Help a newb out...

[Thegrossmaster]

Hi guys, new member here from north of the border. I'm a longtime firearms guy blossoming into a knife head. I've always had a passing interest in knives and collected a couple Elishewitz and Mel Pardu designed Benchmades back when they still called themselves Balisong. Anyhow, after stumbling across Jim Skelton's Youtube channel and hearing the way he describes blades with such passion, it reignited the passion in me. The last time I shopped for knives, I don't think flippers were even invented yet, but my tastes seem to be gravitating in that direction recently. In the last couple months, I started with a $20 Kershaw Chill, then picked up a $50 Cryo II, pre-ordered a Boker Kwaiken Ti flipper from Knife Centre, but now I'm getting that desire for something a little more quality. Not ready for a custom or even mid tech quite yet, but I've decided to splurge on a premium production blade. I'm at a point now where I'd feel comfortable spending around $200 on a knife, and I've narrowed it down to the CT 801 and the Boker Manaro, but this is where I've been stuck for the last several days. Here's what's going through my head... I like the the Zero Tolerance brand, have been very happy with KAI products as per my two previous buys, it's a bit pricier than the Manaro but I'm pretty much guaranteed a quality build. But, the 801 in stock form seems kind of bland to me, the pocket clip and stand offs look like a standard Kershaw parts bin pieces, and the drop point grind is very similar to the Cryo's. If I could get one pimped like Jim Skelton's (polished and blue anodized) it would be the perfect knife in my eyes, but I don't want spend the extra effort and money to have it modded. The Boker on the other hand does not have a flipper which is an important feature to me, it doesn't have a steel lock bar insert nor stabilizer, and unlike the ZT801, I have not seen glowing review after glowing review about how smooth the action is and how well built the knife is. But, the recurve grind on that thing and the pattern milled into the handle are just so sexy! I also like the more custom looking pocket clip and checkered back spacer Boker used on the Manaro.
I'm so done humming and hawing, and am itching to spend some money. I think the ZT leads functionality-wise, but the allure of the Boker's styling is strong. I don't want to regret my first "serious" knife purchase, sooo.... please help! I welcome all advice and suggestions.

 

[MEJ]

check out the spyderco southard and domino.

 

[Thegrossmaster]

Thanks for the suggestions! The Southard was on my shortlist, but it got cut because of the G10. A Spyderco is the next planned purchase, and when that time comes, I'll probably be choosing between the Manix and Sage. What I'd prefer for my current purchase decision is a production version of a custom design. I'd also consider a Brous bionic, or making the stretch to a Division flipper... thoughts?

 

[Cereal_killer]

Get the 0801 hands down.

Why? The steel isn't even a close comparison, ELMAX vs 440, that's like a 'busa vs a BMX, not even in the same universe.

Not to mention the aggressive recurve on the Boker will be a nightmare for a new guy to sharpen. Seriously man there is zero competition here...

 

[TouchOfRed]

Welcome to the community!
Sal manaro Boker? I Think that Jim Skelton made a video about the Manaro Boker, and he liked it? But the Fit & finish was a big dissapointment. Also Carter aka Blade Brotherhood Also made a vid about it.
I love the grind on it, but i dont going to buy it because of the vids ive seen..

Domino and Southard are great knives, i own both and live both. I dont Carry the Domino though, probably because of the scale on it.
The F&F on the taiwanese spydercos is 100%. Just wow..
Both flip like crazy, the domino is better than the Southard though, atleast mine is.

Will Moon Sells them for 300bucks on his website. The 0801 that is.

I do own a 0560bw and i like it, but i dont Carry that either. Because of the size i would say. Or, i can Carry a bigger knife if i want, but i Think that 0560 is not worthy. Didnt Know that before i got it though.

 

[Thegrossmaster]

... ELMAX vs 440, that's like a 'busa vs a BMX, not even in the same universe...

Now that's a comparison I can relate to!
If you put it that way I guess the choice is crystal clear then, since my main objective is to go up in quality.
Thanks for the replies guys, I should have something new to show off in the next couple days

 

[link2derek]

Welcome to the Forum!

Best thing you can do is read, read, and read more... and then read some more - there's more info here than most people can process. But eventually, you'll start to get an idea of what you want. Then you'll buy it and realize you want something else.

It's a never ending pursuit of "the perfect knife." But understand that there is no such thing because the more you learn (especially by using the knife you thought you wanted/needed), the more your opinions/wants/needs change. It's all good tho' because it's the journey that counts, not the destination.

Happy hunting.....

 

[jobasha11]

Hi guys, new member here from north of the border. I'm a longtime firearms guy blossoming into a knife head.

The politically correct term for our disease is knife nut Welcome to the forum, you should fit in nicely.

P.S. We want pictures when you get it!

 

[Rare blade]

You can get a custom scale for the southard for a reasonable price.

 

[agile_1]

Check out kershawguy.com and email him for pricing on new ZT's. You can also get a blem for very reasonable pricing.

You may want to consider the 0550 series. My favorite ZT is the 030X series.

 

[coli]

Kershawguy doesn't ship to Canada unfortunately. And I second the zt 801. Still one of my favorite knives

 

[mrynecy]

Full Disclosure- I did not read your dissertation of a post. However, it does sound like you are leaning towards a ZT. Go for it!