Need some knife suggestions!

Sendit6.5

Sendit6.5

Joined
Aug 22, 2021
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I’m just starting to take a more serious interest into knives - beyond my hunting knives and my utilitarian edc knife for work on the ranch. I’ve been looking at lots of brands and YouTube EDC/knife videos but I’m hoping that I can get some further recommendations, for brands and models to look at. I’m looking for a REALLY nice knife that’s pretty minimalist yet elegant; and I want something relatively lightweight with a shorter (~3”-3.5” max). I really gravitate towards titanium or black handles and I prefer a satin, bead blasted or a black blade. Finally, I want a fast, one-hand opening knife. I had a auto Presidio II from Benchmade but it opened very slowly and while it was a fine knife for working on the ranch I wasn’t as happy with it as I thought I’d be; and it wasn’t something I wanted to wear going out to dinner or to church. I carried it 3 years until TSA got it from me about a month ago - I forgot to stick it into my luggage. Ugh! So, here I am, looking for something else

So far, the knife that’s peaked my interest the most has been the Shirogorov Neon Zero. Something about it just hits all the right spots for me. However, before I drop that much for a pocket knife (it WON’T be a work knife!) I’d like to make sure I didn’t miss out on something else! I’m too new to shopping knives to do this without, at least, asking for some advice from those with a lot more knowledge about what’s out there. My budget tops out around $800 but if I can save some money, I’m durn sure NOT opposed! Haha!

I’m also looking at a CRK small Sebenza with titanium handle but I’m leaning towards a flipper rather than using a thumb stud.

Any suggestions I can get would be greatly appreciated!
 
I think the Shirogorov is a good fit of what you're looking for: elegant, industrial and minimalistic design. The only problem people have with Shiros are that they are quite finicky to disassemble and maintain.

The Chris Reeve similar to Shirogorov, but is much easier to service, and CRK customer service is second to none

The ZT0450Ti or ZT0562Ti are some good choices from ZT, the ZT0801Ti is also a good design, but unfortunately is discontinued, Kershawguy still have some in stock. People complained the the older ZTs are marketed as 'hard use' but runs on bearings, so ZT recently changed their marketing target to 'premium knife', now everyone demands that ZT 'return to their roots'. Personally I don't really like ZT newer models so I can't give you any recommendation.

If you don't mind Chinese brand (personally I don't, but some does) We knives and Reate knives are two of the best chinese knife brand, Reate is somewhat better. Though their design is not for everyone. You could check out the We Kitefin.

If you want to go the modding route, you cold have a look at the Wayofknife Rat2, you could customize to get titaninum scales and M390 blade.
 
Oklahoma Outlaw said:
Another alternative with titanium/titanium would be the Medford Praetorian Slim….(S35VN)

View attachment 1629965

Your’re gonna get a LOT of good suggestions.
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I hope so! Lol! I don’t mind shopping around. Nothing I hate worse (well. Not much I hate worse) than buying something and seeing something I like better 3 days later! Lmao! Thanks man!
dirc said:
cheburkov
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Those ARE some nice knives although the ones I gravitated towards turned out to be more customs and exceeded what I want to spend. Still, thanks for introducing me to his work!!
Ajack60 said:
Thread 'EDC XIII Which knife or knives are you carrying today?'
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/edc-xiii-which-knife-or-knives-are-you-carrying-today.1573161/

Here’s a good place to look at what members here carry. You may want to find this year and start there. It’s pure knife porn. Who knows, you may run across one you like.

Welcome to BFC, enjoy the ride and have fun.
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I’ll definitely check it out! Thank you! 👊😉

K.O.D. said:
Maybe a Brian Tighe Custom?

Here's a custom Tighe Fighter in S90V at GP.
https://imgur.com/a/iv5EXX9
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That’s not really the understated design design style I’m looking for but thanks for the effort! 👍
 
PMQ said:
I think the Shirogorov is a good fit of what you're looking for: elegant, industrial and minimalistic design. The only problem people have with Shiros are that they are quite finicky to disassemble and maintain.

The Chris Reeve similar to Shirogorov, but is much easier to service, and CRK customer service is second to none

The ZT0450Ti or ZT0562Ti are some good choices from ZT, the ZT0801Ti is also a good design, but unfortunately is discontinued, Kershawguy still have some in stock. People complained the the older ZTs are marketed as 'hard use' but runs on bearings, so ZT recently changed their marketing target to 'premium knife', now everyone demands that ZT 'return to their roots'. Personally I don't really like ZT newer models so I can't give you any recommendation.

