Need Help on Next Purchase

dbla

dbla

Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Messages
1,056
Hey Guys!

I run a gun,knife, and camera youtube channel (odd combo I know, but that's what I'm into), anyway my partner account is about to pay out for the first time and I'm debating what knife I should buy... My budget is in and around $100 and I'm looking for a high quality folder one that might be a little more off the beaten path but interesting nonetheless. Two that are on my radar would be the Manix2 XL and the Paramilitary 2, maybe the Military, but I can't seem to find much that talks about the differences between the PM, M, and Police lines from Spydie. Apart from that I'd love to get my hands on a Zero Tolerance but they may be a little north of my budget for the time being. Anything else I should consider or look at? Primarily looking for high quality EDC, that would also be a good addition to the collection if that makes sense. Any thoughts??

-a
 
ZT0350 blems at Kershawguy.com go for under $100.

dbla said:
Hey Guys!

I run a gun,knife, and camera youtube channel (odd combo I know, but that's what I'm into), anyway my partner account is about to pay out for the first time and I'm debating what knife I should buy... My budget is in and around $100 and I'm looking for a high quality folder one that might be a little more off the beaten path but interesting nonetheless. Two that are on my radar would be the Manix2 XL and the Paramilitary 2, maybe the Military, but I can't seem to find much that talks about the differences between the PM, M, and Police lines from Spydie. Apart from that I'd love to get my hands on a Zero Tolerance but they may be a little north of my budget for the time being. Anything else I should consider or look at? Primarily looking for high quality EDC, that would also be a good addition to the collection if that makes sense. Any thoughts??

-a
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vkosty said:
ZT0350 blems at Kershawguy.com go for under $100.
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I think just due to my collectors nature I wanna stay away from blems, they are a great value though for users. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of need for a heavy "user" knife in my day to day life.
 
Bear in mind blems from Kershaw guy are usually pretty hard to spot the actual blemish, although I understand where you're coming from.

If you're looking for something slicy, as opposed to hard use, the PM or Mili would probably be your best bet. The Manix 2 is my favorite Spydie, but it's not a pocket scalpel like the others. I'd guess the PM2 is probably going to be the more popular option.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Bear in mind blems from Kershaw guy are usually pretty hard to spot the actual blemish, although I understand where you're coming from.

If you're looking for something slicy, as opposed to hard use, the PM or Mili would probably be your best bet. The Manix 2 is my favorite Spydie, but it's not a pocket scalpel like the others. I'd guess the PM2 is probably going to be the more popular option.
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Good points, I'm also noodling the idea of socking that $100 and saving up for a Strider.... decisions decisions....
 
Well, as long as you're saving up...

You might pop into the HTM subforum and sign up for one of the forum gun hammers (S90V, maxx glide bearing, stonewashed, dark green anodized aluminum 3d machined scales, flipper and ti-linerlock).

ZT560 maybe? Or maybe even go for a custom, like a Peter R or a Ray Laconico or something.

All kinds of great options if you save your money til you can get something really cool. TBH, none of my sub $200 knives make it into my EDC rotation any more.
 
Check out the Kershaw chive or the kershaw leek. Very slick and reliable and they also come in many different colors.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Well, as long as you're saving up...

You might pop into the HTM subforum and sign up for one of the forum gun hammers (S90V, maxx glide bearing, stonewashed, dark green anodized aluminum 3d machined scales, flipper and ti-linerlock).

ZT560 maybe? Or maybe even go for a custom, like a Peter R or a Ray Laconico or something.

All kinds of great options if you save your money til you can get something really cool. TBH, none of my sub $200 knives make it into my EDC rotation any more.
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Yeah I guess once you establish that you're saving up the sky's the limit. I do have a relatively high quality fixed blade that I don't really forsee me using, maybe I could sell that and speed up the saving process...
 
I would say...
Look at the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 as it's a great knife.

Here's the differences between the Para2, Military, and Police.
Para2 - Smaller than the Military, 4 way reversible clip, compression lock.
Military - Larger, only tip down carry, liner lock.
Police - Close to the size of the Military but isn't as wide, 4 way clip, lock back, and VG-10 steel, not s30v, available in G-10/FFG, or you can get the SS with Saber grind, but on the SS version it is only available in tip up right hand carry, and doesn't have a lanyard hole.

Also, take a look at the Spyderco Chokwe, you can find it around your price range. I love this knife, and it's unique and pretty enough for a collection.
 
dbla said:
I'm not super familiar with HTM.... any posts I should be reading?
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Here's all of the different blade shapes (radian, torpedo, bowie):
2012-06-22143607.jpg


My bowie is in M390. It's my current EDC, and replaced the copper handled one. I will be getting the forum one soon, and that will be my new EDC.
2012-06-22142639.jpg


Here's one out posing:
100_3464.jpg


HTM is Darrel Ralph's mid-tech line. The Gun Hammer is my very favorite knife, and pretty much the only one I EDC. Solid linerlock, comparable to the ZT0350, maybe a bit beefier (the thin knife on the left is a Ka-bar Phat Bob):

2011-10-08121545.jpg


The handle design is very comfortable, particularly for someone with medium or large hand size. If you wear S or XL gloves, I can't speak to how comfortable it will be. One of the things i really like about the ETAC 3D machined handle design, is that it's rounded. So many other knives are only contoured in the 2D, which leaves me feeling like I've got a block of something in my hand. In my opinion, a comfortable handle should be rounded. This one is. I think the ZT 560 is as well. YMMV. It's also grippy, yet not uncomfortable, and has a great handle/blade ratio. That's something that Darrel excels at. Fit and finish is what you'd expect from a mid-tech line (ie, just shy of custom, and considerably cleaner than most production knives), and the price and customer service you can expect are all top-notch. And, the assisted model has so much kick that it can jump out of your hand if you're expecting an assisted model like most others I've handled. Aside from the 560, which I'm curious about, I have had no inclination to buy anything else other than Gun Hammers since I got my first. Not saying that ZT or Strider or CRK or Hinderer, etc, don't make fantastic knives. They do, and they're great values generally. But for me, the Gun Hammer is the main-stay of my folder collection and EDC lineup. So I'd say it's at least worth a look. Particularly the forum one (toddle on over to the HTM subforum to take a look), as that will be very limited production, so it will be a good investment for a collector.
 
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