Upgrading the Collection

Charr

Charr

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Joined
Oct 8, 2013
Messages
1,484
So I've been looking at my collection lately, which is mostly populated by a myriad of "average" production knives, and one or two mid-techs, and I find I don't carry many of the production knives at all anymore. Because of this, I'm going to be selling them (that thread will be coming in a few days), and I wanted to get some recomendations on what I should put the money toward.
I have a sebenza 25, and a Matt Cucchiara Dorado that get the vast majority of my pocket time, and I've found that the quality and performance of these knives may have ruined me to most of the regular level production knives, so they should go to people who can use them and love them. I've always been wanting to get into an XM-18, a Bodegga, a Jason Clarke Custom, A Curtiss F3, and the like, and wanted to pose this question to the forum.

What would be good enough, in your opinions, to replace my collection of production knives, that costs less than $800, and will perform as many tasks that I could ask of it as possible, from EDC to light outdoors tasks, and in-home work (just finished ripping up carpet from 3 rooms, for a reference), while still being classy, and easily carried?

Any and all suggestions are welcome, and I really do mean that. This is one of those few times where there really aren't any wrong answers to me (so long as we take this seriously ;)).

Also for referance, I've found that blades under 3.2 inches are a bit small for me, and anything over 4 inches is a bit big, but weight is usually not an issue to me for the most part. I love to use my knives, and avoid anything that is particularly prone to showing wear, and not a fan of bead blasting on really anything.

Love to hear what you guys have to say!
 
Of the ones you mentioned, I only have a Hinderer and a Curtiss F3 (both 3.5"). The Hinderer feels like a real no-nonsense user knife. The Curtiss is a tank, but it also has a little more of a "fun factor" than the Hinderer. Both have great stonewash finishes that hide wear and look awesome.

I'd also recommend taking a look at some of the limited edition ZT's, I have seen a few 777 M390s on the exchange the past couple of days. I guess they're still technically production knives, but they offer detail-oriented designs with very high quality materials and F&F.
 
I've certainly considered a Hinderer or a Curtiss several times, but I hadn't given much though to the higher-end ZT offerings. Thanks for the advice!
Also, How would you say the Hinderer carries, and performs on more common tasks? I haven't heard a ton of info on that aspect of them.
 
Charr said:
I've certainly considered a Hinderer or a Curtiss several times, but I hadn't given much though to the higher-end ZT offerings. Thanks for the advice!
Also, How would you say the Hinderer carries, and performs on more common tasks? I haven't heard a ton of info on that aspect of them.
Click to expand...

Hinderer carries relatively big in pocket, definitely longer than the Curtiss with the same blade length. Even with the Ti handle slab though, it doesn't feel too heavy at all. I have a slicer grind, but honestly I wouldn't call it too "slicey". It's just a little thick behind the edge, so it doesn't cut as effortlessly as some of my thinner knives. It's overkill for fine cutting work, but I really like how it eats through cardboard.

Here's a picture of the Hinderer and Curtiss next to each other, you can see the Hinderer is a bit longer. Sorry I don't have any better pictures right now, if you want another shot I can get one up tomorrow morning.

Y65aRIF.jpg
 
Thanks for the info!
If not for the price on both, I would have definitely gotten myself both of them!
I'll admit, that Hinderer is sexy, but hell, so is the Curtiss! And I'm very surprised to hear about the weight if the Hinderer. I had always noticed they were a bit heavy stats-wise, but I wondered how they felt. Glad to hear the weight doesn't carry over.
I've also always been a bit weary of the different Hunderer grinds considering their performance is somethimes very subjective from one person to another.
I guess the biggest issue I have with the Hunderer is the price point, though I guess that can somewhat be worked out in the exchange if I'm lucky. Would you say that the Ti scale is worth the extra price overall?
 
Charr said:
Would you say that the Ti scale is worth the extra price overall?
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of a lot of texture on my scales, and the Hinderer is contoured well enough to give you enough grip already IMHO. It was make or break for me to find one with a Ti scale, but for ~$200 extra it can be a lot to swallow. I don't think it offers much additional utility, but it certainly puts a $200 grin on my face every time I use it :D
 
That sounds about right!
I've also been interested in getting into some customs, but the versatility of the hinderer and that modular design of it is really appealing, for long-term use.
 
Have you thought about autos and balisongs? They are fun and a great way to spice up a collection. I've recently begun using Protech autos (I have a Godfather, a Monaco and a TR4) and like them a lot. Benchmade balis are cool, too (and they are great EDC knives).
 
I've been interested in autos a little more lately, since they recently became legal in Kansas, but at the same time its still hard to carry one on you every day without someone freaking out on you the second you need to use it. Same can be said of Balis, even though I really do like them quite a lot.
 
