In search of a framelock...

Well, trying to keep it around $50 sure helps with narrowing it down. I'd say go with the CB Leek. I'm not sure what the RC is, but it's probably at the range you want & for the $, probably gives you the most bang. It's a frame lock with a great edge steel (D2). If it doesn't have to be a frame lock, you can probably find a S30V Leek, but a Random Leek would give you both.

The Shallot's nice, but I'd definitely get the DLC one, not the SS one. My ONLY complaint with the original Shallow is it's so slippery, but the DLC gives you a little grip (Enough of one, anyways).

If it doesn't have to be a frame lock, a B/M mini or reg. Grip is good, too. Nothing's wrong with 154CM. If you safe enough to get into Buck/Mayo or Bradley Alias country, my nods the Alias I & II. While neither knife's a Seb., I think the Alias comes closer & it does have P/B washers.

Someone made the comment already, but I do think if you're really on a budget, but want a frame-lock, the Boker Trance is a good choice. You can find them for under $30, it's a frame-lock, & AUS 8 isn't that bad (Plus it's flat ground).

One more choice, but it's a liner-lock, is a Kershaw Blur SG2. Great steel & I believe you can still find them for $70-80 if you look. On that note, I believe there're 2 versions of the B/M Grip in S30V & D2 (I think they can be had for $70-100).

Good luck on whatever you choose.
 
kennyj said:
I also liked the Fallkniven Model P a lot for a less-expensive knife, but unfortunately getting one with wood scales is a bit much right now (2x what I can spend.) Looks like a great knife to keep an eye on though - it suits my tastes very well from what I can see of it.
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If you really like the Model P there is a less expensive, less exotic alternative.
There is a version of the Model P that comes with VG10 blade steel and black micarta onlays for less money. It may be worth a look.

Dave
 
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kennyj said:
I probably should've mentioned my price range earlier... I'm trying to keep closer to the near-$50 range for now, but believe me, I am taking notes for when I have a little more burning a hole in my pocket. :D Just a little extra motivation to save up, I guess.

I've been spending a lot of time looking at Kershaws... I'd love to get my hands on a plain-edge s30v random leek, but from what I can find, it seems that it's only available either in 440C or in part-serrated form (and I keep a serrated Spyderco Jester on my keychain anyway...) I'm also really liking the composite Leek with the D2 edge, though. Does anyone know what the RC hardness on that blade is? If it hits 60-62, I'm probably going to jump all over it, but even at a lower level, it's still a nice little knife. Google can't seem to provide a straight answer on this one, unfortunately.
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Kershaw does not list it. It would be hard to measure. To measure the hardness on a Rockwell tester the sample has to be flat. The D2 on the composite leek is only located where the blade is ground at an angle. There is no flat area to measure.


On an alternative note, I've been really happy with my Benchmade Monochrome. It's a framelock and runs in the low 30's online. N690 steel has become one of my favorites.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
How about the Shallot?
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That's the plainest knife I've ever seen in my life, Esav!

If a person can't afford a Sebenza, or if they just want a good knife at a reasonable price, the CRKT S-2 has impressed me quite a bit. Haven't started carrying mine until fairly recently and I'm surprised at how good the knife is. Although they're discontinued, you can still find them on eBay and other outlets at reasonable prices.

It comes in two sizes. The small one is available here.


CRKTS-2_1.jpg


Titanium frame, frame lock, ATS-34 blade...who could ask
for more?
 
+1:thumbup: on the Mini-Skirmish(under $140)

+1:thumbup: on the Volpe (under $100)

Most Kershaw leeks are all framelocks & range from approx. $40-$100


Good Luck:)
 
Confederate said:
That's the plainest knife I've ever seen in my life, Esav!

If a person can't afford a Sebenza, or if they just want a good knife at a reasonable price, the CRKT S-2 has impressed me quite a bit. Haven't started carrying mine until fairly recently and I'm surprised at how good the knife is. Although they're discontinued, you can still find them on eBay and other outlets at reasonable prices.

It comes in two sizes. The small one is available here.


CRKTS-2_1.jpg


Titanium frame, frame lock, ATS-34 blade...who could ask
for more?
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I forgot about that knife. I believe there's 3 different sizes & they are still very reasonable. I think you can pick one of them up in the $50-60 range, which is not bad for a Ti frame-lock knife with an ATS-34 blade! Considering all the higher end materials in this knife, it probably doesn't get much better than this for the price.
 
