Folder for a gift for father in law $300

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LAtraffic

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Jul 25, 2015
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Pardon my ignorance, I am new to knives. Been into flashlights for a few years to the degree many here are in to knives. Bought a Kershaw Leek and realized how much I love having a blade in my pocket with my light. Looking to get my father in law a decent folding knife he can EDC. He works in construction field so I imagine it will get used. I would like the blade to be around 3" or less. Something that could be seen as a gentlemen's knife (but isn't a total gentlemen's knife). Willing to spend a few hundred. I personally do like the assisted opening mechanism of the Kershaw, but have only had it a few months and don't know if it will pass the test of time. I am guessing the assisted openers are a noob novelty but maybe Im wrong. I was looking at the benchmade assisted openers. Also looking at some of the small Chris Reeves knifes as many have said they are top notch. I really like the look of some of the Burger knives but these are really starting to get up there in price. Ive never even had a $300 folder in my hand before. Are these knifes that are more than $150 really that much better, or is more something only a knife hobbyist is really going to enjoy or notice? Happy holidays all.
 
LAtraffic said:
Pardon my ignorance, I am new to knives. Been into flashlights for a few years to the degree many here are in to knives. Bought a Kershaw Leek and realized how much I love having a blade in my pocket with my light. Looking to get my father in law a decent folding knife he can EDC. He works in construction field so I imagine it will get used. I would like the blade to be around 3" or less. Something that could be seen as a gentlemen's knife (but isn't a total gentlemen's knife). Willing to spend a few hundred. I personally do like the assisted opening mechanism of the Kershaw, but have only had it a few months and don't know if it will pass the test of time. I am guessing the assisted openers are a noob novelty but maybe Im wrong. I was looking at the benchmade assisted openers. Also looking at some of the small Chris Reeves knifes as many have said they are top notch. I really like the look of some of the Burger knives but these are really starting to get up there in price. Ive never even had a $300 folder in my hand before. Are these knifes that are more than $150 really that much better, or is more something only a knife hobbyist is really going to enjoy or notice? Happy holidays all.
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Yes only a knife hobbyist is going to enjoy or notice the difference between a $150 dollar knife and a $300 dollar knife. I strongly suggest getting him a Zero Tolerance knife, which is the premium version of Kershaw and (I think) all made in the U.S.A. It would make a great hard use folder and there are models that are sub 3 inch in blade length. Maybe check out the 0900 model? There are a lot of knowledgeable members here when it comes to ZT so if they would chime in that would be awesome.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your first post.
 
If your ok with a slightly used knife, $300 can get you a CRK sebenza if you look in the exchange section. I'm assuming your pressing for time and you want something new since it will be a gift? CRK makes amazing knife, fit and finish is top notch and as much as people knock it since it isn't high tech with ball bearings or super duper blade steel, I still come back to it. The average user will not notice a difference between a $150 knife to a $300+ but when you start looking at ergos, construction, and premium materials used, that is where the increase of price goes up.

$300 that would be like "wow" for a NEW knife is a Southern Grind Spyder Monkey or a Lionsteel TRE in Carbon or Titanium. There are other choices out there but, these 2 are just off the top of my head. Good Luck.
 
+1 on a zero tolerance.

Good proven hard use knife. The assisted ones are as good as(better then) the Kershaws, (same parent company, but their higher end stuff. Some of their stuff can certainly pass as gentlemanly (but not "too much" so), while still performing great. Check thev0450 and 0452cf models;
With a $300 limit, you can pretty much pick any one of their regular models.
 
Yes, 0452cf (or 0452 with reg g-10) would be a great choice for a nice looking knife that is heavy duty enough for a construction site but not ridiculously tacticool. It is not assisted but it flips so nicely he (or you) will barely be able to tell the difference.

Or a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter in XHP is also a good choice for about $125. I never thought that I would offer up a CS as a recommendation but this one is nicely refined, won't tear up your pants, and has top notch steel. It is not a flipper or assisted but has the triad lock, which is one tough lock, and might be good on a site depending upon what he actually does on site.
 
how about a benchmade 484, also comes in a more expensive carbon fiber version that looks way nicer

[video=youtube;2m7bmYOugLI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7bmYOugLI[/video]
 
Awesome, I am going to look through these suggestions. It sounds like I may not have been to far off the mark from my many hours of trolling the site. Im sure many of you know that the flashlight/knife/gun world intermesh a lot. It was through flashlight forums and people posting their knives that I has started my interest in knives. The Burger knifes come in at around 500+, are these a gimmicky knife? I ask, because I have not seen much mention of them. Also, may need to get myself something out of the used section as I find myself better off with a piece that has already seen a few dings. Thank you all for the replies, gonna go check out the recommendations.
 
If you are good with a used knife, go with the CRK Umnumzaan. I like them much more than the Sebenza.
 
Ok, in construction, but would like it to still double for gentleman's knife at the end of the day...... That would be the ZT0562CF.....or ZT0452CF. The ZT0561 may fly, but for the "gentleman" title, I think there just needs to be wood, or for more durability, carbon fiber. But if attending the Symphony after a long hard day on a work site, I'd have no problem pulling out just about any of the ZT line. Or a simple but well appointed slip joint. Or many from the Spyderco line, Domino, non-camo PM2, or Positron or Southard.
 
I don't know if a mnandi would fit in as a carry knife on a job site. Possibly an option if he is a GC though.

I also would suggest a CRK, probably a large 25, umnumzaan, or a Wilson Combat "star tac" 25. The wc star tac is a different model of the same knife (sebenza 25).

Lifetime service, and Fantastic customer service at that, $30 spa to make it near new again for the life of the knife. And if he Does end up snapping the blade by prying up something huge, he can have a new blade put in for 1/4-1/3 the price of a new knife.
 
I found one thats a spyderco native in fluted titanium. Sunburst pattern of rays starting in the center of the handle, how do you guys feel about spyderco special edition knifes? So many cool knifes on here now I want a couple for myself......damn this could get expensive.
 
Something glorious happened as a result of this....Playing with the benchmade custom knife maker in bed last night, my gf said " I like that one..." I asked her is she would carry it. " Yes, that one I would." At one point she fought me about getting her a flashlight. I bought her a modified pocket rocket of a light. Now she is mad if I borrow it. Today is a good day
 
My buddy who has worked construction for many years carries a Benchmade Barrage (4-inch blade, but BM also makes a Mini Barrage that is smaller with a 3-inch blade). It has a secondary lock that, it is suggested, turns it into a fixed balde. Whether that's true or not, it's still a very strong knife.

As for flashlights, check out the Olight Baton series. I'm currently carrying the S15 Baton running NiMH's at 1900 mAh - freakin' awesome light!
 
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