medium cost folding knives - my list and thoughts.

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FrankieSchwartz

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So as you guys know a few days ago i posted about looking for a around a 100-150$ folder and i have been looking around and i have made a list (This list may change at any time but i will update) and i was wondering if you guys would help me look through it and decide.

Now i know this is a pretty long list - with pics :p, and yea i know lol... i'll probably end up get them all sometime but i just dunno what one to get first. Id also appreciate if any of you awesome people out there got any of these blades and carry them frequently to post some pics of them on here :p.

Next to the name is the price that i can get them for from the places that i like to/trust buying from. Tell me what you guys think would be the best one when going from a Para 1 to them?

Benchmade H20 Grip in orange - 92
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/bm551h2o.jpg/

Benchmade 710 - 120
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/bm710d2.jpg/

Emerson CQC 7B - 145
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/515/em7bsfa.jpg/

Kershaw JunkYard Dog 2 - 80
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/ks1725cb.jpg/

Kershaw Rake - 80
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/ks1780cb.jpg/

Zero Tolerance 0200 - 160
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/zt0200.jpg/

Zero Tolerance 0350 - 145
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/11/zt0350.jpg/

Zero Tolerance 0550 - 200
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/zt05501.jpg/

Benchmade 810 - 147
http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/7108/bm810a.jpg
 
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I just got a Benchmade 746 mini onslaught, and I have been carrying it for the past 3 days. So far I really like this knife, and over the next few weeks I'll throw some different tasks at it. But my initial impressions are that it's a keeper. It's a knife you might want to consider.
 
I'm not a big fan of ZT knives, too heavy/bulky for me. I would go with the 710 or 810 of those choices, but I've never held or seen the Kershaws in person.
 
jimnolimit said:
I just got a Benchmade 746 mini onslaught, and I have been carrying it for the past 3 days. So far I really like this knife, and over the next few weeks I'll throw some different tasks at it. But my initial impressions are that it's a keeper. It's a knife you might want to consider.
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Not really digging the way it looks, i haven't really found anything else besides whats on my list.
 
jlwatts3 said:
I'm not a big fan of ZT knives, too heavy/bulky for me. I would go with the 710 or 810 of those choices, but I've never held or seen the Kershaws in person.
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i kind of am thinking that the zts are going to feel bulky when i use them because i have it in right side pocket when at work and inside right side waist band on gym shorts when im at home. But then again some of them are greatly lighter then others too so idk.
 
Honestly, I wouldn't go from a Para 1 to any of them. A P1 is what I carry most of the time. I've had Grips, couple of Emersons, and the 350 & 550 off of your list. They're all gone and more Paras have replaced them.

Maybe if you say why you're switching, we can give you more helpful advice. Taking a shot in the dark, however, I'll tell you what my impressions are of the ones I've had or handled. My first choice would be the Emerson if you get the V-ground blade and IF I were able to handle it in person and make sure I'm comfortable with the F&F and the lockup. I actually like the single bevel on the V-ground Emersons and I like 154CM. I probably would not like their true chisel-grind. I sincerely regret selling my mini-CQC15. It was perfect in every way. The Grip would be my second choice. I've had a couple of regular and Ritter bladed ones. They're fine EDC knives if you don't mind wide handles. The 550 was just too large for me to carry as a folder. It was well made and I really do like S35V by all the brands that I've tried, it was just too large for my taste. If I want something that thick and heavy, I'll carry a FB. The 350 was wider than I like, both blade and handle. And I'm not really fond of AOs or autos. I'm either not familiar with the other BMs and Kershaws or I never was able to warm up to them.
 
dalefuller said:
Honestly, I wouldn't go from a Para 1 to any of them. A P1 is what I carry most of the time. I've had Grips, couple of Emersons, and the 350 & 550 off of your list. They're all gone and more Paras have replaced them.

Maybe if you say why you're switching, we can give you more helpful advice. Taking a shot in the dark, however, I'll tell you what my impressions are of the ones I've had or handled. My first choice would be the Emerson if you get the V-ground blade and IF I were able to handle it in person and make sure I'm comfortable with the F&F and the lockup. I actually like the single bevel on the V-ground Emersons and I like 154CM. I probably would not like their true chisel-grind. I sincerely regret selling my mini-CQC15. It was perfect in every way. The Grip would be my second choice. I've had a couple of regular and Ritter bladed ones. They're fine EDC knives if you don't mind wide handles. The 550 was just too large for me to carry as a folder. It was well made and I really do like S35V by all the brands that I've tried, it was just too large for my taste. If I want something that thick and heavy, I'll carry a FB. The 350 was wider than I like, both blade and handle. And I'm not really fond of AOs or autos. I'm either not familiar with the other BMs and Kershaws or I never was able to warm up to them.
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my main reason for wanting to change is because im getting tired of the para, want more variety and something with some new materials, not that the para is a bad knife or anything, just need some variety im that kind of guy who gets bored of the same thing in the pocket all the time. I also don't care too much for the leaf shaped blade of the para.
 
How about a Ritter grip? Unless you are going to be around salt water constantly the s30v blade steel is going to be better for edc use that the x15 in the H2O grip, and in my opinion the blade shape on the Ritter grips is far superior to the standard grip models.

