Looking For S30V or Similar Folder

O

outoftheblue

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Mar 5, 2012
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I'm new to the knife thing and am looking to try a folder with a "higher-end" steel. I've used VG-10 Spydercos and have been pretty impressed so far, so I figured I'd branch out and see what else is out there that I might like.

Criteria are as follows:

-S30V (or another steel that's a step up from the VG-10 I'm accustomed to).
-Plain edge only.
-Street price under $100. The lower the price the better, obviously.
-Folder with flipper for easy deployment.
EDIT:-Blade length limit of 3.75" (limit used to be listed at 3")
-A strong and secure lockup. Truthfully the blade is only gonna be used for cutting rope, cardboard, tape, and other random daily tasks, so it's not like I anticipate abusing the crap out of it. If that were the case then I'd just buy a fixed blade.
-A kick ass warranty.

Things I'd like but are not "musts":

-I'd like Made in the USA.
-I'd like the warranty to be lifetime, but I'd settle for a shorter one so long as it's well-revered.
-A decent clip that allows for deep pocket carry.
 
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Same goes with the spyderco native... though i have never owned one, it looks like a beast for 50 on amazon.
 
Spyderco Sage 1 is a great knife, carries deep, 3 inches, CPM S30V, solid lockup and absolutely no play. Its a nice liner lock which has a nice snap to it. All it lacks is a flipper. I got mines brand new for $99.95 shipped on ebay. Pretty sure its $100 in lots of places. Cant go wrong with that and its real nice!
 
Whoa, five responses already? Looks like I came to the right place. :)

I'll check out all of the listed suggestions and follow-up to this thread.

P.S. The Buck looks perfect but the blade is 3.25", right? The 3" length limit is important in order to comply with local laws.
 
Oh wait, it looks like there is a smaller version of the Buck Pro Vantage with 2 5/8" blade. Score!!! That knife essentially meets all of my criteria and it does so for a great price.

Does $44.75 with shipping sound like it's about the best I can do on this knife? Or do you guys have any recommendations for preferred vendors that are right around this price (forum sponsors are a plus, of course)?

If posting any specific vendors here is against the rules then please feel free to PM them to me.

Thx guys!
 
If you are dead set on a flipper, there is an S30V version of the Kershaw Leek that has pretty much all of the attributes you listed.
 
Cynic2701 said:
If you are dead set on a flipper, there is an S30V version of the Kershaw Leek that has pretty much all of the attributes you listed.
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You know I just got a Kershaw leek about two weeks ago I am not impressed for a work knife at all the blade is to thin and fragile for me . I just ordered a Buck vantage pro this morning . I hope it works .I have been carrying a Buck 110 for 25++ years for a work knife. I do have a Spyderco para II but it is a little to nice (expensive) for a beater.
 
Okay, seriously, you're just joking right? Your criteria is basically just a copy and paste from the description of a Buck Vantage pro. haha I'm glad your criteria were met fully by just one knife. That kind of thing usually doesn't happen. The Pro large has a blade just a HAIR over 3" -- it's almost exactly 3.1". I don't have the small, but I do love my large. If you really want a flipper-opening mechanism, the Buck Vantage Pro is the way to go. Buck has a great forever warranty.

That price you found looks to be pretty good. It looks like people fishing in the Amazon River pay +$50 for bait. Honestly, I might just go for the Buck Vantage Large because it is basically 3", unless you want a lightweight (2.3oz, small) knife that is obviously under 3" by just looking at it.
 
have the large Vantage Pro and love it! also want to try the small version some day.
 
i have the small vantage pro and it's quite a bit smaller than the large one, and it doesn't flip. i took it apart and lubed it but it's still not right. when i find time i'll send it to buck. of course you might get one that's perfect.
 
IMO, if you're looking for a sizable step up from VG-10 you may want to shoot for a steel a little better than S30V. You may be disappointed with S30 since it behaves radically different than VG-10. S30V will lose its razor sharpness fairly quickly (often more quickly than VG-10 in my experience) and you will be left wondering why it is better. You have to be doing a LOT of cutting to benefit from the carbides in S30V.

Something like M390, ZDP-189, CTS-XHP, or 20CV would probably suit you well. Those steels hold the razor edge that you are used to much longer than S30V. Just my humble opinion of course.....
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Something like M390, ZDP-189, CTS-XHP, or 20CV would probably suit you well. Those steels hold the razor edge that you are used to much longer than S30V. Just my humble opinion of course.....
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One problem is that he was asking for a street price of 100 or less. That automatically excludes knives with the steel choices you suggested.

My suggestion has already been mentioned a few times, the Buck Vantage Pro.
 
harkamus said:
One problem is that he was asking for a street price of 100 or less. That automatically excludes knives with the steel choices you suggested.
Click to expand...

Not so. The Spyderco Delica 4 in ZDP-189 can be had for well under $100, as well as the Dragonfly 2 in ZDP-189. Although for the OP's criteria, the Vantage Pro would seem to suit him well.
 
harkamus said:
One problem is that he was asking for a street price of 100 or less. That automatically excludes knives with the steel choices you suggested.

My suggestion has already been mentioned a few times, the Buck Vantage Pro.
Click to expand...


A ZDP-189 Spyderco Stretch isn't too far off. :)


Also, my post was kind of meant to say that maybe he should up his price range IF possible, that way he feels like he gets his moneys worth. An extra 50 dollars opens the doors up tremendously as far as steel choices go, and any one of those that I listed will give him the step up he is after. I doubt S30V would leave him feeling satisfied.
 
Ah. Shame on me for forgetting the Delica 4 and Dragonfly 2. Great choices, but doesn't meet his criteria for a flipper.
 
harkamus said:
Ah. Shame on me for forgetting the Delica 4 and Dragonfly 2. Great choices, but doesn't meet his criteria for a flipper.
Click to expand...

And the ZDP Stretch! It's less than 100 most places and it's a LOT of knife for the money. That ZDP will most certainly tickle his steel fancy.
 
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