Higher end folder comparisons

[Brutus013]

Help! I'm trying to decide on my first higher end folding knife (compared to what I usually buy, at least), but there's four knives I'm looking at, and I'm having trouble picking one. Now, I know that any of the choices I'm about to present will turn out to be wonderful knives, so I'm only asking for opinions from people who've used more than one of the following, and can compare them and give me your choice. Also, if you know of a knife that's similar to any of the ones listed and can compare it instead, that'd be great as well. If it wasn't obvious from the choices, I won't be doing anything heavy duty at all.

Mcusta Take MCU33D

Seki-Cut Folding Katana SC-139D

Spyderco Leaf Storm

Bradley Alias II w/ G10

 

[A_Blade_Afficionado]

You could also take a look at the Knife Maker's section too. They have some extremely high quality pieces that you could have custom ordered to your preference. Just a thought.

 

[tjsulli790]

Of those 4 I would choose the the G10 Alias II, but I believe that was a limited run so I don't know how available that knife will be. Second place would probably be the Leafstorm, if the ergos were better it would be my go to EDC. It has a lot of other great features that make up for it tho (TI frame lock, translucent G10, S30V, and pivot bushing system)

 

[Brutus013]

The G10 Alias is in stock in at least one store I have bookmarked right now. Could you elaborate on the pivot bushing system on the Leafstorm?

 

[Dagon]

- Several people find the new leafstorm a bit uneasy to hold as your hand comes very close to the blade edge.
- I have the Mcusta with wood handles and it is one of the very best gentlemen-like folders I ever encountered. Mind you, it is well build as well and can withstand some heavier use. I cannot imagine you being disappointed with it.
- At a trade fair I played with a few Seki Cuts - can't remember the models - an the quality impression was also very nice, perhaps slightly below Mcusta but very good nevertheless.

 

[Dekz]

Is it just me or are the first two choices completely different from the last two choices?

Out of those 4, I would say Mcusta all the way.

Maybe check out the Kershaw Nakamura as well?

 

[krazichinaman]

If you are interested in the Alias, I would suugest looking at the Sebenza as well.

I edced a sebenza since Dec 08 till now. I just received my Leaf storm yesterday and I will be using it as a new EDC. (I use my knife for work and I get some looks from people that are Sheeple).

You definately get what you pay for.

Here is a size reference regarding a Small Regular Sebenza and the leafstorm.

 

[Brutus013]

Is it just me or are the first two choices completely different from the last two choices?

Out of those 4, I would say Mcusta all the way.

Maybe check out the Kershaw Nakamura as well?

I didn't say what kind of knives they were, besides "higher end." All of these knives are much more expensive than any knife I've every owned, and they are literally four random knives I've found that seem very appealing to me.

As far as the Leafstorm goes, I realize the complaints about your finger being close to the blade are legitimate if you are going to be stabbing, but I don't stab in the course of my day, any day, and if I do it's not with enough force to dislodge my finger. And if I do happen to need to stab something, I can always use the less comfortable grip wherein your index finger is behind the choil completely.

The Sebenza is totally out of my price range. The most expensive knife I've owned is the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian, I had to reason with myself just to get enough spirit to actually decide to spend $100+. Hopefully it starts a trend, though, as I'd eventually like to get into Sebenza type prices (although the money will go towards some customs before I get a Sebenza).

 

[Razorsharp1986]

I'm a huge Spyderco fan.
But in this case I'd go with the Seki-cut. It appeals to me the most. But then again, I've got that Mcusta already, so I don't need ANOTHER one.

 

[spyken]

the Mcustas will be the sharpest out of the box, if that matters to you.

the leafstorm...look at it, I don't think it will be comfortable due to the lack of a choil.

I like the Bradley.

but at that price range, have you considered other models like Spyderco Sage, Caly 3, Manix 2?

 

[Brutus013]

the Mcustas will be the sharpest out of the box, if that matters to you.

the leafstorm...look at it, I don't think it will be comfortable due to the lack of a choil.

I like the Bradley.

but at that price range, have you considered other models like Spyderco Sage, Caly 3, Manix 2?

Out of box sharpness definitely has appeal to it, but the more important thing is just having an edge I can touch up on my sharpmaker. I'd assume all of these knives would have decent out of box sharpness.

The leafstorm actually has a place to put your finger, the flat spot just in front of the blade. It's a comfortable knife to hold, apparently, but the issue people have is that your finger is quite close to the blade, and there's nothing to stop your finger from sliding onto said blade in a hard thrust cut. However, that's not an issue for me personally.

Also, I've checked out plenty of Spyderco models. However, a lot of them look similar, and the Leafstorm has an appeal to me that none of the other models do.

 

[Dagon]

By the way, the Spyderco Sage 2 offers in essence Sebenza-quality and a similar usage experience at half the price. You may want to add it to your shortlist. I also think it looks better than a Sebenza, but tastes differ. It is thicker than a Sebenza though.

