My first high end folder

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Jun 19, 2012
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I've been trying to decide what i want for my first high end folder. around the 300$ range. I'm not sure what to get though. first of all I'm trying to trade or sell my very rare spyderco lil temperance 2 rhino horn so i can either just trade for a high end knife or sell and my bday is coming up so ill just buy it brand new. Im looking for a knife to edc even if it costs 300 bucks. the knives I've been looking at: Microtech Whaleshark, Strider sng or pt, small sebenza, ZT 0560or 0550, Jason Brous silent soldier flipper. i don't want something too small but huge either. I'm always open to suggestions:)
 
Go for the 0560, it is a joy to flip and feels super solid. I also have the silent soldier flipper it's a great knife but you need to get used to flipping it as it needs to be pushed down differently! Though it is a great knife I enjoy my 0560 more as it flips better in my opinion! Though if you want a smaller knife the silent soldier folder is great though it is a little thicker than you would think for a small thing like that!
 
thanks for the suggestion, i just realized that I've never really heard anyone say anything bad about the 560 lol might actually go with it I've heard lots of good things about it and its not quite 300
 
560 all day long - its nearly identical to my xm-24 and a fraction of the cost. Best value in knives today (except maybe the 550)
 
Make sure you want a flipper before you buy one. If you do, that's fine.
The high end in quality of your list, excluding custom, is the small Sebenza, blade-length about 2.97". Make sure it fits your hand. I had one and traded it for a large Sebenza, which I'm happy with. Also, a larger handle and the blade-length is 3.625".
In ZT, I liked the 0550, (5.8 oz), which is a non-flipper but very smooth and very popular. But these are large knives. The 560 is even larger.
The Strider Sng is much the same size as the large Sebenza, in handle and blade-length. The PT is very small, similar to the small Sebenza with a 2 3/4" blade.
These knives that you've listed can be classed as either very large or very small. Handle some at shops; make sure you know what size you want.
I would advise you to stay away, for now, from any knives that are meant for severe heavy-duty use, with thick blades. They are heavy, are useless for casual EDC and you will leave it at home because it's too heavy. Ask me how I know.
Some of the very best folders out there, with 3 1/2" blade (approx) weigh less than 5 oz and you will carry it with pride. Choose carefully; it's costs money to make a mistake. I've made lots of those also.
Sonnydaze
 
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I guess i depends on what you consider heavy. I carry my hinderers, zt0561, Strider SMF & SNG all the time while wearing suits, shorts, or casual dressware. I don't find any of these to be to heavy to carry for casual EDC or otherwise, but this is just my personal opionion. I agree with Sonnydaze I prefer the larger knives. See if you can find a shop that you can handle them all and make the selection that best fits your needs.
 
If you get a Sebenza you'll just want another. And another. And another...
 
I own a sebenza and a 560 to me the sebenza is the better of the two. The 560 is a big knife and you said not too big. I owned a MT whaleshark for a while as well and it was a WAY better flipper than the 560. Make sure you want a flipper first though like Sonny said.
 
I have owned a small Sebenza and a ZT 561. The ZT is a good bit larger, so I agree with previous posts that you should handle these knives to see what you like. The Sebenza is is the epitome of fit and finish and a fine piece. The ZT 560/1 is also extremely well made and a relative bargain now that the market has softened a bit. You cannot go wrong with either. Even if you buy one you do not like, you can easily recover most, if not all, of your purchase price so long as you buy carefully.
 
Save yourself $100 and pick up the limited edition benchmade 730 ares in m390 before they disappear. Excellent knife in every way.
 
Isn't there a knife you have in mind? To say you just want a "high end" knife doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

To me, great knives can either have beauty or functionality or both. Most knives a hundred dollars or more will cut fine, which means you're going to have to concentrate on the knife's beauty. And that means a beautiful frame, or scales and a polished blade. If it was me, I'd consider something a bit more expensive with maybe a Damascus blade. If you are more interested in functionality, then a good knife with a super steel blade would be the way to go. There are lots of high end knives around, but I'd recommend you go by eBay and just check out $300+ folding knives. Spyderco has some beautiful Damascus bladed folders like the Sprint Run C10JBBP, which comes with a nice zippered case. Some like titanium frames, but it's a matter of taste. I find the bead blasted titanium frames to be listless. I tend to put more emphasis on the frame and scales than I do blade material, but I like ATS-34, VG-10 and 154CM.
 
TheAndrew said:
I own a sebenza and a 560 to me the sebenza is the better of the two. The 560 is a big knife and you said not too big. I owned a MT whaleshark for a while as well and it was a WAY better flipper than the 560. Make sure you want a flipper first though like Sonny said.
Click to expand...

Without trying to start a whole thing here, what made the Whaleshark a way better flipper than the 0560?
 
I would definitely say the 0560. You can't go wrong with Zero Tolerance knives. We're currently having a sale on these hit me up if you haven't found one yet.
 
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