Just getting back into knives…..

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ryanh121 said:
You have made solid choices with the Elementum and mini RSK. I like smaller knives for EDC, also. If you were possibly considering an automatic, Kershaw has their Launch series. You can find something fitting there. It’s a bit over your price range, but Benchmade has the newer Mini Osborne 945, with both aluminum and G10 options. A bit under your price range is the Kershaw Dividend. You may be able to find one with an upgraded steel and handle material. Within your range is the Benchmade Mini Presidio 575-1, with carbon fiber elite handle scales. It’s a composite material, but lighter and stronger that standard polymers.

You could also stick with a few classics, like the Para 3 or Mini Grip and get aftermarket scales. The aftermarket for scales is much larger than it was several years back. Good luck with your journey. Personally, I would bump that price range up to a bit over $200, and get fewer higher quality blades. A few online retailers have exclusive Bugouts and 940s with G10 handles and upgraded steels (M4, 20cv).
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You mentioned a lot of knives I had in mind. The Para 3 is a “going to buy” as is the Osborne 945. In the auto category I was thinking Protech Runt 5. Thanks for the post tho, excellent suggestions
 
Sbs1974 said:
You mentioned a lot of knives I had in mind. The Para 3 is a “going to buy” as is the Osborne 945. In the auto category I was thinking Protech Runt 5. Thanks for the post tho, excellent suggestions
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Nice! The Runt is a sweet little knife. I want to grab one myself one day. Protect makes high quality gear. Great choice. 👍
 
Leo Greer said:
That Gemini is pretty. But I don't have the willingness to buy it right now. Not after my time on BF just convinced me to buy a We Kitefin, Balaenoptera, Ltd. Seer, and Ltd. Upshot.
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You've got a lot of good pocket time ahead of you. :)

BTW, did I post my Seer pic here? The Seer is one of my favorite knives from 2021. They are still in stock at a few dealers but there is a limited number of each color available. Mine is number 35 out of 420 for the gray version.

nQnfuYt.jpg
 
Chronovore said:
You've got a lot of good pocket time ahead of you. :)

BTW, did I post my Seer pic here? The Seer is one of my favorite knives from 2021. They are still in stock at a few dealers but there is a limited number of each color available. Mine is number 35 out of 420 for the gray version.

nQnfuYt.jpg
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That’s nice also
 
Chronovore said:
You've got a lot of good pocket time ahead of you. :)

BTW, did I post my Seer pic here? The Seer is one of my favorite knives from 2021. They are still in stock at a few dealers but there is a limited number of each color available. Mine is number 35 out of 420 for the gray version.

nQnfuYt.jpg
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Nice! The styling on the black and blue one did it for me a little more, but the gray is pretty darn slick as well. I know a lot of people said that the Seer could've been more Limited Edition, and that it didn't really stand out all that much, but I'm of the opinion that the understated, smooth look really says, "Hey, I'm expensive but tasteful, alright?"
 
Chronovore said:
There are a bunch of Civivi knives I could recommend for regular every-day use. Also take a look at the more premium offerings from WE. My wife gave me a WE Snick for Christmas and I am very happy with it.

I might share in some of your feelings about handle materials. Micarta is my favorite, followed by wood and G-10. I downright hate aluminum. Titanium is warmer and can be nice, but I usually like it paired with an overlay of something else. For instance, the Micarta balances very nicely with the titanium on my Snick.

Of course, if you are "rebuilding a collection" and want something special, Kizer has a limited edition Gemini available on their website. You get a spare overlay for swapping and it comes with a free "mystery knife". (I'm guessing it will be one of their Vanguard knives in N690 but who knows?)

www.kizerknives.com

Kizer Friday Club | Gemini | 3.125" S35VN Blade | Titanium&IronWood Handle | Ki3471KFC

The Gemini, a low-profile and classic EDC knife, features a stonewashed S35VN blade and a titanium handle with an ironwood inlay, so you can expect a variation in color and wood grain.
www.kizerknives.com www.kizerknives.com


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That's actually not a bad deal at all... I'm not the biggest Kizer fan, but the one I do own, bought on sale for a price that was hard to refuse, is certainly a solidly built knife from every angle.
The s35v - Ti - Gemini's were retailing for around $170 or so, so not that a "limited edition" version is ever going to be some investment piece, but an extra $29 for a 2nd knife ain't so bad at all. Reading the comments, appears from the two "3-star" reviews I read, the "mystery knife" is a 2nd Gemini, and that was their reasoning behind the 3 stars, disappointed in getting the same knife twice, but I say 2 Ti Gemini's, (with the inlay), for $100/ea. I might actually pull the trigger on that and gift one and either tool box or glovebox the other one, or something? IDK...
 