Anyway, as I wrote above, I have the Mcusta MC75D "Take" - the same with wooden handle, and it is really very good. It's VG10 seems to stay sharp longer than my other VG10 based knives. It's really nice so the one you are contemplating should be excellent as well, in a somewhat heftier package.

 

[Brutus013]

By the way, the Spyderco Sage 2 offers in essence Sebenza-quality and a similar usage experience at half the price. You may want to add it to your shortlist. I also think it looks better than a Sebenza, but tastes differ. It is thicker than a Sebenza though.

Anyway, as I wrote above, I have the Mcusta MC75D "Take" - the same with wooden handle, and it is really very good. It's VG10 seems to stay sharp longer than my other VG10 based knives. It's really nice so the one you are contemplating should be excellent as well, in a somewhat heftier package.

I'd seen the Take in the wood handles, and it also looks very nice. However, the damascus handle, for me, takes the knife to whole other level as far aesthetics are concerned.

It seems the Sage 2 is about the same price as the Leafstorm, however I like the Leafstorm more from an aesthetic point of view. The blade on the Sage 2 is a bit bigger, but I think 2.5" is plenty big for the kind of EDC I do. It's definitely on the short list, though, I'll have to keep it in mind for a later purchase. My tastes also change pretty often, so I wouldn't be surprised if some time later on the Sage 2 looks more aesthetically pleasing to me.

 

[Brutus013]

I REALLY like how the Leafstorm looks, but I just now noticed how thick that blade is, and it also has a hollow grind...I like a blade that slices well, so I'm thinking the Leafstorm won't be the best in that regard. I'll have to check the other blade thicknesses as well. How thick is the blade on your Take, Dagon?

 

[marthinus]

You could also take a look at the Knife Maker's section too. They have some extremely high quality pieces that you could have custom ordered to your preference. Just a thought.

:thumbup: You would be surprised at what prices you could get some knives from makers! Pop some an email and hear what they have to say.

 

[Brutus013]

Custom folders in the $100-$200 range? I've seen some friction folders at that price, but that's about it. At this point, I'm not planning on EDCing a fixed blade, but if there's some custom folders at this price point I'll have to take a look. If you know anyone specifically, I'd appreciate some name dropping.

 

[lava_lamp]

Mcusta Take MCU33D
Seki-Cut Folding Katana SC-139D
Spyderco Leaf Storm
Bradley Alias II w/ G10

This is like one of those "which one doesn't belong" questions on an IQ test. The Bradley doesn't fit. If you want one like that, I'd also consider the Kershaw Leek with G10 and S30V, the Spyderco Paramilitary, or several others.

There aren't many knives like the Leafstorm, which I guess is the point. Other than a Dalton auto, I've never seen that color G10.

For the "gentleman's knife," which includes your first two, the Benchamde Shoki, the Kershaw Nakamura; Lone Wolf Paul Executive, Prankster, or Presto; plus many small folders from Spyderco. Many of the Spydies are offered with customized scales like mother of pearl from Sante Fe Stoneworks.

Good luck.

 

[Brutus013]

This is like one of those "which one doesn't belong" questions on an IQ test. The Bradley doesn't fit. If you want one like that, I'd also consider the Kershaw Leek with G10 and S30V, the Spyderco Paramilitary, or several others.

There aren't many knives like the Leafstorm, which I guess is the point. Other than a Dalton auto, I've never seen that color G10.

For the "gentleman's knife," which includes your first two, the Benchamde Shoki, the Kershaw Nakamura; Lone Wolf Paul Executive, Prankster, or Presto; plus many small folders from Spyderco. Many of the Spydies are offered with customized scales like mother of pearl from Sante Fe Stoneworks.

Good luck.

I've already had a very thorough look through the Kershaw lineup, and there's no knives of theirs that interest me at this price point (or a lower price point, right now), and the same goes for Spyderco. The Bradley Alias is one of the very few "tactical" looking knives I'm considering right now, but I couldn't really tell you why. Also, for the smaller knives from Spyderco, I feel as though a lot of their lineup looks relatively similar, and right now it's not really something I'm digging too much. The Leafstorm is just very unique, and it's really the only Spyderco I'm currently really impressed by. I haven't taken a very good look at the Lone Wolf line up recently, though. I've seen the Benchmade Shoki, and it was one of the knives I was considering (there was a much larger list, trust me), but I liked the looks and features of these knives a bit more.

 

[marthinus]

Custom folders in the $100-$200 range? I've seen some friction folders at that price, but that's about it. At this point, I'm not planning on EDCing a fixed blade, but if there's some custom folders at this price point I'll have to take a look. If you know anyone specifically, I'd appreciate some name dropping.

I do apologize. I Did not mean custom, I meant handmade knifes. Maybe a knife maker would change a few things for a bit more.

 

[Brutus013]

As it turns out, you can get the Bradley Alias II with titanium handles and a non-coated blade for under $200 as well. That's much better. That makes it quite a bit more appealing to me, as I was planning on getting rid of the coating on the G10 model either way. Wew.