Sell me your favorite knife

[bdmicarta]

These are the ones that I carry and use, one way or the other. Any of these would work very well for you.

I'm not a lock snob except that I don't buy lockback knives. I like G10 scales and good blade steel. I like the spyderhole opener the best. I like knifes from 3.5" to 4" because they are big enough to do good work and they have big enough handles for me to easily hold onto if I need to pull hard. None of these are too heavy to carry using the pocket clip.

 

[Gideons]

My EDC is the ZT 0566BW. It has a DLC coated 3.25 inch Elmax (now S35VN) Blade. It has a deep carry pocket clip. The knife is assisted, but has detent so you can unassisted if you want to. The knife is open and close easily one handed (with either hand) even when assisted. The knife is small enough and thin enough that it takes up very little space in your pocket and because of the smooth steel side there is no pocket wear from it. The knife has amazing traction, its heft makes it feel very sturdy and it is more than strong enough to handle tasks that some larger knives couldn't even do.

 

[hhmoore]

hhmoore - please post some pics of that scale...love seeing custom scales

This is the only picture I have readily available

Of course, I like the 0550 a lot, so I have a few different versions (including the 0551) - all of which have aftermarket scales...because the stock scale was butt ugly. I'll get some other pics tomorrow, and maybe throw in one of the 0200 (I ground those scales smooth because, in stock form, they were pocket shredders.

For the record, the neither of the two flashlights I mentioned previously are in this picture. The larger is the Olight R50 seeker (heavy for regular carry at 18.5 oz, but it rides my left side jacket pocket, anyway); and the smaller is a Lumintop Tool(vn) which is in my shirt pocket at work, nightly.
The knife in the lower right hand corner of the pic is the aforementioned GEC 77.

 

[Basp2005]

Middle of the road, pm2 or 940. Higher end, CRK or Hinderer.

 

[fmajor007]

In a folder, I'd have to say go buy a Cold Steel American Lawman in the CTS-XHP hi-performance steel. The CTS-XHP steel is a powdered metallurgy and is a significant improvement over the earlier American Lawman which used AUS-8. CTS-XHP's most notable characteristics are rust resistance and edge retention (without being overly hard to sharpen while maintaining a keen edge for a lot of use).

The locking mechanism for the American Lawman is the patented "Triad lock" designed by custom knife maker Andrew Demko. The lock is flawless. Yes, i said flawless and i mean it. There is not a folding knife lock mechanism made anywhere which surpasses it. Anywhere. Google triad lock Andrew Demko for youtube vids to see it for yourself.

I have the older version of the American Lawman with the blade material being AUS-8 which is a decent (albeit at the lower end of decent) blade material. Mine came with a black coating on all metal parts. So i promptly disassembled the knife and stripped away the coating.

Here she is (the photo is poorly composed such that the blade looks overly short for the long-ish handle):

So for right around a $100 you can pick up one of these beauties for yourself.

Heck, if i had a spare C note i'd be ordering a new one too!!!

 

[buffalo01]

Okay I have two favorite modern knives. My new Wilson combat elc and my manix 2 ffg. I'll start with the WC.

it has a big enough blade at a little under 3.5 inches of n690 steel, and an awesome looking and feeling 3d sculpted g10 handle. Made by Fox knives in Italy this knife is top notch quality imo. The n6090 steel is superb, it holds a great edge with a minor strop here and there. It took almost a month for me to actually sharpen it but it wasn't at all needed, it would still pop hairs but I like my knives VERY sharp. Less then 10 strokes on fine ceramic rods and it was dangerously sharp with a nice sticky edge, made even better after stripping on some mothers mag wheel Polish on an old leather belt. The blade is good and stout but comes down to a very nice thin edge, mix this with the gorgeous drop point blade with plenty of belly, and a nice sharp, yet very strong tip. This guy just wants to bite into whatever you are cutting. The handle is just large enough to fit the blade so it is a nice compact package but still very comfortable with a nice round contour and great grip. The pocket clip is not as elegant as the rest of the knife but is great in function. Action is tight out of the box but smooth as butter thanks to bronze washers. It uses a rather thin liner lock but I assure you it will not fold unless you are purposely trying to so, it lock up as solid as a rock. I recently took it apart and was amazed at the tight fit of all the parts, I even noticed the knife still locks up perfectly even without the stop pin! Price is $150 for g10 version but they also have a cocobolo wood version in either n690 or Damascus ($160, $300) and titanium with either elmax ($250) or Damascus ($300) so there are several options to choose from. Imo well worth the money for such a beautiful and functional knife.
Now for the other favorite, the manix 2 ffg

I have 3 years of experience with thing going from liking it, to "meh" back LOVING IT! I will get the negative out of the way, it came with a thick edge but after a got it squared away, it now cuts respectably good given it is a tank of a knife. I love the blade shape and the ergonomics are AMAZING. The forward choil on the s30v blade gives a lot of control and handle is big enough to fit any size hand. I have used this thing for fine tasks up to border line abuse. The coating is seemingly impenetrable but does stick with making deep slices. It was a bear to repro file but super easy to sharpen and holds an edge forever. After a good breaking in and cleaning it is superbly smooth and free made even better with imo the best opening mechanism for a knife, the spydie hole. It requires only very basic hand function to open (I'm a quadriplegic if this says anything) The lock is a beast and is very fun to play with even though it can be a workout at first. I can't say anything that others haven't already. I love this thing and use it for things I wouldn't with most other knives. And the best part is its made in the good Ole USA (earth of course. [emoji6] price can be as low as around $70 and g10 s30v models start a little under $100.

