Framelock Help

M

MichaelScarn

Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
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Got a CRK Small Seb 21, Strider PT, Spyderco Sage II, and a Benchmade Mini Skirmish. I've full-on caught the framelock bug and am thinking about my next purchase. I'm choosing amongst:

Strider SNG (DGG, Stonewashed)
CRK Small Seb 21 w/ Micarta Inlays
Hinderer XM-18 3" w/ Flipper
Tim Galyean JYD Pro 3"
Eric Elson Dreadlock Lite
Spyderco Leafstorm

Can anybody tell me which one they think I should get? Price is a decent factor, so I would also like to know which one of these guys you like most for the money.
 
MichaelScarn said:
Got a CRK Small Seb 21, Strider PT, Spyderco Sage II, and a Benchmade Mini Skirmish. I've full-on caught the framelock bug and am thinking about my next purchase. I'm choosing amongst:

Strider SNG (DGG, Stonewashed)
Hinderer XM-18 3" w/ Flipper
Tim Galyean JYD Pro 3"

Can anybody tell me which one they think I should get? Price is a decent factor, so I would also like to know which one of these guys you like most for the money.
Click to expand...

I have the Strider SNG and the Hinderer XM-18 and they are both top of the heap. These are probably two of the toughest and most hard use folders you can have. Either one would be a great addition to your collection.

I can't comment on the Galyean Pro Series Junkyard Dawg as I haven't handled one but I do have a larger version on order and was informed by Tim that they should be ready towards the end of November beginning of December.
 
Hmm... now to find an XM-18.... Is it much harder to find a 3" than a 3.5"? I'm seeing a lot more 3.5" out there.

Would it also be safe to say that street price right now is about $600? I thought it was around $550 before but I read that thread that said that they paid $940 for it... and I've seen some on eBay going around $800.

I better not think about it too much or I'll end up spending the money on it. Maybe I'll pick up the more affordable JYD or SNG first.
 
Since i have most of the ones on your list I'll put them in order given what you currently have.

Hinderer XM-18 3" w/ Flipper (should be on top of everyone's list)
Tim Galyean JYD Pro 3" (IKBS baby)
CRK Small Seb 21 w/ Micarta Inlays (you already have the plain otherwise it'd be below the Hinderer)
Eric Elson Dreadlock Lite (cool knife but IMO not what I consider a framelock, though this is of course debatable, I don't have this one)
Strider SNG (DGG, Stonewashed) (not a bad knife, but you seem to like the smaller blades)
Spyderco Leafstorm (this is the other one I don't have, just don't like that its not Ti on both sides and honestly that knife looks like an accident waiting to happen).

Some other ones you might want to think about

Martin Knives Small or Large Tejas (don't have this one but will probably get one soon)
Yuna EQ or Mini Hard (I'm on the long waiting list for a Mini Hard)
 
I'm a huge fan of my Large Pro Series JYD and I've wanted a small since receiving it, but right now I'm hunting down a 3.5" XM-18. The small Pro Series will have to come later. The JYD is a great knife though. The fit and finish is just about perfect, the ergos are excellent, and the blade flips nice and smooth, is super sharp, and is nice and thick.
 
XM-18, XM-18, XM-18, oh and an XM-18!

seriously if you have the cash get one its one of if not the most highly refined HD hard use folders made and Rick's CS is better than any one else that I've dealt with.

IMO unless you are blade length restriced go for the 3.5" flipper, you'll be happy in the end that you did.
 
Don't forget the ZT 30x series.
But out of the ones you listed I'd get a leafstorm. Because it's a tad smaller and has a very different look compared to the others you listed...however not to your Sage2.
 
I recently purchased a Spyderco ATR and Salsa in Ti. They're technically compression locks, but they get along just fine with my traditional Ti framelocks!
 
If you got the money and the opportunity, get a Hinderer. If you can't find one, how about a Strider Dauntless?
 
Seems that the XM-18 prices are soaring. 3 inch qnes are hard to find IMO. I tried for a couple of months and finally settled on a 3.5. Leafstorm is a good choice but a little on the small size. Have you looked at a Sage II in Ti? Seems to be my most carried folder at the moment and is not that bad price wise. XM's seem to be running between $600 to $900 with hand ground being even higher. I own a SnG also and it gets some pocket time. More than my PT these days. All that you mentioned are great blades. Do you have a price limit? And which of what you listed is more appealing to you? Get what you want and you won't be sorry. If it turns out not to be your cup of tea, You can always go gold and sell it here.


Edit: Sorry didn't see you already have a Sage. I should'nt reply to these posts when I am running a fever.....
 
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I dont own one (too small for me) the sage 2 ti according everything the spyderco

forum members say about the sage 2 is very very good. S30v I think and 140-170.

A fraction of some the others. Some of the spydie forum members have compared the

quality so a small sebb.
 
sng or xm-18..... i have both and the hinderer is built way more solid and has much tighter tolerances(sebenza like) than the strider for the same price , strider is lighter tho...
 
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