Higher end folder comparisons

[FlaMtnBkr]

I know you said that was the only spyderco you find appealing but the caly 3 ZDP / carbon fiber seems it would fit the type of knife you are looking for. The carbon fiber looks great and the ZDP is amazing steel. It holds a great edge and is very thin with the full flat grind making it an awesome slicer. The wire clip is really nice too.
Might try staring at some pics for awhile and see if it grows on you.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

oops...double tap

 

[hector81]

I don't have experience with the others, but my mcusta is a perfect gentleman's edc folder. Im very happy with it. I think you will be too.

 

[Dagon]

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.

From looking at the picture in your original post, I must admit that indeed the damascus handle version looks even better than my already very seductive wooden handle version (which makes even non-knife-people drool)

How thick is the blade on your Take, Dagon?

Unfortunately I cannot measure it right now. It's a bit thicker than the blade of an Opinel 8 or a Spyderco Centofante 3 or a SAK, but it still does slice like a lightsaber
Again, if you like well made gentlemen knives, then I cannot you being disappointed with it.

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.

A perfectly acceptable reason. I do think however that the design of the Sage 2 has more character than the Bradley's. Again, tastes differ...

 

[Reeek]

I own all these brands except the Bradley. I have several Mcustas and Seki-Cut Lums. Here's my take on those three brands:

* The Mcustas are super fine knives if medium duty or less is your goal. They are very gentlemanly knives but are very apt as well. If you get one with a pocket clip it is as deep a carry as you would ever want. They come SHARP and get sharp again very easily.

* The Seki Cuts are great knives too. Their D2 blades rock. My only complaint with them is the use of white nylon washers (in the Lum's) although the knives lock up rock solid in all directions. The other downside is that damned thumbstud. It's a righty only if that matter plus they are very long so they stick out a lot (albeit your thumb finds it fast) and the knurling is brutal on your hand when you reach into your pocket past the knife. I've taken a stone and softened the knurling on the one I carry a lot because it can draw blood. They are very sharp out of the box.

* The Leafstorm is the best built knife of the three IMHO. The ergos are fantastic for a smallish knife. The only downside is there isn't much cutting blade but I've carried mine now for two straight weeks and love it. It came very sharp too.

Check out the Spyderco Sage 2 RIL. That is a very fine knife that kicks a lot of knives out of one's pocket

 

[Brutus013]

I own all these brands except the Bradley. I have several Mcustas and Seki-Cut Lums. Here's my take on those three brands:

* The Mcustas are super fine knives if medium duty or less is your goal. They are very gentlemanly knives but are very apt as well. If you get one with a pocket clip it is as deep a carry as you would ever want. They come SHARP and get sharp again very easily.

* The Seki Cuts are great knives too. Their D2 blades rock. My only complaint with them is the use of white nylon washers (in the Lum's) although the knives lock up rock solid in all directions. The other downside is that damned thumbstud. It's a righty only if that matter plus they are very long so they stick out a lot (albeit your thumb finds it fast) and the knurling is brutal on your hand when you reach into your pocket past the knife. I've taken a stone and softened the knurling on the one I carry a lot because it can draw blood. They are very sharp out of the box.

* The Leafstorm is the best built knife of the three IMHO. The ergos are fantastic for a smallish knife. The only downside is there isn't much cutting blade but I've carried mine now for two straight weeks and love it. It came very sharp too.

Check out the Spyderco Sage 2 RIL. That is a very fine knife that kicks a lot of knives out of one's pocket

How does the fit and finish on the Sage 2 compare to that of the Leafstorm? After looking at it a bit and reading some reviews, it does seem like a very nice design. The blade's a bit bigger than the Leafstorm's, and I'm assuming it's a good deal more thin which means it'll slice better.

As far as the Caly 3 goes, I'm a bit weary of ZDP-189 right now. I've heard a lot of people talk about various issues, and with a steel as hard and as difficult to work with as ZDP-189, I'd like to wait a bit until I get some more sharpening supplies.

