Quality EDC

Z

zalen97

Basic Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
28
I'm looking to get a new knife. I have a CS Recon 1, a Skyline, and a Leek. The Skyline is my go to EDC at this point, and I'm looking to upgrade. I don't have a set budget, as I want the quality of the knife to come first, but I'm not looking to spend over $200 if at all possible. With that said, I'd be willing to spend a little more if it means getting a much better knife. One thing I want is good blade centering. I want to be able to take the knife apart for maintenance and still have good blade centering when I put it back together. I'm looking at the Sage series, the 940, the Caly, the Paramilitary 2, an Mcusta, a Lionsteel Sr2, and a few ZT's. The one issue I have with these knives is that I don't want to get something that I will only enjoy until I get something more expensive, like a Sebenza. I also don't want to get a knife that feels like a cheaper version of something more expensive, as I've heard is the case with the Sage 2 (cheaper Sebenza.) A big selling point on the Sebenza for me is the blade centering, as mentioned above. I hate having to adjust the pivot screw when the blade comes loose. Do you guys think it would be a good move to get one of these knives, and get something like a Sebenza later? Or save up for a Sebenza now, which I have heard would be no fun, and would spoil me. I want to get a knife that I will enjoy forever, no matter what I get later.
 
zalen97 said:
The one issue I have with these knives is that I don't want to get something that I will only enjoy until I get something more expensive, like a Sebenza. I also don't want to get a knife that feels like a cheaper version of something more expensive, as I've heard is the case with the Sage 2 (cheaper Sebenza.) A big selling point on the Sebenza for me is the blade centering, as mentioned above. I hate having to adjust the pivot screw when the blade comes loose. Do you guys think it would be a good move to get one of these knives, and get something like a Sebenza later? Or save up for a Sebenza now, which I have heard would be no fun, and would spoil me. I want to get a knife that I will enjoy forever, no matter what I get later.
Click to expand...
- It sounds like you want a Sebenza. Why not put that $200 towards that?

zalen97 said:
I hate having to adjust the pivot screw when the blade comes loose.
Click to expand...
- You can use a drop of Blue Loctite to keep screws from coming loose.
 
tokerblue said:
- It sounds like you want a Sebenza. Why not put that $200 towards that?


- You can use a drop of Blue Loctite to keep screws from coming loose.
Click to expand...
Haha thanks for the Loctite tip. I've done it to my Skyline but I don't like fiddling with that kind of thing, especially with a 200 plus knife. I DO want a Sebenza, but I feel like $410 is just too much for a knife right now. I'll probably just get over that though, and shell out the dough. I think it'll be worth it. Thanks for the advice.
 
The 940 is an excellent choice, as is the 810 Contego. The 940 is more gentlemanly while the 810 is all business.
 
The Sage 2 is a nice knife on its own...there's nothing wrong with enjoying it as such, without bothering with Sebenza comparisons. If you're so obsessed with the Sebenza that you're going to taint any other knife with how you think it compares to the Seb, just give up and buy it. If you don't want to spend the money, there are plenty of nice knives in the $200 range...you just have to let yourself enjoy them.
 
Don't sell yourself short on the Sage 2, it is a great knife. Set your sights on a Sebenza, have fun with other knives that will serve you well. ZT is offering some great knives. Get yourself a paying membership and you can score some great deals here on the exchange.
Read some of the threads in general on how some folks feel about the Sebenza and then see where you may fall in line with those views. No doubt, the Sebenza is expensive by some standards. Your budget/ disposable income being the main factor, and what if it isn't for you? Then you will have missed out on more suitable knives and feel cheated.
BTW, I'm a CRK fanboy :)
 
zalen97 said:
Haha thanks for the Loctite tip. I've done it to my Skyline but I don't like fiddling with that kind of thing, especially with a 200 plus knife.
Click to expand...
- I use Blue Loctite on my knives that are many times more than $200. It's not permanent and can be easily cleaned off.
 
The ZT0900 is one of the cheapest knives in my collection and I get a huge kick out of it every time I pick it up.
 
The Sage series is a fine group of knives, regardless of a comparison with others. That said, the PM2 is my favorite edc..
 
Depending on how you are with sharpening, there is also the zt 770cf m4. A bit over your budget of $200 @ $239, but a Great steel in a Really nice knife.
 
Spend $78 and get yourself a Stretch VG - 10 while you still can. All those other knife are really nice but the stretch will beat them to your pocket. At least it did mine and I own most of those. Heck buy two of them and pocket $40 bucks. :)
 
If you are interested in flippers than I'll suggest a Reate. My Hills practically falls together. No tweaking required for centering or play. I have a Sebenza, and this knife is just as easy to assemble. I only have experience with the Hills, but I'm sure the other models are just as simple.
THIS IS JUST ME, but if ease of assembly was important I would stay away from BM. But if fit and finish is really what trips your trigger than you really can't go wrong with a CRK.
 
Get a sebenza. Youll either love it or hate it, but it'll keep its value if you want to resell later.

Lesser knives......not so much
 
Sebbies also have no issues with the pivots coming loose because you can crank them all the way down (and still have a fast action). No need to worry about fine tuning or finding a sweet spot thanks to the bushing system.

Take it apart. Put it back together. Tighten everything back down as much as you can. Done.
 
I take knives apart to anodize all the time. The ZT0801,ZT0550, ZT0620 and ZT0900 have never had a problem going back to dead center!
 
Sounds like you already hold the Sebenza on a pedestal. You likely won't waiver on that position. You should skip dabbling and jump for the Sebenza.

If you are interested in high tech steels your not going to get that with CRK. There are great steels from ZT Spyderco and Benchmade. All of which are excellent manufacturers.
 
Out of the knives that you are looking at I would say Paramilitary 2 hands down! There is nothing it can't do that I need it to do. It carries very well and the compression lock is freaking awesome! An all-around great quality EDC knife! I own 3 Para 2's:) The Sage is also a great folder. I happen to have two:) But since you already own two small folders and one large I think a midsize blade would be a good route to go:thumbup: And I have never had any blade centering issues with any of my Para 2's, Sages or really any other Spyderco knife I own. Another great brand (my favorite) to look into if you haven't already is Emerson Knives. The only thing is once you head down that path it can be a slippery slope:apathy: I've already bought 4 this year to add to my ever growing collection! They are all made by the same basic formula and are built like a tank. They also use standard screwdriver pivot and standoffs for easy maintenance in the field. The only problem is there are so many different blade/handle designs and sizes to choose from. And once you do it can become very addicting! I also own a large Sebenza 21 and 2 Umnumzaans and I do feel the quality justifies the price but because of that fact they don't get as much pocket time as a lot of my other folders. I hope this helps:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
I sold my large Sebenza 21 with micarta inlays and my small Sebenza 21 in order to purchase my Emerson Roadhouse, CQC-15 and Mini Commander if that tells you anything. It's not about how much you spend, it's more about what you want:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top