I'm ready to spend $400 to $500 on a knife that's worth it - ideas?

Reeek · Jan 19, 2011

Good to hear

Kingofthellamas said:
Nice man. I love my Zaan. I rotate it in my edc. Something I didn't anticipate was the break in for my zaan. When closing the zaan, it was pretty stiff when I got it. It took it awhile to get comfortable. My thumb literally had a blister on it after the first day of opening and closing it. After a couple weeks either my thumb got tougher or it got easier to close, not sure.

Anyways, the zaan is an excellent purchase. Smooth buttery action. Mine has yet to develop any blade play and I have used it just as hard as any of my other folders. Which is impressive. An overall fantastic knife.

Kaizen1 · Jan 19, 2011

freq18hz said:
I dont mean to offend anyone, but I personally think striders feel like junk compared to the sebenza. I find the umnumzaan to be meatier than the PTs.

Then again I'm not a fan of overbuilt, heavy for no reason knives. To me, when you pick up a strider, it just doesn't seem to be of the same quality as a chris reeve knife, and therefore isn't worth the price IMHO. I realize many out there disagree, this is just my personal opinion (for me).

The PTs are the smallest of the Strider folders, they aren't really comparable to the Umnumzaan. The SnGs are more comparable because they're bigger. The Umnumzaan weighs ~5 oz and the SnG weighs ~4.6 oz. Quality is a different matter. That seems to be up for debate, but CRKs get more credit for consistency (probably because they've earned it). There's nothing wrong with liking the Umnumzaan over Striders or thinking Striders in general aren't worth the cost, but you might want to get your facts straight if you're trying to show why you think the Umnumzaan is better.

battboy · Feb 22, 2011

check out my cousins knives he does great work his name is Todd Rexford

Cynic2701 · Feb 22, 2011

I agree with several of you that the Umnumzaan is worth the cost. Compared to the Sebenza it, at least, appears to be worth the cost; while the Sebenza, at first, for me, was more of a "get it to see what all the hype is about" purchase. After carrying each for a month I have become convinced that the Sebenza, in my opinion, has better value when compared to the Umnumzaan even when considering the ~$15 difference.

Staying away from aesthetics (don't get me started on that!) I honestly can't conceive of a situation in which a reasonable person would need anything "beefier" than an Endura or Griptilian. If your environment necessitates a folder of greater toughness than a FFG Endura, you probably should be carrying a fixed blade.

Besides, I've gotta justify the purchase of my overly thick Busse, hahahaha

!

Burdan · Feb 22, 2011

ive been a few custom makers:

Kirby Lambert,
RJ Martin,
Greg Lightfoot,
G & G Hawk,
Allen Elishewitz,

but i will say that i do enjoy my SnG, its a good EDC

Reeek · Mar 20, 2011

Update!

I still have the new Unmumzaan on order for $360 shipped from a well regarded dealer. The Zaan's seem to be back ordered pretty badly right now and I still can't tell if I'm getting S30V or S35VN. I hear conflicting reports. Doesn't matter though.

Plus, I ended up trading for a 110% super fine, lightly carried SMF CC in black. What a knife! If you get a good Strider, they rock. This one makes me want another Strider.

But now, I have another $600 sitting in my account and I'm searching again.

Key here is that I seem to be morphing again in my knife life. I'm now intersted in fewer knives but better knives so my goal right now is to fill one of my Maxpedition Dodecapods (12 slots) with a really nice range of mid to high end EDC's.

So for the higher end knives, I have an SMF CC in black and a Zaan on the way. Now I'm ready to go find the third higher end knife.

It's really hard not to consider another, different Strider SMF of some sort but I'm going to remain open on this third search for a $400 to $600 knife.

One thing about this hobby is that your taste in knives and quality levels sure do mature and morph as life moves forward . . .

grybsh7 · Mar 20, 2011

Reeek if you like the larger overbuilt type folders the Lionsteel SR-1 really is a nice knife at just under $400.

cw_mi · Mar 20, 2011

I didn't read every post but know one mention Dwaine Carrillo. If you search and are patient you could possibly find one around $500 ish...

neuron · Mar 20, 2011

grybsh7 said:
Reeek if you like the larger overbuilt type folders the Lionsteel SR-1 really is a nice knife at just under $400.

