Recommend me my next knife

D

D-R0CK

Joined
Sep 22, 2012
Messages
166
Thread title says it all.

Requirements:

-Folder
- 2.9" - 3.5" blade
-Price < $65
-good blade to handle ratio
-better steel ( > 8cr13MoV) Aus-8 is the most basic steel I feel good about.
-prefer american made, but I respect international craftsmanship
-Love 14C28N
-DEEP carry. Less than 1/2" exposed.
-Modern design. Lots of respect for the traditionals, not my style.
-Plain edge, no tanto.
-Single blade knife, no multitools/SAKs
-Lightweight
-No autos or Balis :grumpy: those have to stay in a drawer at home
-no recurve grinds

Knives I already own:

-skyline (Lost it, is it worth it to replace?)
-delica
-camillus 18669(?)
-Rat1

Knives I'm already considering (IE talk me into it :D)

-Knockout
-Skyline
-HK enigma (anyone have any HK knives besides the OTFs?)
-Buck vantage series
-cold steel code 4
-Camillus 7-1/4" Carbonitride Titanium Folding Knife VG10 Drop Point Blade, Carbon Fiber Handles (google it... looks promising. titanium and CF...)

Role:

-EDC
-Landscaping (cutting cord, weed mat, etc)
-Automotive (cutting wire, opening boxes and bags, easy stuff)
-Light food duty, cutting fruits and veggies, trimming meat etc

Bonus Points:

-exotic materials/components, IE CF, Ti.
-Lightweight
-Aluminum handles
-Flipper
-USA Made

Let's hear it knife nuts :D
 
Simple answer, THIS one...While it's blade is made in Japan, it's still a US company. You'll be glad you did.
 
jasonp said:
Simple answer, THIS one...While it's blade is made in Japan, it's still a US company. You'll be glad you did.
Click to expand...

It's in the running :) but I already have a delica, and the handle length to cutting edge ratio on the delica and endura are abysmal... Thanks for the suggestion! I read the blog post in it's entirety, it has the wheels turning...
 
I was going to suggest the Spyderco Caly 3 (which I own) or the Spyderco Chaparral (which I don't own, since I have the caly 3), but those are way over budget. Since you already have the Delica I'd like to suggest the Benchmade mini Griptilian, but whoa?! what happened to the price? They used to be around your budget, but now they're listed at around $90. Perhaps you can find a better price if you look around.
 
Another skyline would be a good buy, their great knives I love my Damascus Skyline. Other good one you were looking at that I would recommend would be the Buck Vantage especially the S30V ones or if you like kershaws 14C28N get the Vantage in the Avid series with the Sandvik 13C26 as my understanding is it's pretty close to the 14c28n but the 14c28n is an kershaw exclusive and is slightly more corrosive resistant.

And while your at it throw in an Opinel in your order they have good stainless and carbon steel blades the stainless is 12C27 Sandvik and carbon is XC90. I think an Opinel should be in every knife enthusiasts collection they just cut so effortlessly, you learn what proper blade geometry in a knife does with one of these knives. Stainless and carbon are pretty close together in performance for this knife, enough that people generally only notice a difference while testing for differences between the two so pick your poison between the two. This will set you back $10 and it will be well worth it.
 
Maybe a Tenacious, but you will have to go over the steel..
Skyline Damascus?
Looks awesome, has damascus steel.
Cold Steel mini recon 1.
 
WRGreen said:
I'm sorry, I just don't understand posts like this one.
Click to expand...

the idea is I get suggestions of knives I may not have otherwise thought of, to add a knife to my rotation which I would enjoy based on the experience and advice of this knowledgeable community. You saw the title before you read this thread. If you don't "get" it, don't open it.
 
mrdeus said:
I was going to suggest the Spyderco Caly 3 (which I own) or the Spyderco Chaparral (which I don't own, since I have the caly 3), but those are way over budget. Since you already have the Delica I'd like to suggest the Benchmade mini Griptilian, but whoa?! what happened to the price? They used to be around your budget, but now they're listed at around $90. Perhaps you can find a better price if you look around.
Click to expand...

I know it :mad: My buddy has a mini-grip from before they started hosing everybody, and I get envy every time I see it. I got the delica when I could've gotten the mini-grip, now i wish I would've gotten the mini-grip first...

Bob6794 said:
Another skyline would be a good buy, their great knives I love my Damascus Skyline. Other good one you were looking at that I would recommend would be the Buck Vantage especially the S30V ones or if you like kershaws 14C28N get the Vantage in the Avid series with the Sandvik 13C26 as my understanding is it's pretty close to the 14c28n but the 14c28n is an kershaw exclusive and is slightly more corrosive resistant.

And while your at it throw in an Opinel in your order they have good stainless and carbon steel blades the stainless is 12C27 Sandvik and carbon is XC90. I think an Opinel should be in every knife enthusiasts collection they just cut so effortlessly, you learn what proper blade geometry in a knife does with one of these knives. Stainless and carbon are pretty close together in performance for this knife, enough that people generally only notice a difference while testing for differences between the two so pick your poison between the two. This will set you back $10 and it will be well worth it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm no opinel, that falls into "traditional" for me. Too wide for rear pocket etc. The vantage in S30V is over budget but it looks so perfect... I've never had the 12C27 Sandvik but I hear it's actually a huge step down from the 14C28N which I KNOW is excellent. Maybe somebody else will weigh in.

JoepReinen said:
Maybe a Tenacious, but you will have to go over the steel..
Skyline Damascus?
Looks awesome, has damascus steel.
Cold Steel mini recon 1.
Click to expand...

