Folders under $250 to rotate with my Small Sebenza.

I would consider the Southern Grind Spider Monkey, ZT0450 or Benchmade 940. All seem to fit what you are looking for, it just depends on if any of them appeal to you!
 
Nfd538 said:
940-1 and ZT0770CF are nice too.
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Your recommendations are great but those knives are too large for what I am looking for. I've thought about an XM-18 3" but there is now way I will be able to get one for $250. Does ZT makes anything smaller than the 0770?
 
ZT 0450 and 0808. The 0450 is a "sweet spot" knife for me. Blade is 3.25" but it is a very thin package, and very easy on the pocket. you really need to see how one of the feels in hand. The 0808 is the same blade length but just a bit bulkier. Spyderco Delica in titanium and damascus would fit the bill also though...
 
I'm liking that Southern Grind Spider Monkey. I do remember seeing a YouTube video where someone was complaining about bad blade finish (some scratches and such right out of the box) but now I can't find it. Maybe it was just that particular knife.
 
The Spider Monkey I held felt way better than any Benchmade I've ever handled or owned. It was almost jewel like, kind of like a sebenza.
 
I have one incoming, so I can't speak for its build quality, but it seems that the Spyderco sage 2 would fit your criteria.

Anyone that has direct experience with it and is willing to comment, it would be appreciated.
 
Sounds like you NEED a ZT 450! What an all around excellent folder!
Flips as good as anything, great blade shape and very comfy in pocket and hand!
Check out Whitty's site.....usamadeblade......if you're nice to him he'll anodize one for you!
Good luck!
Joe
 
Since I got the Spyderco Kiwi 4 at Blade this year, I have been pretty taken with the knife. I would prefer a higher grade steel, but the VG-10 isn't bad. It is a knife that you won't even know you're carrying until you need to cut something.

I have the ZT 0770CF and it is a great knife (you have it too). The only thing I don't like about it is the liner lock which requires me to use two hands to safely close the knife. I tend to depress the locking mechanism on knives and close them on my leg (pants). The frame locks for that reason have always worked well for me and they are strong locks.

I am not big into fast deploying knives. The one handers are nice even though I usually use two hands to open them. I just know that I "can" open them one handed if I choose to.
 
NJBillK said:
I have one incoming, so I can't speak for its build quality, but it seems that the Spyderco sage 2 would fit your criteria.

Anyone that has direct experience with it and is willing to comment, it would be appreciated.
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The sage 2 is really weird. Open it feels great, closed it has hot spots and is a bit chubby in the pocket I feel Spyderco should make some of their blades with smaller Spyderholes so that they can have a narrower knife. I actually feel tricked ppl said it was a proxy for a sebenza and it's nowhere near that. It's an entirely different knife. Fit and finish is ridiculous on the sage 2 for the price!
 
I had a Sage 2, and it does have nice fit and finish and good ergos; however, the only similarity it has to a Sebenza is that they're both gray titanium framelocks. If I was going to get a companion knife to go with a Seb, I'd choose something a little more different.
 
If you want to support your local market you could pick up one of JD Ware's pieces! I know that this thread is more oriented towards modern-style knives but I think you should strongly consider his work.

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My second suggestion would be to go for some, any, Spyderco sprint run using an exoctic steel. I love both s35vn and the Devin Thomas Damascus used by CRK, but no matter how many you collect you can't get much diversity in blade steel. Spyderco is the polar opposite and there is no limit to the fun one can have searching their catalog for interesting steels. The new Paramilitary in s110v should be great (I know it's technically not a sprint) and a few designs were just released with HAP40, etc.

I will add, at the expense of being "that guy", that CRK's Spa service is amazing, cheap and has a fast turn-around. I wouldn't be too worried about wearing your Sebenza out as you can have it made like-new again for ~$30 and two weeks wait. Then when it's really, really worn down you can replace the blade for $125...
 
justsomedude said:
I will add, at the expense of being "that guy", that CRK's Spa service is amazing, cheap and has a fast turn-around. I wouldn't be too worried about wearing your Sebenza out as you can have it made like-new again for ~$30 and two weeks wait. Then when it's really, really worn down you can replace the blade for $125...
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+1

Very few people are going to actually wear one out. Now, if you are just looking for an excuse to buy a new or different knife that's a different story. Not many of us here will argue with that.
 
timbo813 said:
+1

Very few people are going to actually wear one out. Now, if you are just looking for an excuse to buy a new or different knife that's a different story. Not many of us here will argue with that.
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timbo, you read right through me.
 
This thread is turning out great for me! I get to learn about a lot of great knives I've never considered and now have a better appreciation for (if I didn't already had) and am less reluctant to EDC my Sebbie.
 
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