Hey everyone, so I need a recommendation. My birthday is coming up soon and I will be getting some money. I need a knife I will like as I am in highschool and it will be quite a while before I will have extra spending money again. So, what knife would you recommend in the 75-200 dollar range? I was thinking ZT 0350, I've seen Emersons for that, Spyderco, or should I just wait and see if anything ends up standing out? Thanks again.
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- Thread starter jday2727
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bodog
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I'd suggest a knife like the Ontario Rat and some good sharpening supplies first. Knowing how to sharpen will last a lifetime, one single knife will last a couple of years or until you find some other knife you like better.
Is the Rat 2 as good as the one?
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Learning to sharpen will be a very good skill to learn. Lanky makes pretty good sets for decent prices. Can get their diamond set for around 60 off amazon. I like zt a lot as I like their designs and how solid built they are. You can get one used and the Lanky set for 200 if you look around here on the forums.
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I would suggest a Manix 2, ParaMilitary 2 if you wanted new.. Look around for used and then pair that up with a spyderco sharpmaker and that will still be under your $200 budget and you'll have a great combo
Actually conveniently, my school allows blades!
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A ZT 0562 G10/Elmax comes in at right on $200. My favorite ZT (of the 3 I own).
Then again, I think the suggestion of including a Sharpmaker in your purchase is a good one, in which case a Para 2 will fit the budget and serve you well. Or perhaps a Sage 1, Manix, Manix LW, depending on your own taste.
Then again, I think the suggestion of including a Sharpmaker in your purchase is a good one, in which case a Para 2 will fit the budget and serve you well. Or perhaps a Sage 1, Manix, Manix LW, depending on your own taste.
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There are some good suggestions here. I'll add my .02 worth. You didn't say in your original post, but if you're new to sharpening, I second the idea of dividing your available cash up between a knife and a sharpening method. You can very nicely do both for your budget.
For the sharpener, I'd say start with something that makes you learn to sharpen by hand. Either a couple of good stones (and a cheap grocery store kitchen knife for practice), or a Sharpmaker, which will also help you learn angles, pressure, a steady hand, etc.
For the knife, pick something that will be useful to you, not just "cool" or the "latest-and-greatest". Stick with a steel that's easy to work, like 420HC (Buck), 154CM (Emerson or Benchmade), AUS-8 (Ontario), or VG10 (Spyderco). These four are also stainless, so they'll take a bit less care than a non-stainless steel.
For the sharpener, I'd say start with something that makes you learn to sharpen by hand. Either a couple of good stones (and a cheap grocery store kitchen knife for practice), or a Sharpmaker, which will also help you learn angles, pressure, a steady hand, etc.
For the knife, pick something that will be useful to you, not just "cool" or the "latest-and-greatest". Stick with a steel that's easy to work, like 420HC (Buck), 154CM (Emerson or Benchmade), AUS-8 (Ontario), or VG10 (Spyderco). These four are also stainless, so they'll take a bit less care than a non-stainless steel.
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This is great advice. Spend $60 on a Sharpmaker and make sure to watch the DVD that comes with it. If you develop the skills and knowledge to maintain whatever blade you decide upon, you'll be miles ahead in the long run.
Then, try to find a local knife shop to test out different knives. Go try out the Spydieholes VS. Axis VS. Assisted Open VS. Thumbstuds VS. Flippers. Check out back locks, liner locks, frame locks. Feel FRN, G10, Aluminum, wood and titanium handles in hand. Check out how different knives feel in your pocket; weight, clip, length, thickness. Does one feel more natural in your hand than another?
Go find out what YOU like, not what everyone else likes. There are so many great choices available with the money you have left, you should spend some time to detemine what you prefer. Once you have it narrowed down to a few possible choices, we'll be happy to offer our insights and experience with each blade you're considering.
Good luck and have fun!
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gotta agree with Hackenslash on trying out as many knives as you can. however if you aren't located somewhere with a decent knife shop, order from someone with agood return policy in case you get it and change your mind. otherwise an emerson cqc-7b is never a bad thing, and if you can sharpen a chisel you can sharpen that knife(keeping in mind that well sharpened chisels,with a few exceptions all have micro-bevels).i carried a cqc-7 as a working carpenter for 15+ years and it never let me down,from cutting open anything to helping cope-cut trim. and growing boys need to know about trim, right
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Zt0620
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Hey JDay,
I think this largely depends on what you're looking for in a knife. You mentioned ZTs and Emersons, which fall into that "tough as nails" kind of category. If that's what you're looking for, I think that those are both good options.
I used to gravitate toward knives that could stand a ton of abuse as I thought that's what I really wanted. Over time, I started to prefer knives that slice really well, since I realized that I had never actually abused a knife even though all of my knives were built like tanks.
I think my favorite thing about this whole knife hobby thing is being able to fine tune what I like. Like Hackenslash said, there are a lot of elements to consider. My tastes have changed a lot over the years. What you like now, you might not like in a couple years. Luckily, unless you destroy your knives, you can always throw one up on the exchange and switch it up!
My preference lately has been toward Spydercos, so I'd really recommend a PM2 or Native 5 G10. They're both in your budget, and they're both really well made and high quality knives, especially considering what you pay for them.
Keep us posted on your decision!
I think this largely depends on what you're looking for in a knife. You mentioned ZTs and Emersons, which fall into that "tough as nails" kind of category. If that's what you're looking for, I think that those are both good options.
I used to gravitate toward knives that could stand a ton of abuse as I thought that's what I really wanted. Over time, I started to prefer knives that slice really well, since I realized that I had never actually abused a knife even though all of my knives were built like tanks.
I think my favorite thing about this whole knife hobby thing is being able to fine tune what I like. Like Hackenslash said, there are a lot of elements to consider. My tastes have changed a lot over the years. What you like now, you might not like in a couple years. Luckily, unless you destroy your knives, you can always throw one up on the exchange and switch it up!
My preference lately has been toward Spydercos, so I'd really recommend a PM2 or Native 5 G10. They're both in your budget, and they're both really well made and high quality knives, especially considering what you pay for them.
Keep us posted on your decision!
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Another vote for the Paramilitary 2 and a Sharpmaker. Maybe also get a cheaper knife to practice sharpening on, like an Opinel or some of the low end Kershaws (like the Chill).