Looking for a blade in M390

Bladegunner

Bladegunner

Joined
Jul 28, 2016
Messages
595
I don't yet have a knife in M390 so time to start looking around and asking for suggestions. Here are the specs I am looking for. Ti frame lock, ball bearing flipper preferably ceramic, 3" to 3.5" stone wash blade, Sheepsfoot or Tanto blade not a requirement but would like to try a different blade profile. and try to keep the budget at $400.00 or under. I was looking at a Rike 1503 and the Olamic wayfayer 247 budget model. Any owners of the Rike I was wondering how rough the texturing was on the frame and scale?
 
Kizer Mini Intrepid, most of of Kizer Minis should meet your criteria I believe. My Mini Intrepid was around $235 delivered.
 
Nice knife but not a flipper or Ti I could live with the non Ti but I need it to be a flipper. That looks like a great value though.
 
I have had a Kizer and was not impressed with the flipping action may have just been a bad one as the detent was not strong enough to get a good action. Thank you for the suggestion.
 
My current favorite of that type of knife, and one of my overall favorites, is this CKF Ratata I received Monday. This is the "sliceyest" knife I've had yet, with a slender M390 blade that has a very tall full flat grind and a lot of belly. I love the minimalist flipper which works flawlessly and nearly disappears when open, leaving just a small jimped nub that functions very nicely as a blade guard. The Alexey Konygin design really sets it apart, and they are currently available in the Russian place, both in black clip and the Timascus like mine, both comfortably under $400. Even though it is a "tall" knife, hiding a lot of blade in a smallish handle, it is not tall back at the clip, making for easy hand-into-pocket insertion while the Ratata is in pocket. I would call the blade profile sorta' drop-wharn with a lot of belly.











 
I've never owned a Rike, although it's on my radar to get one some day. I have a 247 Wayfarer and can confirm that it's a great knife and a wonderful flipper.

Lately I've been very pleased with some of the offerings from WE Knife Company. They offer a lot of designs in M390 and most of what they make are bearing flippers. Here's a Blade HQ search narrowed down to WEs that meet your criteria. Every WE I've bought has met expectations even if the knife didn't quite fit me.
http://www.bladehq.com/cat--WE-Knif...lter:blade_length:3.5:4/filter:opener:Flipper
 
you should try a Reate. they have a few models with your specs. i have a horizon d cf (they have non cf version) and its a great m390 ti bb flipper.
 
Check out the Zieba S1. The blade isn't stone washed, and it is $75 over your budget. However, it is hand made, no CNC, and flips really well. 3.5 in blade, Ti, ceramic detent, ball bearings. OR look at his Bold. Same size and also hand made, but a little cheaper and doesn't have the harpoon.
Here is the S1 and S1 mini
IMG_20170427_165008421.jpg
 
I would look into a WE. Most of their models are now in M390. They make a wharnny in a bearing flipper. WE is simply killing it even compared to other Chinese knives. I think they and kizer offer the most value but with WE still being the leader. Reate while making an excellent product I think is a little overpriced for what you get.
 
I'll echo previous suggestions......check out what WE is offering.
I have 2, 603 & 606, their flipping action, build quality, materials and off the chart cool factor is amazing!!
Definitely worth a look!
Joe
 
I have a couple WE knifes on order the FF Falcon and the 707 but neither is in M390 I will look at the other suggestions
keep them coming!!!
 
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I would definitely look into viper over the chinease brands but that's a whole different beaten to death thread lol. Wow that storm is nice
 
Olamic, Bradford G3 flipper, Reate, WE, or Kizer. You won't be disappointed with any of those!
My number one choice would easily be searching the for sale area here, or post a Want to buy post, for a Ferrum Forge model that used a CPM 20CV(M390 equivalent). They are fantastic EDC knives! Or maybe one of their upcoming models will be close enough to your price point.
 
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