Retirement knives...

6

6sigma

Joined
Mar 23, 2015
Messages
52
(1st post) For most of the last 50+ years I've carried small, traditional Case, Buck or Victorinox pocket knives. After retiring I bought a CQC-6K to see about these "new fangled" locking folders. To my surprise I liked the size, weight and operation of the bigger knife. I have new interest in knives.

Had I found any locally to actually handle, I would have already bought either a Manix 2 or Manix 2 XL along with a Tenacious and an Ontario Rat 1. However, I'm going to have to place a web order, so I thought I'd see about recommendations from those of you who have been using/collecting "modern folders" before I pull the trigger.

By the way...grandchildren have endless supplies of clam shell packages to be opened, and there are always boxes to cut up to fit in the dumpster. So, these first few knives will get used & carried. I'm much more a candidate to own/try a half dozen $100-$200 knives rather than a couple of $500 knives at this point.

Your suggestions are really appreciated.
 
Welcome to the forums, mate.

Might as well say it, it's going to be said by someone.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2. For something a bit bigger, maybe a Millie.

Ritter Grip, also a pretty solid knife.
 
I like those suggestions.

Benchmade mini-griptillian and a spyderco para 2 would give you a couple of good examples of some other makers and designs.

A zero tolerance 0770 cf (carbon fiber scales) might fit your bill as well, it's pretty refined for a ZT.

When you are ready to step it up some check out a Chris Reeve small sebenza or a Strider SnG.
 
Wow! What a thread this may turn out to be. Modern folders in the $100-$200 range. That will be an impressive list.

I'll with Fishboy.

I'll go with knives I own or owned and would recommend. In no particular order.

1. Spyderco's:
Vallotton
Manix 2
Tenacious
Atlantic Salt
Lionspy

2. Zero Tolerance:
ZT0200
ZT0350
ZT0801

3. Benchmade:
111H20
300
Volli


There are plenty more. Other members will chime in. Good luck with your quest and buy a few different brands and models. You can always sell them here in the exchange if you don't like them.
 
I know this is a bit over the budget you stated, but I can't recommend a small sebenza insingo enough. I could have saved about $1K on knives that get very little use if I had bought it first. YMMV.
 
ijustdontknow said:
I know this is a bit over the budget you stated, but I can't recommend a small sebenza insingo enough. I could have saved about $1K on knives that get very little use if I had bought it first. YMMV.
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I'll check it out. All my rules (budgets) for building a knife collection are already feeling flexible.:)
 
6sigma said:
I'll check it out. All my rules (budgets) for building a knife collection are already feeling flexible.:)
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Do your research but you won't find many things to dislike about anything Chris Reeves produces. Plus if you keep the box, packaging, and most importantly the born-on sheet, you can resell it for close to what you paid for it if you decide it's not the right knife for you. I have a small sebenza insingo in my pocket as I type this. They might not be a pretty as a case (which I own several), but it's also a darn good knife to pass along to grandkids some day. Nothing fancy, but to me the beauty is in the simplicity and the more I carry it the more I love it.
 
Take a look at Kershaw knives. Good knives; good value; work and made well. Also Rough Rider and Colt (esp. the Colt liner lock in D2).

Rich
 
Fish Boy said:
Welcome to the forums, mate.

Might as well say it, it's going to be said by someone.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2. For something a bit bigger, maybe a Millie.

Ritter Grip, also a pretty solid knife.
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Those three are great choices.
 
Since you seem to be open to larger knives, I'd take a look at the Benchmade 710-1401; that's the Knifeworks exclusive version in M390. It's a big knife that doesn't feel like a big knife when it's in your pocket. They're on sale right now.

Smaller options I'd recommend include the Spyderco Sage series (particularly the Sage 2) and the Domino.
 
RJ80 said:
Since you seem to be open to larger knives...Smaller options I'd recommend include the Spyderco Sage series (particularly the Sage 2) and the Domino.
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Yes. I've been surprised by how much I like the larger knives compared to the traditional (pen?) knives I've carried all these years. I like being able to reach in my pocket to cut up a box rather than having to fetch a utility knife from the toolbox. Right tool for the job and all that...
 
