Something off the beaten path...

Insipid Moniker

Insipid Moniker

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Feb 28, 2011
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In the process of searching for a new folder for my EDC rotation (and to feed the addiction) I ran across the Hogue EX01 and the Combative Edge M1. I'm pretty familiar with the offerings from the major manufacturers but, as these two proved, it's easy for smaller companies to fly well beneath my radar. So I'm asking here for some recommendations for some more obscure manufacturers or even inexpensive custom knives that I may just not have looked at.
Here's the (fairly vague) specs that I want
At least 3" blade
One handed opening
$200 or under (No problem with way under. A cool $30 knife with 8cr14mov would be awesome)
Unique looks or operation a plus but not required by any means.
Thank you in advance for the help!
 
The Hogue EX-01 is an awesome knife. I finally pulled the trigger on one recently due to the nearly unanimously praise for it, and it definitely lived up to expectations. So if that one catches your eye, I'd say go for it: you won't be disappointed.

A couple of Japanese brands you might check out are Mcusta (which you've probably seen mentioned around here before) and Seki Cut (less likely). Mcusta's folders can be pretty unique-looking depending on the handle material/design. Seki Cut's Folding Katana is definitely a unique-looking knife, and they also make some cool Bob Lum-designed liner locks in a variety of handle materials and sizes.
 
Perhaps not straying too far off the beaten path, but Chad Los Banos designs as offered by Boker are pretty under-rated, imo. My Boker Plus 'Hyper' is a very thin/flat/cool design that rides low in the pocket and deploys a wide stout blade near identical to the Spyderco Persistence in dimension (just a thinner spine and a slight recurve.) It offers a very secure three-finger grip, G-10 slab with nested liner on one side and smooth TiNi coated steel on the clip side, and offers a lanyard hole. Available for around $40 give or take. I'd also recommend looking at the 'Trance' or 'M-Type' models also.

A few things to consider: the clip can only be positioned for right hand tip up/down, it's blade is 440C (with a pretty decent heat-treatment,) and it's made in China. Not sure if you'd consider any of these points as a negative...

Good luck! Interesting thread...
 
Here is an option you might find interesting. In the $40 to $50 range, the 5.11 tactical scout, blade is 3.5 inches, 5/32 thick, black oxide coated, Aus8. Available in both drop point and tanto. Also available is their "alpha scout" model, around 3 inches of blade, etc. Designed by Mikey V over at Blade tech, if I recall.
 
How about the Ontario/Hossom Retribution folders? Either could be had for under $200 even though they have been discontinued for over a year and still easily found. Very thick Ti liners (at least .100") with green micarta contoured grips. Only negative is no pocket clip but comes with belt sheath. Steel is N690Co.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! You guys have given me quite a few very interesting knives to sort through.
 
Something else to check out would be some of Lion Steel's less-discussed offerings. All of us have heard of the HEST folder (which they manufacture for DPx) and most have heard of the SR-1, but they make a lot of other knives besides those two. For example, there was a very favorable thread/review about the Lion Steel Daghetta posted by a member here a couple of weeks ago.
 
Another folder that recently caught my eye is the 'D.H. Russell Lockblade' from Grohmann. I like the rosewood handles, but it's also available in micarta, buffalo horn and stag.
 
Yet another thought...

Check out A.G. Russell's own-brand line of knives. As he would be the first to tell you, he's much more of a knife designer and retailer than a knifemaker/manufacturer, so he contracts out the manufacture of the designs to other, hand-picked companies. Don't let that turn you off, though, since from everything I've heard his quality standards for the knives that bear his name are very high. And if for any reason you aren't happy with the knife, you're covered since he has the best "satisfaction guaranteed" policy in the industry, bar none. Since he has a paying dealer membership here, I'm going to include some links without fear of being mod-slapped for deal-spotting:

Main page for folders: http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-folding-knives/c/3064/

A few you might be interested in...
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-dozier-tab-lock-trapper/p/RUShhhTD12G10/
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-voyager-folder-with-damascus-and-stag/p/RUShhh2499/
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-one-hand-knife-general-purpose-blade-vg10-blade/p/Khhh93C10/
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-frame-lock-spear-point/p/AGFRMhhh1T/
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-italian-made-tactical/p/RUShhhFX180DT/
 
Citadel Danang. Cool handmade knives featuring a decent carbon steel blade:

cd211w.jpg
 
Do you have any blade centering issues with your Hyper? I just got one and the blade rubs the liner while opening and closing. I have tried changing the pivot tension many times. The only way to keep it from rubbing is to have it locked down to where it is too hard to deploy.
 
yanply said:
Do you have any blade centering issues with your Hyper? I just got one and the blade rubs the liner while opening and closing. I have tried changing the pivot tension many times. The only way to keep it from rubbing is to have it locked down to where it is too hard to deploy.
Click to expand...

I have the same issue with my Trance although it doesn't rub the liner but its close.
If centered it is way to hard to open.

It could be the blade isn't sitting straight in the handle. You could try unscrewing the pivot then applying pressure on the knife when open (opposite side as where it rubs) and then screw the pivot back.
 
yanply said:
Do you have any blade centering issues with your Hyper? I just got one and the blade rubs the liner while opening and closing. I have tried changing the pivot tension many times. The only way to keep it from rubbing is to have it locked down to where it is too hard to deploy.
Click to expand...

Mine is perfectly centered. Perhaps the frame-lock is still a little tight? Maybe try adjusting the pivot so your blade is centered and leave the knife half-opened for a day or two and see of that helps...

Edit: Then again, I don't flick my knives so maybe I'm not noticing the tension as much...
 
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Like neuron, I was going to suggest the AG Russell Featherlite One-Hand Knife. Very slender for comfortable pocket carry, interesting lock mechanism, and blades are 3-1/8". Available in choice of blade steels, blade shapes, and with or without neck sheath.

look at the kershaw ET. that is easily one of the weirdest knives i have ever seen.
Click to expand...
It doesn't have the black plastic look like so many knife enthusiasts seem to prefer nowadays, but it's the most unique design I've ever seen. Excellent quality of build and materials too.
 
I might be slightly influenced but there are a few Italian companies that make nice quality knives that I guess are not that common in the US, they might be more expensive if compared to similar products made by american companies but they could have that something that puts them "off the beaten path"...
U should give us some extra hints on knife style, looks and so on. Viper, Fox and Lionsteel all make some very nice and good quality blades, for example if u want a gents' knife (modern but with wooden handle and so on).
By the way, it might help u to take a look:
www.foxcutlery.com (don't just look the US series, there's many more in the Italian part)
www.viper.it
www.lionsteel.it

Fausto :cool:
 
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try a kershaw tremor, its less than $30 shipped. its huge, and well made, quite a bargain.

[video=youtube;YBkUbiMXr4o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBkUbiMXr4o[/video]
 
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