Help me pick my first $200 knife...

S

sticknrun

Joined
Feb 5, 2002
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I have decided to sell some of my unused knives and I now have around
two hundered bucks to spend. Since I am not able to spend this much on a knife all the time, I need some help. I am leaning towards a Buck Mayo. Maybe a Spyderco ATR. Basically, I want a production folder with great steal and all of the bells and whistles. Frame lock, titanium, s30v, yadda yadda. Besides the two listed, what other ones out there would you want if you had this money to spend. I know some would recommend Chris Reeves, but lets only play with two hundred or less. Thanks.

Mike
 
I'd recommend something from Benchmade's axis lock family. They do have a new framelock on the market though, and it's pretty cool.
 
I got a MT Amphibian a few weeks ago and it's the best folder I've ever had. Super tight tolerances and a real solid heavy duty feel. They're not $200 though, so if you get one, you'll be forced to spend the leftover on beer. :cool:
 
How about a Benchmade 960 Osborne? That is one excellent folder.
 
The Buck Mayo is a fine knife and would make a great introduction to the high end frame-lock market. I also like the Kershaw Bump in this price range, larger and more stylish but not as utilitarian.
 
AF said:
I'd recommend something from Benchmade's axis lock family. They do have a new framelock on the market though, and it's pretty cool.
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FYI, I believe AF is referring to the BM 630 Skirmish, designed by a fellow forumite knifemaker, Mr. Blackwood ^^
 
I suggest the Benchmade Skirmish also. The 630 is a great knife in every respect, and well worth the price.
 
I've handled the Buck-Mayo, and really REALLY like it... but I think the Camillus Dominator with the same materials is slightly better. It is more robust, and has better ergos in the handle dept. You should be able to find both for $135-165 if you look hard enough.
The B-M seems more like a dress up/Sunday goin' to church knife to me, and the CD seems more like the Mon thru Sat knife for all of your cutting chores. Up until I got my Dominator, I really didn't care to carry a folder. Now, I usually carry my Dominator every day.
I have been eye-ballin' the Buck 110 with Paul Bos S30V being sold thru Cabela's. Looks like a winner for $60! :eek:
 
Mongo said:
I've handled the Buck-Mayo, and really REALLY like it... but I think the Camillus Dominator with the same materials is slightly better. It is more robust, and has better ergos in the handle dept. You should be able to find both for $135-165 if you look hard enough.
The B-M seems more like a dress up/Sunday goin' to church knife to me, and the CD seems more like the Mon thru Sat knife for all of your cutting chores. Up until I got my Dominator, I really didn't care to carry a folder. Now, I usually carry my Dominator every day.
I have been eye-ballin' the Buck 110 with Paul Bos S30V being sold thru Cabela's. Looks like a winner for $60! :eek:
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The Skirmish is definitely not a dress up knife...
 
I just ordered an Emerson CQC11. Should be here tomorrow. Will let you know.
 
The Buck Mayo is a great knife and one you won't soon tire of. It's especially cool if you're looking for sleek and light. If a bit more bulk is allowed, the Microtech Amphibian also mentioned is killer. I probably carry my Amphibian more than my Buck 172 but they're two of five knife EDC rotation. The others are a Microtech Socom Elite, a pair of Benchmade 941 variants: 941D2CF and 941Ti-01. I got all of them except the 941D2CF on the secondary market LNIB in your price range.

The Buck Mayo and the Amphibian are probably the best slicers of the groupmentioned above due to the Mayo's hollow grind and the Amphib's big fat recurve.

As a side note I recently got a real Mayo almost the size of the Amphibian with a fat recurve and Tom's awesome hollow grind and lots of Titanium! It's an awesome knife. As good as the Buck Mayo and Microtech Amphibian are, there's no comparison in the fit and finish department. But both are awesome knives and available in your price range.

John
 
If you're like me, and like bigger knives, I have a couple of suggestions. The previously mentioned Benchmade/Blackwood 630 is an excellent choice, great design and (for the 2 that I had, anyway) flawless manufacturing. Pre-productions are currently available for $160 - $180; the regular production models should be available in September for much less. Although not a framelock, I really love my Surefire/Ryan Alpha. It is a big, beefy knife and like the BM 630, perfectly executed. I paid $250 for my first one and $300 for my second, but I've seen them on Ebay for as low as $200. That knife is a steal at $200 or less. Finally, not a framelock either, but you can get a EKI Commander for $160 or so, and spend a little more and have a custom backspacer made, or maybe have custom scales installed. For $200 or so, you'd not only have a functional tool, but one with some custom touches.

If the knife doesn't have to be NIB, you still may be able to find a deal on a user Sebenza or Wilson Combat Elite, both terrific knives also. Good luck and happy hunting!

Edited to add: again, not a framelock, sorry, but you should be able to find a NIB Microtech LCC for less than $200. I've had many, many folders and the MT LCC still ranks as the bang for buck leader in my book. Design, fit and finish that rivals knives that cost twice as much or more. You won't be sorry if you pick up an LCC. There's a black-bladed Gen I up on Ebay right now (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43335&item=2261996004&rd=1) probably more out there.
 
Sticknrun,
I vote for a Benchmade 630 Skirmish, or a Spyderco Chinook II. Booth of these knives are built like tanks and look and feel great.

Tom
 
wow, thanks for all of the replys. I think the BM 630 would be a bit large for my hands. As far as the Amphibian and LCC go, I have already owned them a while back and like them a lot. I may have to do some more thinking. So far, I like the Mayo bacause of it's weight. I like lighter knives. Keep those suggestions comming, you guys rock.
 
Newgraham has gotton in some Santa Fe stone works knives.Really good prices.
I just got the dino bone kiwi.
 
If you havent had the chance yet to handle a Buck Mayo, Gander Mountain has them in stock. They also price match, even with reputable online dealers.
 
ivan_yulaev said:
The Skirmish is definitely not a dress up knife...
Click to expand...

Ivan, I was referring to the Buck-Mayo, not the skirmish. Sorry for the confusion.
 
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