I want to buy a high end folder-help

colubrid

colubrid

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Nov 26, 2005
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I want to buy a higher end folder but am new and have not seen or held any yet.

I want to get the one for the most value (quality) for the money. So far I have come up with these

custom Strider
Emerson Commander
Zero Tolerance
Large sebenza
Spyderco Titanium ATR
 
Let me suggest a Microtech Socom
 
Any of the production knives you have listed will do, but I'm not a Strider fan. Too angular and overpriced.

Really liking the ZTs these days, will be picking one up. I just wish they had a spring assist on the smaller one that I want.
 
there are so many quality folders that it's impossible to say which one you would think was the best value - you really should go to a knife store or knife show (or gun show, many of those have knife sellers too) so you can hold and compare the knives yourself. For instance, no one can question the QUALITY of a Sebenza, however whether it will actually please you personally more than (for instance) a custom SNG, or a production ZT 200, is a call that only you can make upon holding them.
 
I think it depends on how much abuse you plan. The Emerson/Strider/ZT are some tough mofo knife companies. The Sebenza is tough as well but I consider it a tiny bit less hardcore. At least that's how they are marketed. As far as best value for the money I think the ZT300 series is the best right now as long as you don't mind that it weighs 8 oz.
 
I love Spyderco, but personally, the Ti ATR isn't worth the money that it demands these days. It's only worth it if I were looking for a safe queen and I liked that model. The SS ATR is just as tough and costs a third the price.
 
i'd start with some extreme steel if 'high end' was the idea. I'd also start with a recognized brand name, not a custom. I'd stick to a fairly plain version and mid-sized to large, as that makes it likely you can re-sell it (it'd be less expensive and therefore suited to more people) ..

If I was 'new' and wanted a 'high end' collectable I'd likely get a benchmade or a microtech, either one can be resold for most if not all the purchase price, given it's unhurt. The reason I emphasize resale is that you might try a half dozen before you run across the keeper. . and knives being a very personal taste, no one elses recommendation is guaranteed to please you. It's very likely you'll have to experiment a little.

These days, some sort of supersteel is pretty standard, and you MAY just want a quality user.. in which case this one @ about 90$ isn't so bad..

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8583

not 'top shelf' but certainly above the midline, and a little easier to carry out in the real world than an heirloom quality collectors piece.. of course you might prefer the plain or combo edge grind, that serrated one just looks so grim and efficient for SD.. ;)
 
I am going to purchase a Large Sebenza. I have a small sebenza and I just got it back from CRK and it is like new. Cost me $10.00 shipping. I had the knife near two years and EDCed the crap out of it. When it got to the point it needed a real sharprning I sent it in and got it back in 10 days. This is why now I want a Large one. Great tough folder with an outstanding customer service reputation as well.... So the Lg Sebenza is my suggestion!
 
How much ($$$) do you consider high-end?

Try knifeart.com or arizonacustomknives.com for a start, to get some ideas.
 
Okay Senza it is.

I really liked the look of that one anyway. Just don't like the liner lock. I prefer the basic back lock.
 
It's not a liner lock. The framelock design is one of the strongest. There's a reason why CRK, Zero Tolerance, and Strider all use it on their flagship knives.
 
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