Also, the spyderco Gayle Bradley is an excellent value in this price range. Top quality materials and build quality typically only seen in knives costing several times as much.

Since you already carry a para1, you know how excellent the para platform is. The para2 is just all that much better.
 
mkjellgren said:
How about a Ritter grip? Unless you are going to be around salt water constantly the s30v blade steel is going to be better for edc use that the x15 in the H2O grip, and in my opinion the blade shape on the Ritter grips is far superior to the standard grip models.

Also, the spyderco Gayle Bradley is an excellent value in this price range. Top quality materials and build quality typically only seen in knives costing several times as much.

Since you already carry a para1, you know how excellent the para platform is. The para2 is just all that much better.
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im not around salt water too much, and im going for something thats not spyderco this time around, spyderco has been my last few purchases, they will get more love, but other brands need some right now imo, got to keep my options open, i have never bought any other decent knives besides spydercos and id like to change that, I mean seriously any real knife enthusiast experiments with brands and materials.

That and the Para is alright but i don't think its that's amazing.
 
FrankieSchwartz said:
im not around salt water too much, and im going for something thats not spyderco this time around, spyderco has been my last few purchases, they will get more love, but other brands need some right now imo, got to keep my options open, i have never bought any other decent knives besides spydercos and id like to change that, I mean seriously any real knife enthusiast experiments with brands and materials.
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Fair enough, I still recommend the Ritter Grip over the H2O model though. I its really an excellent knife.

As far as benchmades go, you can still get one of the limited edition presidios with m4 blade steel for around $150 and the limited m390 Ares for $200. The 950 Rift is also an excellent choice and the 940/943 are also classics in your price range. Of those you listed, the 710 would be my pick, but be aware, it's a large knife, as is the 810.

The ZTs are bulky, but also incredibly solid, well built knives.
 
mkjellgren said:
Fair enough, I still recommend the Ritter Grip over the H2O model though. I its really an excellent knife.

As far as benchmades go, you can still get one of the limited edition presidios with m4 blade steel for around $150 and the limited m390 Ares for $200. The 950 Rift is also an excellent choice and the 940/943 are also classics in your price range. Of those you listed, the 710 would be my pick, but be aware, it's a large knife, as is the 810.

The ZTs are bulky, but also incredibly solid, well built knives.
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Im actually looking for a on the larger side knife, i dont know where people get the limited run knives and stuff i usually buy from knife center and amazon, i dont have a big knowledge of trusted knife dealers.

im looking for over 8 inch overall but under 4 inch blade, thats around the size i like.
 
FrankieSchwartz said:
Im actually looking for a on the larger side knife, i dont know where people get the limited run knives and stuff i usually buy from knife center and amazon, i dont have a big knowledge of trusted knife dealers.

im looking for over 8 inch overall but under 4 inch blade, thats around the size i like.
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The limited edition benchmade knives are knifeworks exclusives. They are a trusted dealer.
 
Of the ones you listed, the 710 is my preference. Large folder, but very slim and carries really well. I agree with mkjellgren, though, the LE 730 is pretty awesome. Satin one's sold out, black blade is still available. And if you go for the 710, you should get the M390 version. Costs a bit more, but worth it for sure.
 
I don't know if you have anything against ebay (some guys around here don't like it), but the ZT 0200 can be had brand new for a good bit less than $160 shipped.
 
FrankieSchwartz said:
ah so knifeworks is a trusted dealer? i saw a lionsteel sr1 there that i really liked for 150 but i wasnt sure if they were legit or not.
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Hi Frankie Schwartz,

I'm using my first post on this forum to strongly endorse the 710. I own a variety of Spydercos (including P1/P2), Benchmades, Emersons, and Cold Steel knives, and the 710 is probably my all-time favorite EDC knife model. I make extensive use of the 710 and find that it has an incredibly comfortable handle, wicked blade shape (the blade-to-handle ratio is almost 1:1), the axis lock is really damn strong and ultra fast, and the knife is incredibly light for the size. The 710 also fits and rides better in my pocket (34x34 jeans) than any knife that I own.

I have 2 models of the 710: one in D2 and one in M390. The 710 in M390 is, hands down, my personal EDC favorite. It takes a ridiculous edge, holds it forever, and is incredibly resistant to corrosion (I live in a very rainy environment). M390 is one of the best steels currently on the market and is quite easy to sharpen.

Again, I can't support the 710 M390 version strongly enough: it is an INCREDIBLE knife for the price. I purchased mine from Knifeworks (along with a good 50% of my folders) and have always had good interactions with them.

http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmademchenrywilliamsaxislockm390steelplainedgeknifeworksexclusive.aspx

There's a link the 710 M390 version. It is DEFINITELY worth the extra $20 to upgrade to M390 steel.

Best Regards!
 
Oaken - I strongly agree with everything you said, but you might want to edit that post to remove the link. I don't think KW is a sponsored dealer on these forums, and the mods get kind of twitchy about that kind of stuff.
 
I dont know why people get so mad when we link each other to stuff, were just helping each other out, its not like were advertising for them, were just giving them as an option.

Man this is a hard decision lol..
 
Get an Strider SnG or a Case Caliber folder.
These two are all you need.
 
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