Hello all. New to the forum here. Just looking to get some opinions from the die hard knife enthusiast. Anyway im looking to get myself a little something as an early Christmas gift. Really looking for an EDC blade, either a folder or fixed blade. Ive really had my eye on one of them ESEE Izula 2s. Really love how small it is, yet it big enough to get all fingers wrapped around the handle. The second knife ive really been attracted to is the Benchmade Axis Flipper. Really love the aesthetics and sturdiness of the knife. Now my question for you all. What do you think about these two knives and do you have any recommendations? $150 is my budget. Appreciate any and all opinions. Thank you for your time!
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- Thread starter NJK570
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youre gonna get a paramilitary 2 recomendation im sure. my uncle uses an axis and its an awesome knife if it lasts him its good.
May I ask. What do you mean by "IF it lasts him"
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I also love my Paramilitary 2 in S35VN, very durable folder. I just bought a fixed blade from Bob at the following link and he has a couple of other fixed blades that might do the trick for you. Way under your budget too.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1350896-Christmas-pricing-for-some-nice-customs-(repost)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1350896-Christmas-pricing-for-some-nice-customs-(repost)
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$150 or under gives you a lot of options. The Izula II is an awesome knife and you will not beat the warranty. Benchmade makes a great knife as well. In your price range I really like the Griptilian, Barrage, Triage and Grizzly. If you want to consider some other knives at or below your budget I would consider some of these folder and fixed options.
Folders:
Kershaw Rake
Spyderco Manix II
ZT0350
Kershaw Blur
Fixed Blade:
DPX Hest
White River Knives Knucklehead (just different but cool)
LT Wright Great Plainsman (most similar to Izula II)
These just came off the top of my head. I am sure you will get plenty of other great recommendations.
Good luck!
Folders:
Kershaw Rake
Spyderco Manix II
ZT0350
Kershaw Blur
Fixed Blade:
DPX Hest
White River Knives Knucklehead (just different but cool)
LT Wright Great Plainsman (most similar to Izula II)
These just came off the top of my head. I am sure you will get plenty of other great recommendations.
Good luck!
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An enthusiastic old guy, old school guy here - have you handled both of the knives? And what are you going to do with them as EDC tools? Will you be using them all day long at work, hunting, outdoor activities etc.? in my world $150 is a lot of money for a knife. One of my sons really loves the benchmade 300 (flipper) because it has the flipper and he knows I am sold on the axis lock, so I've been looking for one with D2, although CM154 makes a great blade as well. The 1095 steel on the ESEE Izula 2 is as mature as D2 for a fixed blade platform. When I looked at the cost difference between the two knives new, 70 bucks versus 150 plus or minus, I wonder if you could get the ESEE new and a folder for the rest of that 150.00, maybe used? Maybe a Manix 2, or Benchmade mini striker.
The sense I got from Blade Dude's post was that his relative is hard on tools, so, "if it lasts (for) him, then (I can be sure) it's good."
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I typically carry a fixed AND a folder, but while I sometimes leave the house without a fixed blade, I NEVER leave the house without at least one type of folder, be it a SAK or a 3.5" locking folder...
That said, if you're looking for one or the other for EDC purposes, I'd suggest going with the folder first, and saving up to buy a fixed blade 2nd... Fixed blades are notoriously sturdier and more reliable (no moving parts that could fail), under hard use, but that's not to say a good quality folder (like a BM axis lock), isn't more then reliable enough for 99.99% of edc tasks you'll face outside of shear abuse... The compactness and shear convenience of a clipable folder is way more practical then a fixed blade for daily use.
That said, if you're looking for one or the other for EDC purposes, I'd suggest going with the folder first, and saving up to buy a fixed blade 2nd... Fixed blades are notoriously sturdier and more reliable (no moving parts that could fail), under hard use, but that's not to say a good quality folder (like a BM axis lock), isn't more then reliable enough for 99.99% of edc tasks you'll face outside of shear abuse... The compactness and shear convenience of a clipable folder is way more practical then a fixed blade for daily use.
Sonnydaze
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I guess they are not for everyone or we wouldn't need so many brands. But I have owned hundreds of folders, and at least 90% have been Spydies. I doubt that I will change now.
I thought the same thing when i first started getting into higher end knives. Didnt like the looks of spydercos with the big hole in the blade. Funny looking designs. Then i decided to try one and realized how great these knives are. But anyways for your price range i would suggest a zero tolerance 0450 which is about $160, a zt 0566 and the other 90% of the knives i would recommend would be spydercos. Ill leave it at that since you dont seem to be interested in spydercos. For $150 range some of the best knives you can get for that price are guna be spydercos. Keep that in mind.