A big +1 on this. I had heard really good things about the SR-1, but that didn't keep me from being blown away when I finally bought one and had it in hand. In fact, it might be the most impressed I've ever been with a new knife out of the box. I liked it so much that I immediately ordered another one with a different handle color.

Stainz · Mar 20, 2011

Look below at the second from the top, a Zero Tolerance ZT-0301. That is hard to distinguish from a Strider/Hinderer - and at half the price - or less (I've seen 0300 & 0301 for <$200!).

Second from the bottom above is the Wilson Combat version, the 'StarTac', of the CRK Umnumzaan. They run $430 - with free s/h - and should be back 'in stock' at Wilson Combat by the end of the month. Great knife - love the style of the handles of the 'StarTac' over the regular 'zaan - but either would be great. It is second to the Kershaw 1825Ti/SG2 JYDII above it in delivered sharpness - the JYDII Ti framelock in SG2 came as sharp as a microtome! The Buck 172 Mayo TNT, another Ti framelock/S30V blade is a great little knife, too. The Benchmade 630 Ti-framelock with a hefty S30V blade is super quality - and a moose of a knife.

Another ZT knife - my second one - deserves mention - the 0551 Hinderer design. Plenty of info around on it - and it really is nice, although a few of the 1000 made seem to be a tad stiff to close. I am certain Kershaw can fix that... Good examples of 'big buck' knife quality out there at not such a wad of bucks. I'll agree, f&f - QC - of the CRK/WC 'zaan is top drawer - really, a fine knife.

Stainz

Darkstar2520 · Mar 20, 2011

strider SMF

Reeek · Mar 21, 2011

How does the heat striped finished on the Strider Ti slab hold up? I like the SW finish the best but I like the looks of the heat striping.

nozh2002 · Mar 21, 2011

Reeek said:
I'll be up front and say I never thought I'd say it but I have a Strider itch. I'd love to get a Strider SMF CC stonewashed or a GG stonewashed if they are available. As long as I've been into knives, it's this price point where I'm not very knowledgable and certainly not experienced so I'm asking for counsel from whomever has some wisdom to offer.

I almost just hit "buy" on one of a couple of nice SMF's last night that show in stock at some good dealers but before I did I thought about the QC issues that I've heard about with Strider. I've heard that SMF's tend to have better F&F and overall QC OOTB than SNG's for some reason but I can't confirm this is true of course. I also carry larger knives well because I'm pretty big so I'm not ebven sure I want an SNG over an SMF anyway.

So my primary reluctance in just buying a brand new SMF CC right now is my fear that I would get one that has some issue I can't deal with as the buyer and then not really getting said issue resolved to my satisfaction by sending it back. This is afterall, a $550 knife.

What are your thoughts on this buying new since I can? It almost sounds safer to buy a good used one from a reputable seller sometimes when it comes to a centered blade, smooth action and solid lockup.

I've also considered a Large Sebenza but I'm not sure it's meaty and macho enough for me right now . I'd love to have one but not sure if it should be my first high end purchase. Thoughts?

What else is out there in the $350 to $550 price range I should look at?

I'm looking for a heavy duty, apt knife for this purchase.

Thanks for your input.

Rick

$500 is too much for production folders. I would suggest you to check Dozier, Sniper Blade Works and Yuna if you like modern style:

Dozier:

Sniper Blade Works:

Yuna:

So for you money you will not get overpriced production knife with average performance but rather under priced custom with high performance.

I would choose another Sniper Blade knife with 1095 if I have $550 to spend on knife.

Here my review of Sniper Blade LPC - http://playground.sun.com/~vasya/SniperBladeWorks-MiniLPC.html

Thanks, Vassili.

6leafdom · Mar 21, 2011

Combat Elite RRF....but if you are looking for something bigger than this might not what you want....its only 3.3" ish blade. but its a damn nice edc/tacticool knife =P

misterjuiceman · Mar 21, 2011

Reeek said:
Update!

I still have the new Unmumzaan on order for $360 shipped from a well regarded dealer. The Zaan's seem to be back ordered pretty badly right now and I still can't tell if I'm getting S30V or S35VN. I hear conflicting reports. Doesn't matter though.

Plus, I ended up trading for a 110% super fine, lightly carried SMF CC in black. What a knife! If you get a good Strider, they rock. This one makes me want another Strider.

