Well, I'm not gonna recommend any particular one (sounds like you've decided by now anyway), but I'll give you my opinions of all of them:
- BM 750 Pinnacle
Played with one again recently, still feels really cheap (well, at least if you've ever handled a Sebenza).
- BM large AFCK
Nice, a classic really, but old tech, and fairly large (could scare timid people). Maybe I'm just bored with it because I got it so long ago.
- BM 940 Osborne
I had so much trouble keeping from buying one of these this morning (credit cards still smoldering from Christmas). A really really excellent little knife, and relatively non-scary to boot. Axis-Locks are wonderful.
- Al Mar SERE 2000
What I've got in my pocket right now. This one's a brand new classic; feels great, locks like a tank, terrific blade, overall fairly thick and heavy, if that bothers you.
- Boker Brend Tactical folder
Never really impressed me much, looks too easy to slip a hand down onto the blade.
- Gerber Walker
Sorry, my top pick for most ungainly looking knife of the year.
- Microtech LCC (if this, which finish?)
Excellent choice, except possibly in the "don't scare people" department. Best custom-to-production transition I've ever seen, stout as hell, but gives new meaning to thick and heavy. If you go this route, get stonewash -- it'll stay pretty the longest.
- Spyderco Bob Lum Chinese folder
I hear these are really nice (and very non-scary), but they're not quite my style (likely because, again, looks too easy to slip onto the blade; may change my mind when I get to handle one).
- REKAT Carnivore
A bit too function-over-form, for me. I've heard very good things about these, but my impression is that it's a little large/tactical/rough for my tastes (though I might be more in favor of the Cub).
And I would add one more to this list:
- BM 730 Elishewitz Ares
Really terrific ergonomics, very useful blade without being too big-and-scary (and the handle colors help too), and, of course, "Axis-Locks are wonderful".
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Carl /\/\/\ AKTI #A000921 /\/\/\ San Diego, California
Think this through with me ... Let me know your mind
Wo-oah, what I want to know ... is are you kind?
-- Hunter/Garcia, "Uncle John's Band"
