Recommendation? Graduating from “budget” knives

A few I want to get for myself;
-MKM Burnley Arvenis in marbled CF
-ZT 0462 or 0470
-Lionsteel ROK or sr11a
-Bastinelli RED or Dragotac, been wanting to pull the trigger for a while
-DPx Gear HEST
-Case Sharkstooth

Also constantly consider getting a 2nd Viper Ten I like my red one so much...
 
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gazz98 said:
I'll cheat and get you two, new, shiny knives for $300.

You still get a ZT...
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ZT...er-s35vn-stonewash-blade-carbon-fiber-handles

Everyone needs a classic Buck 110. I like the green micarta over the black and you get upgraded steel to S35VN
https://www.dlttrading.com/buck-110-ultimate-hunter-s35vn-limited-edition-green-canvas-micarta

If you want a smaller blade, there is the Squire too.
https://www.dlttrading.com/buck-501-squire-s35vn
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I like the way you think
 
AntDog said:
I ha e a stupid question - what will this $300 knife do that the ones you already have don’t do?

If the answer is “cost $300”... o_O
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Just looking to expand my collection and wanted to get others opinions/recommendations as I have not handled enough to know what I do and don’t like.
 
RJ_KC559 said:
Just looking to expand my collection and wanted to get others opinions/recommendations as I have not handled enough to know what I do and don’t like.
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Fair enough. Just try not to get roped into the belief that more expensive = better. In many cases one’s purposes would be easily fulfilled by what they already have.

Knife “zen” is hard to reach though. Post up whatever you end up with.
 
ZT562Ti--I think it's one of the best ZT offerings, although it maybe a little on the expensive side, it's a good introduction to Hinderer design. XM18 has aggressive jimping under the flipper(which could be a real nail puller), and I do appreciate the smooth landing under flipper of the 562.

ZT470--Sinkevich design, ZT execution, good flipping action. If you are into his design and slimmer profile, this should be a good choice.

BM large Grip or Osborne--both BM classics, expensive doesn't mean it's always good, and these are fine examples of that.

Hogue Ritter--essentially a Grip, but I prefer the aesthetics on this.
 
I think there are some great knives without having to pay 300.00, I woulld say try the Buck 110 or 112 Slim Pro for a good starting point and think up from there. For me, and my opinion only, I think 150.00 to 175.00 is a good top range.
 
I'm going to echo and amplify what Antdog said.

There is a point of diminishing returns, somewhere around $180. Quality improves until you get there, and it seems to be at about every $20 "step".

300 dollars is going to get you into the used market for some mid-tech designs, but if you're buying new, you're not going to see the same kind of value for the dollar improvement that you got up to this point.

Lately, my choices for everyday have been (mostly) way below $300, or even $180.

My Alox Electrician goes with me to work, every day. Sometimes I forget, and leave it in my pocket on the weekends.

rRVBW7v.jpg



My copper Ripple gets pocket time when I want something light and easy to carry.

W821fmx.jpg



If I think I will be in a non-knife-friendly environment, the Skeletool CX goes in the pocket.

knNNVC3.jpg



My Kizer/Gingrich Gti gets a lot of pocket time: fine, sharp instrument, with excellent ergonomics.

AbX2j4s.jpg



CRKT Batum. Chunky goodness.

QsGJnWx.jpg



Finally, this $11 slipjoint. Does everything a knife "needs" to do, and is actually a rather brilliant case-study in value engineering.

cygiial.jpg



The Gti was the most expensive, at $140, because I had to have it. Next is the Skeletool, which can be had for about $80.

The point (besides posting pictures), is that there is a brilliant variety to be had, no matter what you want to spend. People buy knives for all sorts of different reasons, so you should be honest with yourself about why you're purchasing the next one.
 
OP, you have a fine set of working knives. :thumbsup: Covers any work tasks.
For $300. some fine examples of pure blade excellence can be had. You can’t go wrong if you get something that makes you proud to have in your pocket, and holds its value for resale when/if your tastes change.
Being a advice thread, always feel good with one or two of these on me. :)
image.jpg
 
Southern grind spider monkey or bad monkey. Definitely check out zt. The zt rexford designs haven’t been mentioned. The 801 is discontinued but maybe there’s one floating around new or used.
 
115Italian said:
Southern grind spider monkey or bad monkey. Definitely check out zt. The zt rexford designs haven’t been mentioned. The 801 is discontinued but maybe there’s one floating around new or used.
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The 801ti is excellent. I have a backup for mine, but am considering selling it and a couple other knives, so I can acquire more knives... Lol
 
Ronin21$ said:
Recently picked up a GiantMouse ACE Biblio with the blue ti scales. I'm really loving their m390 steel.
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A GM has been on my list for a while. I am a fan of Vox and Anso designs. I’m sure I’ll pick one up at some point.
 
A Spyderco Spydiechef is a great sub- $300 knife. It may look a little different for an EDC user, but it's surprisingly handy, tough and pocket-friendly. Lot's of choices, though...
 
Normally I would offer a ZT as I really love their offerings, however right now there is are a couple of screaming nice deals at Knifeworks.com (a forum supporting vendor with excellent reviews) for two of their exclusives -

First their BM Grizzly Ridge - I bought one of these for the Missus for Valentine's day and I am very impressed with the quality of the knife for the relatively cheap price -
https://knifeworks.com/benchmade-15...rsaflex-overmold-handle-knifeworks-exclusive/

And then they have their exclusive Contego on sale for $140 - can't beat that deal with a stick! (or a punch throat).
https://knifeworks.com/benchmade-bm810-1401-contego-3-9-m390-ss-plain-blade-blue-black-g-10-handle/

And based on your existing collection, you probably would like trying an Axis-lock.

best

mqqn
 
I started just like you, with a kershaw blur hlaf serrated and a Police serrated, I know where you are. After my first knives, I went to ZT, 566, 562, 801 and benchmade 940, sold the 940, found it too small, after liking the 562 so much, I wanted the real deal, I went for Hinderer XM, love the change in fit and finish, bought a CRK and Strider, loved the CRK. After that I just went downhill into 700$ and up, I would go for ZT, or spare yourself some future epenses and get a good deal on a CRK or XM 18, no, its not like the 562 like most people say. Good luck buddy, let us know how you progress
 
Spyderco PM2 in M390
Benchmade 940 in 20CV
ZT0920 in 20CV
Benchmade 535 Bugout in S30V
Spyderco Manix 2 in M390
 
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