Newbie needs advice on a high end folder

[MikeMargolis]

I am looking for one really high quality folding knife, with about a 3" blade. So far, I am considering the Chris Reeve Sebenza; are there others I should be looking at?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Mike Margolis
mike@mikemargolis.com

 

[mschwoeb]

Well, depends on your price range and other preferences.

But some that I would recommend in addition to the sebenza are:

Darrel Ralph Apogee or EDC
Tom Mayo
Spyderco Native

This all really depends on what type of knife you want:
all metal?
other material for handles?
Blade steel?
etc.

 

[Turbo man]

I love the way my Sebenza cuts, feels, and looks, but a Spyderco, or Benchmade can cut everything it can and they are far cheaper. The warranty, taking it apart, and the fact that it will probably out live me is what made me buy a Benza.

 

[knifenerd]

The Pat Crawford Mini-Falcon is a real nice 3" folder as well. It fits the hand well and the slightly recurved blade cuts like crazy.

BTW, Welcome to the Forums!

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

If you go for a production folder, check out the Benchmade 690. It's the classiest folder Benchmade has released to date and the construction is flawless.

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

If you like fancy or gents style knives, consider William Henry. They are liner lock knives and their carbon fiber line has carry clips. William Henrys are not as heavy duty as Sebenzas, but they are the most beautiful production knives I know with the possible exception of Knife House Hara.

 

[Velitrius]

Darrel Ralph's EDC can be found here.

 

[ErikD]

It really depends on exactly what you are looking to buy. The Sebenza is a very nice folder, and comes with a great warranty as well. I am currently waiting on a Mayo TNT, and plan on buying a Darrel Ralph custom. Of course that is going the expensive route. The Al Mar SERE 2000 can cut anything these more expensive knives can cut, and it doesn't compare poorly when lined up to them. It is all a matter of how much you want to spend, and what type of knife you really need.



Erik

 

[MikeMargolis]

Well, my Leatherman Micra is all I need! Let's face it, any number of $25 knives will do what a $500 Mayo or Reeve will. Need is not what it's about.

Pursuit of excellence is what it's all about. Ask anyone at timezone.com why they spend $1,000 or $10,000 or $100,000 on a watch when a $10 Timex will do. Same is true for Cars, Pens, Knives, HiFi etc... and, of course, knives, too.

That having been said, I have learned a great amount today, including this....I need to get to a good knife store or show before I fork out cash for a knife. You guys are lucky that knives are so inexpensive compared to high grade wristwatches!

 

[blademan 13]

Well, since we have determined that you want a nice knife for the sheer beauty of design and execution, check this piece out from John W. Smith.

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

Mike, indeed you can spend $25.00 on a Gerber EZ-Out or $350.00 on a Chris Reeve Sebenza and they will both cut. The advantage of an inexpensive knife is that it is expendable and easy to replace when it get's lost or broken. But unless lost, the Sebenza will hold an edge far longer than and will outlast a Gerber E-Z Out. It's like comparing a Ford Focus to a Hummer. Both will get you to the mall, the office or the grocery store, but driven hard, which will outlast the other?

I look at it this way: For a casual knife user, a $25.00 Gerber or a $20.00 Swiss Army knife will work fine, and if cared for, will last a lifetime. However, if used hard, they will have to be replaced often, unlike a well made high end production or handmade knife. Besides, there is a certain satisfaction one feels when one acquires high grade cutlery.

 

[Triton]

I've often wondered what the percentages are of people here that really use knives hard enough to wear them out. I certainly can't count myself among that crowd. Don't get me wrong if you want to spend that much on a knife that's great, go for it but need it? I wonder.

 

[biogon]

MikeMargolis,

Since you mentioned TimeZone, congratulations on the crossover! I've been a lurker on tz for about a year; on bf about 1/2 a year.

Crazy stuff, ain't it?

If you give us (me) an example of a comparable watch or watch house to which you'd like a match the design sentiment, maybe we could help.

For example...

Sinn or Panerai: Strider or Neil Blackwood (or any number of possibles here.)

Breguet or JLC: William Henry custom.

Limes: Benchmade, maybe Al Mar.

TAG Heuer: Anything way overhyped and overpriced, with awful quality. Hah!

Now, an interesting question would be...
... What house matches a Sebenza?

I'd venture... IWC? Blancpain?

-Jon

 

[MikeMargolis]

Great post, bigion....

Here's what I have learned today, so far. The Sebenza is the TYPE of knife that I'm looking for: utmost quality steel, strength, workmanship, etc... But, the plain jane models in the titanium cases are a bit, well....boring to me. (IWC, for you watch people. It takes a true aficionado to really appreciate an IWC because most people wouldn't take notice of it. It's stealth...) On the other hand, I want a knife with a little pizzaz, like one of the custom Sebenzas with the blue graphics on the side, but I'm not spending $500+, so they're out.

