Good custom folder under $500

Pat Crawford is an excellent maker of tactical folders and does have some models around 500, but an increase last year has pushed a lot of his standard stuff up to 600+. I have a Crawford on order and due next month. In the meantime I just ordered a RJ Martin Devastator that will be here next week (thanks to the almighty tax refund I'm getting both!!) Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, I've read about the Devastator has been positive. The action, the design, and of course, the Martin edge has received a lot of praise. Best thing is this knife is still available for around 500, actually $495.00 from the place I ordered it. Not too keen on the striated blade and was able to score one with the smooth satin finish. Really looking forward to next few weeks!!:thumbup: :D :D
 
Thanks for the info guys. Looks like im gonna have some work to do checking all this stuff out. As far as me wanting something other than S30V its not a matter of bad heat treating or anything, It's just that I have a bunch of S30V folders already and I just want something a bit more exotic. I love micarta too but I havent seen many tactical customs that have it. Most have machined titanium or G10, which are both nice but theres just something about green linen micarta that I love. KnifeCOllector mentioned Hinderer is using Duratech 20 CV. I've never heard of this stuff, does anyone know anything about it/have experience with it?
 
DuraTech 20CV is a highly wear resistant, powder metallurgy stainless tool steel. The steel containes a large volume of extremely hard vanadium carbides, wich provide excellent wear resistance. DuraTech 20CV contains the highest amount of chromium of any high-vanadium stainless steel currently available. The chromium-rich matrix provides outstanding corrosion resistance. DuraTech 20CV is a versatile stainless tool steel with a unique combination of high wear resistance, high corrosion resistance, good impact toughness, and excellent polishability. This combination of properties is the result of the fine grain size, small carbides, and superior cleanliness of the powder metallurgy (PM) microstructure. DuraTech 20CV excels in applications, which require a combination of high wear resisatance. The unique combinations of properties makes DuraTech 20CV an excellent steel for plastic injection feed screws, barrel liners, screw tips, and mold cavities, especially for plastic resins which contain abrasive fillers. Other applications inlcude food processing equipement, pelletizer knives, granulator knives, and high-performance custom knives.

Information Provided by Timken Latrobe Steel.
 
The XM-18 I have on order IS going to have Duratech 20CV. This will be my first knife made of this.
 
Another vote for Mike Obenauf here. Some excellent makers mentioned previously as well. A couple not mentioned but definately worth checking out are Greg Lightfoot and Kirby Lambert. Both have many models under the $500 mark.
 
I like the design of the XM-18 but i would like a flipper. Does he offer this option? It doesn't say anything about it on the website.
 
I have been looking at the Havoc and dress Havoc for a while as well. I like the havoc because I love micarta and i like the blade shape, the only thing i wonder about is the finish. How durable is the epoxy powdercoat? I guess the only finishes I would be able to compare it to would be Benchmade's BK finish and a titanium nitride finish.
 
Okay I think I've got it narrowed down to an XM-18 or Havoc. I like the design of the XM-18 more but I prefer micarta over G10 and I like the bearing system on the havoc. How smooth is the XM-18 compared to say.. a sebenza?
 
I've had knives from just about every maker mentioned in this thread and a few who haven't been mentioned yet. Surprisingly the best of the best is well within your price range. Kirby Lambert has put out the most impressively fit and finished knives I have ever seen. I have had three of them and they have all been perfect from lockup to blade centering to fit of the handles, everything. That is honestly a lot harder to find then you would think and he pulls it off with a consistency I haven't really seen from anyone else (except Scott Cook but his are a little over your price and he's not taking orders).

Just my oppinion.
 
MM, the Martin Devastator I have coming does not have the epoxy powdercoat finish, rather it has a torched finish and then the overlay on top of that. If you plan to order it directly from RJ Martin Knives then you may be able to forgo the epoxy finish and get a beadblast, satin, or the torched finish. Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, I've read about these Martin folders point towards a quality piece of cutlery that has been built to withstand almost anything you can throw at it. If you don't have it, here is the website, www.martinsite.com
Good luck on whatever you get.:thumbup:
 
Whoa hold the phones.... I just checked out Kirby Lamberts webpage, these are some really nice designs. And what that... micarta!?!?!
 
A couple from out of the country you might check ! Kevin Wilkins and Jens Anso ! I am waiting on one from Jens and have one from Wilkins !
 
I love both those makers that you mentioned alejandrino!! I am hoping that this is the year that I get a Wilkins Ghost Dog Pup & a Jens Anso Rock Lobster.
 
Buzzbait said:
Sorry. I just looked at Bob's site, and saw the "Not taking folder orders" sign. I wasn't aware that he was still doing batches for merchants.
Click to expand...


Bob is not doing batches for dealers. Most get them at the various knife shows. Just want to clear that up ;-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top