Recommendation? I want to purchase a “fancier” knife, but don’t really know what is good out there.

[YummyPotato]

BM 940,Para 2...

Definitely, I already own a PM2 and it is a great knife. I also heard a lot people talking about the BM940, but what makes it so great? Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[RealVendetta]

Yeah, I was looking at the Buck 110 and it is a beautiful knife, but a nail nick knife doesn't really tickle my fancy. I like to carry something with a different type of deployment. Thank you for the suggestion, I will perhaps consider more about this knife in the future.

They do make an auto 110 that Ive been eyeing for awhile.

 

[YummyPotato]

Are you in the US? That could impact your budget and availability. I'd go to knifecenter or bhq and use their search functions to select some of your requirements to see what pops up.

Yes, I do live in US. I bought most of my previous knives from BHQ and knifecenter. But there are so much options out there, I wonder what are something that knife fanatics would carry around this price range.

 

[YummyPotato]

Laconico EZC from Monterey Bay Knives fits your criteria.

Awesome, thank you for the suggestion. I would definitely check it out.

 

[YummyPotato]

If you are thinking Spyderco,I feel the Para 2 is to big but the Para 3 is smaller and better.Another one to consider in the Spyderco dept. is the Native 5. I have all three but love the Native 5 the most.That's if I am not pocketing a traditional.

I love Spyderco, they make really good EDC knives. I own the Drangon Fly, Delica, and PM2. Native 5 is being on my radar for a long time, but I also really like the Chaparral. Can't decide which one to buy, why do you love the Native 5 so much? Thank you for the suggestion, really appreciate it.

 

[YummyPotato]

Take a look at the offerings from Lionsteel, Al-Mar, Mcusta, Fallkniven, or Fox Knives. Each company offers a couple different kinds of "fancy" knife.

Thank you the suggestions, I would not know these companies if not for a nice community like you guys. Do you own any knives from these companies? If so, which one stands out to you?

 

[YummyPotato]

Spyderco Southard
SpydieChef

Thank you. I will definitely check these two knives out. Which one do you like it better? Also someone said the Spyderco Magnitude in this thread, do you have any experience with this knife?

 

[YummyPotato]

zt has some great models in your range, check them out

Yes, ZT make beautiful knives. Do you have any suggestion with a particular model that you really like? Thank you so much.

 

[eveled]

Yeah, I was looking at the Buck 110 and it is a beautiful knife, but a nail nick knife doesn't really tickle my fancy. I like to carry something with a different type of deployment. Thank you for the suggestion, I will perhaps consider more about this knife in the future.

Some 110’s have no nail nick.

 

[number9]

I'm a fan of the Native as well. But mine's a LW; so I wouldn't call it nice. Light, practical, maybe even all the knife you need. But it's plastic. Now, my Sage 2, in titanium, is similar to the Native and one of the "nicest" feeling knives I own. And it wasn't the most expensive.

Two knives that get a lot of pocket time are my trusty ZT 0808 and my new North Arm Skaha 2. The ZT is titanium, stout built and elegant looking IMO. Flips well, even though the effort (detent) is a little high. Not the best slicer, but definitely cuts. I like the blade shape more than I expected to, too. The Skaha is arguably priced a little high for a G10 knife. But the milling on the blade is unusual and interesting. And, the flipping action is fantastic. The scales are shaped to fit a hand. Nice knife. Sign up on the waiting list and buy something else hold you over.

At less than half the price of the above, I really enjoy my Bestech Pebble. Neat looking, very usable blade shape, great flip and close action. Thoughtful contouring of the lock bar where your thumb presses. My only complaint is that there's room in the handle for another 1/8" of blade. So I feel a little cheated. Discontinued, but still available from BHQ and others.

 

[YummyPotato]

Southern Grind Spider Monkey, WE Deacon (a little over budget at $250), Spyderco advocate (I believe DLT has them for $179).

Hmm...

Awesome, thank you for the amazing suggestions. Some people in the thread also suggest Spyderco, such as, the Chef and the Magnitude. Do you have any experience with these two knives? If so, which one would you chose out of these three? Thank you.

