My next knife...help please?

S

scott208

Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Messages
4
I don't post on here well ever really, but obviously there is a lot of very valuable knowledge on BF. I want to get a new knife in about the $100 range give or take a little bit. I'm looking for a 3.5" knife simply for an EDC. I've been looking at a few Kizer knives and some ZT's that I like, but wanted a better variety of options before I made my decision. I'm torn between whether I want another assisted knife or a manual folder. Any advice or suggestions would be great.

Thanks in advance everyone.
 
Only you know what you like. For me to make a recomendation that ISNT incredibly biased to my own personal tastes i would need to know what you know you like in a knife and any options you need or are atleast curious about. It would be easy for me just to say "get a kershaw knockout". But that recomendation is worthless if you dont like assisted knives or flippers. As much as i like to pretend i dont know everything and i think for anyone to make a recommendation tailored to your needs a bit more info on just what those needs are would help us all out.
 
PURPLEDC said:
Only you know what you like. For me to make a recomendation that ISNT incredibly biased to my own personal tastes i would need to know what you know you like in a knife and any options you need or are atleast curious about. It would be easy for me just to say "get a kershaw knockout". But that recomendation is worthless if you dont like assisted knives or flippers. As much as i like to pretend i dont know everything and i think for anyone to make a recommendation tailored to your needs a bit more info on just what those needs are would help us all out.
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My needs are simply an EDC knife. I like recurves, but I don't think I want another. I was looking at the Kizer 401's and like the looks of those. I want a manual knife rather than another assisted one. I'm not a knife expert so i guess its hard for me to expand more, but my current knife is a kershaw blur and I guess I just wanted an upgrade to that. A nicer steel would be prefered such as the S35V Kizer has and S30V that ZT has but I don't know much enough about Kizer to make a decision. I know Zt's are quality knives from what I've read on here. I don't know if that helped but that's what I can say I suppose.
 
An extra $15 will get you a paramilitary 2 shipped. A large consensus gives this knife the title of "best edc ever". Another all star in your price range is a full sized Benchmade griptillian. Personally, I would a spyderco of some sort with that budget if you are into actually using your knives. Manix 2 LW is ~$85 and a great knife. Only you can decide, these are my suggestions for "go to" edc blades ~3.5" in your price range. If you like recurves, you could et a kershaw blur and save ~$45 bucks to.
I have a Kizer and I personally wont be buying another btw, just my 2 cents.
 
scott208 said:
My needs are simply an EDC knife. I like recurves, but I don't think I want another. I was looking at the Kizer 401's and like the looks of those. I want a manual knife rather than another assisted one. I'm not a knife expert so i guess its hard for me to expand more, but my current knife is a kershaw blur and I guess I just wanted an upgrade to that. A nicer steel would be prefered such as the S35V Kizer has and S30V that ZT has but I don't know much enough about Kizer to make a decision. I know Zt's are quality knives from what I've read on here. I don't know if that helped but that's what I can say I suppose.
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Zts are great but they arent in your price range. PM 2 comes with s30v and I have never found that steel wanting. The zt 556 is IMO not worth the money (they should make it with sandvik steel, call it a kershaw, and sell it for $85), but zt550 can be had for not much money these days and is a great knife if you are wanting to up your budget.
 
Spyderco Delica or Benchmade Griptillian. Both are great users at an affordable price, though I think the Benchmade is a tad overpriced for what you get.
 
Several good choices meeting your criteria:
Spyderco PM2 (Not my cup of tea but loved by many)
Spyderco Manix 2 (Several steels and handle variations under $100)
Benchmade Griptillian (Super customizable)
HK 14715 Axis (IMO you get more than you pay for...great value)
I also love ZT knives and if you can find one in your range go for it. Check the exchange.

Any of these are solid choices. Pick your favorite.

Good luck!
 
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Kitten Party said:
Zts are great but they arent in your price range. PM 2 comes with s30v and I have never found that steel wanting. The zt 556 is IMO not worth the money (they should make it with sandvik steel, call it a kershaw, and sell it for $85), but zt550 can be had for not much money these days and is a great knife if you are wanting to up your budget.
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I agree. The ZT0550 is a great knife. I have the blackwashed version and carry it every day.
If you can up your budget to around $150.00, you should be able to find one. They are discontinued, so if you want one, I wouldn't wait too long. At this price point, it is a hell of a deal.
 
scott208 said:
My needs are simply an EDC knife. I like recurves, but I don't think I want another. I was looking at the Kizer 401's and like the looks of those. I want a manual knife rather than another assisted one. I'm not a knife expert so i guess its hard for me to expand more, but my current knife is a kershaw blur and I guess I just wanted an upgrade to that. A nicer steel would be prefered such as the S35V Kizer has and S30V that ZT has but I don't know much enough about Kizer to make a decision. I know Zt's are quality knives from what I've read on here. I don't know if that helped but that's what I can say I suppose.
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I was in a similar situation as you. After joining this forum, I bought a Kershaw Leek. It's a great knife, but I decided the assisted opening really isn't "doing it" for me.

I received my Paramilitary 2 about three days ago and I haven't been able to put it down. It's a great EDC knife and I find myself constantly flipping it. I would highly recommend it if you're looking to broaden your experience. And don't let the goofy looks deter you...you grow to love them very quickly.

Good luck with your search!
 
if you really like the blur outside of the steel, you could always get the s30v version. i have one in my edc rotation and love it. a few others that i like for the criteria are the full size benchmade griptilian, spyderco endura, and hk 14715.
 
How particular are you about high end materials? If you just want a beater blade and aren't looking for G10 or higher end steels....the ontario rat-1 provides a good folder for not much coin. Better part is that you can buy two and have a replacement sitting around for when you lose the first one.

If you like higher end materials, look at kershaw, zt, spyderco. Those are the brands I tend to stick with when it comes to EDC beater folders.
 
Your new edc is a Spyderco Stretch.;) Two steels VG 10 or ZDP-189. I got the VG 10 . Now I have to have both.
 
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I would look at the Manix 2 Lightweight in S110V if you want a HUGE steel upgrade, Blur in Elmax if you want assisted, H&K 14715 if you want to try an Axis lock, Buck 830 if you want a manual bearing pivot flipper, Spyderco Stretch in ZDP-189 if you're interested in a real slicer or go for a Kizer if you're into the titanium framelock thing.

If you just want something stupid tough, wait a few months and get an American Lawman in XHP.

There is more variety and quality at your price point and size range than ever before, so you have an embarrassment of riches to choose from.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
There is more variety and quality at your price point and size range than ever before, so you have an embarrassment of riches to choose from.
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I am realizing that as the responses come in. I appreciate all of the input unfortunately it may be making my decision that much harder! :eek:
 
scott208 said:
I am realizing that as the responses come in. I appreciate all of the input unfortunately it may be making my decision that much harder! :eek:
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It's not that hard at all. In your price range, it's really hard to beat the PM2.

A perfect EDC in the just over $100 price range.
 
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