Hey BF, so after a few production knife purchases I've decided that my next one should be some sort of mid-tech knife. My question for you all is which one I should get, I'm looking at a price range of anywhere up to around $400. So far, of all the knives I looked at I'm most interested in 3.5in hinderer wharncliffes and chaves 228 redencions. Of these two, what sort of experience do ya'll have with them and which one would serve as the better edc blade (I would purchase a mid tech to actually put it to work rather than make it a safe queen). Any and all information is helpful and appreciated! Thanks!
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Time for a mid-tech, but which one?
- Thread starter Jpchillin
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Have you looked at the Southard Avo or Tolk? Les George's mid tech Talos and VECPs are very nice as well. All very solid knives in their own right. Find a way to handle some/most of these knives if you can. It will ultimately boil down to personal preference. I have a Talos/Tolk/RHK Wharncliffe 3.5. The Tolk is my favorite followed by my Talos. The ergonomics and size are what please me the most. Decide what's most important for you and look to the knives that possess those qualities. For me, I enjoy flippers (mostly on bearings) in the 3.75"+ range, so that's what I tend to gravitate towards.
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- May 5, 2013
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I EDC an XM-18 3.5 Spanto. It's a great blade to carry.
Mike
I would to second Mike's suggestion of an RHK XM-18 3.5.
Excellent F&F
The Ergonomics are as good as any knife out there.
Regardless of which blade steel you choose, their HT is excellent.
Perfect pocket clips/ride very well in the pocket.
An excellent selection of grinds.
Not sure if this is important to you, but they are fully customizable with parts from RHK.
Just a wonderful knife in both function and form.....
Sonnydaze
Gold Member
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Keep your eyes on the Exchange for barely used ones...you might check them out. Can save some money over a new one if preferred.:thumbup:
Depending on hand-size or heavy-duty requirements...these are very nice. I've been carrying the AVO as my only folder all year and have no plans to switch. I have various CRK's and Striders in the safe.
Here is a note that I wrote to a soldier some time ago...
07-05-2015, 02:28 PM
Why I prefer the AVO
written to a soldier...
Hi, Jeff, let me answer you this way. I read a post yesterday by Jim Ankerson...our blade-testing guru, and he said that he prefers the 25. I prefer the 21. I had a NIB 25 for about three days. But myself on my finger the first time I closed the blade. I felt that the knife was just "too large" for me to handle easily. The thicker blade is a heavier blade, at 0.140" (same as a Zaan), but I just didn't like it. I think that maybe the blade length is a bit too long for me to handle in a secure manner...particularly when closing the blade.
Keep in mind that a knife that "fits" is in balance in both blade-length and grip-length, and it MUST fit your hand in terms of closed length. I have two 21's and a Zaan in my safe, but there they sit. I did carry Sebbies and Zaan for several yrs but finally figured that I might be happier with a smaller knife, as my EDC needs are very casual.
Now, I have carried a Southard AVO since Jan 1 and have no intention of changing it. The entire knife is scaled down from my large CRK's and is the same grip thickness....0.460"...as my Sebbies and Zaan. The blade thickness IS 0.140", but I can handle it easily, perhaps because the blade is only 3.3" long and the handle is 4.5" long, or about perfect for MY hand size. With many knives, I would be very happy with 0.125" blade spine thickness, but the 0.140" in the AVO is just perfect for me...as it is "transparent" to me in use...just as the "flipper" is transparent to me.
I have a good knife-bud who hates flippers. I've had several...in ZT's primarily, and they're fine. The flipper in this AVO is just natural and quick and easy to deploy and I love it...without ever thinking about it being a flipper.
As much as I love CRKs, and I still have three in the safe, I carry the AVO and don't intent to replace it. The size, for me, is perfect...in every way.
The AVO is NOT for everybody. Try to find a knife that "fits" your hand in comfort, while still having the grip thickness and blade-length and spine thickness that works for you.
It is a long battle to find the right one. This is NOT the first time that I thought I had the right one, and might not be the last. I hope I go on to carry others, as the quest is "the thing."
Many folks have begged CRK over the yrs for a mid-sized Sebenza...which would make a lot of folks very happy. I have discovered that I already am carrying it...in the AVO..
best regards,
Don
Here are some pics, and comparison shots with CRK large Sebenza...and Umnumzaan...
Note that you can safely choke up on the blade, safely, for close-up work if necessary.
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- Mar 10, 2013
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I loved my Chaves 228 but it's pretty thick and heavy to be an edc. I really want to check out the megalodon 325 though. Hinderer's are great knives especially if you can find one for <$400.
So I'm pretty set on hinderers now I think, in your opinions what are the pros/cons of the 3in vs the 3.5in blade? I don't really mind a slightly larger blade for my edc so while 3 inches would probably fit the bill perfectly I'd probably always wish I'd gone for a 3.5, just wondering what you'd all prefer
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- Apr 22, 2014
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I'd say try on a 3.5 first and if it doesn't fit trade to a 3 inch or vise versa. Great knives. I carried my 3.5 slicer today.