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[Slipperyjesus]

Hard to say. I but knives that I carry and change up everyday. And it also depends on what you will mostly use it for. If I only had one knife, I would go with a 4-5 inch fixed blade. As far as a folder, I would go with something with about 3.5 in and not too thin. I like griptiliand because they are affordable, (115-160), and you can upgrade the scales later if you want to get fancy. The axis lock system is my favorite as well. Right now I am carrying a ZT 620 cf. I love the damned thing. It's a bit too heavy and has a blade mostly for stabbing. But, the griptillian I have will always be on standby, and I'm sure I will go back to it if the new ever wears off this ZT. As far as those fixed blades, I have a bench made model 162 that is great for the woods. It's made with s30 v, so it is a beast! Or, you could go with something with high carbon like 01 or 1095cv, so that it is easier to maintain in the field. It all depends on how your going to use it.


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[meadeam]

Awesome sales pitches in this thread.

I do really like a lot of the Spyderco and Benchmade designs, and there are reasonably priced knives in their lineups. I will need to look more closely. A bunch of other good brands I am not as familiar with that I will need to look into.

I am a bit surprised nobody a seems to favor any of the modern Buck knives. When people think of Buck, they generally think of a 110/112 I guess. At least I do. I love the 110 and 112 for belt carry. I have one of each right now, but neither of them are exactly my style, and have a bit more value than I would like for an edc. I think at some point, a less expensive 110 may find its way back onto my belt on days I am not carrying a handgun, or when I am pocket carrying.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[kniferbro]

Get yerself a Spydie and be done with it

 

[Mo2]

this is easy, just goto YouTube and search Jim Skelton

 

[kniferbro]

this is easy, just goto YouTube and search Jim Skelton

 

[archieblue]

A Spyderco, that appeals to you.
Trust me.
rolf

This is the honest truth. There are metric butt loads of knives out there. Some makers build knives to make good tools to be available to the public. Some just make things to sell to people. Spyderco is one of the VERY FEW that fit the former criteria. My findings have virtually concluded that their offerings, in their each-own genre, are hardly beatable in performance or price.

As far as flashlights go I've also settled in to some of the best I've ever owned and used at a reasonable price point. I have two EDC lights. One on the keychain (99.99% of use) and one in my EDC bag. Keychain = SureFire Titan. Bag carry = SureFire G2X. Neither are super cheap, but they are also nowhere close to the spendier side of things. They have been the most versatile and reliable lights I've ever owned.


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[meadeam]

.

As far as flashlights go I've also settled in to some of the best I've ever owned and used at a reasonable price point. I have two EDC lights. One on the keychain (99.99% of use) and one in my EDC bag. Keychain = SureFire Titan. Bag carry = SureFire G2X. Neither are super cheap, but they are also nowhere close to the spendier side of things. They have been the most versatile and reliable lights I've ever owned.

I will definitely keep those two Surefires on my list. I like the idea of a keychain or lanyard light for most uses.

 

[T.K.C.]

Interesting, but it won't work.

I can write a 2000 word essay on a knife I love and why you should buy it...maybe even convince you, but because you are not me there is a good chance you won't like it the way I do for a million + 1 reasons.

You need to really know someone who's into the same knives for the same reasons as you (hard to do) and they will be able to give you the right knives to try.
It doesn't always work out, but it's the best advice you will get if you can't make up your mind.

This is pretty much MY thoughts, exactly.

 

[rick melear]

Spyderco Military in any of its flavores provided you want to cut stuff. If you want a screwdriver or pry bar than visit Seras.

 

[uxo2]

SAK Super Tinker.

You can do McGuyver things with it.

 

[GhostAlpha0]

I would like to sell you the Hinderer XM-18. Yes it will cost you between $300 and $500 but it is my recommendation because after years of collecting my collection has grown and it has shrank but as of last month I have identified what is my absolute favorite knife. Over the years I've owned hundreds of knives but if I had to choose only 1 folder (out of my current 12) it would be a variation of the XM-18 (details below).

The great thing about the XM-18 is that there are so many variations. Personally I think 3.5" is the ideal size or a folder but there's also a 3.0" option and a 4.0" version (technically an XM-24). There are blade grind options (spanto, slicer, spearpoint, bowie, skinner, harpoon, wharncliff), blade finish options (stonewash, working finish, dlc), blade steel options (S35VN, M390, 20CV), and there are numerous scale color options.

For me the ideal knife is is the 3.5" No Choil Spanto Flipper M390 Black/Blue scale. I've always liked the Spanto grind so when I saw the No Choil version I was ecstatic (i don't see the point of a choil on a knife less than 4" long). M390 has become my favorite steel over years of using many different steel types. I love the dark theme with the black dlc blade and the black/blue scale and the opposing black dlc titanium scale.

 

[Derzelas]

If you like SAK and swiss quality but you always wanted a longer sturdier blade for a folder, a very ergonomic and grippy handle and you like outdoor activities get yourself a Victorinox Hunter Pro. It's an old saying regarding the guy with a well ballanced hammer will see around him just nails. With this knife in hand you will see around just things asking to be sliced. From apples and tomatoes to fish and meat it will cut effortesly - wood also if necessary. If you like your pockets for other things than a knife, this is the one - it comes with a decent belt pouch. And it will not break the bank either.u

 

[T. Erdelyi]

You gotta get a Sebenza because if you do everyone will think you're cool and know your knives. or...

How about Sebenza because you'll get one anyway?

How about an Opinel #8 because people will think you're cool and know a lot about knives?

 

[benlg]

Spyderco Military - big knife that carries small. Extremely comfortable, ergo handle and super slicer FFG blade.