new edc/tactical/just for fun knife

T

triggahappy28

Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
232
Hey guys, I have a birthday coming up and am planning on getting a new knife as a birthday gift for myself. I am looking for something under $200, semi-hard use, EDC sort of knife. Im not concerned with weight, no blade over 3.75in or under 3in, I'd prefer USA made, but I don't really care too much, ti frame locks are of interest, but at this price its a bit tough to find. I plan on using it for EDC tasks (Mail, boxes, etc) plus some woods/hiking/camping uses. Ideas- ZT 550, HEST, Hogue EX01..... And I already own a para 2, I know tons of you (along with myself) would answer with that. Thanks for the help guys.
 
I will always recommend the Gayle Bradley. There are so many Kershaw offerings that I all I can really say is look into Kershaws. Autos are fun to play with and my auto recommendation is always the Pro Tech TR-3.
 
ZT 0200 A comfortable tank ,great knife all around and carries smaller than you would think.
Oh and an 0200 makes a Para 2 feel like a little case peanut and a Para 2 is a pretty tough knife.
 
Of that group I would suggest the ZT 551. Great knife. I just picked up the Hest and Blade Show and really like it as well. The Hogue seems to be a good knife but I prefer the other two. Another option would be a Sage 2. The blade is almost exactly 3 inches. The Gayle Bradley is a good choice as is the Perrin PPT. All solid heavy duty knives but if I could only pick one it would have to be the ZT 551.
 
you guys always rant and rave about the Gale Bradley, I'm not a huge fan of the looks, Im sure it performs awesome, but looks would make me not carry it, and my collection is not nearly large enough for knives I dont love. I really think I need to hold one/play with one.... too bad I cant find a decent knife shop. But thanks so far! but tony, I live in wisconsin, which has awful knife laws, although its hard to complain when I look to new york, but still no autos for me!
 
triggahappy28 said:
you guys always rant and rave about the Gale Bradley, I'm not a huge fan of the looks, Im sure it performs awesome, but looks would make me not carry it, and my collection is not nearly large enough for knives I dont love. I really think I need to hold one/play with one.... too bad I cant find a decent knife shop. But thanks so far! but tony, I live in wisconsin, which has awful knife laws, although its hard to complain when I look to new york, but still no autos for me!
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If you like your knives for cutting, the GB is very good at that. ;)
 
triggahappy28 said:
you guys always rant and rave about the Gale Bradley, I'm not a huge fan of the looks, Im sure it performs awesome, but looks would make me not carry it, and my collection is not nearly large enough for knives I dont love. I really think I need to hold one/play with one.... too bad I cant find a decent knife shop. But thanks so far! but tony, I live in wisconsin, which has awful knife laws, although its hard to complain when I look to new york, but still no autos for me!
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I felt the same exact way as you about the Gayle Bradley. I hated the look and wanted nothing to do with it. I read a bunch of reviews and everyone seemed to love it. My brother in law is a State Trooper and needed a good work knife so, since it wasn't for me, I bought him a Gayle Bradley. He would not stop talking about how much he loved the knife so I decided what the hell and bought one off the Exchange for $100. It was the best $100 I ever spent on a knife. While I'm still not a huge fan of the looks of the blade, the carbon fiber and thick SS liners have grown on me and the overall performance of the knife has made the appearance side of the knife fall to the wayside.

As a performer the Gayle Bradley is one of the best values out there. The M4 blade steel combined with the hollow grind makes for a great cutter that doesn't need to be resharpened very often, the carbon fiber offers a fair amount of purchase while the jimping keeps your thumb right where you want it, the action of the blade is always smooth while opening and closing, and the thick liners never give me any doubt about the rigidity of the knife or the reliability of the lock up. The Gayle Bradley locks up just as tight as any of my customs. While it may not be the prettiest around, once it's been used the performance and reliability of the knife can not be disputed.
 
Yeh, the way the GB looks is what made me take a long time to get it. By the time, the looks grew on me, I really had to get it and fast. Once I got it in hand, I immediately got another in case it's dc'd.
 
I love my Gayle Bradley. Although I have spent alot of time sharpening it since I put 2 chips in it trying to pry a staple out of the wall :grumpy:
 
lilknifekid said:
I love my Gayle Bradley. Although I have spent alot of time sharpening it since I put 2 chips in it trying to pry a staple out of the wall :grumpy:
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Yeh, we do get anal about it. When I chip an edge, I just try to ignore it and just use it and sharpen normally. But "try" is the operative word here. I often don't succeed. :D
 
ohhh man you guys, I now have to watch a ton of gb reviews.... and lycosa, I saw those a few months back and their special grind worries me, I'm a great sharpener, plus I dont think chisel grinds of any kind are for me
 
At 2.91 inches it's a little under your requirement but I recommend the Warn version of the Benchmade Mini Barrage.

It has a D2 tanto blade and G-10 scales.

Assisted with Axis lock.

Can be had for ~ $100 shipped.

And it's USA made.
 
aquaman, I cannot stand assisted knives, they just bug me, I like how the warn has D2 and G10 though, I had previously looked at the adamas
 
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