Help me find a mid-tech!

M

mmike1357

Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
184
There are so many options, not like the big production brands, I'm not sure which direction I want to go... I'm looking for a mid-tech with the following criteria:

$650 or less
Stainless blade steel, although I can do D2
I like flippers, but not a deal breaker
I like ti frame locks but again not a deal breaker

I recently got a District 9 folder and really like it. I also have a large and small sebenza; large insingo with micarta, and a regular small. I also have a Brous mini division and vr71. I have a bunch of zt's as well; 550, 551, 560, 561, 562. That's what I have, help me spend my bonus! If you own one post a pic so I see what your talking about.
 
If you like your mini-division, you'll love the Strife: http://btacblades.com/collections/vendors?q=Brous Blades

Also, the Winkler F1 flippers are awesome, we are sold out but I'm sure they are still available somewhere. the blade is CPM3V but coated with the caswell finish so will stand up to the elements.

Good luck in the hunt! Sky is the limit with your budget and wants..
 
Les George Talos is real nice;not a flipper,but so smooth it will open almost as quick...
 
It sounds like you want a Hinderer XM-18. Secondary prices have been on the decline recently and you can find them in the exchange here for around $550, sometimes as low as $495.

Less than $650....check
Stainless blade.....check
Flipper....check
Ti frame lock....check
 
Strider SnG. It's one of the only folders I've ever had that nearly scratches all my itches.
 
Three Sisters Forge Beast or Gorgon
 
I'm with silvanus.
Sounds like a xm 3.5 spanto is in order.
You will fall in love.

Cool thing is, if you do love it, they are customizable too.
New scales, standoffs, etc.
Tons of combinations, accessories, and the hunt for ti scales and such is another sickness in itself. Lol.
 
There are so many customer knife makers who have produced knives within your budget and with your specs. The issue is they tend to sell out very quickly once the maker puts them up for sale. If you want a midtech/custom framelock from most makers, you'll either need to get on their books, or sign up for their email lists (and be ready to buy immediately once the item you want is put up for sale). Same goes for the Bladeforums exchange.... there are plenty of great knifemakers on there, who's knives usually sell within a couple of minutes of them posting the knife for sale. If you don't want to pay the high markup prices on the secondary market, you'll have to do some research and planning.


here are a few makers, off the top of my head, you might want to check out. Some of these guys have knives readily available in your price range, on their websites:

- David Mosier
- Les Voorhies
- RJ Martin
- Ray Laconico
- Brad Southard
- Matt Cucchiara
- Jake Hoback
- Kirby Lambert
- Curtiss knives
- John Grimsmo
- Todd Begg
- Will Moon
- Ferrum Forge
- Gavko knives

Good luck!
 
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Here are my midtechs I own or have owned in the past.
3 Sisters Forge, Beast. Les George/Wilson combat, Eagle. RHK, XM-18, 3.5.


Ferrum forge, Pretium.

Hoback Kwaiback.

Kingdom Armory, Mini Samaritan.

Curtiss knives, F3 3.5."

Andre De Villiers, Butcher.

Olamic Cutlery and Mike Vagnino collaboration, Wayfarer. My favorite midtech because Eugene Solomonik has the best customer service I have experienced to date.

Pic. taken from the Cal. custom knife show.
 
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I ended up with a strider sng and a kingdom armory mini Samaritan. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
 
One guess is the Southard AVO...a nice mid-tech flipper in the right price category. I have one coming in the mail right now to check it out. I think they are sold out, so you need to check the Exchange. In about a week, I'll know a lot better how much I like this one...
Note that the Brad Southard collab with Spyderco in 204P is a great flipper. I've had three of these. So the mid-tech "should" be just that much better. The blade-steel is BG42.
 
Just received my Les George Talos "Morph" today and it is spectacular! Highly recommended!

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tripnotemple said:
There are so many customer knife makers who have produced knives within your budget and with your specs. The issue is they tend to sell out very quickly once the maker puts them up for sale. If you want a midtech/custom framelock from most makers, you'll either need to get on their books, or sign up for their email lists (and be ready to buy immediately once the item you want is put up for sale). Same goes for the Bladeforums exchange.... there are plenty of great knifemakers on there, who's knives usually sell within a couple of minutes of them posting the knife for sale. If you don't want to pay the high markup prices on the secondary market, you'll have to do some research and planning.


here are a few makers, off the top of my head, you might want to check out. Some of these guys have knives readily available in your price range, on their websites:

- David Mosier
- Les Voorhies
- RJ Martin
- Ray Laconico
- Brad Southard
- Matt Cucchiara
- Jake Hoback
- Kirby Lambert
- Curtiss knives
- John Grimsmo
- Todd Begg
- Will Moon
- Ferrum Forge
- Gavko knives

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I think the only makerss with knives available or that you can get on their books might be Begg or Curtiss.. Get a Hinderer like others have mentioned no doubt you will enjoy it.
 
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