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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
I have ~$500 to drop on a folder, what would you recommend?
- Thread starter Rennd
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
- Messages
- 23
If I was in your position, I would want to purchase a Curtiss Knives' F3, just because it looks cool. Good luck with your search and happy hunting. 
http://www.curtissknives.com/f3/
http://www.curtissknives.com/f3/
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2014
- Messages
- 1,174
Oh, I forgot the why.
Traditional, those are the blades my dad always had that I wanted. Nice feeling if nostalgia while also being extremely functional. Traditional slip joints are legal pretty much everywhere. The case Bose cattle knife you get 3 nice CPM154 BLADES that will pretty much do anything.
Sebenza is a sebenza there's nothing else I can say that I'm sure you haven't heard. The CF looks nicer, marks up less and is lighter. Looks a little Bond-ish if you know what I mean.
Traditional, those are the blades my dad always had that I wanted. Nice feeling if nostalgia while also being extremely functional. Traditional slip joints are legal pretty much everywhere. The case Bose cattle knife you get 3 nice CPM154 BLADES that will pretty much do anything.
Sebenza is a sebenza there's nothing else I can say that I'm sure you haven't heard. The CF looks nicer, marks up less and is lighter. Looks a little Bond-ish if you know what I mean.
- Joined
- May 8, 2012
- Messages
- 413
That sounds like enough to get you a Sebenza , its a fabulous knife. Tight tolerances. Good steel. the ability to take it apart and clean it if needed and from what I hear good warranty service, I would recommend it over the strider ,though it is an alright knife (drama aside)
pics are of a small 21
pics are of a small 21
Comeuppance
Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2013
- Messages
- 4,765
Let's just get these out of the way:
"X is overpriced"
Where X = Any maker of knives, be they custom or factory or mid-tech.
Additionally:
"Get Z knives instead of one knife"
Where Z = any number greater than one.
THAT SAID
Tough call! It really depends on where your preferences lie. Sebbies are the crowd favorite in that range, and I find that they are exceptional knives as well. I'd be strongly tempted to pick up a Hinderer XM-24 Bowie off the exchange for that kinda money, or perhaps a Reaté Steelcraft Kwaiken.
I doubt, however, that this is really the best way to go about finding a knife in that price range. Put that money away, sit on it for a while, and think about it like a tattoo - you should really want it before you decide to get it, and you'll want to be absolutely sure that you want it. If you don't even have one already in mind, then you're not likely to be happy with what you get unless you get a really good deal and can trade/sell it if you find you're not too keen on it.
I would look hard at what you're expecting and what you would actually get for the money. Shirogorovs are really for the flipper enthusiasts - people who are so picky about flippers that they want it to be perfect.
You might look at some Rocksteads and wait for your desired model to pop up on the exchange or elsewhere at a discount. Rocksteads are easily the most expensive knives that people actually use, instead of just fondling and staring at.
If, however, you fall into the fondle-and-stare-at category, I would recommend a wood-inlaid damascus sebenza of some variety. They can be intensely visually arresting.
Given the broad range of knives available at that price point, you would aid suggestions greatly by narrowing the field of search. What are some aspects you don't want? Size? Blade shape? Weight? Carry options? Blade steel? Handle materials? Type of lock? Country of manufacture? Intended use? Toss a couple specifics out there and you might be surprised at how much there is still to sift through.
"X is overpriced"
Where X = Any maker of knives, be they custom or factory or mid-tech.
Additionally:
"Get Z knives instead of one knife"
Where Z = any number greater than one.
THAT SAID
Tough call! It really depends on where your preferences lie. Sebbies are the crowd favorite in that range, and I find that they are exceptional knives as well. I'd be strongly tempted to pick up a Hinderer XM-24 Bowie off the exchange for that kinda money, or perhaps a Reaté Steelcraft Kwaiken.
I doubt, however, that this is really the best way to go about finding a knife in that price range. Put that money away, sit on it for a while, and think about it like a tattoo - you should really want it before you decide to get it, and you'll want to be absolutely sure that you want it. If you don't even have one already in mind, then you're not likely to be happy with what you get unless you get a really good deal and can trade/sell it if you find you're not too keen on it.
I would look hard at what you're expecting and what you would actually get for the money. Shirogorovs are really for the flipper enthusiasts - people who are so picky about flippers that they want it to be perfect.
You might look at some Rocksteads and wait for your desired model to pop up on the exchange or elsewhere at a discount. Rocksteads are easily the most expensive knives that people actually use, instead of just fondling and staring at.
If, however, you fall into the fondle-and-stare-at category, I would recommend a wood-inlaid damascus sebenza of some variety. They can be intensely visually arresting.
Given the broad range of knives available at that price point, you would aid suggestions greatly by narrowing the field of search. What are some aspects you don't want? Size? Blade shape? Weight? Carry options? Blade steel? Handle materials? Type of lock? Country of manufacture? Intended use? Toss a couple specifics out there and you might be surprised at how much there is still to sift through.
That is not too specific a criteria, but I will take a shot. If you are leaning towards an SMF size and style of knife. I would go either with either an SMF or a Hinderer XM 24. For me the XM 18 and SNG are more practical sizes. The Hinderer is a heavier knife and IMHO the F&F is more precise and I like the flipper, it also opens easily with the thumb studs. The Strider is light weight and a really cool design, ergos are very good though not as good as the Hinderer, either would be a good choice but they are very different. Steel is similar though you have some options with both if you look around, same with blade grinds although there are more options for the Hinderer.
If you are looking for something that is more of a minimalist style of knife and less tactical, the Sebenza 21 & 25 are both extremely well finished and thought out knives. The Carbon Fibre versions from Knife Center are also nice and they are lighter if that's a factor, I wouldn't rule out an Umnumzaan either for that matter. These are the only three brands I have direct experience with I can't comment on the Shiro's although there is lots of threads on this forum about them.
If you are looking for something that is more of a minimalist style of knife and less tactical, the Sebenza 21 & 25 are both extremely well finished and thought out knives. The Carbon Fibre versions from Knife Center are also nice and they are lighter if that's a factor, I wouldn't rule out an Umnumzaan either for that matter. These are the only three brands I have direct experience with I can't comment on the Shiro's although there is lots of threads on this forum about them.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2014
- Messages
- 709
Oh, that is tempting...
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2014
- Messages
- 709
Have you handled one yet? I've been eyeing that, I'm just curious if it feels as nice as it looks. I've had a lot of knives on bearings, and a lot have just felt like a retextured ZT 0560.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2014
- Messages
- 709
3.5"-4" is my preferred blade length. Not a fan of tantos, I usually go for drop points or unexaggerated clip points. Wharncliffes are nice too. Weight isn't too much of a factor, I typically wear jeans. For the handle, any of the usuals at this price point. G10, CF, Ti, etc. just no frn. Famelocks and liner-locks are usually where my money goes. Country isn't all to important to me. Intended use is mostly just general city carry, not much hard use, but intimidation is always a little nice. The 3.5" to 4" length parameters take care of that, however.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2013
- Messages
- 11,630
I've had mine since October 24th. It's one of the absolute smoothest bearings flippers you'll handle.
Uses loose ceramic bearings. Ceramic detent and ceramic bead at the end of the clip for easy extraction. Incredible milling on the titanium that gives good grip. It has a very narrow profile for a flipper with a 3.95" blade. Weighs just 5 ounces (skeletonized titanium). Disappears in the pocket. Guard can be used to open it using your thumb.
Great design and execution. Excellent quality.
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