The Techno Challenge

[slurptoss]

The more I think about it, the more I am amazed at the value of the Spyderco Techno. Lets look at its traits; It is a collaboration that supports a custom maker, it has a CTS-XHP blade, full Titanium handles, a geared G10 backspacer, and the legendary fit and finish from Spyderco's Taichung factory. All this and it can be found in a certain South American river for $165. I have been searching for a knife that can trump its value, and so far I have come up with nothing.
So here is the challenge.
A knife that costs at or under $165 shipped, with a steel nearly as good or better than CTS-XHP, preferably titanium handle scales, and any other traits that you think gives it an edge over the Techno.
I am very anxious to read your responses.

 

[jonnyt16]

I hear ya. I like all of the traits of the Spyderco Techno too. Except for one:

Its ugly as hell.

 

[Tony8179]

As good or better than CTS-XHP? As far as what?

Spyderco Leafstorm
Spyderco Gayle Bradley (steel liners w/ CF overlay, no Ti)
Spyderco Sage 2

These all come to mind.

The Techno is too small for my tastes anyway.

 

[slurptoss]

I hear ya. I like all of the traits of the Spyderco Techno too. Except for one:

Its ugly as hell.

To each his own

 

[Sonnydaze]

I love 'em. I've had three NIB. Never carried one. They come in; they go out. But, that is one fine folder.
I do agree with Tony on the Gayle Bradley carbon fiber. I'm not so sure about the LeafStorm; I'm sure that thing will cut me without a choil.

 

[Bugout Bill]

A very nice knife, but I have always seen it as being a pointlessly overbuilt knife for it's size.

 

[slurptoss]

I know it is illogical, but I wish the Gayle Bradley had Ti liners.

 

[senorsquare]

+1 on the GB. Also the Caly3 CF is a heck of a knife that can be had brand new for $135.

I EDC'd the Techno for a while and love it. Great little knife.

 

[rexromic]

Spyderco Gayle Bradley as well,but Techno is a fine piece too.

 

[Blade-fiend]

I hear ya. I like all of the traits of the Spyderco Techno too. Except for one:

Its ugly as hell.

I wish I could get past the looks as well. It has amazing F/F and materials but the look just doesn't do it for me. If you like the looks then ya its an amazing knife for that price. For that alone I would much rather have the gayle Bradley with M4. If they had used a blade shape more like the native 5 or tenacious Im sure I would love it.

 

[evilgreg]

This is an easy question; the Techno is a cute, nifty little knife, but I'd rather have a Sage 2 for any practical use.

 

[Accelerator]

Another vote for the Gayle Bradley.

 

[TriviaMonster]

I think you guys are forgetting a big one.

The Gayle Bradley Air. CPM M4 with skeletonized Ti liners, a ~2.5" blade and glass fiber handles. It weighs a crap load less than the Techno and it a very unique, functional knife. Its a steal at $160.

It may be the ultimate gentlemen's folder in that price range. Not Techno tough, but an unreal EDC that will handle anything you need it for.

 

[flipe8]

This is an easy question; the Techno is a cute, nifty little knife, but I'd rather have a Sage 2 for any practical use.

Just being curious, but what would the Sage do that the Techno couldn't? I've been carrying the Techno since last August every day and have yet to find a chore it couldn't perform. I think the Techno is the best knife I've owned to this point and am still surprised at how well it handles everything I use it for.

 

[expwmbat]

Yep--if you want small, the Gayle Bradley Air is the one. Spyderco is killing it with the M4 and GB collaborations, they are just great knives (I love the big one too).

DJK

 

[darkangel55555]

Benchmade 755. M390 blade, titanium handle, framelock. Actually reasonably decent as a slicer because of the grind.

I second the Bradley Air suggestion, M4 is a fantastic steel. Rust-resistant enough for my purposes.

Caly 3 ZDP. No titanium, but the steel is great, just not as tough as some out there.

 

[statmonster]

Benchmade 755. M390 blade, titanium handle, framelock. Actually reasonably decent as a slicer because of the grind....

+1. I might add that you can find a BM 755 with a street price lower than the the stated Techno price you found.

 

[singularity35]

Para military 2

 

[Peroni1973]

Just being curious, but what would the Sage do that the Techno couldn't? I've been carrying the Techno since last August every day and have yet to find a chore it couldn't perform. I think the Techno is the best knife I've owned to this point and am still surprised at how well it handles everything I use it for.

+1.

I owned a Sage 1 and loved it - gave it to a great friend. I still own my Techno. Actual cutting lengths are very similar, despite the thicker blade stock the Techno is a better shallow slicer and it has a better steel than the sage.

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I would happily apply my Techno to everything and more than I would with my Sage.

 

[evilgreg]

Just being curious, but what would the Sage do that the Techno couldn't? I've been carrying the Techno since last August every day and have yet to find a chore it couldn't perform. I think the Techno is the best knife I've owned to this point and am still surprised at how well it handles everything I use it for.

I liked the Techno but found the handle a little small, whereas with the finger choil the Sage 2 offers miles of handle.

Fat, stubby little knives are fun--especially the MPR--but at your listed budget and materials requirements I'd prefer the Sage 2 for being more useful. That said, in reality I find the Sage 2 kind of bulky for what you get, blade-wise (why it gets a lot of drawer time, along with my PM2 and Military). It's still a titanium Spyderco with great fit and finish, though, so I find it an easy answer to your question.