Just staring out collecting - $200 to spend - What to buy?

I would try to get in on the ZT 0551.
Or just get a ZT 0200/Spyderco Military if you don't like hunting for stuff.

Those two are about the same size, but one is heavy.
 
If I were in your shoes I would get a Benchmade Griptilian and an ESEE-3 MIL. That will give you a good folder and a great fixed blade.

I have two Benchmade Grips (and another on the way) and the ESEE. The ESEE has a great warranty and is an awesome user knife. It's a great size for walking in the woods and tough enough to do almost anything.

If I could have only one Benchmade Grip, it would be the Ritter RSK Mk1 (that's the one I have on the way).

SP
 
I own the Hogue in aluminum 3 1/2" reg blade, its well made & a good value IMO, USA made too! Have a G10 model too, might sell it if interested.
 
I have yet to see Becker being mentioned. It's one of the toughest knives on the market. They stay around the $60-90 range depending on blade length. They are great users and great for collectors as well!
 
I see that the OP already purchased a Rajah I.

Anything I recommend is sitting within arm's length here, surprisingly - a Spyderco Military, Benchmade Ritter Griptilian, ESEE HEST fixed blade, RC3, Izula, Victorinox Hiker, Spyderco SharpMaker, and a Victorinox Hiker. Believe it or not, my Rajah I is sitting on the night stand too.

Next time, OP, that you have $200, pick and choose some of that to meet your budget and your needs - I love it all, which explains why they're out of the cases, boxes, and the safe!

Stay safe and God bless.

KATN,

Wade
 
For I think less than $200:

- Spyderco Military - an iconic Spyderco, very very good. If too big, then any Stretch 2 variant you fancy, it's one of the most mature Spydercos.
- Mora Bushcraft Forest - a very good fixed blade yet cheap
- Victorinox alox Pioneer - very universal, and you can carry it around people who are not into knives without scaring them.
- Opinel #8 - in carbon steel to experience this old fashioned yet well performing kind of steel

Instead of the last 3, consider also the Spyderco Bill Moran drop point fixed blade. It is one of my favourite fixed blades, so very light and practical, and well priced.
 
NeoClassic said:
The benefit to buying less expensive knives -- beyond the fact that some are just fantastic knives worth having -- is that you can learn what you like and want in a knife without tying up as many funds. This can accelerate your learning curve.

But a question to ask yourself is how much of a collector do you want to be and how big of a collection do you want? The knife-enthusiast spectrum is broad and everyone falls into a different slot.

Personally, I buy sparingly in order not to tie up space or funds on things I don't use, and get what I like as long as it's under $200 -- whether that's a $20 Victorinox, a $65 GEC, or a $145 Bark River.

Low price is only a deterrent to me to the extent that it affects quality.
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i agree more or less. ive picked up alot of knives because of the look cool factor and was originally starting out looking for an edc blade. then many of those are collecting dust more than not. glad i didnt buy an expensive one till i figured out what i really liked. though all are of good quality, spyderco mostly. so i liked them so much i started looking for the more desirable ones including short run or sprint run versions. if pressed i would recommend a spyderco or benchmade over anything else. best ergonomic and blade steel combos are found in spyderco`s imo. especially at under $200 or under $100.
 
odinp said:
I just started collecting knives. I have a Benchmade Rant, Benchmade LFK10100, Kershaw Leek, Boker Subcom, Boker Mini Resurrection, USMC Ka-bar, and a few others.

I wanted to buy a Cold Steel Rajah 1 but can't find it anywhere. I set aside $200 to get new knives with, and am not sure what to get. Looking at the Kershaw JYD, ZT0200, or Spyderco Centofante III.

I know - get what you like most - but I like them all. This $200 will be the last of my money to spend until next year.

Any advice?
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The brands listed will not likely be good investments. I you want to have great knives and make some money look at something like Bose.
 
agoutihead said:
What kind of custom can you get for $200? Thats kind of my budget but I want Ti framelock & s30v or D2 for blade steel. I really want the HEST folder as I love the handle shape & blade shape, but falling out of love with it because of the bottle opener (which I'll never use since I dont drink beer) and the jimper.

If they would have done away with those & did a regular a full blade, that would be the perfect knife for me. (I understand those are a couple aspects of what makes a HEST a HEST)
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Check out the Buck/Mayo TNT. The TNT is an outstanding titanium framelock with a bos heat treated
S30V blade. It is no longer in production but you can still find them on the net for under $200 bucks. I like the Buck/Mayo so much I actually carry it more than I do my Sebenza.

MayoTNT.jpg
 
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Thanks for all of the advice. I have been checking reviews and prices on all of the knives recommended. I did buy the Rajaj I from Lee and just got it today. I really like it and am glad I got it. Thanks Lee.

I am not collecting these knives to try and make a profit. I just want a collection of quality knives that I like the looks of and are durable. When I have more money I will be picking up more of the knives that were mentioned. I'm thinking Spyderco something, Buck Vantage Pro, and Becker BK-2 and BK-9.
 
Dude, save a little more and get a Sebenza. Your whole outlook on Knives will change, and you won't be disappointed. Just look at all the comments about them on these Forums. You get what you pay for and you will get one of the best knives you will ever own.

Trust the Force Luke.

-- Steve
 
I'll tell you what i do:

I set my choosing criteria:
-One hand opening
-Locking blade
-Must have a pocket clip
-Tip up carry, preferably, not a must
-Blade size between 2 1/2 and 5 inches
-Good quality but not too expensive ($50 to $150)
-Non serrated blade

I get the one folder most representative or the one I like the most of each production folder manufacturer, example:
Spyderco: A Military or a Delica
Kershaw: A Leek or a JYD II CE
Emerson: CQC-8
Cold Steel: Recon 1 or American Lawman
Benchmade: Griptilian or 710
AlMar: SERE 2000
Victorinox: One Hand Trekker
Buck: Vantage or Mayo

Sometimes I like a model a lot and I get two, one for the collection and the other as a user.
 
odinp,

Congratulations on the Rajah 1. There will always be a segment of the population (me) that will buy big knives. I've owned my Rajah 2 for ~3 years now. I picked up the Rajah 1 during the CS sale, thinking it would become a daily user. Once I saw how nicely made it was it became a collector knife. Having the R2 allows me the complete freedom to beat the crap out of it knowing they are still in production. Mean while I have the R1 to look at.
 
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