Looking for a suggestion: 3.5" $200 uncommon knife.

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
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I can't be the only one who has memorized the entire catalogs of ZT, Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, CRKT, and Cold Steel, doesn't want anything else they offer, but still wants a new knife.

I'm looking for a knife in the 3.15-3.5" range and that costs less than $200.

Well, yeah, okay, let me narrow that down:
- Rock solid lockup that wears well
- Nothing that has been discontinued for so long it's hard to find [ SG2 JYD ILY :( ]
- No serrations
- No assisted opening
- MUST have a pocket clip.
- No tip-up-only flippers (too many cut fingertips from reaching into my pocket and finding one had opened slightly. It's happened with every single one. No, seriously. Just thinking about it makes me rub the tip of my scarred index finger, and I cringe in places that aren't politely discussable.)

So, an uncommon, solidly-built knife with good steel. I've looked at Emersons, and they're growing on me, but I'm trying to find something new. New and different. I recently bit the bullet and bought a Meyerco Darrel Ralph "EDC" knife that I was fairly sure was going to be crap in one way or another, but it flips extremely well and has no blade play. After two passes on a strop per side and a drop of nano-lube, it's one of the most pleasant knives I've had the chance to use, and it cost less than 40 bucks! I'm looking for that kinda magic, but not necessarily on such a limited budget.
 
How about a Southern Grinds Bad Monkey? Has the Emerson wave (licensed), Ti liners, nice cf. Very well built and solid. I love mine.
 
Try the original Ripple by CRKT and designed by Ken Onion. Acuto+ steel, steel handle with frame lock. It's both very beautiful and very functional. It has been discontinued, but not too long ago, so if you hurry like I did, you can be lucky enough to get one. There is a small amount of blade play on mine, but I know it won't be a problem if I just tighten the pivot a little. I paid $55 for mine.
 
Bigfatts said:
How about a Southern Grinds Bad Monkey? Has the Emerson wave (licensed), Ti liners, nice cf. Very well built and solid. I love mine.
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I've considered those! Or, more accurate, am still considering those. They look fantastic, and I haven't seen many negative remarks about them.
 
How about the Lion Steel SR-2 Aluminum? Hogue Knives? DPx HEST? Mcusta? Those are all companies I've heard good things about, but don't see a ton of their knives around. At least not like Kershaw or Spyderco.
 
Comeuppance said:
I've considered those! Or, more accurate, am still considering those. They look fantastic, and I haven't seen many negative remarks about them.
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The only thing people scoff at is the Sandvick, but it's a perfectly good steel and they do it very well. But with the amount of hand finishing and attention to detail these things get I really think they are a hard knife to beat under $200.
 
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