linerlock. It's super thick, though, such that it's stronger than pretty much any framelock. It's very nicely made and finished, better than any of my other knives. The blade geometry is effective, too: it's hollow ground so it's thin at the edge, which makes it both sharp and easy to sharpen. The steel is CPM-M4, which is the best steel you can get for edge retention. It's also quite tough. The only downside is that it isn't stainless. You can get the GB for well under $200, which is an amazing deal for a knife with CF handles, such an exotic steel, and such great build quality.
 
Dude, for two hundred bucks you would have to be crazy not to buy a ZT/Hinderer design 0551.

Right at your $200 mark, you are getting a serious quality knife.

Now that I have one I couldn't imagine parting with it. I have a lot of knives that cost a hell of a lot more, but I can't honestly say they are substantially better that the 0551.

Also they are a limited sprint run so you only have a short time to get one. Of course you could always get the production model later but they won't come with the Elmax steel.

Buttery smooth opening, built like a tank and a bank vault lock up, I guarantee you will be very happy with this one . .

My.02 C's
 
ZT 0550 or a Spyderco Para2 in CTS-20CP and G10.

If you're looking for sheer edge retention, S90V/CTS-20CP/Vanax75 would be at the top.

The ZT 0550 would be good if you want a knife tough enough to stab into a tree or something, but personally I feel there comes a point where the job called upon is too tough for a mere folding knife.
 
Here are a few Spyderco suggestions, assuming you don't already have 'em and if any fit the bill for the size you want: Rookie G10, Baby Goddard, Barong, Caly 3.5, J.D. Smith.
 
No Spyderco Gayle Bradley suggestion? Then I suggest a Gayle Bradley, and also a ZT0200.:thumbup::)
 
Spyderco Military, g-10 s30v, large enough for most reasonable outdoor tasks, slim and light enough to carry for edc (hard to carry a big zt around all day), excellent for food prep, and a good blade shape.
 
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