But now, I have another $600 sitting in my account and I'm searching again.

Key here is that I seem to be morphing again in my knife life. I'm now intersted in fewer knives but better knives so my goal right now is to fill one of my Maxpedition Dodecapods (12 slots) with a really nice range of mid to high end EDC's.

So for the higher end knives, I have an SMF CC in black and a Zaan on the way. Now I'm ready to go find the third higher end knife.

It's really hard not to consider another, different Strider SMF of some sort but I'm going to remain open on this third search for a $400 to $600 knife.

One thing about this hobby is that your taste in knives and quality levels sure do mature and morph as life moves forward . . .

save some more, get a Mayo.

Noctis3880 · Mar 21, 2011

The Yuna knife seems to be more worth it than Strider, though that depends on what you intend to use the knife for. I like Yuna's knives because 1)They're hand-made and 2)you have a say in how to customize it(type of knife, color of scales, handle materials, and whether it's super-sized or not).

The only thing that gives me pause would be the steel. Now I don't have much experience with thick ZDP-189 much less the laminated variety(which I believe Hitachi has ceased production of), but I chipped my Endura 4 on many occasions, albeit after a Krein regrind. But given the size of the knife, it simply seems like S30V(with a Bos recipe HT) would be more well suited to a hard use role. And given that it's only Hitachi who does the heat treat on that steel, I don't expect much difference between the different knives in the same steel.

cziv · Mar 21, 2011

I like that Dozier folder, it looks mor traditional than the other two which look kindo of odd to me. Does anyone know what it's called? I have $500 to spend as well.

Reeek · Mar 21, 2011

That is my sentiments exactly regarding the steel and the clad steel at that.

If Yun offered different steel and unclad steel in a different variety I might already have an order in with him.

Too bad for me.

Noctis3880 said:
The Yuna knife seems to be more worth it than Strider, though that depends on what you intend to use the knife for. I like Yuna's knives because 1)They're hand-made and 2)you have a say in how to customize it(type of knife, color of scales, handle materials, and whether it's super-sized or not).

The only thing that gives me pause would be the steel. Now I don't have much experience with thick ZDP-189 much less the laminated variety(which I believe Hitachi has ceased production of), but I chipped my Endura 4 on many occasions, albeit after a Krein regrind. But given the size of the knife, it simply seems like S30V(with a Bos recipe HT) would be more well suited to a hard use role. And given that it's only Hitachi who does the heat treat on that steel, I don't expect much difference between the different knives in the same steel.

Noctis3880 · Mar 21, 2011

Reeek said:
That is my sentiments exactly regarding the steel and the clad steel at that.

If Yun offered different steel and unclad steel in a different variety I might already have an order in with him.

Too bad for me.

Well again, it all depends on what you intend to do with it.

I said I chipped my Endura, but I believe the first time I was in my stupid phase and thought it would be cool to try and cut a mango pit with it

. The second time I believe I dropped the knife. And the third time I was hitting the blade on a buffing wheel coated with AO powder to try and mirror polish the blade.

While Vassili made a video of him digging around a sprinkler with his knife and apparently had no chipping, I think the sort of chipping that results from that wouldn't show up on a camera(unless it's HD with a good macro lens). Just last week I chipped my Tim Galyean Pro Series Turbulence in CPM-154 at Rc62 when I was trying to cut some plastic off of a baler wire and nicked the wire a little bit.

I don't recall ever having a blade of mine chip unless I was doing something stupid with it or the edge met something a knife was never meant to cut. The difference between a tough steel and something else would be that the tough steel is more forgiving if you happen to have run into a staple while cutting cardboard. It does not make cutting pieces of metal a good idea. And while some people make videos of themselves prying with their knives, I don't think there are a lot of warranties that would cover that type of use. And while you can pry with a ZT 030X without much damage to the knife, their own warranty page states that prying is abuse of the knife and that it won't be covered.

Still, I'm expecting a Yuna Mini Hard II coming in. I'll let you know how that turns out:thumbup:.

Tony8179 · Mar 21, 2011

You guys need to use one of Yun's knives before you assume anything about the steel. The edge geometry is done in a way that I am not worried about my edge chipping. The two that I own have an edge that would be considered convex. This steel with this edge geometry is a work horse. They just keep cutting and every so often a quick stropping is all that is needed.