Testing out different knife brands...

M

mk.ultra

Joined
Jun 17, 2010
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I've only been carrying knives for a little over a year now, and I've developed a decent little array of blades. I'm trying to get one high value knife from all the best manufacturers. This is what I have so far:

Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 (My first good knife!)
Spyderco Delica 4 FFG
Cold Steel Mini AK-47
Kershaw Leek 1660
Boker Trance
Ka-Bar Dozier

What other good companies/knives am I missing? I'm looking for modern folders, 3" blade or less (NO LONGER), $80 or less (Prefereably cheaper, high value blades). Thinking about adding a SOG Mini Aegis when it comes out depending on it's price. I had a SOG Mini Vulcan that I loved, but something possessed me to sell it (Regret that).
 
2TONYB said:
I would add a Buck Vantage Avid. Variety is good.
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Good call. So SOG Mini Aegis and Buck Vantage Avid small. Was thinking of getting a CRKT Drifter in the future but tip down only carry is a huge turnoff for me.
 
For $80 go for the Buck Vantage Pro. There's some nice Kershaws that can be had for $80 or less too.
 
cold steel lawman.
spyderco endura 4 ffg
and one of my personal favorites if you can save up a bit more cash
the Spyderco Paramilitary 2
 
Popsickle said:
cold steel lawman.
spyderco endura 4 ffg
and one of my personal favorites if you can save up a bit more cash
the Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Click to expand...

I already have my Cold Steel and Spyderco, I'm just asking if there are any other companies to try? Anything good from CRKT besides the Drifter?
 
I hate to be the jerk here (because of the love/hate feelings these brands bring), but you said “High Value” so I recommend the Sanrenmu B4-735 (Small Hinderer XM-18 style), and the Navy K-507 (Stridenza Style):

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I hear they manufacture a lot of knives for those other brands...
 
I do not see anything from ZT on that list. they do not have much in the 80 dollar range, but if you go to 100 you can get a NIB 0400 from kershawguy. that is a very nice knife. for 110 you can get the 0350, which is a very nice, very chunky knife.
 
I know you already have a Benchmade, but why not the Mini Presido Ultra? Blade under 3 inches, super light, and a great all around edc blade
 
edited: misread the OP.


crkt suma maybe? or really most of the smaller kershaw line-up
 
fallkniven has some nice smaller folders with3g steel supposed to be excellent,SAK knives,mooremaker knives (usa made) ~40.00 w/1095 steel(carbon),Browning ice-storm (seki made-vg10 steel )awesome knife avail.at times on ebay
 
I got this CRKT M16 -14T a few months ago and couldn't be happier. I had the aluminum version, sold it and regretted it.
This is the Titanium version , I found it on line for $60. ( it comes in a smaller size too)

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so it looks like you have tried out some of the entry level cheaper models from big companies. I would definitely recommend you try out a price/quality level higher from those brands.. for example:

Spyderco - try the Paramilitary 2, manix 2
Benchmade - try a dejavoo, 940, rift, onslaught, bone collector etc..

there is most definitely a noticeable difference in quality/build when you go up from the plastic/frn entry models into the mid class which may have G10/smoothed G10, bronze bushings, higher end steels and other features. I started just like you with the idea of trying to obtain/try as many of the affordable models and realized I did not like them and would just save up for/trade into fewer knives, but of the mid tier which are to me are leaps and bounds better.
 
Two important, classic EDCs that you really should add:

- Victorinox Pioneer (the current variant of the classic Soldier). I have many high end knives that are much more expensive, yet I carry this one the most !
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- Opinel #6. Size 6 is smaller than the usual 7 or 8, but the blade is a bit less than 3" long as you request. The smallest Opinel with their famous ring lock.
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This one is also strongly recommended:

- Eka 88 Masur. Scandinavian-style lockback: very, very different from your current set, yet a joy to handle. The Masur variant has a handle of compressed birch, there are cheaper variants with other woods.
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+1 on SAK, Opinel, Buck Vantage and EKA. I'd also suggest Case.

As for a quintessential CRKT, perhaps look at an M16 or M21 (just be careful with the model numbers: there are many variants and the quality differs greatly.) I think you'd get good value from an M21-02 in AUS 8. However, the stainless steel Drifter is tough to beat for around $20 or so.
 
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