 

[gunmike1]

My Caly 3 CF/ZDP arrives right after I had back surgery and couldn't use my benchstones, so I was worried about using ZDP again on my Sharpmaker. My worries were unfounded though, as in 2 mnutes I had it hair whittling sharp. The edge is very thin and acute which makes sharpmaker touch ups super easy. The knife is just great, and ZDP 189 is a great steel with excellent sharpness and edge retention along with being easy to sharpen when the edge is thin and acute. I personally think it would be the best cutting tool of the bunch you listed, and IMO it looks very nice too with the CF and it's lines. It is just a great, ergonomic knife that cuts like a champ.

Mike

 

[Brutus013]

My Caly 3 CF/ZDP arrives right after I had back surgery and couldn't use my benchstones, so I was worried about using ZDP again on my Sharpmaker. My worries were unfounded though, as in 2 mnutes I had it hair whittling sharp. The edge is very thin and acute which makes sharpmaker touch ups super easy. The knife is just great, and ZDP 189 is a great steel with excellent sharpness and edge retention along with being easy to sharpen when the edge is thin and acute. I personally think it would be the best cutting tool of the bunch you listed, and IMO it looks very nice too with the CF and it's lines. It is just a great, ergonomic knife that cuts like a champ.

Mike

Is there a ZDP version without the CF?

 

[Reeek]

How does the fit and finish on the Sage 2 compare to that of the Leafstorm? After looking at it a bit and reading some reviews, it does seem like a very nice design. The blade's a bit bigger than the Leafstorm's, and I'm assuming it's a good deal more thin which means it'll slice better.

The fit and finish is as good as many customs. I have two and each was flawless in a practical sense. As goo d as a production folder gets on the two I have. It's nearly a perfect EDC in every sense.

 

[Brutus013]

I found another knife in this price range with good materials and a design I really like, the Lone Wolf Prankster. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[gunmike1]

Is there a ZDP version without the CF?

No. There was the discontinued Caly Jr which is FRN and came with ZDP, but the Caly 3 in G-10 only comes with VG-10.

Mike

 

[tomcrx]

Of the 4 knive you mentioned and from your posts I woul go with the
Bradley. I think you will like it more in the long run

 

[Brutus013]

I'm still having a hard time deciding on one of these knives, so I'm going to postpone the purchase for now and I'm going to pick up a less expensive knife in the meantime. However, I'd still very much like some opinions on the four knives I've chosen, as well as the Sage II and the Lone Wolf Prankster.

 

[stevekt]

I would choose the Mcusta Take. I've always wanted that particular knife.

 

[Brutus013]

I would choose the Mcusta Take. I've always wanted that particular knife.

That's the one I've been leaning towards, because of the high quality Mcusta is known for having, the VG10 damascus (I love me some VG10), the look of the knife, the size, everything's pretty much spot on.

 

[Brutus013]

Oh god, I wish I hadn't seen this:

Now there's some rationalizations going on in my head for a $200+ folder. Must...resist...

 

[oldscrimmer]

I own Seki Cut and Mcusta (the Take in particular) and have been totally pleased with them both. It's hard to beat a good laminated steel with a VG-10 core, and both are slim line knives fitting well in a pocket sheath. Edge holding is superb, fit and finish are as good as it gets for an OTB knife. Re-sharpening isn't a problem with the right equipment. The only gripe I have about the Take is you have to watch the handle as it will tend to corrode slightly with a sweaty enviornment. By corrosion I mean little dark spots. Just keep it clean and wiped down after use, you'll love it.

 

[bearcut]

I found another knife in this price range with good materials and a design I really like, the Lone Wolf Prankster. Anyone have any experience with these?

I have a Lone Wolf Paul Presto folder which uses the same locking system.
It is a very nice little knife. That locking system is right up there with the Axis for ‘cool’ factor.

I have a Bradley Alias 2 also.
It is also a very good knife. It’s kind of in between a gents folder and a harder use knife.

The Mcustas and Seki-Cuts are good pieces as well.

A couple others to consider would be the Al Mar Mini-SERE and the Buck /Mayo 171 & 172 series. Both of these brands and designs are top quality and double as dress knives.