New here with $150 to spend

I see a strong argument being made for the Hogue. My only concern is its potential "clunkiness." From pics and video I cant really tell how it compares to say a large voyager in terms of thickness and real estate in the pocket. It definitely looks to be a fine blade though
 
oxman198 said:
I see a strong argument being made for the Hogue. My only concern is its potential "clunkiness." From pics and video I cant really tell how it compares to say a large voyager in terms of thickness and real estate in the pocket. It definitely looks to be a fine blade though
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They're neither particularly thin nor thick folders. They carry exceptionally well in my experience, with no weight or pocket-domination issues. I carry my main knives in my front right pocket along with a tri-fold leather wallet and an iPhone in an otterbox case. It's a lot for one pocket, so the overall volume of a knife is very important to me. The EX-01 was a dream to carry and use.
 
TBL said:
If you are not 100% set on aluminum scales I will recommend a ZT 0700. It has a very nice G-10 grippy scales and the eurgo's are amazing. I'm sure you can even make your own scales out of aluminum if you really wanted to. The flipper is super silky smooth and deployment is as fast as you want. It's USA made with a S30v blade of around 3.5 inches. It is currently discontinued from the ZT lineup and have seen them as cheep as $85 on sale.

edit: this knife has also been part of my EDC kit since purchase. (pictured below)

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I would second this suggestion. Both edges have the slightest belly to them which makes it a usable tanto. Lighting quick action. I don't think I've had a smoother knife than this right out of the box. Even though its a little bigger than the 0350, i think it carries better in the pocket. Highly under-rated knife.
 
Excellent info guys, thanks a lot. The zero tolerance looks like a beast but I think I am still leaning toward the Hogue. May just have to sell off a few of my other blades and grab a benchmade eventually as well.
 
Comeuppance said:
They're neither particularly thin nor thick folders. They carry exceptionally well in my experience, with no weight or pocket-domination issues. I carry my main knives in my front right pocket along with a tri-fold leather wallet and an iPhone in an otterbox case. It's a lot for one pocket, so the overall volume of a knife is very important to me. The EX-01 was a dream to carry and use.
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That's what I needed to know!
 
oxman198 said:
Hi all,
First time posting and I need some help from some more knowledgeable folks such as yourselves. Looking to spend about $100-$150 on a good "edc/defensive" folder. The perfect knife (right now anyway) would have a 3.5" tanto blade, aluminum scales, made in USA, decent quality steel, and a slimmish profile. I am narrowing it down to a few that fit most of the criteria: Benchmade Barrage with satin finish tanto, Gerber Propel downrange, and Hogue ex01 3.5. Anyone have experience with these? Searched and couldn't really find any comparison posts..Also open to other suggestions. I don't really have this kind of money to spend on knives often so Id like to make an informed decision before pulling the trigger. Im not really flexible on the tanto and USA thing. Thanks a lot.
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Hogue. Don't let these guys talk you into an emerson or something or other.
In the emerson, you're honestly paying more for the name and the "Ooohh these have killed people in bad places" name than you are materials, craftsmanship etc.

The lockup on the hogue is nothing short of impressive, it is easily manipulated and lb for lb is much more of a knife for what you're talking. While the hogue lacks the mass of fan boi's what it doesn't lack is satisfied users.

I can't imagine you will regret it.

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Kershaw tanto blur should be on the list. A believe a non-serrated, non-coated version will be available in the next few months from a large nation wide department store, I don't know about the OP, but this configuration addresses most of the issues I had with every other variation of the Blur, specifically the recurve blade, serrations and DLC coating.
 
I actually have a Hogue EX-01 4" Tanto Blade Aluminum OD Green, despite it being above what I generally consider my price range, but I came across one for a price I couldn't pass up. It is definitely an awesome knife, very light for it's size, awesome button lock and not clunky at all, but with a handle about a half inch wide, I wouldn't personally consider it to be 'slimmish', although getting into that size range of knives, you probably can't get very much slimmer.

I also have a Zero Tolerance 0350, 0550 and 0700 (tanto) (wait a minute, didn't he just say the Hogue was out of his price range?) and while they can be compared to each other, I think it is difficult to compare them to the Hogue, since the Hogue to me is so different from the Zero Tolerances. Before making this level of investment, I think it would be worth handling a Hogue and a ZT if at all possible, so you can get a feel for the differences and see what you prefer.

Actually, I had forgotten you said you specifically wanted a tanto, which rules out the ZT 0350 and 0550. Between the ZT 0700 and the Hogue EX-01, discounting the 0700 can probably had for less money (I actually paid about the same for both, but as I mentioned, I got lucky with the Hogue) and despite the fact that I am a huge Kershaw (and therefore ZT) fan, I would definitely PERSONALLY consider the Hogue superior to the ZT 0700 by a long shot.
 
kornphlake said:
Kershaw tanto blur should be on the list. A believe a non-serrated, non-coated version will be available in the next few months from a large nation wide department store, I don't know about the OP, but this configuration addresses most of the issues I had with every other variation of the Blur, specifically the recurve blade, serrations and DLC coating.
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If the blur came plain edge tanto without those toothy serrations I would have one right now. I have a regular blur and really like it. And if I come across one like you are saying, I will scoop one up.
 
