Thoughts or recommendations on a special folder…

Captain Spaulding said:
This is one of the Harsey’s I am considering.
https://spartanbladesusa.com/shop-a...25-chad-nichols-damascus-bronze-ano-hardware/
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I went with the plain Jane 3.25 because I was afraid something prettier would be left at home too often, but after two weeks with mine I can say it’s a rock solid choice for daily carry. Someone on here stated that the SHF is like a Sebenza and the XM-18 had a baby, and after owning both small Sebenzas and a couple 3.0 XM-18s, I think that is a fair description of the 3.25.
 
Given your budget you could look into handmade pieces. The one below hits it for more of a harpoon shape and you would have change to spare

106802_1_x.jpg
 
The CRK’s, Medford, etc are all very nice knives, but they are not special. Meaning there are thousands of them out there and anyone can own one

Why not consider a custom? Many can be had for under $800

Another option is a unique Sebenza - a unique pattern or engraving. CRK still offers engraving options - initials or a saying/quote
 
Of the three listed, I’d go with the CRK. It’s a good all around knife. There’s still some smooth Ti for an engraving that shouldn’t interfere with the pattern on the Umnumzaan. The Hinderer will be a little more of a challenge to find a plain Ti scale for engraving. The Strider on the secondary market is stupidly high and not worth it unless you could pick one up when they drop. I don’t know how well an engraving would look on G10.
If I had to recommend one other than what was listed, I’d say go look at Olamic, they will customize one to your specs.
 
I have a Hinderer XM3.5 & a Shiro Quantun Ursus but for pretty and "affordable," I'd recommend Olamic instead.

Here's a pic of my 3 Olamics that I bought for less than $500 each. Dealer pricing varies from $550-750 depending on the dealer and the model. The color's are a bit off (lousy cam) and are untentionally "plain" (which is my preference) but you can get them a lot fancier if that's your jam.

From top to bottom, the models are: 1) Rainbow, 2) Swish & 3) Wayfarer 247.

7VphvUZ.jpg
 
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Hey, OP, check out the CKF on this current listing. Great price.

FS CKF EVO 3.0, Strider .75 AR, Hinderer XM-18 3.5", Curtiss F3 Large Wharnie

Hello all, I'm between jobs right now and have one lined up, but I need some money for bills until I start the new role late next month. These may not all sell, but at least 2 MUST GO - no trades - so that I can make my bills comfortably. If all 4 sell, great. Only accepting PayPal, will ship...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Owend a gg SMF (just sold), Xm24 (just sold) and a Umnumzaan (Just bought a second one) the umnumzaan in my opinion is easier to use and carry. When maintenance comes it's very easy to teardown clean and put back together. Never had a issue with a crk product. My vote

Umnumzaan
 
Captain Spaulding said:
I am currently looking for a nice folder to commemorate a special occasion.

I was considering a CRK Umnumzaan, Hinderer XM-18 or a Strider SMF.

So two questions, which of those do you like over the others?
What should I look at instead of those three?

Budget is $800 or less.

Thanks fellas.
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Depends on the occasion..

I bought a brown micarta on green ano'd Ti, George Muller to honor loss of my Rhodesian Ridgeback, reminded me of her laying in the grass... I bought a large Sebenza in brushed Ti with engraved silver paw prints on the handle to honor the loss my Wwimeraner, the old "silver ghost".

Depending on your occasion, shop around and wait until something really sets in and just "clicks".
 
Captain Spaulding said:
https://imgur.com/a/1E1G7Jp
Well I pulled the trigger. I figure this will be my special occasion knife I carry on my off days. I can always get a Hinderer later on down the road. This one just struck me just right.
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I just read through page 2 and saw this post. Good choice. I almost bought this same model a little while back. Love the 3 I got. (Wedding gift, anniversary gift, and most recently a birthday gift all from my wife). If it fealt right, it was right.
 
