The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
If it must be the best for your buck:
FRCP Manix 2 (3,85"): $75
Delica 4 zdp-189 (2,88"): $85
sage s30v (3"): $110
paramilitary 2 s30v (3,44"): $165
Online prices checked today.
I'd go for delica. Not necessarily in zdp though. It's very light, slim, capable, and strong.
KW has them for $105 and has been getting them in weekly.
If you will be able to get Para2 for a little over $100, than this will be a great choice. LW Manix2 also is a good choice. The blade is not 3.84", but 3.375". I bought it recently for a friend and was very impressed. I like it more than g10 M2.FRCP Manix 2 (3,85"): $75
The Delica would be a very smart choice for your dollar, but you may want to look at the Spyderco Stretch. This has a very ergonomic FRN handle to it and is very light. It also sports a lot of blade for its size. I am a big fan of the Para 2 but if bang for the buck is your focus the Stretch is hard to beat for about $75.00 with a VG-10 blade. I have the ZDP- 189 version and it is no problem to sharpen with the Wicked Edge sharpener, but it was more of a challenge to get razor sharp with conventional sharpening stones. The VG-10 blade is much easier to sharpen and maintain. I also find the VG-10 is more tolerant to high humidity environments without staining or starting to corrode. I keep my ZDP-189 Stretch in my shaving kit (high humidity environment) and have had issues with some minor surface pitting if not oiled properly. Good luck with your search!
Thats a good idea. There is a gun show in couple weeks hope to find some there to try out.
Actually, the delica is the simplest answer to this question. I would definitely take vg10 over zdp steel too. Why? Because I like my knives lazer beam, razor sharp. Even zdp189 is going to lose that crisp hair popping edge after just a little bit of use. I don't mind touching up my edges every couple of days to keep them scary sharp. It's much easier to do that with vg10. Depends on how you use and how you sharpen. Harder isn't necessarily better.
I'd go for delica. Not necessarily in zdp though. It's very light, slim, capable, and strong.