I've narrowed it down to 5 grails....

Z

ZTFan

Joined
Oct 6, 2016
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I’m trying to imagine the criteria you entered that resulted in that kind of range? In any event, if you’re at all like me, one will “speak” to you more than the others. FWIW, I like the Laconico best on your list.
 
HappyDaddy said:
I’m trying to imagine the criteria you entered that resulted in that kind of range? In any event, if you’re at all like me, one will “speak” to you more than the others. FWIW, I like the Laconico best on your list.
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"Looking for a manual frame lock flipper with super steel and ball bearing action that has the best detent available. I want incredibly fast action, and I want the blade to fall freely when the frame lock is disengaged."
 
b00n said:
Sorry can't help, but since that Shiro is kinda my grail too you get my vote for it (The Berg Blades looks like 150$ Kizer to me, the Laconico too, the other two I plain dislike :D)
Good luck narrowing things down. :thumbsup:
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This is what I was thinking as well.

If you have handled them, buy the one you like the best. If you can’t, I would consider potential resale value as you wouldn’t want to take a bath on an expensive knife if you don’t love it. The Shiro would sell quick for around what you paid for it and likely the same with the Laconico. Not sure about the others.
 
ZTFan said:
"Looking for a manual frame lock flipper with super steel and ball bearing action that has the best detent available. I want incredibly fast action, and I want the blade to fall freely when the frame lock is disengaged."
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Do you own any Reates? I very strongly recommend the Crossroads. The action is pretty much what you describe.
 
Thaaaaaat’s a tough call. I’d go Shiro or LVK. I don’t have a Shiro at this point, so that has a lot of pull, but... I’m a huge fan of Laconico, and having an opportunity to add a practically sized carry option with his and Mike Vagnino’s names attached would be very appealing. Ray is very known, but Vagnino is criminally under the radar considering the work he has done. Among other things, he designed the Wayfarer for Olamic, and his customs are amazing. If the Javelin had Ray’s usual backspacer and a slightly better pocket clip, it wouldn’t be a discussion for me.
 
That's a nice selection to choose from. Is your final choice going to be a user, or a collector's safe queen? Because if it's to be a user the different blade lengths are, well, disparate. From 2.8 to 4.25-inches.

Other threads here debate the best designs, builds, tolerances, QC and similar criteria. They range from production knives to customs. It's useful to see how CRK is compared to many others if for only the academic value.
 
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How can you let someone else make a list of Grail(s) for you? I really don't get it. If you don't know if you want it, how can it be a Grail?
 
kamagong said:
How can you let someone else make a list of Grail(s) for you? I really don't get it. If you don't know if you want it, how can it be a Grail?
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I think it is more asking about built quality. He knows he wants those five, but worries some of the lesser known ones might have questionable quality. Hence he asked.
 
ZTFan said:
"Looking for a manual frame lock flipper with super steel and ball bearing action that has the best detent available. I want incredibly fast action, and I want the blade to fall freely when the frame lock is disengaged."
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Try looking at an Andre Thorburn, or some of the other South African offerings.
I was recently looking for mine as well, and I settled on a Thornburn. But Shiro was 2nd on my list.
I am so pleased with my choice, the knife is in another league in my humble opinion.
 
ZTFan said:
"Looking for a manual frame lock flipper with super steel and ball bearing action that has the best detent available. I want incredibly fast action, and I want the blade to fall freely when the frame lock is disengaged."
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real steel megladon in m390

the Servo he mentions is REALLY awesome. my buddy has got 3 of them. and they are well worth it too.

Rubens titanium and tools - Rone - in cpm-154 (not super super, but its a powdered steel and super enough).

Custom Knife factories generally have really great action. this ones discontinued and a thumb deployment but most of them are flippers.
 
Recon1 is the only authorized seller of Shiro's outside of Russia so I would avoid buying one from elsewhere. There is also quite a markup on the Shiro's for sale at KnifeCenter
 
I'd say Shiro, or if you're looking for something similar, but not as pricey, check out Cheberkov knives.

I've heard good things. I should probably buy one cuz it seems I like to recommend them.. worth a look anyway.
 
My idea of a "grail" is something you KNOW you want. In your bones. You dream about it. No guesswork, no narrowing down from a list of others. It is something you HAVE TO HAVE. (Hence the term "Grail")

If you have to be told which knife to choose from a list to be your "grail", it isn't a "Grail".

When I picture a "Grail knife", I would think it would be something you have wanted for a long time, and probably something you would have a very slim possibility of ever getting.

I don't consider a quest for a "grail" to be plunking down cash on a readily available knife. Unless maybe you've wanted one for years and have been unable to obtain one for whatever reason. Maybe you're simply waiting for a deal you can afford on what you want, and it never seems to materialize.

I think the term grail is thrown around pretty loosely these days, and at this point is interchangeable with "expensive folder I saw like a week ago on Instagram and I'm *totes* in love with, brah".
 
morvlorv said:
Try looking at an Andre Thorburn, or some of the other South African offerings.
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Absolutely, I think I have three or four and they are awesome, you'll have a tough time finding action that fast at a better price.

Or if you're feeling like it you could dive right in on this:
 
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