Help with my first frame lock please gents. This means YOU folder enthusiasts!

snwbrdr202

snwbrdr202

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'Evening gentlemen, haven't posted in the general area for a while now! I am an avid cutlery enthusiast and I am looking for my first titanium frame lock folder. I have narrowed it down to 2 knives that meet my judging criteria: the DPX Hest 2.0 and the Spyderco Sage 2. I just wanted to ask everyone's opinion as which one to get. Also, if you have any other recommendations for similar knives, please feel free to run them by me. Thanks in advance for any help!
 
I'd go for the Sage 2 as well. Althought it is a little bit smaller I think.

I held a Hest folder at a local knife shop and I thought it felt cheap.
 
Sage 2 again :) cuts like a razor, carries like a dream and is a perfect size over all.

I haven't seen the DPx though, but I don't feel the need with my Sage 2.
 
You have to know that these two knives are completely different, the only thing they have in common is a titanium frame lock.

I have a Sage 2, and it is a great knife! It is more of a gentlemen's folder, it's on the medium-small side, and not really a "hard use" knife. It carries easily, and is very people-friendly.

I don't have a hest, but I can tell you it's a bigger, beefier knife. It has a much more "tactical" appearance than the Sage 2.

It really depends on what you need the knife for, or your preferences, as they aren't really in the same category.
 
Of the two you posted the sage 2 is the better choice. That said if I were you I'd look at the ZT 0550.
 
Thank you for the quick & helpful responses gentlemen. I do a lot of trout fishing, so for those of you who own a Sage 2: does it close & open easily with 1 hand? I usually only have one hand available when fishing, so this is another consideration I just thought about...
 
snwbrdr202 said:
Thank you for the quick & helpful responses gentlemen. I do a lot of trout fishing, so for those of you who own a Sage 2: does it close & open easily with 1 hand? I usually only have one hand available when fishing, so this is another consideration I just thought about...
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I find it very easy to do so. Plus, extremely easy to clean.
 
I don't own one but have handled a few spyderco sage 2, they are a very smooth and ergonomic knife with a good blade shape for slicing and general cutting. The hest I just don't like, beside all the issues not involving the knife I think its full of hype and its ugly. I would replace that choice with the ZT 0550.
 
I'd also vote for the Sage 2 over the HEST. If you're really doing a lot of wet work, however, you might want to look at Spyderco's H1 knives. They're not framelocks, but they are designed to perform in wet environments without worry about corrosion issues.

The Sage is a fine intro to framelocks (or RIL's as Spyderco likes to call them) for a reasonable price. It's easy to work with one hand, either hand. And it's more than capable of stepping up into a "tougher use category" from time to time if it needs to.
 
Since you said this means ME, I'll chime in. I say neither. Both are outsourced and I just don't support that with knives. There are hundreds of knives out there that are in-house made. I would say buy a Zero Tolerance or Kershaw if looking for a sub $200 knife. Funny thing is that I own neither! My money goes to Chris Reeve Knives and Strider mostly. I just like their designs and they fit most of my criteria.
 
Between those, def the Sage 2, but it's hard to recommend something similar b/c the only thing in common between those two is that they're framelocks.
 
Based on the history of the 2 companies, and their "owners" I'd recommend the Sage 2 (even though I don't own either one) of the ones you mention.

The ZT 0550 or 0300 or RIL Milli would be my personal recommendation, though (based on those I own).
 
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