Need input for an upcoming purchase...

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Valkyr

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Feb 6, 2025
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I have been a long time lurker in the forums and now I need your input.

I am currently looking to start moving upwards in my knife collection tier. I currently have a variety of knives in my household that work well enough for the job they are capable of. When I say that, I mean, we have beaters and the less expensive stuff for the really light duty work that may need to be done. The nicer of those are usually in AUS-8 / 8Cr, or D2 with a couple minor deviations for the most part. Those deviations are more of a special purpose knife (my wife trains in Kali and has an high level of interest in the Filipino style knives because of that) that does not get used outside of that particular purpose.

My desire to move upward is partly due to the influence of the members here (enablers one and all :)) and a modest piggy bank available for some upward mobility.

Here are the criteria that I would like to work with and a budget capping out at $250 ish:

USA manufacture preference *would also consider Italy or similar
Upper end steel (S30VN, S35VN etc.)
Blade length in the 3-4" range
No Automatics, assisted is fine
Preferably no polymer scales
Flipper or thumb stud opening, I just have a hard time with any hole based openers.

Here is a candidate so far... link is from KC.

ZT 0770 CF

I have already have a Bel Air on the shopping list.

I am looking for a user, but not really a gentleman's knife (I don't think many would use that word to describe me). I have larger hands (typically XL nitrile gloves at work).

The Bel Air would be rotated with whatever I go with at the end of the day, depending on need and environment.

I am already looking to go higher in the price point, but I have this budget already worked out with the other half. She may snag the Bel Air if I am not careful.

Thanks in advance,

Valkyr
 
I love my bel-air. BUT I will say, while it's a really nice knife and I enjoy carrying it. It's my "I expect to not have to do a ton knife" mainly because the handles short. I have normal size hands (large gloves) and I don't get a full 4 finger grip. It hasn't hindered my use of it but something to consider if your looking for a hard use. I say get it and enjoy it, but when I know I got work to do i bring an Endela with it big ergonomic handle. For reference, the bel-air has a bigger blade but shorter handle than a delica

The carbon fiber on the bel-air is nice. Smooth but not slippery. Very slick looking knife and I enjoy the blade shape. You are getting far more than your paying for in the bel-air with its ball bearings, axis lock, great scale materials on liners, high hrc magnacut in a thin grind, made in America. It's why I have one
 
Mostly Taiwan made , currently, but otherwise as you specified :

Any number of Cold Steel , with Tri-ad (or Atlas) locks , mostly S35VN / G10 .

AD-10 would be great to start , IMO . :cool:
 
Railsplitter said:
Take a look at the Hogue website but be sure to click on ‘Knives” because they make gun grips too.

They have a few knives in Magnacut steel.
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Thanks Railsplitter. I was debating between a Deka and the Bel Air for a while already. The Deka is not off the table, but I was wanting to have something ready out of the package. I think what pushed the Bel Air up was the understated styling vs me having to buy scales that I liked. The G10 on the Deka knives is a tad noisy for my tastes and I would like to avoid polymer scales at the moment.

Mk-211 Mk-211 I am looking at the gray version for myself.

norcalAF norcalAF I will look into Spyderco more, but I was looking to avoid their common hole opener.

E elevator man Thanks sharing your experience. That was my leaning for the Bel Air use case as well.

DocJD DocJD I will look into Cold Steel more.

*edit: I think I will consider Cold Steel more for a knife for when I am at work. Some of the mini recon knives might work well for what I need.

I appreciate the time you guys have put into answering my questions already.
 
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Valkyr said:
Thanks Railsplitter. I was debating between a Deka and the Bel Air for a while already. The Deka is not off the table, but I was wanting to have something ready out of the package. I think what pushed the Bel Air up was the understated styling vs me having to buy scales that I liked. The G10 on the Deka knives is a tad noisy for my tastes and I would like to avoid polymer scales at the moment.

Mk-211 Mk-211 I am looking at the gray version for myself.

norcalAF norcalAF I will look into Spyderco more, but I was looking to avoid their common hole opener.

E elevator man Thanks sharing your experience. That was my leaning for the Bel Air use case as well.

DocJD DocJD I will look into Cold Steel more.

I appreciate the time you guys have put into answering my questions already.
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I’ve used a ton of opening devices.

The is into, the most reliable option and it’s fidgety af, especially a tuned pm2
 
Valkyr said:
Thanks Railsplitter. I was debating between a Deka and the Bel Air for a while already. The Deka is not off the table, but I was wanting to have something ready out of the package. I think what pushed the Bel Air up was the understated styling vs me having to buy scales that I liked. The G10 on the Deka knives is a tad noisy for my tastes and I would like to avoid polymer scales at the moment.
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You’re welcome. Hogue has a number of aluminum handled button lock manuals as well if you’re okay with CPM154 steel. I would own a few of them if I didn’t have a 3 inch blade restriction.

Good luck in your search. It’s always fun trying to find that right knife.
 
I am not saying no to Spyderco. Just not right now. I have had hole style openers before (cheap ones) and I almost invariably pinched the blade at the hole and snapped them open. Not ideal with a $200ish knife.
 
Benchmade Barrage or Mini-Barrage. Fantastic knife. I owned the mini for years but gave it to my brother. It is assisted opening but you can easily disable if desired. And there are companies that make custom scales for it if you so choose in the future. I preferred the Barrage to the Bugout, etc. but YMMV.
 
Valkyr said:
Thanks Railsplitter. I was debating between a Deka and the Bel Air for a while already. The Deka is not off the table, but I was wanting to have something ready out of the package. I think what pushed the Bel Air up was the understated styling vs me having to buy scales that I liked. The G10 on the Deka knives is a tad noisy for my tastes and I would like to avoid polymer scales at the moment.
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Given your blade length preference, definitely look into the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1-G2, which is also made by Hogue. It's a dealer exclusive and I'm not sure that dealer is a sponsor here, but "Ritter Houge" will get you there.

Multiple scale options, including simple, classy black; MagnaCut steel; Hogue's exceptional fit and finish; USA-made; and by all accounts a legit steal for $180.
 
Dadpool said:
Given your blade length preference, definitely look into the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1-G2, which is also made by Hogue. It's a dealer exclusive and I'm not sure that dealer is a sponsor here, but "Ritter Houge" will get you there.

Multiple scale options, including simple, classy black; MagnaCut steel; Hogue's exceptional fit and finish; USA-made; and by all accounts a legit steal for $180.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I like the look of what I have seen with some looking. I will probably add that to the list of options.

Mk-211 said:
If you like KAI/Kershaw ZT, the 0452 is nice. Depending on where you look, should fall into the upper end of your budget.

View attachment 2797701
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I am not seeing it from any dealers for close to my budget. I was considering that particular model over the 450 for size of handle alone.

90FiveTwelveValve said:
The Bel-Air is an excellent knife IMO, but as others have said, it's on the smaller side.

View attachment 2797716
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I believe my solution to the Bel Air being a touch on the small side may be a fob with a bead. Most of the time these knives will be carried in oversize pockets or clipped into a cargo pocket.

In regards to my current candidate in the OP, is there something better out there for a similar price point that would not be a direct competitor to the Bel Air for pocket time?

Thanks again for the input that you have provided.
 
Valkyr said:
In regards to my current candidate in the OP, is there something better out there for a similar price point that would not be a direct competitor to the Bel Air for pocket time?
Click to expand...
Not sure about “better” but:
IMG_0746.jpeg
 
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