Need a new folder under $200

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
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Hey everyone, it’s that time again that I need a new knife. It will mainly be an edc blade. I have a manix 2 backlock that I use at work, a paramilitary 2 which I use mainly for food prep, a ZT 0566 that I carry when I’m out and about and then a Spyderco sliverax that is my gentleman’s folder.

Obviously everyone’s different so it’s very subjective. But I’m looking for another blade that I will appreciate and I think I’ve finally narrowed down what I want:

-Plain edge
-no flipper
-thumb studs or hole
-ffg would be nice but isn’t important
-no recurves or tantos
-no slipjoints or nail nicks
-framelock, liner lock, compression lock


The intended use would probably range from all categories besides food prep. A lot of cardboard (I have to break it down to recycle it or to put in the wood stove during the winter). At work I’m constantly cutting through plastic, tape, plastic cordage (similar to weedwhacker string), burlap, paper bags, and that weird woven plastic type bag...not sure the name. But I usually sharpen my knives whenever I notice theyre full (sliding across my finger nails). So edge holding abilities doesn’t really matter.

Here’s some knives I’ve tried and didn’t like:
Spyderco native
Spyderco Gayle Bradley 1&2
Spyderco southard
Benchmade 940
Benchmade adamas
Benchmade griptillian (seriously if it was full flat grind I’d love it)
ZT 0350
ZT 0909

Again trying to stay under $200. But feel free to post knives that are higher than that as I intend to find a used one anyways!

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. I think I hit every important piece of information needed...although feel free to correct me. Thanks guys
 
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One of my recent favorites is the Benchmade Mini Presidio II. It has metal "scales" which generally turn me off, but I like this one. Manual opening, unobtrusive thumbstud, axis lock, smooth as silk (or mine is), about 3.25" blade length. It is priced in the $150-$170 area. It's a nice EDC type blade.

(I generally only recommend knives I actually own. So, that limits my suggestions.)
 
Maybe its time to try a Spyderco Military. How about one of the two knifeworks exclusives, or the upcoming Rex 45 sprint run?
 
sharp_edge said:
Maybe its time to try a Spyderco Military. How about one of the two knifeworks exclusives, or the upcoming Rex 45 sprint run?
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This, the s90v cf/ti military is awesome. I bought mine in Nov of 17 and have just stropped it and it is still working edge sharp, very impressive.
The titanium framelock is great and total weighs 4.7 oz and that full flat ground blade is a cutting machine.

I sold my pm2, which is a great knife cause this military for $199 is better IMO
 
pikemaster11 said:
This, the s90v cf/ti military is awesome. I bought mine in Nov of 17 abd have just stopped it and is still working edge sharp, very impressive.
The titanium framelock is great and total weighs 4.7 oz and that full flat ground blade is a cutting machine.
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The military was always a bit too big for me. The para 2 is probably the biggest I’d go.
 
SpySmasher said:
What didn't you like about Native?
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I just didn’t use it. It’s my mindset. With a backlock I think hard use but if I’m doing a hard use task then I’d gravitate to a larger knife like my manix backlock. But if I wanted something smaller like the native then I’d also want it to be light and I’d end up using my delica. It just wasn’t for me tbh
 
I know you said you don't want multiples, but a Manix Lightweight with Maxamet sounds like the perfect knife. I personally wouldn't want a carbon steel for cardboard cutting unless you really like touching up that edge daily. Not entirely sure how the steel handles the harder materials, though.

Maybe a M390 PM3. Close enough to a PM2, but different as well. And M390 would handle all your cutting needs and more. The only time I had a problem was when I forced my mini Ritter to cut through a steel wire tie, and all it did was dull the edge a bit.

And there's another option, a Ritter grip. It's as close to a full flat grip that we have, so that may work. My mini Ritter is one of my favorite knives, and probably my most carried/used. I know I much prefer the mini's to the full sized Griptilians. Full liners really make a difference, plus it's the perfect size to carry around all day.
 
Kizer T1. $175 for near ffg, .12” stock S35VN, ti framelock, thumbstuds. Beautiful knife, and that blade is made for cutting.

Your use sounds similar to my own, and I’ve found ffg or a high, flat grind in .12” stock to be ideal for work. I’ve been rotating between a ZT 0609, Spyderco Domino (blue weave), and Kizer Gemini lately, loving how they perform. The T1 is similar, but with studs instead of a flipper.
 
JDX said:
I already have a manix, and don’t really want doubles. As for the grip, I’m having a hard time picturing how someone will turn a hollow grind (it is it convex?) into a full flat grind..
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I think you missed the Manix irony.
 
JDX said:
I just didn’t use it. It’s my mindset. With a backlock I think hard use but if I’m doing a hard use task then I’d gravitate to a larger knife like my manix backlock. But if I wanted something smaller like the native then I’d also want it to be light and I’d end up using my delica. It just wasn’t for me tbh
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OK, not for ergos or anything. The reason I ask is because the Spyderco Shaman fits your bill but it's kind of like the Native in ergos. It's like a bigger, compression lock Native.
 
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Time for a Spyderco Military!

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craytab said:
So, what did you end up getting?
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I ended up getting the para 2 in m390. I know I was trying not to get doubles but why mess with success?? Anyways I appreciate everyone’s input! I tried the kizer critical and it’s a sweetnknife. I just wish there were thumb studs or a thumb hole
 
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