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Out of those three my favorite is the Umnumzaan. I currently have one now and love it, it's a great knife and the machining's out of this world as well as the fit and finish like true CRK fashion. My experience with Hinderer consists of a 1 week passaround of an XM-18 years ago, I just didn't groove with it myself. I'm not exactly sure why, I can't point out exactly what about it I didn't like, but it just wasn't for me, however it was a well made knife. I can't really comment on the SMF as I've never owned one, however I'd say by looking at all 3 a lot the CRK will have the best fit and finish and the other 2 will be more your beefier overbuilt folders. I don't quite understand why the Umnumzaan has got the reputation as the beefy folder out of the lineup (atleast maybe until the Inkosis came out), it actually has a pretty slicey grind to it, very comparable to a Sebenza.

Just depends whatever floats your boat really. Also, you can get a nice custom for those prices or very close to it as well. For example, South African makers craft some very nice knives around that price. Good luck!
 
Just read through the whole thread, nice choice on the SHF! They are a fantastic knife and their engravings are really freakin cool when you see it in person.
 
LimpCroissant said:
Just read through the whole thread, nice choice on the SHF! They are a fantastic knife and their engravings are really freakin cool when you see it in person.
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Thanks. I was nto actually looking for anything with graphics but this one did not have an obnoxious amount going on visually and it just kind of clicked.
sgt1372 said:
I have a Hinderer XM3.5 & a Shiro Quantun Ursus but for pretty and "affordable," I'd recommend Olamic instead.

Here's a pic of my 3 Olamics that I bought for less than $500 each. Dealer pricing varies from $550-750 depending on the dealer and the model. The color's are a bit off (lousy cam) and are untentionally "plain" (which is my preference) but you can get them a lot fancier if that's your jam.

From top to bottom, the models are: 1) Rainbow, 2) Swish & 3) Wayfarer 247.

7VphvUZ.jpg
Click to expand...
Olamic is one of the brands I added to my future todo list that I had never seen before. So nice looking and so many options.
LimpCroissant said:
Out of those three my favorite is the Umnumzaan. I currently have one now and love it, it's a great knife and the machining's out of this world as well as the fit and finish like true CRK fashion. My experience with Hinderer consists of a 1 week passaround of an XM-18 years ago, I just didn't groove with it myself. I'm not exactly sure why, I can't point out exactly what about it I didn't like, but it just wasn't for me, however it was a well made knife. I can't really comment on the SMF as I've never owned one, however I'd say by looking at all 3 a lot the CRK will have the best fit and finish and the other 2 will be more your beefier overbuilt folders. I don't quite understand why the Umnumzaan has got the reputation as the beefy folder out of the lineup (atleast maybe until the Inkosis came out), it actually has a pretty slicey grind to it, very comparable to a Sebenza.

Just depends whatever floats your boat really. Also, you can get a nice custom for those prices or very close to it as well. For example, South African makers craft some very nice knives around that price. Good luck!
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I have wanted a Zaan for years. It is still on the bucket list…if my wife saw my bucket list she might bury me in the desert. Lol.
LimpCroissant said:
Just read through the whole thread, nice choice on the SHF! They are a fantastic knife and their engravings are really freakin cool when you see it in person.
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Can’t wait. Not to mention that since I have a job and make money I can buy the other ones I was weighing it against later on. Yay me.
 
Captain Spaulding said:
Thanks. I was nto actually looking for anything with graphics but this one did not have an obnoxious amount going on visually and it just kind of clicked.

Olamic is one of the brands I added to my future todo list that I had never seen before. So nice looking and so many options.

I have wanted a Zaan for years. It is still on the bucket list…if my wife saw my bucket list she might bury me in the desert. Lol.

Can’t wait. Not to mention that since I have a job and make money I can buy the other ones I was weighing it against later on. Yay me.
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You made a real good choice man. I got a Watchworks SHF a little while back and you're right, they're super well done with really nice deep engravings and cool anodizations, without being over the top.
 
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