strategy9 said:
That's actually not a bad deal at all... I'm not the biggest Kizer fan, but the one I do own, bought on sale for a price that was hard to refuse, is certainly a solidly built knife from every angle.
The s35v - Ti - Gemini's were retailing for around $170 or so, so not that a "limited edition" version is ever going to be some investment piece, but an extra $29 for a 2nd knife ain't so bad at all. Reading the comments, appears from the two "3-star" reviews I read, the "mystery knife" is a 2nd Gemini, and that was their reasoning behind the 3 stars, disappointed in getting the same knife twice, but I say 2 Ti Gemini's, (with the inlay), for $100/ea. I might actually pull the trigger on that and gift one and either tool box or glovebox the other one, or something? IDK...
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If the regular titanium Gemini was going for $170, the extra $30 might be reasonable for it being a limited edition and being able to swap between those two overlays. The extra knife is just gravy.

I'm guessing it is random old stock. Even if someone got one of the liner-lock Geminis in N690, those are very nice knives. I have the "Brown Micarta" limited edition in N690 and it's great. Besides having some extra cash from selling other knives, my experiences with that version of the Gemini are what pushed me to pull the trigger on this more premium version.
 
Leo Greer said:
Nice! The styling on the black and blue one did it for me a little more, but the gray is pretty darn slick as well. I know a lot of people said that the Seer could've been more Limited Edition, and that it didn't really stand out all that much, but I'm of the opinion that the understated, smooth look really says, "Hey, I'm expensive but tasteful, alright?"
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I often dig designs that are more subtle and have a little less flair. The value is in doing them well. The Beacon and Elementum also appeal to me but that gray Seer really hit the spot.
 
Chronovore said:
I often dig designs that are more subtle and have a little less flair. The value is in doing them well. The Beacon and Elementum also appeal to me but that gray Seer really hit the spot.
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The Beacon was maybe just a tad too plain for me. Though I certainly wouldn't refuse it, there are at least five or six other knives that I'd rather drop $200 on. Let eBay bring the price down for me! I think the Upshot has a very similar vibe to the Seer... At least, before you turn it over and see the flaming pocket clip.
 
My must-haves:
Chaparral
Native 5
Native Chief
Military
Dragonfly 2 Salt SE
Tasman Salt 2 SE
Caribbean wharnie SE
Small PJ Sebenza
Large PJ Sebenza (or Inkosi Insingo or both)
A ProTech auto

Victorinox: Alox Minichamp + Pioneer X + Explorer + Spirit + SwissCard
 
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Update: I ordered a Protech Runt 5 and a Spyderco Manix to add and see if I like and keep. Also ordered a Nalpak Pelican 1400 case to keep my nicer knives in. I wanted about 20 nicer knives and that case holds 24 so should be just right. Now back to buying more knives and getting more suggestions.
 
Sbs1974 said:
Update: I ordered a Protech Runt 5 and a Spyderco Manix to add and see if I like and keep. Also ordered a Nalpak Pelican 1400 case to keep my nicer knives in. I wanted about 20 nicer knives and that case holds 24 so should be just right. Now back to buying more knives and getting more suggestions.
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What are you looking for now?
 
Sbs1974 said:
Well have a bunch of stuff on my list to try. I’m going to buy different brands then I already have. I was thinking about a Benchmade 945 next possibly
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I probably wouldn't buy one myself, as a matter of personal preference, but all the BMs I've gotten my hands on have been good knives.
 
Buck Vantage Pro. Being discontinued this year. S30V flipper, with Buck's fantastic lifetime warranty. Yes, I'm a fanboy...
 
stevekolt said:
Buck Vantage Pro. Being discontinued this year. S30V flipper, with Buck's fantastic lifetime warranty. Yes, I'm a fanboy...
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I handled one of these a few years back. I remember liking the handle shape and it was a good price for S30V at the time. However, the lockbar is proud on both sides. That struck me as odd because a lock bar really needs access from one side. Having it cut out on both sides can create a significant hot spot depending on how you grip the knife. It's just a sheet of metal sticking out there.

I've always wanted a "modern flipper" from Buck but I don't know if the model for me exists yet. Some of their more recent Chinese-made budget knives had compelling designs but 7Cr17Mov... The price wasn't insane like some of the 2022 CRKT knives but it was still too high for materials that are too far gone into obsolescence.
 
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