If you can pony up the bucks for a Bradley Alias2, Defense Knife has the combo blade version on closeout for $123.12:eek:. I know it's more than you want to spend but it is $45.00 cheaper than most retailers, and it is one heck of a knife. I'm not a fan of combo blades but at that price I went ahead and ordered one, I guess it can't hurt to have one combo blade in my arsenal:D.

Davereb
 
You could look at the Buck "Hilo and or Cutback" Both are under $50.00 Both are Framelocks. Both have Bucks great warranty....
 
2nd the Boker CLB Trance or another folder from Chad. You'll save some money, too.
 
Since you are talking about the CR Mnandi im guessing dont want anything the size of a benchmade Skirmish or mini-skirmish

Buck Mayo TNT(3.1 inch blade) or Waimea (2.6 inch blade) they both are Titanium framelocks with s30v Blade
 
flashlife said:
The Byrd series of spyderco's is good, and cheap!

JMH
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While the above is a true statement, I don't think it is very helpful. All the Byrds I have seen are lockbacks and liner locks. The thread title said he was looking for a framelock.

Edited to add: I stand corrected. The CatByrd is a framelock. Don't see any others though.
 
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Composite Blade D2 Leek - about $55-60. Best knife for the price I have found yet. Its wonderful...thin, sharp as hell, sturdy lock, and the price is "what the heck are they thinking" cheap.

17 thumbs up to Kershaw yet again. Now if I could only get a D2 Composite Leek in Titanium Scales without having to Frankenstein my collection....oh well, here's to hoping.
 
The Benchmade Monochrome is a good little framelock for around $30. The blade profile is similar to a Seb..
I think it's ground flat though. IMHO, it's built sturdier than the Kershaw framelocks.
 
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knarfeng said:
On an alternative note, I've been really happy with my Benchmade Monochrome. It's a framelock and runs in the low 30's online. N690 steel has become one of my favorites.
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jdowell said:
The Benchmade Monochrome is a good little framelock for around $30. The blade profile is similar to a Seb..
I think it's ground flat though. IMHO, it's built sturdier than the Kershaw framelocks.
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The Monochrome feels like a tank in your hand. Very strong.

Two suggestions for Monochrome.
 
You can't go wrong with ANYTHING Kershaw, lots of nice options there in your price range.

I also thoroughly recommend the Boker Trance, as have quite a few others in the thread.
 
Ironically enough, after reviewing all of the available options in my price range, and pondering whether the Leek might just be a little too... lithe for my tastes, I might be leaning towards the Kershaw R.A.M after seeing these threads. I really do prefer to get a framelock and/or a top-quality steel (both of which are fetishes of mine, however silly/impractical) but this just looks too damn sexy, and I hear nothing but good things about the "Hawk Lock" and Kershaw's current implementation of 13C26 steel. I also like the idea of making my own wood scales; such an attractive option for personalization doesn't come up very often.

Any thoughts on this knife, or suggestions with regards to other knives I might want to look at if that one gets my juices flowing?

I'm still not dissuaded from the Composite Leek, though - it's a damn sexy knife. I just think the R.A.M. with wood scales might be a little better. :D In the end I might get both, so I just have to decide which one I want for now.

I liked the idea of the S30V leek but I've yet to see a G10 handle I liked that couldn't be converted to something else. Maybe I'll get one someday if I should happen upon a set of SS scales. I may also take a crack at putting wood into an S30V Blur; I'm a little wary of liner locks, but the Blur is another one I seem to be liking a lot in the lower price range.

I also liked the Benchmade Monochrome a lot, but I think I like the R.A.M. and the Leek a little more.

The Boker Trance I'd like more if there were other handle options. I just can't seem to bring myself to like G10/FRN/etc that much, and I think I have a decided preference for steel and wood.

Thanks to all that have provided suggestions so far!
 
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Kenny,

I have a Boker Trance (the Drop Point variant), and I agree about the utilitarian handle which is less charming than steel or nice wood.
But, it must be said, it is an awesome knife for the price. The frame lock works wonderfully, keeping the blade really stiffly locked, and the Aus 8 steel is pretty decent for most uses.
Once you have it in your hand you will quickly forget all worries about the utilitarian handle. It is one of these rare bargains (the other one is the Mcusta-made Browning Ice Storm, but that's a liner lock) that forced me to think: why should I spend more on other knives?
 
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