I think the CS mini recon might be a bit too tactical and thick for me, but I'd love to try the triad lock, and you've got me eyeballing the damascus skyline now...
 
All Sandvik steels under in knives are great (12c27, 13c26, 14c28n). They act like a much better steel than they are because they are made so extremely clean. They act like something in between a particle steel and a normal steel. The Vantage Avid is a good choice.

As for the Vantage Pro, I can only say don't. I went through 3 new ones from Buck and they were all garbage. The flipper was nearly useless, the handles kind of sucked, the blades were a little too easy to sharpen (nothing like any S30V I have ever used). The action never got smooth, the locks were bad, all of them had lateral play, the pocket clips had almost no raised lip (could barely get them on basketball shorts). The Vantage Pro is bad. I can only assume the pro stands for prothetic, a meaning professionally pathetic.

The Vantage Avid and Select are not that bad, though. You would swear they aren't "downgraded" versions.

Another knife to look at is the Spyderco Native 4. Good knife, good price (can be had for a little looking around $60). I liked mine, I just don't like S30V. Extremely light knife.
 
I have really been enjoying the ESEE Zancudo. Nothing fancy, it has a good kephart blade geometry with a good steel and overall size. If I am carrying a folder (usually just a SAK in my pocket) its usually that one or the EnZo Birk. You cant go wrong with either.

ESEE Zancudo:
ESSE-Zancudo-folder-1.jpg


EnZo Birk:
ENZO_2701_BK.JPG
 
If you like your Delica, you’ll love the Spyderco Stretch:
  • 3.5” blade
  • lightweight with good ergos
  • good blade-to-handle ratio
  • steel upgrades available
  • custom deep-carry clip available
Here's my standard VG-10 model with a deep-carry clip by Casey Lynch:

Stretch deep-carry.jpg
 
WRGreen said:
I'm sorry, I just don't understand posts like this one.
Click to expand...

I love posts like this, I have asked the forum to help me pick a knife on an occasion. When I see a thread and someone else asking, I always check it out. I like to see what people are considering and help them make a decision. Sometimes I you learn about a knife you did not know about, as I did on this one with the Camillus. It looks like a great value.
 
dkb45 said:
All Sandvik steels under in knives are great (12c27, 13c26, 14c28n). They act like a much better steel than they are because they are made so extremely clean. They act like something in between a particle steel and a normal steel. The Vantage Avid is a good choice.

As for the Vantage Pro, I can only say don't. I went through 3 new ones from Buck and they were all garbage. The flipper was nearly useless, the handles kind of sucked, the blades were a little too easy to sharpen (nothing like any S30V I have ever used). The action never got smooth, the locks were bad, all of them had lateral play, the pocket clips had almost no raised lip (could barely get them on basketball shorts). The Vantage Pro is bad. I can only assume the pro stands for prothetic, a meaning professionally pathetic.

The Vantage Avid and Select are not that bad, though. You would swear they aren't "downgraded" versions.

Another knife to look at is the Spyderco Native 4. Good knife, good price (can be had for a little looking around $60). I liked mine, I just don't like S30V. Extremely light knife.
Click to expand...

Ya know, insight like that is why I don't have a pro already. :( too bad, it had so much potential. I actually wasn't looking at the native, I thought it was too expensive, but you've piqued my interest.

NetshadeX said:
Kershaw Knockout is your next knife.
Click to expand...

The knockout might be my favorite option so far. It just looks like it has everything! And is so affordable. I just don't hear much about it here, it seems to be a bit of a dark horse.

JCKT said:
I have really been enjoying the ESEE Zancudo. Nothing fancy, it has a good kephart blade geometry with a good steel and overall size. If I am carrying a folder (usually just a SAK in my pocket) its usually that one or the EnZo Birk. You cant go wrong with either.

ESEE Zancudo:
ESSE-Zancudo-folder-1.jpg


EnZo Birk:
ENZO_2701_BK.JPG
Click to expand...

I've actually never heard of the enzo, it looks cool but it's about twice my budget. I'll look at the zancudo. I didn't know ESEE did a folder.

BenLong1018 said:
Get a Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight you'll be very pleased.
Click to expand...

Looks out of my price range. Any links to an example within budget?

cairndude said:
If you like your Delica, you&#8217;ll love the Spyderco Stretch:
  • 3.5&#8221; blade
  • lightweight with good ergos
  • good blade-to-handle ratio
  • steel upgrades available
  • custom deep-carry clip available
Here's my standard VG-10 model with a deep-carry clip by Casey Lynch:

View attachment 438459
Click to expand...

That seems way over budget too, 50% over. Looks a bit big to boot. I have a clip from lynch on my delica, isn't it awesome!!?

ericvar101 said:
I love posts like this, I have asked the forum to help me pick a knife on an occasion. When I see a thread and someone else asking, I always check it out. I like to see what people are considering and help them make a decision. Sometimes I you learn about a knife you did not know about, as I did on this one with the Camillus. It looks like a great value.
Click to expand...

Glad someone agrees with me. But there's always somebody out to be obnoxious.
 
I would recomend looking at the "for sale" section of the forum, you may get something for an incredible price:thumbup:
 
Blues Bender said:
I would recomend looking at the "for sale" section of the forum, you may get something for an incredible price:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I haven't checked it yet, warrantee-less knives freak me out a bit. I'll see if there are any bargains. You aren't a harmonica player by any chance, are you?
 
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