SJ-75 - cheaper alternative?

[Comeuppance]

I've been carrying my CS Tuff Lite for the better part of a year now, and have found that a smaller wharncliffish blade is indispensable for my day-to-day uses - and I'm looking to make a step up on steel / appearance / clip placement / materials / pride of ownership. They're pretty similar knives - from the size, to the hollow grind, to the oblong hole in the blade - so I figure it's the perfect candidate.

I really want to try one of these out, but I have a hard time coughing up $300-400 on a small utility knife as I could just get a SNG or SMF in new/extremely good condition at those prices. Is there a cheaper alternative that is roughly equivalent? Keep in mind that I'm looking for something relatively rugged, so knives with fragile tips (I.E. Yojimbo) are right out. Really looking for a folding wharncliffe / sheepsfoot kinda blade, short stout and strong, with good steel.

Actually, kind of a funny side-note: I just realized as I was typing this that the SNG and SJ-75 have the same amount of cutting surface, and what has always bothered me about the SNG/SMF is the choil eating up potential cutting surface.

 

[M.FREEZE]

You might want to pick one up anyway. I was told by a reputable dealer that the SJ-75 will be discontinued due to lack of sales.

 

[Comeuppance]

You might want to pick one up anyway. I was told by a reputable dealer that the SJ-75 will be discontinued due to lack of sales.

I'm not trying to collect or hoard here, though. $300 feels like a lot to spend on what I would use as a beater knife, and beater knives are not knives I plan on reselling for collector's inflation prices. My Tuff Lite has a decent amount of damage because I know it can take it and it didn't cost me $300.

I'm hoping someone will pop up with a good used one or a cheap new one, but, especially now that it might be being discontinued, I'd REALLY like to find an alternative that can be replaced if necessary.

 

[evanPGH]

Boker Haddock?

 

[mmarkh]

Not really cheaper but have you considered a CRK small Insingo ?

 

[Comeuppance]

Not really cheaper but have you considered a CRK small Insingo ?

I've yet to handle a small Sebenza - one of the things I like about the Tuff Lite and SJ75 is how much they fill up the hand. Does a small Sebbie do that pretty well? I'm not looking for something I have to three-finger-grip or have it not pretty locked it, because my beater utility knives get used hard and in situations where slippage would often be disastrous.

Given CRK's fairly legendary QC and customer service - and the toughness of their knives - I might consider dropping the extra cash on it.

 

[Comeuppance]

Boker Haddock?

If it had a thumbstud and the blade was a teensy bit shorter, yeah.

 

[mmarkh]

I've yet to handle a small Sebenza - one of the things I like about the Tuff Lite and SJ75 is how much they fill up the hand. Does a small Sebbie do that pretty well? I'm not looking for something I have to three-finger-grip or have it not pretty locked it, because my beater utility knives get used hard and in situations where slippage would often be disastrous.

Given CRK's fairly legendary QC and customer service - and the toughness of their knives - I might consider dropping the extra cash on it.

Actually the Sebenza is fairly slim so you may not care for it. I have a large 21 and carry it every day and use it a lot. No abuse but not babied.

 

[crom]

FYI, the Haddock can be opened with one hand due to the deep hollow grind and really thick (5mm or so) spine. It isn't really able to be flicked but opening one handed is no problem.

 

[evanPGH]

FYI, the Haddock can be opened with one hand due to the deep hollow grind and really thick (5mm or so) spine. It isn't really able to be flicked but opening one handed is no problem.

Thanks, was just gonna say this. The nail nick is so deep due to the thick blade you can do it easily.

 

[pearl2291]

Maybe try to find a Spyderco PPT??

 

[Invective]

I've always thought the Kershaw Echelon looked similar to the SJ-75. BladeHQ has some on sale now so you could probably pick one up for minimal investment just to see if you like it.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I've always thought the Kershaw Echelon looked similar to the SJ-75. BladeHQ has some on sale now so you could probably pick one up for minimal investment just to see if you like it.

^This

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1015877-The-Echelon-and-the-SJ-75

 

[cchu518]

Careful, some report back that the detent on the Echelon is a bear and the blade doesn't deploy easily.

I would look into a Spyderco Techno or a Spyderco Lava by CLB and either a Chad Los Banos original or a licensed design from Boker like the Subcom or Edit or Trance. The Nano is a cool stubby knife as well.

 

[Comeuppance]

I found a boker haddock potentially for cheap. On research , I really like that knife. I especially like that it's 5mm blade has a crazy high hollow grind.

 

[evanPGH]

I found as boker haddock potentially as cheap as $120. Here's hoping the offer is accepted, because, on research , I really like that knife. I especially like that it's 5mm blade has a crazy high hollow grind.

Boker's German made knives are well built too. :thumbup:

 

[Comeuppance]

Can the echelon be de-assisted? I can't seem to find confirmation anywhere that it has a detent hole.

Edit: After a little more looking around, I found you can. I now have a Haddock and Echelon en route.

 

[crom]

The Haddock is my favorite knife to date. I have used the hell out of it. The steel holds up and it's tougher than it looks.

 

[CJZ]

Spyderco Rock Lobster?

 

[benchwarmer380]

ZT 770 is another good choice for a small wharcliffe blade. Plenty of blade for its size.