Recommendation? Trying to find a new EDC knife.

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Spyderco Endura ZDP or the dealer exclusive pakkawood in HAP-40.

 

[strategy9]

If you want better steel, I'd recommend against CRKT aus8. Not that it's "bad" persay, just not going to be all that much if at all better then spyderco 8cr.

Kizer Tigon or Luminare (s35v)
WE 617 (d2)
Cold Steel American Lawman (cts-xhp)
Benchmade 560 Freek (s30v)

Would all serve your needs/wants well with a huge improvement in blade steel. All can be found in that $100 ballpark give or take.

 

[Aldebaran]

Simple for me to recommend, my latest favorite, the CH Knives CH3504. I find it hard to justify buying another knife in the size range after getting this. Under $100 and I can't say anything bad about it, except it could be a bit lighter. My review:
http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/ch-knives-ch-3504-wow.1510700/

 

[Suijin]

Look into a Brous T4, they are long discontinued but the price is pretty reasonable on the secondary.

View attachment 761297

The prices im seeing on these hurt. They do look pretty nice though. Later on though who knows. Im looking for the knife I need right now, but it definitely doesnt mean there wont be more knifes I want down the line .

S Suijin

While the Rift was available as an auto (I believe the auto was discontinued), the one pictured is neither automatic or assisted.

Thanks for the clarification. If it has more standard variant available then it goes right back in to the contender listing.

Kizer Tigon is similar

This one is actually pretty close on a side profile inspection. I dont understand why sellers like the side profile but always neglect pictures from the front, back, top, and bottom, like there aren't more things to take into account. This one definitely is a contender. Thanks!

Axis lock is imo the best mechanism since you can operate it one handed and so smooth, also they have great warranty & customer service since you mentioned tip integrity

Cool. I will do some research on axis locks to check for any downsides but it looks like it would work rather well.

Another vote for the BM 550-1. Sounds like it fits exactly what you're looking for.

Good luck with your search!

Thanks.

I would defnitely avoid the Mah Eraser. I have heard many bad reports on all sorts of problems with that knife. If you are spending 100$ CRKT is probably not where you should be looking.

Yeah, like I said earlier I would rather not spend so much on this particular knife. $50 ok, but $100 is near full stop. I mostly love the blade geometry and basic ergonomics but I would need to see a higher all around quality version(furniture and blade steel) for me to go into “shut up and take my money” mode with this knife at $100+.

OP - ZT 0909 is not hollow grind. The reasons that I was recommending it include (1) it has a strong tip (relative to PM2 and Military), (2) it is (relatively) a good slicer among ZTs, and (3) it was recently discontinued so you can buy it brand new at ~$140, which is $40 cheaper than the regular MAP price. But be advised that it is a heavy folder (~7 ounces). Personally I'd choose it over that CRKT Mah Eraser any day of the week (they are not in the same league). Benchmade 550-1 is a nice candidate too, but I think it is over your budget of $150.

Spyderco Manix 2's tip is not the same as PM2 or Military. I believe it is stronger because it is wider.

I stand corrected. Maybe the information on BladeHQ here is incorrect since it says its a hollow ground. Weight doesn't really bother me especially if im out on my free time when my pants are fairly functional and roomy. Im used to carrying a Leatherman Surge already so bring on the heavyweights.

The Eraser is just ergonomically(as far as the basics) and geometrically very close to ideal. As far as performance/$ its only honestly hits its stride near the $50 price point the combo edge is going for.

I was looking at the information a while ago before I saw the Eraser and the Manix 2, PM2, and Military, all to me share the same fundamental blade geometry with the Tenacious(length aside). The Military series series is just more clip point while the Tenacious and Manix have more leaf shaped blades. Doesnt seem to be too much of a difference in blade thickness between them. Are you referring to specific variant?

Take a look at the Gayle Bradley 2

I will keep this in mind if I start looking for dedicated slicer upgrade to duke it out with the PM2, Manix, and Military.

