Thoughts and Favorites, $350-$600 range.

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RBid

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Apr 6, 2014
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This specific price range is interesting to me as we’ve clearly moved away from the days when it was seemingly dominated by a Big 3 of CRK, Hinderer, and Strider. As it was then, it’s still a price range that allows you to get into base models of high end production pieces on the low end, or more dressed up versions of the same at the top end. Where the Big 3 dominated not so long ago, we now have Reate, Olamic, Koenig, and others putting out fantastic options.

Which players in this range are your favorites? Why?

What are your thoughts on the current state of this range?
 
Still need to try a Koenig but I've tried just about all the others in this price range. The one thing I've noticed is the quality is pretty high regardless of brand (aka all are top notch). So the goal is to find the one that speaks to you (both in looks and how it feels in hand) and ignore everyone's opinion.

My favorite part of knives in this price range is they hold value pretty well and unless you beat it to death you can try a different knife each week and only lose 10-20 bucks in shipping.

I will add I have also tried supporting custom makers in this price range and always come away happy.
 
I've heard great things about Shirogorov and CKF (Russian) and Rockstead (Japanese) and have had the chance to handle a Rockstead in person. I'd say they're big considerations in your price range.
 
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W. Anderson said:
I've heard great things about Shirogorov (Russian) and Rockstead (Japanese) and have had the chance to handle a Rockstead in person. I'd say they're big considerations in your price range.
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Edit, just checked the prices on new Rocksteads and the Higo seems to start around 800.00. My mistake.
 
Perhaps, I should clarify. I’m not looking for a recommendation at the moment. I’m really interested in simply hearing what people think the current state of a range that used to be dominated by a CRK, Hinderer, and Strider.

I appreciate all participation!
 
My favorites are my CRK Sebenza because of ease of disassembly/cleaning and my doing so not impacting on the warranty and my Olamic 247 because of the excellent fluid action. I haven’t been involved with quality knives for long enough to have a valid perspective on the current state of this price range.
 
RBid said:
Perhaps, I should clarify. I’m not looking for a recommendation at the moment. I’m really interested in simply hearing what people think the current state of a range that used to be dominated by a CRK, Hinderer, and Strider.

I appreciate all participation!
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I'd look to the established Chinese brands. They're sort of...slowly...changing the game.
 
W. Anderson said:
I'd look to the established Chinese brands. They're sort of...slowly...changing the game.
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Reate, in particular, is a big part of my interest in conversation about this range. Begg Steelcraft, Liong Mah production, Chaves Redencion, etc... all Reate. Handling their work back to back to back with CRK, Koenig, Olamic, and others was eye opening. All of those brands showed such impressive fit and finish that I don’t see how they could be *better*. Every detail seemed intentional. It left me with a sense that it’s very reasonable to expect mechanically perfect and seamlessly fit knives in this range. That’s a sharp contrast from not so long ago, when everybody fawned over CRK for their F&F, Hinderers were forgiven for inconsistent flipping/action, and Striders were still sought after despite Mick and lock rock.

Nowadays, air tight F&F isn’t a selling point in this range. It’s a baseline.
 
RBid said:
Reate, in particular, is a big part of my interest in conversation about this range. Begg Steelcraft, Liong Mah production, Chaves Redencion, etc... all Reate. Handling their work back to back to back with CRK, Koenig, Olamic, and others was eye opening. All of those brands showed such impressive fit and finish that I don’t see how they could be *better*. Every detail seemed intentional. It left me with a sense that it’s very reasonable to expect mechanically perfect and seamlessly fit knives in this range. That’s a sharp contrast from not so long ago, when everybody fawned over CRK for their F&F, Hinderers were forgiven for inconsistent flipping/action, and Striders were still sought after despite Mick and lock rock.

Nowadays, air tight F&F isn’t a selling point in this range. It’s a baseline.
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The progress of affordable tech and quality...story of the world.
 
I've had some nice (and expensive) folders (up to $800), but just recently was asked by a poster to check the BTE measurement of a Sebenza. I have a large Regular in the safe; got it out and measured the BTE (0.028"). I was (again) so very impressed by the smoothness of the action, that I bought another large Sebbie the same day, and it resides happily in my rh pocket.
Hinderers...fine...didn't like both of them that I had. Had lots of Striders...nice knives...
The Olamic 247 has such a large flipper tab that it sticks out like a sore thumb...and prevents chopping veggies in the kitchen.
Les George VECP ...nice knife...too thick a blade for my casual use.
Have not (yet) fallen prey to the Chinese variants, although they are well liked in the forum.
I love Spyderco Slysz Bowies, but just switched it out for the large Sebbie.
It is SO VERY difficult to find something better... that a Sebenza.
ALL SUBJECT to personal opinion, of course.
 
CRK and Spartan are the best production knives in this range IMO. Many favor Hinderer/Strider and I once thought the Sabenza/SNG/XM18 equaled the holy trinity of knives...mostly based on YouTube info in 2015 and not being familiar with BF.

After a few years...
CRK Umnumzann - $450
Spartan Harsey Folder - $400+
Demko AD-15 (it was $650 new when I bought it) - can get the MG version in your range these days, but not a custom.
Lionsteel/Bastinelli Safe - one of the most underrated knives of the past 5 years - $350
 
After 4 CRK’s and one Hinderer in this price range, I just can’t get over the 21.
 
7east said:
After 4 CRK’s and one Hinderer in this price range, I just can’t get over the 21.
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Great knife, and the 21 was my first CRK. I just can’t stand knives that can’t be opened with both hands.
 
Sonnydaze said:
The Olamic 247 has such a large flipper tab that it sticks out like a sore thumb...and prevents chopping veggies in the kitchen.
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The flipper tab creates a little bit of an illusion. It’s very similar to an XM-18 flipper tab in terms of both how far out it goes, and how it relates to the hand. Note that it doesn’t pass my fingers.

HL9PbUMh.jpg


I’m not a guy who does food prep with folders, but I’ll also point out that the real problem with using a 247 for food prep would be the attitude of the blade in relation to the handle. It points forward, also like an XM-18 blade, rather than sweeping back like an Olamic Swish blade. Bad for food prep. Great for the cutting I do at work.
 
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