Recommendation? Knife for Graduate

M

M. Johnwell

Joined
Jan 8, 2015
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315
Having recently graduated college and looking to treat myself to a new knife, I look to you all for recommendations.

I’m partial to slicey knives, preferably with a pocket clip (RH, tip up). My favorite to carry is a k390 urban and my favorite to use is a m4 pm2. That being said, I would like something new and exciting to be a dressier, fancier, mid-sized knife that can still do work (hunting, fishing, and general edc tasks).

The other knives I have are a benchmade mini Ritter, a steel will modus, a stretch in super blue, and a marbled cf 4v Manix.

I’m tossing around the idea of a small sebenza with micarta inlays, but I’m worried about the size since I find the mini Ritter’s handle slightly too short for my hand to be comfortable. I don’t think I want a large sebenza since I have several knives in that size range. Furthermore, the cost of either sebenza is a hard pill for me to swallow (so I definitely can’t buy both).

What knife would you want to commemorate your graduation?
 
Just jump right into the semi-deep end and grab a Hinderer gen 6 XM 3.0 slicer grind for $425.
It'll last you a lifetime and that's what you're looking for in a commemorative piece.
Modification parts abound for changing tastes and preferences, plenty of room for growth. You could also get it in your school colors or something close I'm sure.
If the 3.0 is too short spend a bit more on the 3.5.
 
if you want a large sebenza and don’t want to spend the cash on one I recommend the ZT 0640 .
Very comparable. The ZT is way smoother than the sebenza and it has a better blade steel .

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To honor your graduation, go top shelf, so long as it doesn’t force you miss a student loan payment (eating ramen for a few weeks is ok).

I think the small 21 micarta and the 3” XM-18 are both excellent choices (so long as the XM is a wharney ;)).
 
SpydieChef and if you want to customize it you can swap out the hardware and also have it anodized...this will last literally a lifetime, it’s impervious to rust and will show little more than cosmetic wear over time.
 
Barman1 said:
Just jump right into the semi-deep end and grab a Hinderer gen 6 XM 3.0 slicer grind for $425.
It'll last you a lifetime and that's what you're looking for in a commemorative piece.
Modification parts abound for changing tastes and preferences, plenty of room for growth. You could also get it in your school colors or something close I'm sure.
If the 3.0 is too short spend a bit more on the 3.5.
Click to expand...

How thin behind the edge is the slicer grind? Aside from the price I really like them.
 
M. Johnwell said:
How thin behind the edge is the slicer grind? Aside from the price I really like them.
Click to expand...
The slicer grind is still not as thin as you would expect. It is a slicer when sharpened up. You can usually find good deals on the sale forum. There is also the skinny version. They are great knives.
 
Just one man’s opinion, but... If I was going to give myself a nice present to celebrate having just graduated college, I wouldn’t treat it as an occasion to be handled with a budget-conscious mindset. I’d splurge to make it a lifetime quality keepsake and if I had to save up to do so, I’d do that too. If I was in your position, I wouldn’t be concerned about the sizes or weights of the knives I already have. I'd treat myself to one of those CRK Sebenza 21 CGGs or UGs--probably a Night Sky or a Morning Sun. Unless you go on for advanced degrees you only graduate from college once, so make your keepsake a lifetime show-stopper! After you get over the pain of the cost and a few years roll on by, I think you’ll be glad you did. Under any circumstance, congrats and best wishes with whatever you end up doing.
 
M. Johnwell said:
Having recently graduated college and looking to treat myself to a new knife, I look to you all for recommendations.

I’m partial to slicey knives, preferably with a pocket clip (RH, tip up). My favorite to carry is a k390 urban and my favorite to use is a m4 pm2. That being said, I would like something new and exciting to be a dressier, fancier, mid-sized knife that can still do work (hunting, fishing, and general edc tasks).

The other knives I have are a benchmade mini Ritter, a steel will modus, a stretch in super blue, and a marbled cf 4v Manix.

I’m tossing around the idea of a small sebenza with micarta inlays, but I’m worried about the size since I find the mini Ritter’s handle slightly too short for my hand to be comfortable. I don’t think I want a large sebenza since I have several knives in that size range. Furthermore, the cost of either sebenza is a hard pill for me to swallow (so I definitely can’t buy both).

What knife would you want to commemorate your graduation?
Click to expand...
My best advice to you is that if your parents try to make you go out with a girl called Elaine, don’t be tempted to sleep with her mother.
 
Small Sebenza are not great for getting the thumb in and flicking the blade, the blade is also thin for what I would call a tool knife, I've owned several of all his models they are just the dress watch of the knife world. If you want the dive watch of the knife world check out the Dpx urban in s35vn, nice thick blade, bearings, USA made by southern grind for Dpx.
 
007Airman said:
Small Sebenza are not great for getting the thumb in and flicking the blade, the blade is also thin for what I would call a tool knife, I've owned several of all his models they are just the dress watch of the knife world. If you want the dive watch of the knife world check out the Dpx urban in s35vn, nice thick blade, bearings, USA made by southern grind for Dpx.
Click to expand...

I kind of prefer thinner knives to their chunky brethren. Those look like nice enough knives, but they aren’t really my style. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
Check out a Real Steel Megalodon Titan. Frame lock version. Rave reviews. Full flat slicer grind. Shirogorov blade profile.
 
Different strokes for different folks.. like one model of car in different styles. Ooo i know many knives for different wives. Well actually that last one sounds like too many headaches. Scratch that one.
 
Based on the size of knife you seem to like and your desire for a good slicer i would vote large 21 in whatever configuration you like. I find the small maybe too small. Best of luck, let us know what you decide.
 
Why don't you treat yourself with the time/place/oportunity to enjoy using the knives already have and go for an outdoors/active trip somewhere nice?

Other than that, the ZT suggestion above is a good one. I like it!
 
Southern Grind Spider Monkey in copper. It's heavier than the carbon fiber version - but the copper sets it apart (and will patina with use/time unless you polish it).
I don't generally like smaller folders; but the spider monkey feels good in hand.

*I've tried the carbon fiber version, and liked it a lot...but it didn't have the same feel & stuck with copper. (I was going to get both...but finally gave up on getting cf with anodized liners from USAmade Blades)
 
How's the employment situation? I'm all for treating one's self within budget. If you can afford a $600 knife and be OK financially, fantastic! If a ZT 640 is more in your price range but a nice knife, that's great as well.

Education is an important thing to reward. I left college at 22. At nearly 38 I'll be finishing up next term. For me it's a "want to" not a "have to" degree, but it's still a regret in life I can retroactively scratch off. Not many of those you can. I'm not a guy of great means. I have a family and a mortgage and all that goes along with it.

However, I'm going to reward myself with something. I thought about a new gun, but I rotate guns all the time. I never get rid of knives unless I gift them. I think I've settled on a large Sebbie. Something classic if a bit dated in terms of what is in style...like myself;)

Congrats!
 
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