On 500$ folder

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Natedog351

Joined
Jan 9, 2013
Messages
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Hi all I basically started looking at higher end knives back in November. I've been a gun and bow/arrow enthusiast for a couple yrs and now I'm into knives. I usually say you get what you pay for and shell out the extra money for the nicer things and take great pride in them. I now have a zt0561, m390 pm2, and plan on getting a zt 0801 when it's released. Some of the knives I've been looking at are the large Sebenza 21 w/ inlays, rj Martin q36, Jb blounts surge, strider, gareth bull shamwari, and I doubt I could find any but maybe something from David mosier. Just trying to see what your views are of these knives since I am new and by no means am an expert with knives.

Looking for something around the lines of 3-4" blade length
Titanium frame lock
Around 4-6oz
7-9" in total length
Obviously very high fit, finish, and blade
Super smooth action

Thanks for any and all help feel free to post other knives or makers that I might want to consider as well
 
Although not for me, I recommend the Sebenza.
 
Kirby Lambert, Darrel Ralph, Michael Vagnino, Greg Lightfoot, Medford Tool and knife, crusader forge and Grayman all have awesome offerings around that price range.
 
Look at what kinfemakers have for sale on the forums. I wont be buying another Strider or Sebenza after seeing the customs you can get for the same price.
 
Buy a custom or a Sebenza with inlays.

The Sebenza is a safe route; for example, I didn't click with the Sebenza, but it holds it's value so well you won't lose much on it if you decide to sell it and get something else--my little Sebenza try out only cost me about $20 in the end when I got rid of it.

Also, Strider sucks.
 
Don't forget Brian Tighe. For $500-$600 you could get one of his Tighe Coon button-lock flippers. It's definitely high on my radar. And then, of course, there are always William Henry Knives. :)

Oops. Sorry. I see you want a framelock rather than a button-lock. No problem. At $500-$600 you've got lots of choices. And you're definitely in the range of a full custom at those prices. Check out offerings from Alan Davis, Ray Laconico and Chuck Gedraitis on the Exchange, just to name a few great makers.
 
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Natedog351 said:
Why do you suggest strider though? It seems like there is a lot of controversy over it where you either love it or hate.
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By no means is that the only option but those just came to mind also I would seriously look at ray laconicos knives he makes some beautiful custom knives in your price rang try looking up "ray laconico blast flipper" or "jasmin flipper" if I had $500 I'd buy one in a heart beat.
 
bld522 said:
Don't forget Brian Tighe. For $500-$600 you could get one of his Tighe Coon button-lock flippers. It's definitely high on my radar. And then, of course, there are always William Henry Knives. :)

Oops. Sorry. I see you want a framelock rather than a button-lock. No problem. At $500-$600 you've got lots of choices. And you're definitely in the range of a full custom at those prices. Check out offerings from Alan Davis, Ray Laconico and Chuck Gedraitis on the Exchange, just to name a few great makers.
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Im not limited to only frame locks I'm very open to all ideas. What makes the decision so hard is that I doubt any of these knives would be a let down. Thanks for all the post so far lots to think about
 
This is under your price point, but the titanium spyderco military has all of those features (4" blade, ti frame lock, superior f&f) and it also has the steel lock insert like that ZT 801.
Its really almost as good as you can get in a production folder. And you'll save some money.


(EDIT) if you're really into spending that kind of cash, I HIGHLY recommend one of Dalibor's custom frame locks. I bought the Sirius recently, and its incredible. I can't say enough about it.
here is a great thread showing his progress as a knife maker, from the design of his first knife (Regulus) to the completion of his second (Sirius)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/931318-Titanium-Frame-lock-WIP-and-introduction
 
I too must chime in on Sebenza. The thing is just made so well. I'd get the plain titanium model. Nothing looks so good with age as that stone washed titanium. It doesn't try to be too much yet it is designed to be a lot of things for a lot of people and, unlike most knives that try that...they pull it off very well due to care in manufacturing, extreme attention to detail, and very high quality materials. They have optimized everything they can and managed to minimize very few things. The small one is small enough to server as a "gentleman's knife", the large one is robust enough to dress deer and game with.

Plus, if you shop carefully, you'll have $150 to $90 left over on your budget.

Yep, I think you're looking for a Sebenza.
 
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