Reignman said:
Hogue. Don't let these guys talk you into an emerson or something or other.
In the emerson, you're honestly paying more for the name and the "Ooohh these have killed people in bad places" name than you are materials, craftsmanship etc.

The lockup on the hogue is nothing short of impressive, it is easily manipulated and lb for lb is much more of a knife for what you're talking. While the hogue lacks the mass of fan boi's what it doesn't lack is satisfied users.

I can't imagine you will regret it.

View attachment 418398
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Thanks for the reply, its looking like the Hogue wins. Aside from filling my requirements, it seems like it has that "woah" factor that Im looking for with my edc knife. Guess Ill have to post pics when I get it
 
rsngfrce said:
I actually have a Hogue EX-01 4" Tanto Blade Aluminum OD Green, despite it being above what I generally consider my price range, but I came across one for a price I couldn't pass up. It is definitely an awesome knife, very light for it's size, awesome button lock and not clunky at all, but with a handle about a half inch wide, I wouldn't personally consider it to be 'slimmish', although getting into that size range of knives, you probably can't get very much slimmer.

I also have a Zero Tolerance 0350, 0550 and 0700 (tanto) (wait a minute, didn't he just say the Hogue was out of his price range?) and while they can be compared to each other, I think it is difficult to compare them to the Hogue, since the Hogue to me is so different from the Zero Tolerances. Before making this level of investment, I think it would be worth handling a Hogue and a ZT if at all possible, so you can get a feel for the differences and see what you prefer.

Actually, I had forgotten you said you specifically wanted a tanto, which rules out the ZT 0350 and 0550. Between the ZT 0700 and the Hogue EX-01, discounting the 0700 can probably had for less money (I actually paid about the same for both, but as I mentioned, I got lucky with the Hogue) and despite the fact that I am a huge Kershaw (and therefore ZT) fan, I would definitely PERSONALLY consider the Hogue superior to the ZT 0700 by a long shot.
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Thanks for that. The green aluminum 3.5 is what Im settling on. The 4" seems just a tad big for me. Looks like an incredibly well build US made blade with good looks to boot. I knew this would be the place to get some informed opinions before I drop the doe. Im also a Kershaw fan and am pumped about the olive green knockout coming out!
 
oxman198 said:
If the blur came plain edge tanto without those toothy serrations I would have one right now. I have a regular blur and really like it. And if I come across one like you are saying, I will scoop one up.
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Figure it is worth mentioning, since several people have referred to a non-serrated Tanto Blur; a Blur does currently exist with the model# 1670TBLK, which by Kershaw model numbering standards, SHOULD be a black blade non-serrated tanto, but this model DOES NOT have a tanto blade and is considered a blem due to the incorrect model#, though it does not have the blem "xxxx" on the blade. I have even seen these sold as tantos even though the picture shows that obviously they are not tantos. 1670TBLKST is the model number of the Blur black blade serrated Tanto, which DOES currently exist... so don't be fooled by the model# without being sure a non-serrated tanto blade has actually come out...
 
rsngfrce said:
Figure it is worth mentioning, since several people have referred to a non-serrated Tanto Blur; a Blur does currently exist with the model# 1670TBLK, which by Kershaw model numbering standards, SHOULD be a black blade non-serrated tanto, but this model DOES NOT have a tanto blade and is considered a blem due to the incorrect model#, though it does not have the blem "xxxx" on the blade. I have even seen these sold as tantos even though the picture shows that obviously they are not tantos. 1670TBLKST is the model number of the Blur black blade serrated Tanto, which DOES currently exist... so don't be fooled by the model# without being sure a non-serrated tanto blade has actually come out...
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The un-serrated tanto blur is a new model, not a blem, not a misprint, it is not available yet, but will be soon from the same distributor that had an exclusive on the tiger striped tanto blur...
 
aquaman67 said:
If you want aluminum scales and the Tanto isn't as important check out the Benchmade Presidio.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/520
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Seems the Benchmade Presidio 523 fits all criteria.

The Presidio series is one of my favorite EDC knives.

Tanto blade; Aluminum scales and your @ the upper limit of costs.

I highly recommend this knife; have one and it's great.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/523

Price on Benchmades site is NOT what you can get it for @ Blade Hq and other sites.
 
kvtcomdo said:
Seems the Benchmade Presidio 523 fits all criteria.

The Presidio series is one of my favorite EDC knives.

Tanto blade; Aluminum scales and your @ the upper limit of costs.

I highly recommend this knife; have one and it's great.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/523

Price on Benchmades site is NOT what you can get it for @ Blade Hq and other sites.
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Its discontinued though, cant seem to find it anywhere but ebay.
 
IMO id go with the benchmade. Check out the Tanto Blur from Kershaw. Lots of configurations, even some with S-30v
 
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