Good quality but not crazy priced folder

[devinsdad]

Howdy,
I'm in the market for a new folder. I'm looking to upgrade accross the board...., steel, lock, ergo's, etc. This one is gonna be a good quality, stout EDC kinda knife. Currently, I rotate between a Kershaw Leek, a Spyderco Delica, CRKT M16-03T and a Case Stockman (my late fathers). My budget is $200, but it wont break my heart to spend less than that. I'm looking at a Emerson A-100, Dozier Tab Lock Trapper (in the A.G. Russell catalog) and a Kershaw Speedform. I like simple, straight foward, non serrated and hopefully not a black-coated blade. As a newer member, I admit I don't know everything out there.... is there something I'm overlooking? Also, is the ZT0551 the ZT/Hinderer collaberation, or is there another one coming. That 551 looks nice too.

 

[Seanifred]

spyderco sage 1 or 2

 

[Tony8179]

Out of what you've listed, I would go with the Speedform. You get alot of knife for the money with the Speedform.

 

[stjames]

Going against my own grain, but have you tried any of the Benchmade Axis Lock knives? Everyone should own a 710 at least once in their lives just to see if they like it.

 

[RevDevil]

Out of what you've listed, I would go with the Speedform. You get alot of knife for the money with the Speedform.

2 words:
ELMAX STEEL

 

[Cynic2701]

Spyderco Paramilitary 2? Great knife, blows away most, if not all, knives at its price point of just over $100.

I'd also recommend the BM 950 Rift, also a great knife, but a bit more expensive.

 

[knivesandguns]

Kershaw Speedform

ZT 0551

Elmax steel is worth it. Personally I'd go for the 0551.

-M

 

[ono724]

Manix 2

 

[Antrieb]

Dpx HEST folder or the ZT 0551 already mentioned.

 

[trix2004]

Hogue ......

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

spyderco sage 1 or 2

+1 on the sage.. then again as one of your choices kershaw makes good solid knives..

 

[thegeek574]

Blur. you need one. get a S30V blur. every collection needs one.

 

[Artfully Martial]

from your list, I'd take the speedform. there's a lot of precision work that goes into that knife...you see where your money is going.

 

[freq18hz]

+2 on the sage

 

[Tsujigiri]

No one's mentioned the Spyderco Gayle Bradley? Fantastic steel, simple, high quality, and bulletproof lock. The Benchmade 943, Spyderco Sage 2, Buck Mayo TNT, and ZT 055x are worth looking at, too.

 

[rororo64]

Id say the Gayle Bradley, a Speedform, Paramilitary 2, or a ZT 0350. Im currently waiting on my 0551 to ship so it could take the cake for my favorite production knife around $200, but my current favorite is the Gayle Bradley

 

[xmtgx]

Para2,Gayle Bradley from Spyderco.
ZT0551/0550 from ZT (I would go with these) Or wait for there new flipper ^_^ who knows how long that will be though.

 

[kwackster]

It has been said before, but you should really take a look at the Hogue EX01 series of tactical folders.
Made from high quality materials in the US, and the fit & finish is comparable with old school Microtech, but for about half the price.

My own pics:

Hogue EX01 Droppoint 3.5 inch G-Mascus;

Hogue EX01 Tanto 3.5 inch Aluminum;

Hogue EX01 Droppoint 4.0 inch G-Mascus;

Hogue EX01 Droppoint 4.0 inch Aluminum;

 

[stormbird]

Sage 2 or Kershaw Boa. Both have S30V steel. Buck/Tops CSAR-T is a tank, ATS-34 steel.

 

[glockman99]

The ZT 0350 is a nice little folder.