Show me some folding knives that aren't super popular!

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Manly peak. Can be black or orange. Might not be the flashiest thing, but it's cheap and good. And thin behind the edge
 
Jailhack said:
That's pretty nice, Jim.

How does it feel in hand and how's the action/lock up/etc?
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The handle feels great. My XL hands fit great with a bit of handle protruding beyond my fifth finger. All the edges are contoured, and the scales have both an intricate milling and sections that are contoured at various angles, which add to the grip.

Lockup is solid at somewhere between 30 and 50%. The action is really impressive. The detent is fairly strong, not the strongest, but the blade is pretty large, so it flips with authority. It opens equally well with the flipper tab as well as middle finger-flicking the fuller. The closing action is the best of any knife I have. It drops shut very smoothly with no bouncing of the blade.

This knife is also remarkable for sporting a 4-inch cutting edge and weighing less than 4 ounces. It feels great to carry, as the closed dimensions don't take up much space for the size of the blade.

Sander makes several other models, but this is the only one I've held. Great knife!
 
I only have one of his knives, but Rod Olson makes some great custom knives featuring the button lock. If you've never tried a button lock, you're missing out. Similar to the compression lock and the Axis lock, when activated, the blade moves very freely. The nice thing about this lock design is that the button on the show side is very convenient to actuate and release, but there's no lock bar on the opposite side, so your grip has no impact on the blade movement, as can happen with frame locks.

This is the Olson M9 Custom.
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This isn't the most obscure knife in my collection, but Boos Blades has several knives that have been released in limited runs, and the latest, the Hound, is still available from Boos, though probably selling out fast.

This is the Boos Blades Smoke. It's a front flipper with great action and also opens well with a middle finger flick. The design is uniquely attractive, and although the handle is thin from top to bottom, it feels great to grip. The blade length is 3.5 inches, and it weighs only 2.85 ounces.
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JimMD said:
This is a bit over your specified price range, but it's a brand that more people should know about. Here's my Barbus from Sander Limited (a.k.a. Sander Knives).
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You're definitely right about that. Stunning knife though. I like a lot of super high end Russian knives like Sanders, shirogorov, sinkevich. I'm a big fan of knives that have a blade shape that resembles a small chef's knife in a folder, i.e. tall grinds that have a very dramatic drop point. KD Knives arsen somewhat resembles that.
 
Pilsner said:
and you post a Buck folding knife? o_O
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I don't think Buck is super popular to people considering a $100-150 knife and looking at Spyderco, Reate, WE, Benchmade, ZT, Lionsteel, and the others the OP listed. I doubt there are many threads asking for comparisons or thoughts on Bucks vs Benchmades or Lionsteels.

But the Marksman is actually a pretty decent alternative to someone who wants an "overbuilt" ZT to fidget with as well as use, in my opinion.
 
I really like the rod olsen Jim is showing but his knives are a bit pricey and to me way too nice to carry everyday.Yet I would still buy one lol.
 
I was going to post a couple of slip joints and a couple of Spydercos.
Sounds like those are't of interest.
Let me know if you want pics.
 
If you believe Bladeforums, anything that isn't a Paramilitary, Sebenza, or 940, counts as "not as popular". :p

All right, all right: I'll stop baiting. This is the Internet, and I realize that people have.... strong feelings. But that enthusiasm combines with the permanence of a forum, to make it possible for a casual observer to think that those three knives are the answer to any question.

They may be. But, stubborn fool that I am, I've made it my business to go looking for alternatives.

There is at least one other example of this one in the wild, so it's not the rarest of beasts, but I really like the idea of a modern sodbuster. The slabs may even be Titanium.

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Columbia River Knife and Tool was my gateway drug, and I go back on a regular basis. Yes, they have trouble with the heat treat. But they also turn out things like the Batum, which has a more properly knuckle-dragger proportioned blade.

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Reasonably sized and priced, too.

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The Kershaw Cyclone. It stands to reason that there are more of them out there, but they don't show up much, here.

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Finally, something by Le Thiers, another French company that also doesn't get much attention in the States. This one is definitely unique, because of the thumb wheel opener. But I have no idea exactly how unique.

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I second Rod Olson but they're usually a bit out of your price range. Best button lock custom I've had was a Galaxy by him (none are my photos but they're close enough to what I have).

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I'm always surprised the Three Rivers and RJ Martin collab Machine doesn't get more recognition:

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And the Tashi Rowdy HiTech is the best midtech I've found:

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Been enjoying the ADV Pocket Bucher as well:

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One of my most carried knives of late is the Neutron from Three Rivers Manufacturing. This liner lock model is currently sold out, but they’ll have more available as they make them. They’ve also had the Viator and Atlas slip joints, and now they’re working on a larger liner lock, the Atom.

The Neutron is one of the thinnest knives I have, both in handle as well as blade width. With that tall flat grind, the blade is a super slicer. 4-inch handle, 3-inch blade, 2.5 ounces. Light and thin, it disappears in the pocket. It’s my only knife with thumb studs, and I feel spoiled for other thumb-stud knives. The studs are smooth and comfortable, and the blade flicks out easily.

One of the novel aspects of the Neutron is the variety of scales available, along with the ease of swapping them. I have three sets. The micarta and carbon fiber are attractive, but the G-10 provides more grip. With 20CV steel and great customer service from TRM, the Neutron is a nice EDC option.
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PNWhovian said:
Three Sisters Forge Gorgon.
I don’t know if this fits your criteria. From what I’ve seen Three Sisters Forge is known by many on the forums but I’ve yet to talk to anyone else who has heard of them. My wife and I both have one and love it.
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I've had three or four excellent TSF Beasts in various steels and gifted one to a gd-son. Jim Allen, the owner, is an outstanding gentleman and a joy to gab with on the phone. He has an amazing "history" for you folks who might care... he was a dentist before he lost the use of one arm...started his new business as a knife-maker, and makes all of his knives...by himself and many types of clamps...with ONE ARM.
This fellow is a giant among men...
 
Maserin Gourmet 380
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The Maserin 389 above reminded me of this model. It's one of the most elegant liner locks I know of. A European gentlemen's pen knife. 100mm of pure steak slicing styling at home in Tuscany or an Outback.
 
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