There are cold steel knives being released with upgraded steel. I personally have the new ultimate hunter model. The fit and finish are superb, and the handle is incredibly comfortable.

The aus 8 they previously used was pretty solid, and you can find some pretty good sales on them. I might recommend one of the code 4 series. Many are cheap enough to where you can try them and then purchase the upgraded steel later.
 
H&K 14715 is a rock solid option if you want to try out the Axis lock, American Lawman or Code 4 in XHP are both stupid tough, Manix 2 Lightweight in S110V is a great option if you want the best available steel for the price, Stretch in ZDP-189 is just an all-around winner and great knife, Kizer Ki405 is a nice option to try a flipper or, if you want a bearing pivot to go with it, the Buck 830 Marksman is a good knife.

Also, pick up a Paramilitary 2. It's almost the quintessential modern EDC/work knife. It's not perfect, nor is it the strongest, best slicer, best steel, etc. but it does almost everything really, really well.
 
They fly under most people's radar, but the Hogue EX knives are excellent. They offer numerous combinations of blade shape, blade length and handle material, all using 154CM steel and made in the USA. I have two myself and would have more if there weren't so many other knives calling my name. Also check out the various flavors of ZT0801 (I have two of these as well) and some of the bigger USA Kershaws. The Knockout is getting a lot of attention lately.
 
Inazone said:
They fly under most people's radar, but the Hogue EX knives are excellent. They offer numerous combinations of blade shape, blade length and handle material, all using 154CM steel and made in the USA. I have two myself and would have more if there weren't so many other knives calling my name. Also check out the various flavors of ZT0801 (I have two of these as well) and some of the bigger USA Kershaws. The Knockout is getting a lot of attention lately.
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Your Knockout comment reminded me, if you can carry autos the Kershaw Launch 1 looks really, really nice.
 
Funny thing, I'm experiencing almost an opposite effect. Seems like when I was working full time I always had a smaller "modern" type folder in my pocket. I think back to a Spyderco Cricket, Ladybug, Delica and an older Aviator or early SOG Twitch (Patent Pending) that I always used as EDCs. After I retired from full time work for a while I went with bigger Spydercos, a ZT, etc. Of late I am finding I'm leaving the house with a more traditional knife. Buck 302 Solitaire or a Bucklite 424 / 501. I often find 2 bladed knives in my pocket: Buck 386, Kershaw DWO 4400ST, Case Trapper, etc. Sometimes I grab a good old SAK on my way out the door. As I type this I have a Buck 110 in a horizontal sheath on my belt. I'm thinking because the majority time I'm wearing jeans, Carhartts, etc, rather than "dressier" pants. Funny, never even thought about it.
 
Don't forget to try out the flipper opening models like zt, Kizer and Spyderco. A Kershaw Skyline or camber is a more affordable way of doing that.
 
harlycarly said:
Funny thing, I'm experiencing almost an opposite effect... the majority time I'm wearing jeans, Carhartts, etc, rather than "dressier" pants.
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Thirty years of a business suit as the daily uniform had me carrying the "small, appropriate" pocket knife. The switch to business casual and, now, daily khakis should have tipped me off to try newer folders, but knives just haven't been on my radar. Now, the choices are broad and deep. That first Kershaw-Emerson CQC-6K has opened quite a hobby.

Many thanks for all the responses!
 
Welcome to retirement.
I've seen lots of good suggestions, and second the PM2, perhaps a Benchmade 710, and one of my very favorite 3" blades, the Spyderco Sage 2.
If you choose to go a bit more fancy, I have a great NIB folder that I'm trying to sell, the TAD Dauntless Mk III in green G10 and titanium.
Here is that link. It's too nice to be ignored. It's a very nice folder. Here is the link if interested..
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-NIB-never-used-or-carried-280-gt-gt-gt-270PP
 
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