I've been searching for forever...

I'm not the biggest fan of the blur. I know it's very popular but I've handled one and it just didn't suit me.

Someone suggested the microtech mini matrix. Would this not be just a more expensive version of the ZT 0770? And doesn't the curved handle sit wider in your pocket? I think I'm liking the design of the 0770, plus it's not as expensive as the 801.
 
I haven't actually ever owned a benchmade, but the new Doug Ritter Griptilian in M390 might be my first, and I think it is going for 140.
I like my PM2 and would like to try a Military, both can be found under 150.
If you are willing to go a bit beyond your upper limits, user small sebenzas can be found around $230 every now and then. That is the knife I find myself carrying most often. Also, breaking budget limits is what makes this hobby such a rush for me anyways. Safer than bath salts and more socially acceptable than armed robbery.
 
Ccc said:
Also, breaking budget limits is what makes this hobby such a rush for me anyways. Safer than bath salts and more socially acceptable than armed robbery.
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This is freaking brilliant I love it.

I've held a griptillian after hearing so much praise for the knife, and I don't like the handles. I know they're replaceable, but I feel like the more I customize a knife, the less I'm going to want it in my pocket every day. The sebenzas are gorgeous knives, but out of my price range and I would feel the need to baby them, despite knowing they're tough knives. I guess I'm just looking in all the wrong places to find a PM2. I'll have to do a little more research later on after work, but I think my top contenders are the zt0770 and the PM2. Keep the ideas rolling though
 
Has anyone had any experiences with thespydercostore dot com? Just found their site, amazing prices but the best priced knives of course are not in stock..
 
For the PM2 you are going to want to buy off the exchange here. That is were I got the two I've had (still have one). You should be paying $100-$130 off the exchange here for a PM2. It is a great knife!
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Craytab is right on. $105-$130 for an as-new-in-box PM2 on the Exchange here...Production Folders, Individual. One that has a bit of use will be more like $90.
This would cover the three base models in S30V:
satin blade, black G10
camo scales, satin blade (IIRC)
Black blade, black G10
 
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Try a spyderco vallotin sub-hilt. Great knife. I have the d/a conversion. It's awesome
 
ZT 0562 - excellent size, still built like a tank and the smoothest flipper I've ever seen
 
I second the Benchmade 940, beautiful one handed operation, slim yet long blade.
S30V isn't bad either. Mines been coated to keep it lasting long(er).
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If too wide is your main issue, I also think the BM 940 is a good option. Go crazy and blow past your budget a bit and get the BM 940-1.

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ETA: I added a deep carry clip from an Adamas that I got for free from Benchmade.

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There are many good knives mentioned here. If you want something that is slim in the pocket, it is tough to beat the BM 940. It is nice and slender with a more than adequately long blade for EDC. As for Spyderco, one of my favorite EDCs is the Caly 3 or 3.5. Good luck with your decision.
 
As others have already mentioned, the ZT 0566 or 0770 would be great choices and can be found for a bit under $150. They are very similar in length (blade and overall) to the 0350, but both are much slimmer in pocket.

Here's a pic w/ a 0350 and 0566:
ZT0550_0566_0350_800x498.jpg


Here's another that shows a 0566 and 0770:
ZT0550_0566_0770_open_800x441.jpg


The 0562 was also recently released and is a manual flipper instead of assisted. It is close in size to the 0550 (the other knife in the pics above). The 0562 is a bit more expensive, but for that, you get a titanium framelock and KVT.
 
eschwebach said:
What about the new Kershaw Blur with the Elmax steel? Thin, light, and Elmax is very good stuff.
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I like the Blur. I have one in S30V that is an awesome knife. My one gripe about it is the thumbstuds. They work fine, but the ones on my knife are VERY SHARP and eat the skin off my hand when I go into my pocket for something. And I'm too cheap to hit it with some sandpaper. :(
 
I have a 350 and felt the same as OP, it's great but also big and fat. The 566 is a good alternative, carries much better than the 350. The spyderco domino carries even better than the 566, lighter and just as easy to open. Either one would be a great choice.

If you do go with the 566 give it some time, it took a long while to break in for me. For a few weeks it was a 2 hand closed knife, it was just too stiff to shit safely with 1 hand for me. That's my only negative for that knife.

For the domino the only thing I didn't like is easy to fix, it doesn't come with a low rider clip but there's a whole thread on here started by a guy named Casey who makes beautiful titanium low clips for spyderco.
 
The BM 940 is coming up quite often. I have had a chance to hold one recently and it is amazing how light it is. It is definitely a contender in my decision, but I guess I just have a thing for flippers. I wear gloves all the time for work, so fumbling for a thumb stud I cant see as ideal. Granted all the knives I have rotated through have had flippers so I cannot say for sure this would be the case.

I do appreciate all the size comparison photos, thats something that isnt always the easiest to find online. Helps me a great deal. My main issue with the zt0770 Ive realized, is its a gorgeous knife, but lacks G10 scales. I dont know how well my gloves would grip that, or if it would even be an issue.

I checked out the 562, but everywhere I have looked says available for pre order or currently unavailable. Ill just keep looking for now.
 
I understand buying from the forums here are best, but Amazon has the same knife for $131, however I think the A/O is a deal breaker for me. Almost all my knives currently are assisted, and I'm getting tired of the resistance when closing the knife. I know it can be deassisted but I also know it's a very sloppy flipper when unassisted.

So I guess I'm now looking for the best non assisted flipper. BM 940 keeps looking more appealing.
 
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