Recommend a knife $400-600

Harden Knives

Harden Knives

Joined
Aug 7, 2013
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405
Hey everyone,

Just recently I picked up my grail knife of a few years, a Medford praetorian, but quickly have realized this is a strictly day off carry. It is far too menacing to be used in my suburban, work environment. I am looking for something in the 3-3.5" length and would like some sort of titanium. Has to be a light to medium carry. I have sort of passed my flipper phase so recommend flippers of you'd like and I will consider them, but I'd rather have a manual.

I like cpm154, d2, s35 s30 etc. I have tried lots of production brands in this $400-600 price range but have not had my eyes opened to the custom and midtech world at that price range.

Thanks in advance and any suggestions are welcome.
 
How do you feel about the usual suspects on here:
A non plain-Jane Sebenza or a Strider SNG.

As far as flippers in your preferred steels... I know you're passed flippers but they have some interesting semi-customs:
Olamic Wayfarer or Brous Caliber/Strife
 
If you can find them, I really like Brian Tighe's knives. Avoid the smaller versions with curved handles if you have large hands. My mini Tighe Rod was flawless, flipper and manual, but the curved handle did not fit my hands. Rode on STBS bearings, RWL-34 3D etched steel, flipper and thumbhole, your preference. They start at $525 I believe.
 
drrickso said:
How do you feel about the usual suspects on here:
A non plain-Jane Sebenza or a Strider SNG.

As far as flippers in your preferred steels... I know you're past flippers but they have some interesting semi-customs:
Olamic Wayfarer or Brous Caliber/Strife
Click to expand...
Wonderful suggestions! I have owned a plain Jane sebenza, traded it for a small 21 starbenza, sold that for my praetorian. I do like crk and may consider dropping a little more $$ on a more spectacular knife.

I have seen the Brous and have handled one in person and I did like it. That was when they were harder to get so I will peek around. As for the olamic, I will check them out.
 
Greg Lightfoot will make you a fullsize folder at the upper end of that range. When I ordered my 460 Mag two months ago it was only a 6 month wait.

If you don't mind spending a little more and waiting a little longer (1.5-2 years), Jeff Harkins will make you a folder on the plainer side for 800-1000.

These two makers still do everything by hand and are happy to work with you for options you want, whether it's a certain steel or material they haven't used before, or tweaking a design they offer to your liking.
 
K.O.D. said:
If you can find them, I really like Brian Tighe's knives. Avoid the smaller versions with curved handles if you have large hands. My mini Tighe Rod was flawless, flipper and manual, but the curved handle did not fit my hands. Rode on STBS bearings, RWL-34 3D etched steel, flipper and thumbhole, your preference. They start at $525 I believe.
Click to expand...
I have seen a lot of Brian's work and follow him on Instagram and whatnot and his work amazes me. I have medium size hands so those handles on the tighe rod may or may not work. That is one beautiful knife by the way.

Thanks for the suggestion!
 
asdf12345 said:
Greg Lightfoot will make you a fullsize folder at the upper end of that range. When I ordered my 460 Mag two months ago it was only a 6 month wait.

If you don't mind spending a little more and waiting a little longer (1.5-2 years), Jeff Harkins will make you a folder on the plainer side for 800-1000.

These two makers still do everything by hand and are happy to work with you for options you want, whether it's a certain steel or material they haven't used before, or tweaking a design they offer to your liking.
Click to expand...
I would really prefer to avoid wait time, books full, etc.

Most of those suggestions were a bit out of my price range. If a used one comes across my path, I will certainly consider it.

Thanks for the time my friend!
 
If you don't mind spending a little less for an excellent quality titanium framed knife in high-end steel, you could pick up a Fantoni HB02. I really like mine, and it is not too much for mixed company. I have a review with a lot of photos here http://centergnome.blogspot.com/2014/12/fantoni-hb-02-review-first-impressions.html

Also, if you really wanted to spend more knifeart has a limited edition of the larger HB01 in CPM S125V. I'm personally thankful don't have the money now, because if I did I would probably buy one, and I really don't need any more knives.

Picture of the HB01 in S125V
fantoni-125v-35.jpg
 
Harden Knives said:
I have seen a lot of Brian's work and follow him on Instagram and whatnot and his work amazes me. I have medium size hands so those handles on the tighe rod may or may not work. That is one beautiful knife by the way.

Thanks for the suggestion!
Click to expand...

Some pics of the one I used to have. However, pictures do not do the knife justice:






The medium or large size would have fit me perfect I believe.
 
Three Sisters Forge Beast. They are currently made with S35VN, previous run was in M390.
 
Ajack60 said:
Three Sisters Forge Beast. They are currently made with S35VN, previous run was in M390.
Click to expand...

This is below his price range, but I love my Beast (S35VN). Highly recommend.
 
I really agree with pretty much all of the recommendations so far, but I'll also add another to the list ;)

Ferrum Forge Fortis. 20CV steel, mid-tech (sort of) done by Elliot. Very nice folder from what I've seen and heard about it, and if you don't like that particular design, he has several more offerings in both his Entry-Level folders and his much more custom Model Runs that will be coming out over the next few months, and I believe most of them will come in the vacinity of your price range (though the Model Runs might be higher).
 
Harden Knives said:
Hey everyone,

Just recently I picked up my grail knife of a few years, a Medford praetorian, but quickly have realized this is a strictly day off carry. It is far too menacing to be used in my suburban, work environment. I am looking for something in the 3-3.5" length and would like some sort of titanium. Has to be a light to medium carry. I have sort of passed my flipper phase so recommend flippers of you'd like and I will consider them, but I'd rather have a manual.

I like cpm154, d2, s35 s30 etc. I have tried lots of production brands in this $400-600 price range but have not had my eyes opened to the custom and midtech world at that price range.

Thanks in advance and any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...

What about 40-60 knifes from BUDK? You can carry new knife every day for two months...
 
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