I had the CRKT Mah Eraser, got it from our own Glockman99 over at the Ace of Clubs Tavern. Sure miss that guy.

Had the finest flipping action of any knife I'd owned before and since. There aren't enough "Os" in SMOOOTH to describe the action.

Got rid of it because it was bigger than I like for carry, and I knew somebody else would appreciate it more than me.

I think you'd like it. Get the very one you have pictured there, the plain edge in satin finish.

Perhaps post a request in the "Wanted to Buy" section of the exchange. You might get lucky.

I will post there and see what comes up. I so far only see them going for $80-$120 in satin since they got discontinued. I keep finding posts “got mine for under 50” and it makes me a little jealous. I cant explain how much I don't want the combo edge and how many places I have found to get it for cheap.

Simple for me to recommend, my latest favorite, the CH Knives CH3504. I find it hard to justify buying another knife in the size range after getting this. Under $100 and I can't say anything bad about it, except it could be a bit lighter. My review:
http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/ch-knives-ch-3504-wow.1510700/

This looks like it would be competing with the PM2, Manix 2 , and company. I like it. Nice design and metallurgy on paper. Thanks for the tip on this knife. Also thank you for actually posting useful pictures on your review. I would recommend adding a nice tip facing camera shot and blade facing camera shot for a bit more detail.

If you want better steel, I'd recommend against CRKT aus8. Not that it's "bad" persay, just not going to be all that much if at all better then spyderco 8cr.

Oh I am aware which is why I haven't dropped money for it at the current asking prices. If I am going to be going over $100 then it will be on a steel that will endure for a while without sharpening. Aus8 and 8cr in my experience cant even hold an edge for too long contending with cardboard and the like without daily honing.

Kizer Tigon or Luminare (s35v)
WE 617 (d2)
Cold Steel American Lawman (cts-xhp)
Benchmade 560 Freek (s30v)

Would all serve your needs/wants well with a huge improvement in blade steel. All can be found in that $100 ballpark give or take.

The price for the Luminare is nice but its a little more flashy than the Tigon and also is a bit more weighted towards a fine tip although still fairly sturdy looking. The Tigon wins for me because of the better handle ergonomics though.

The WE 617 looks great. Harpoon top really added a little something to the aesthetics but it sucks that it only has a single position for the pocket clip. I will keep an eye on it and actually know someone who is looking for something like this.

The other two dont look bad but I have a bias against peg openers. I gravitate more towards the flip assist or the "spyder hole". I kinda moved away from the Benchmade Rift after some consideration due to that.

Strong contenders so far

• CKRT Mah Eraser (BASICALLY JUST A REFERENCE TO MY IDEAL)
  
  
• 
  
  
  
• Benchmade Griptillian 550-1
  
  
• 
  
  
  
• Kizer Tigon
• 
  
  
• Zero Tolerance 0909
  
  

 

[Velitrius]

That Kizer Tigon is on sale for $99.99... Anodized titanium framelock in S35VN steel... seems pretty good bang for the buck.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Tigon-Frame-Lock-Knife--52425

 

[Suijin]

First, I thank all of you for your help in my search. I believe I have decided to try out the Kizer Tigon since it fills more of my personal check boxes than the others though I really wish it had 4 point belt clip for left/right tip up/down options. If I ever want it to be satin I cant take on the project of polishing it myself if need be lol. I will definitely reference this thread when I get an itch to buy again or need to point someone with similar taste to a reference. I will edit my OP with a list of all your recommendations(with images if im not lazy) so this thread can be used easily by others in the future.

My last issue is choosing whether I want to grab the version with the Titanium frame lock for $30 cheaper with a thinner handle, or get the liner lock G-10 external liner variant for some long term customization ability and a thicker handle. Currently looking for a detailed breakdown images of this knife to confirm a few things. Hard to grasp how so many can "review" a knife on camera and not have it broken down on camera as well to see each part clearly.

EDIT

I updated the OP with my selection/disassembly/pic and a few observations about the Tigon/Tomcat