 

[YummyPotato]

The Kizer T1 is a fantastic knife. Rarely carry anything else these days after purchasing mine.

Yes, I heard about this knife. It is very clean and it has amazing action. A beautiful knife, but I heard the screws are very soft. What your experience on it? Thank you so much.

 

[YummyPotato]

Save some more money and get a Chris Reeve Sebenza.

Hehehe, one day one day.

 

[YummyPotato]

Have you checked out Giantmouse? This is a Biblio in natural micarta, but they come in more varieties. There's a full Ti one now, but it's a little more expensive.

There's also the Nimbus which I really like.

Both in M390.

No, I haven't look into any Giantmouse knives. Thank you for putting this knife on my radar. Btw, that is an amazing picture.

 

[cnm123]

I had a Boker mini kwaiken titanium I thought was fancy. Maybe it was more of a “gentleman’s knife”. I sold it but realized I liked so much I have another on the way.
Maybe look at their urban trapper or the full size kwaiken. I think they both offer g10, ti, carbon fiber, all in your budget.

 

[Dadpool]

Yes, ZT make beautiful knives. Do you have any suggestion with a particular model that you really like? Thank you so much.

Check out the 0562 in particular, that one seems right up your alley (albeit somewhat over your budget). Under budget, though, consider the 0450.

Beyond ZT, search through Kizer's line-up and you might find something to your liking. They make a lot of knives in the ~$150 price range with premium materials and excellent fit and finish. (My favorite, the Feist, is on the smaller end of your preferences.)

Also peek at the Benchmade Griptilian 551-1, which is under your budget.

And honestly I'd also consider going used. If you keep tabs on the Exchange here, it's not uncommon to find a knife outside your budget -- like the Benchmade 940-1, which ticks all your boxes, or a WE or Reate knife -- for 30-40% off street price in barely-used condition (or even new). As a hobby we collectively buy "too many" knives and often unload them for excellent prices.

In my experience the difference in fanciness between a PM2 and a $200 knife might not feel huge; the PM2 is already a fantastic knife with impeccable engineering and action. But the difference in how fancy a $250-$300 knife (which tends to be my upper limit) feels is likely to be more noticeable.

Here are photos of some of my recommendations.

ZT 0450 and Kizer Feist (both under your budget)

Reate-made Pena Rhino ($300, but I paid $210 on the Exchange for mine)

Benchmade 940-1 ($270, ~$200 used)

Benchmade Griptilian 551-1 (under your budget)

 

[RealVendetta]

Yes, I heard about this knife. It is very clean and it has amazing action. A beautiful knife, but I heard the screws are very soft. What your experience on it? Thank you so much.

I havent noticed the screws being soft personally. I have another Kizer that I feel the screws sre fairly soft but not the T1.

 

[fishface5]

It's important to remember that what others like may not be what you like once you hold it. Quality is quality but good ergonomics are very subjective to each individual. For instance the ZT 0450 is a quality knife but simply hurts my hands to hold.

However if you like thumbstuds and smooth action and not too bulky, and you don't have an axis lock knife, they are very fun and the bm 940 or 943 are definitely knives you should look at. The griptilian is also great but a little bulkier. Another potential option that might appeal to you would be the spydie kapara.

Also if you get a knife with soft screws it isn't hard or expensive to replace them.

Oh hey here's a post with some helpful comparison pics
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...0-and-custom-shop-mini-crooked-river.1692860/

 

[3fifty7]

Thank you. I will definitely check these two knives out. Which one do you like it better? Also someone said the Spyderco Magnitude in this thread, do you have any experience with this knife?

I really like my Southard, and the SpydieChef came to mind when you mentioned food prep. It’s well liked by most and I’m pretty font of titanium frame locks.

 

[Rykjeklut]

No, I haven't look into any Giantmouse knives. Thank you for putting this knife on my radar. Btw, that is an amazing picture.

I personally really like GM and their ACE line, so definetly check them out.

Just wanted to make a new suggestion, since a lot of people are recommending the BM 940.. Check out the Benchmade Crooked River. Comes in a "mini" version, which is one of my favs, but just over your budget.