If you don't mind Chinese brand (personally I don't, but some does) We knives and Reate knives are two of the best chinese knife brand, Reate is somewhat better. Though their design is not for everyone. You could check out the We Kitefin.

If you want to go the modding route, you cold have a look at the Wayofknife Rat2, you could customize to get titaninum scales and M390 blade.
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I’m not opposed to Chinese knives (although I prolly should be) but I didn’t see any WE knives that spoke to me like the Shiro, Cheburkov and CRK knives did. I did pick up a couple Elementum and a baby banter to play with and for work knives, until I figure out what will replace the Presidio II I lost. I still like Benchmade (sorta) but I have to admit… that business about them helping destroy firearms, their apparent 2A views and the political nonsense they seem to support in OR (that I witnessed 1st-hand a couple weeks ago) has me hoping I’ll find a (ranch) work knife from another maker, that I like better. It’s hard to beat that lifetime send-in customer service that they offer!

In this thread, though, I’m focusing on finding a more high—end gentleman’s knife that’s semi-collectible. Thanks for your thoughtful input, though! 👊😉
 
Hinderer ought to be on your list to check out. The XM-18 is highly regarded. The new tri-way pivot system provides the components to swap from bearings to washers to suit your preferences.
 
Sendit6.5 said:
I’m not opposed to Chinese knives (although I prolly should be) but I didn’t see any WE knives that spoke to me like the Shiro, Cheburkov and CRK knives did. I did pick up a couple Elementum and a baby banter to play with and for work knives, until I figure out what will replace the Presidio II I lost. I still like Benchmade (sorta) but I have to admit… that business about them helping destroy firearms, their apparent 2A views and the political nonsense they seem to support in OR (that I witnessed 1st-hand a couple weeks ago) has me hoping I’ll find a (ranch) work knife from another maker, that I like better. It’s hard to beat that lifetime send-in customer service that they offer!

In this thread, though, I’m focusing on finding a more high—end gentleman’s knife that’s semi-collectible. Thanks for your thoughtful input, though! 👊😉
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Regardings Chinese brand, Reate seems to be doing good for the knife community, they did get themselves into a little bit of drama here and there but all were settled honorably. We knife is kinda neutral. The one you should be avoiding is Rike knife (not Ruike, that's a different Chinese brand), they have a bad track record of stealling designs.
Regarding Benchmade, it was quite a big fuss when they chopped that gun. Although, most of people on this forum dislikes their product because of their poor quality control. Some claimes that their QC have gotten better, some claims that's it's still very shitty.
IIRC, Shiro and CRK frequently does collaboration, have a look at Recon1.
 
Get something from Enrique Pena, Texas; and I don't mean any of the mid-tech stuff either.
 
f you want 'fast and flicky', I wouldn't recommend a CRK. Although the Sebenza 21 is one of my top favourite EDC folders of all time, it doesn't have the action you crave.

Pro-Tech has some nice clean designs and have a good reputation. Maybe have a look at their offerings and see if they have something you like.

I'd also mention Jake Hoback Knives. If my little MK-Ultra is any indication, it has one of the most satisfying flipper actions I've yet experienced. Excellent detent. Maybe a Radford or Kwaiken model would suit?

Good luck, OP!
 
Sendit6.5 Sendit6.5 Take a look at the ZT0450.
z9NvOyK.jpg
 
The Sandrin Dellatorre hits all your criteria except the fast one handed opening. The black mirror-polished DLC (diamond like coating) tungsten carbide (harder than steel) blade is especially noteworthy. It cannot be sharpened on a stone because it will cut the stone. I don't normally go for slipjoints but after watching the Nick Shabazz review of this knife, I got one and have no regrets. Some knives are built like tanks, I think of this as a Ferrari. (My pictures, and their website pictures, don't do it justice.)20210110_200856.jpg
 
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If you are really going to use it, then why not get something a bit cheaper and see how you like it first, before going high end. As users, I love my Spydercos, and can personally recommend teh Native 5 for some with small to medium hands, it just melts into my hands. I also love the Paramilitary 2, and the PM 3 has a devoted following as well, being slightly smaller. This will give you a bit more idea of what you like in a fodler, without hurting you financially. Then you can upgrade later. As always, make sure you let us know what you go with. Preferably qwith pics.
 
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