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I have ~$500 to drop on a folder, what would you recommend?
- Thread starter Rennd
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Strider has the perfect balance of heavy duty, while still being thin enough to cut well. Well the spear point flat grind, 3/4grind anyway. The 3/4 tanto is ,much like a hinderer way to thick to cut what I need it to. There nice and lightweight and ergo. SMF CC or the SnG lego are my favriotes! Honorable mention sebenza 25 is a great knife also.
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Almost impossible to answer until you decide on steel material first
I like S30v, S35vn, CPM-154, M390, 20cv, etc.
Pretty much anything above VG10 wear resistance. I'm more for wear resistance than toughness, but I'm not looking for something with a ceramic blade or anything.
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I'd say either a CRK (specifically the 'Zaan) or a Rockstead Higo.
I know you're set on $500, but sooner or later that limit will increase...trust me
On the cheaper side, look at Reate or Kizer. They offer a lot knife for your dollar.
I know you're set on $500, but sooner or later that limit will increase...trust me
On the cheaper side, look at Reate or Kizer. They offer a lot knife for your dollar.
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Also, for the record, VG-10 is more wear resistant than the 154 type steels. VG-10 has a higher carbide volume.
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Since you mentioned the Hati, I'd say that's the way to go in the 500.00 range. I ended up with three inside of a year and I have yet to be disappointed.
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Where are you guys finding Shiros for $500? I see them everywhere for like $600-700+
I don't seek them out though, so maybe I haven't looked hard enough.
I don't seek them out though, so maybe I haven't looked hard enough.
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Saw one in the exchange the other day, barely missed it. Just gotta look hard enough.
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Why not put it away and combine it with more money?
I'm the type that will regret not saving just a little more...
Comeuppance
Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
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Aye - don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket. Let it grow, and you'll have the money for the knife you really want when you find it, and you won't have to hustle to sell your $500 impulse purchase. I've been slowly accumulating all the mid-priced knives I eschewed for more "premium" knives previously, and it really is immensely satisfying to get the knife you -want- instead of trying to find a knife you might like.
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Yep, you can find g10 models with the more basic steel offerings in that range.
And coincidentally, I'd recommend the Hati for your folder. Very tough to beat it for that price tag.
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I'd say either a CRK (specifically the 'Zaan) or a Rockstead Higo.
I know you're set on $500, but sooner or later that limit will increase...trust me
On the cheaper side, look at Reate or Kizer. They offer a lot knife for your dollar.
Well used or "like new" is a different story. I'm talkin' brand spankin' new
You really can't go wrong with the CRK Umnumzaan or my Wilson Combat Star-Tac version of it (for nicer-looking Wilson Starburst Grip with better traction).
I love the blades, grinds and polish of the Rockstead knives but know of too many who had blade play issues. I will get one eventually!
Once you go with $500 it's a slippery slope!
Definitely consider Reate Horizon-TI, Horizon-CF and the new Torrent. They run $375-$399 and are fantastic!
I'd buy a brand new Shirogorov Hati in a second for $500! It can happen. Prices on the F95 fell by quite a bit this year and that's why I have two of them.
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- Jul 28, 2004
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They can be had. I purchased two from Russia early last year for 550 and 600. One was new and the other used but I didn't see any noticeable use other than that the edge was touched up on a Sharpmaker (which was disclosed to me at the time). I was able to snag a nearly new Hati in S90V for 500.00 and it is my "go to" EDC... New doesn't do much for me because I plan on using them. As long as there is no "modding" or major re-profiling I'm comfortable with "used".
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You've heard of multiple cases of this? I've only heard of one.
I'm wondering if there was a small issue in there production schedule, and the ones with blade play were manufactured around the same time. I had an issue with 2 Umnumzaan's that had an ill-fitted detent (the blade would jiggle when closed...a lot!) and they were made within a month of each other (Sep '14 and Oct '14).
Like CRK, Rockstead includes a "birthdate" with each knife. I'd be intrigued to know the birthdate of the problematic Rocky's.
OP, don't let these accounts scare you away from Rockstead or CRK. Both are great companies, and unfortunately problems do happen from time to time. It could be as simple as "a new guy at the factory" or something wrong with their machinery. What matters is, if they are willing to fix said problems.
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All sub $500
Custom Knife Factory Morrf CF - S35VN
Liong Mah Remedy- S35VN
Fantoni CUT - S30V
Reate Horizon D Ti - M390
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Personally, two people I know of with two separate Rocksteads but around the same timeframe so the batch/person could be the issue. The blades are other-worldly!
You're right that all manufacturers and knife makers have issues at some point and even on multiple occasions. It's what they do to address the said issues that matters.