Need Some Purchase Advice for an EDC that WoWs

B

Bolt

Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
449
Hello everyone, I am in the market for a new EDC folder that makes others say, "man that's a nice knife". I currently own a sebenza and ZT 560. I have many spyderco's as well. I am leaning towards the Lionsteel TM1 when it comes out, but also considering the ZT562CF. This will be a user, and I would like to keep it under $300. Any suggestions and pics would be welcomed and appreciated. Thanks.
 
I'll tell ya what man, aside from other knife knuts it's a rare occasion when someone gets outright wow!'ed by a knife. I got a wow on my blackwashed 0560, and a few on my spyderco endura wave because of the wave, but even for a sebenza I find you need to get it in someone's hands and give a little background info before the quality really sets in. This is all from my personal experience, your mileage may vary. I also tend to keep my knife to myself unless I'm well acquainted with the person...just a habit I've picked up since not everyone understands the way of the blade if ya know what I mean.

That being said, a bench made 943 is a good choice, anyone who is vaguely familiar with knives will be impressed with the axis lock and the slim slick profile of the blade, handle and knife overall is sure to impress. If you've got $300 maybe try the 940-1 but I don't own and haven't held one yet so I couldn't tell ya anything more than it's got an amazing steel...unfortunately super steels are the last thing that impress anyone with the exception of your fellow knife knuts.

Happy hunting! I hope this helps.

Disclaimer: if you choose a knife based on my recommendations and you do not receive the expected "WOW!'s" you'd wish to receive I cannot be held responsible :)
 
I would think a Spyderco Military with black or satin blade, or the Paramilitary 2 in digital camo grip.
Several of my personal favorites.
 
mrdabble, I agree that most dont know/understand our addiction, but I do work with a few, and it is nice to be able to share in person the fascination we have with a quality cutting tool. Thanks for the suggestions, and I hold no one responsible for the wow factor. At the end of the day, it just has to wow me.

Sonnydaze, I have an orange military and it does the job. Just looking for something new for the collection and daily rotation. Thanks for the response.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Maybe a William Henry E10? Very handsome knife that also performs extremely well.
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Yep. When I want to carry a knife that makes even ordinary people sit up and say, "Man, that's a nice knife!", I carry a William Henry. :) Matt Conable may tend to get overlooked around here. But in my reality, he's at the head of his class among production knife makers.
 
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ive noticed my plain jane ZT 801 tends to "wow" alotta folks.
 
I agree with mrdabble. Non-knifers cannot appreciate the difference between a Sebenza and a $30 knife. The only thing that gets a wow is when you pull out a huge mirror polished blade, no matter the price. People don't know what knives are worth ... how to know the good ones from the not so good ones ... etc. To most people a knife is a thing that cuts stuff and the bigger the knife the more wowish it is. Really great knives are for those in the know. For the uninitiated you get something stupid.

The only knife that gets me wows from everyone on earth (knifenuts and the uninitiated) is my Hinderer XM-24. It ticks all the boxes.
 
I will be honest, I get more ooh's and ahh's from non-knifers when I use my Kizer 4412. My CRK's look like just another knife, perhaps even less appealing because of their simplicity. My benchmades are usually either ignored or occasionally they slightly intimidate. But that damn cheap kizer gets all kinds of compliments.
 
I receive far more compliments on my traditional folders than my modern one-handers...

pile01_zpsbff8dfd5.jpg


Good luck, OP! :)

-Brett
 
Crazy nice pile there Brett. :thumbup:
I would also agree that traditionals get much more "ohh's" & "ahh's".
 
I recomend you look at what CharlieMike carries.
That will get you the WOW you want.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1190608-Does-an-quot-art-quot-knife-seem-less-scary-to-sheeple
Charlie Mike said:
My EDC is a $2200 DDR custom AXD. I carry it ever day and use it (as if it was a knife). It is physically capable of doing hard use tasks. The only thing I don't like is that mine is assisted. The extremely deep carry clip and lack of lanyard hole precludes an effective wave draw. That will be remedied with my next DDR, a 5.5" bowie Maxx. The Maxx will have a bearing pivot (no assist), a lanyard hole, and a tip up clip that exposes enough butt to provide a positive waving grip. This will also be in stainless damascus.

My theory is that overly beautiful custom knives can be a variation on the "Sleeper" theme. I think the embellished look masks the function.

[video=youtube;0rejda6Ogk0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rejda6Ogk0[/video]
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Very nice selection of traditionals Brett. Charlie Mikes stuff is a bit out of the budget, but agree it would turn some heads. Again, I do work with some people that are like us. They appreciate a great cutting tool and are always asking if they can see my knife.
 
Two knives I have that have made non-knife people say wow are my ZT0777 M390 and my Michael Raymond Estrella.
 
Bolt said:
Very nice selection of traditionals Brett. Charlie Mikes stuff is a bit out of the budget, but agree it would turn some heads. Again, I do work with some people that are like us. They appreciate a great cutting tool and are always asking if they can see my knife.
Click to expand...

Can you legaly carry an automatic knife? Those always get people's attention. Protech has some very nice ones well within your budget (and some with damascus blades and other embellishments which are more expensive).
 
Why not have your 0560 or sebenza customized. Some very talented people here that do some amazing work. I recently had my 0801 anodized by Maprik and went ahead and sent the techno along for the ride. Gives the knife a new look. Will be sending my 0550 to him soon as well and maybe pick up some custom scales.
 
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