Still, a knife is by its very nature a utilitatian object first, so ruggedness is important, but I don't want a plastic coated Spyderco, I know that.

Mayo's are great but a bit pricey for my first good knife, and I'm not sure I like the Swiss Cheese styling.

I think a William Henry carbon fiber might do the trick.

Can someone please tell me about the pattern on the damascus steel blades? Is the pattern chemical, naural, etched, or what? Will that pattern wear off when you sharpen it? How well does damascus hold up for every day use?

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

Triton, good question. I use my knives for different odds and ends, and there are some ocassions when I do need a heavy duty beater, but it's not a daily thing. To be honest, I could probably get by with a Spyderco Delica for most of my daily knife needs, but as a knife enthusiast I opt for a variety of knives, from the low-end to the high-end. Do I need them all? No. Do I desire them? Yes. For me it's the pleasure of owning a high quality knife and knowing that in a pinch I can depend on my knife to serve me when I need it most.

 

[Burke]

... But, the plain jane models in the titanium cases are a bit, well....boring to me.

Actually, they're handle slabs, not cases (it's a knife, not a watch ).

(but I'm not spending $500+, so they're out.

Not yet you're not...just wait.

Still, a knife is by its very nature a utilitatian object first, so ruggedness is important, but I don't want a plastic coated Spyderco, I know that.

FYI, depending on the model, the handle is either Fiber Reinforced Nylon (FRN), or metal, or some other composite like G-10; I don't believe Spyderco makes anything with a plastic coating. I think something like the Spyderco Lum Chinese is as attractive a knife as anything out there.

Mayo's are great but a bit pricey for my first good knife, and I'm not sure I like the Swiss Cheese styling.

The wonderful thing about customs is that you could order one without the holes, if everything else about the knife really trips your trigger.

I think a William Henry carbon fiber might do the trick.

I hear good things about the WHs. There's actually a nice-looking Bailey Bradshaw semi-custom for sale quite reasonably in the For Saleroduction Knives section of this website (not by me). It's a similar type of knife, and the 3V steel its made of is top-notch.

Can someone please tell me about the pattern on the damascus steel blades? Is the pattern chemical, naural, etched, or what? Will that pattern wear off when you sharpen it? How well does damascus hold up for every day use?

Damascus is made of layers of different types of steel. When the blade is etched, the different steels react differently to the etchant, resulting in the layered appearance. Damascus will show scratches just like any steel, but it holds up fine to everyday use. It is theoretically possible for the welds between the different layers to weaken the steel. This won't be a problem with properly made damascus. The pattern will not wear off with sharpening. If you want to see some incredible examples of what is possible with damascus, check out Ed Caffrey's website at www.caffreyknives.com. Mr. Caffrey is also making folders now, if his designs interest you.

Hope some of this is helpful to you. I hope my hints about knife vocabulary don't offend.

 

[Sgt 127]

Go out and play with everything you can... The Sebenza is a work of art, a little overpriced for me, but, I will get one eventually just because it has class and is really well made. Go blow $20 and get a Swiss Army Knife Soldier and drop it in your pocket. Now, the initial urge to have a knife, any knife is off you and you can take your time. The Soldier (or Tinker) will be the most used knife you will likely ever own. I have actually worn out SAK's. (though it will take you many many years) I have NEVER even begun to wear out a high end knife. I've tried everything and there is nothing that even comes close to the Spyderco hole for me. Its the single most efficient way to open a knife ever created for my paws. Either the Chinook (Thats the Humvee of folders) or the Military model. If Reeve and Spyderco EVER come together....If that Sebnza had a hole in the blade to go along with that lock system.....THAT would be a $400 knife for me....I see the classic Sebenza like I see my Rolex Oyster Perpetual (Early 70's model, Stainless) A classic design, well engineered, impressive to those who know what they are looking at. No gold...no diamonds...I'm paying for the craftsmanship, not the flash.

 

[TOMBSTONE]

I would recommend taking a look around the for sale board here.You could find alot of good buys and probably could get a nice custom for the same price as the sebbie,maybe even less.The sebbie is a very good knife,but the price gets up into the custom range.

 

[slicer]

I've been a gun collector for years and a watch collector and sometime dealer for years. I have had watches costing up to $75,000.00 retail that I dealt in.

Now I collect and deal in knifes ( my FFL allows wholesale purchases )

My "better" collection includes

MOD
Michrotech
William Henry
Spyderco
Benchmade

I also have about a dozen CRKT knives, Next is a few Protech.I have yet to take the plunge and get a true custom knife but I will someday.

There are collectible's for everyone from
beenybabies to high end cars. For most of the folks on the knife boards it's knifes, guns and other precision made items. There's just something about knifes, guns, watches, pens that I like to collect. I also like the occasional Zippo lighter.

Collecting is a passion in and of itself.

 

[Triton]

Hey el cid,

Believe me I'm not throwing stones for buying things you don't really need. Have you seen my website? Talk about things with no utility!