Upgrading from Leek

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ElectricHampster

Joined
Dec 4, 2013
Messages
9
I've been wanting to upgrade from my frankenleek (composite blade, silver clip, black scales) for a while but haven't been able to find something that matches my criteria:

-UNDER 3"
-Under $200
-Not a Spyderco (just don't like the way they look :/)
-Will last for decades (although I'd hope anything over $100 would)
-Preferably (although not mandatory) has the ability to add wood accents

I was looking at the Kershaw RAM for a while, but the blade is too long and it's discontinued anyway- but it's got the look I'm going for .

Any advice?
 
Benchmade Minigrip, LionSteel SR-2A, more to come. Too bad about not like Spyderco's, they have some great knives in that size range, could get a delica sprint run in a high end steel.
 
K.O.D. said:
Benchmade Minigrip, LionSteel SR-2A, more to come. Too bad about not like Spyderco's, they have some great knives in that size range, could get a delica sprint run in a high end steel.
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I'll second the Spyderco comment.

Get past the looks and carry one and your opinion will change. I
 
Kershaw ram if you can find one. They look great with wood accents added.
 
Screwdriver said:
Years ago I hated Spydercos, now they are my main EDC. I suggest a Southard....there are wood scales available.
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I believe the Southard is greater than 3 inches blade length, so it wouldn't meet his criteria.
 
Since you don't like Spyderco check out the Enzo Birk folder it has quickly become one of my favorites. Its available with carbon fiber, polished g10 or wood handles in either D2 or S30V steel for around $100-$130.
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fsatsil said:
Since you don't like Spyderco check out the Enzo Birk folder it has quickly become one of my favorites. Its available with carbon fiber, polished g10 or wood handles in either D2 or S30V steel for around $100-$130.
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While checking out the Birk more, I ran into the Fantoni Hide folder. It's about $50 above my original price point, but after some quick reading seems to be quite the knife. It's also a lockback which I prefer to frame/liner lock and putting some nice wood scales on it wouldn't be too troublesome... Should I bite the bullet and go for the Fantoni?
 
It'd be about $30-50 above your price but I'd have a look at one of the LE factory G10 mini-grips (in the 556 or Ritter pattern). A standard mini grip could also be customized to wood/whatever material you wanted for under your price.

Just recently I saw a mini-bone collector with wood scales (with the "ribs" that the G10 factory scales have) and it looked amazing.
 
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Sub-3" in length is hard with that style, especially with wood accents... Almost nothing production will have them, unless you go traditional. You could probably add wood scales or inlays to some, though.

Being a Benchmade fan, I'd go with a 586 (2.91", M390 blade, G10/aluminum handles, and assisted-opening) or 707 (2.95", 154CM blade, and aluminum handles with G10 inlays). Adding wood to either might be possible, but it'd be aftermarket. They also have some Bone Collector models that might fit (but they're more traditional). The 482 Megumi has wood and looks nice, but the blade is 2.48" (really small) and I don't think it has a clip.

Any of these, along with the Leek you already have, should last decades, unless you're sharpening so often that you're going to wear the blade away. If so, you can also get replacement blades from BM.
 
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check out masserin i have a consoli with green burl wood and the atti is very nice knife too , but both are s35vn but dont have pocketclips if thats a dealbreaker

atti its a liner lock
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my consoli its a lockback the fit and finish is excellent i love this knife both should be under 150
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spydercobenchmadekai said:
If you know where to get a Sebenza for under $200, please let me know! :)

I suggest the Mini Griptilian.
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I don't but he's already looking $50 over his price range for the Fantoni and it has a lock style he doesn't like. I've seen a few on them FS here for under $300...
 
Scurvy092 said:
I don't but he's already looking $50 over his price range for the Fantoni and it has a lock style he doesn't like...
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Sorry if I confused you with my lock style preference-
I'm fine with a frame/liner lock, I just like lockback better.

Thanks everyone for such a speedy response- not even a day and I'm already looking closer at knives from manufacturers I've never heard of before!
 
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