i need some advice on folders

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05svs

Joined
Nov 14, 2006
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this is my first post on the forum and im pretty excited to get some responses. yesterday something hit me and ive decided to buy a high quality folder. i dont know much about knives but i have been cruising the site for a while. i have knives that i work with and i want something new.

the requirements are:

i dont want to spend a ton of money realistically $150 at the most

its going to be somewhat of a show piece so it has to look nice but it has to be quality made and durable as well

i like bigger knives buts its going to be carried a lot so it cant be huge

i wouldnt use it unless ABSOLUTELY necessary but the main reason for buying it is self defense so i want it to be easy and fast to open as well as having a good lock and any other features that would make it better for this type of knife

Ive been told that the al mar sere 2000 can be had for around 150 new and i fell in love with its looks the first time i saw it, so if anyone has any input on this knife specifically, or anything that fits my requirements i would really appriciate it.

Thanks for any advice
 
not huge probably around 4-5" i would assume thats a reasonable and usable size. oh, and i need it ambidextrous, im left handed.
 
One of the few brand loyalties I have is to Cold Steel knives. I carry a Ti-Lite for various purposes, including utility and self-defense. It's probably the nicest knife of its class that I've handled. They go for around 80 bucks, though I picked mine up cheaper (40 at the Cold Steel Challenge).

If you like slim-line style stiletto blades, this is a pretty sweet knife. It's in your price range, quite a bit cheaper, actually, and it's ridiculousy sharp. I cut open the leg of some cotton Kung Fu pants accidentally just by brushing the tip across them. The liner lock's suppsed to hold somethng like 80 pounds without bending. If you're willing to go as high as 150, you can also get one with a titanium handle, which might have a nicer lock on it (i'm not sure). It's also four inches long, which is a decent length, though if you want a really big folder, it might seem a bit underpowered.

The main downside of the Ti-Lite in my opinion is that it scares the sheeple. So don't display it too much unless you want morons calling it a "switchblade."

If you want something heavier, they also have the 5-inch voyager. That's a prety heavy-duty cutting knife.
 
Nothing wrong with Cold Steel, but they are sort of plain-looking. That's good if you don't want attention, but not much of a show-piece.

The Sere 2000 is one of the best folders out there for performance, and fit & finish, but it is fairly bulky. If you have small hands, get the new mini version, which is still a good-sized knife.

Definitely look at the Benchmade axis lock folders. Extremely ambidextrous, as in, anyone can hold back the lock and wrist-flick one open or closed. Many of them are very elegant-looking. They come in a great range of blade size.
 
My reccomendation would be to find a knife store and handle some knives. You can always buy on the net after you find out what you like.
 
My recomendation would be to find a knife store and handle some knives, too. You can always buy on the net if his prices are ridiculous, but if you just kick the tires and then go buy somewhere else, he may not be in business the next time you want a test-drive.
 
Its great to shop hands on when you can. There are many choices that meet or exceed your requirments. Some really good ones have already been mentioned. I'll just drop a few more out there.

Show piece makes it a bit more challenging. I'd look at the BenchMade Rukus and the BenchMade HK34 for starters. Both are stunning lookers and great performers.

I just bought a Cold Steel Spectre about a week ago on ebay for just a few more dollars than your max limit. Talk about a show piece. I just wrote a short review of that one in the knife review forums. It is slowly growing on me and working in but the lock is a bit sticky at first.

Also, some of the high end Kershaw knives are worth a look see. The TiZDP189 Leek is a very good looking functional folder with the assisted opening to help out. The new Zero Tolerance ZT200 is a very good looking folder and if you shop I believe you can find one for around your max limit. These ZT models are extreme knives that I believe are worth every cent. I have not seen one just yet but will here soon as that is on my to do list. I am confident after what I've read that they are going to be very typical Kershaw in quality with looks and function to boot.

STR
 
Since you want something that looks nice I would suggest the CF Mili. Newgraham still has them for five bucks over you limit. And that is a fantastic price, I paid $25 more and still think I good a really good deal. Yes, yes I know, I make the usual mistake of suggesting that is just over the limit, but in this case I think the extra $5 are really worth it.

If it is a hart limit, my first suggestion would be the Manix.
 
Al Mar 2000--Tough knife with some eye appeal. If you don't use it unless necessay, you'll have this one for years. The ergonomics are great and the liner lock (even on the one I bought second hand) still locks tight and to the left of the middle

Al Mar Nomad--smaller than what you mentioned but still a top performer. Smae qualities in a smaller package as the 2000.

Endura 4 Wave--Not the looker you want but the wave will definitely make it a show piece to anyone you show it to. The wave makes it a rapidly deployable blade if necessary.

Emerson CQC-11, Waved--a four inch blade and solid construction, tough for when 'necessary' and some eye appeal due to the blade shape

Benchmade 960--axis lock and lots of eye appeal. Smaller than you'd like but not too big for EDC. Can be use das a last ditch self defense blade.

Hope this helps
 
I hope you are getting the idea that a per knife limit is ok; but as you learn more you will want more knives. several more. More than several.

Oh hell just face it, you will be hooked on collecting blades!
 
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