All the ones you suggested are great. Also search the forums because custom knives under that range pop up all the time and midtechs. It depends on what your getting into, but the ones you suggested are fantastic. Other than that I would try and find makers that are not as popular but still create and amazing piece and usually it comes in at a great price. David Clark, Jason Clark, Andre De Villiers, Andre Thorburn, Andre Van Heerden (spelling might be slightly off).
 
Thanks for the suggestions!
I'm always trying to get an eye on a hinderer I like, but they always seem to slip by me. Someone just bought one today that was the exact configuration I have been looking for, and had a good price. It's really hard to actually get ahold of one of them, and even harder to find the one you really want.
I really have been thinking about a custom lately, but I'm just not sure where to begin, or who to go for, without ever having actually handled any of them.
 
If you can scrape together another couple hundred, I would look into a Shirogorov mod95t. World class flipping action, incredibly fast for a 4 in blade. As soon as I began to carry the shiro it was game over. Plenty of blade in a 5 inch handle, in and around 5oz....... user finish, flat ground and razor sharp. A perfect edc IMHO.
 
Oh God, the Shirogorov mod 95 is on my grail list, let me tell you, but the shear price of them is beyond my reach for now, sad to say. The $800 yardstick is actually very generous for me.
I'm selling off several of my knives right now to try and fund this endeavor, and the total, along with what I have in my paypal right now, still falls short of the $800 mark. Believe me, if I could swing it, and could find one, I would buy a model 95 in a heartbeat, but it seems a Hinderer 3.5 slicer is in my future this time guys.
If you're interested, wander on down to my sales thread and help a brother out ;)
Keep the suggestions coming though guys! I know for a fact that I'm not the only one who has pondered this question, and it can't ever hurt to help more people out!
 
I think about it all the time to be honest, I spread out all the blades on the ironing board quite often and put together different sale scenarios. Having money in the hobby is a double edge sword for me, and a mass of confusion. I swing back and forth on what end of the hobby I actually want to be in...... it seems like when I have too many safe queens I get hit with the "too much money laying around syndrome," but when I sell off a few I get hit with the "all I have are bunch of beat up users syndrome." I have yet to find the balance of what works for me. I have 8 production knives from over the years that are just knockouts, but in order to find these I had to hand pick them in store and payed a premium price, so up here in Canada a premium price is very close to the always crossed out mrsp that you see online. This makes it really hard to justify a mass selling of these knives, because really if I were to sell them all I would net myself about $800 declaring a loss of $400 on that same exchange. I know within the hobby I have to view this loss against all the enjoyment I've had with them, weather it be using, fondling and admiring right down to the relationships i've made in the purchase process. Based on the stage I am at in the hobby this question arises, where is $800 going to get me?.... of coarse one awesome something, but I feel I may regret selling off such a huge chunk for a single blade that one day will seem average and old.

So, anyway I ponder this a lot but lets remember it is my hobby and this issue is not frustrating my life, its just the game inside the game! I think I may be leaning toward a few major moves in the future but undecided at this time. I find that the deeper into the hobby I get the more curious I become, wondering what else is out there and at what expense. I too would like to get into full customs one day, however my midtechs would take a beating to get a taste of that racket. I have often asked myself if owning 5 total blades, and a wicked edge is all it would take?...... one small edc, one large edc, one beater, one sunday carry, one safe queen. Maybe every level in my love of knives would be covered in that setup.

My thoughts, Otts
 
I just started looking into customs & mid techs last month and after exhaustive research I placed my first custom order (Andre Thorburn). During this process the wife was asking " Considering the cost. Exactly how many of these do you really want?". I came to the decision that when all is said and done I'll have a 10,4,1 rule. Ten production knives, Four customs, and one floater for trading and/or selling to try out something new or different. Mind you this is the long term plan and I haven't even reached 10 productions yet, but adhering to this should keep me out of the poor house.
 
I can tell you from personal experience, the Hinderers are super nice knives. I have a Spanto and a Slicer, both in 20CV. They are VERY stout, built with excellent materials and attention to detail. I have had and moved about 4-5 in my time. I have never once had an issue with any of them. The ONLY reason I have ever sold them is to acquire another as an upgrade. For example: I had all S35VN steels, and through some shuffling, I have managed to acquire both grinds in Duratech 20CV. I LOVE this steel. In the Slicer, it feels like you could process an entire elk, deer, and still be sharp. I am going to give a plug to JDunn's Hinderer for sale. That is a PERFECT specimen of a Hinderer at an outstanding price! I have dealt with JDunn, and he is SUPER straight up and a gentleman.

That said, my newest Strider is getting a TON of pocket carry since I got it. I'm not even going to begin to get into the controversy surrounding Mick. All I KNOW 100% for fact is that I know Duane. He is straight up, and was always a gentleman when I dealt with him. I've been to San Marcos to their shop. Duane took time to show u around, was very cordial, answered a million questions. So that's what I know to be true. The knives are truly tanks. They are built strong, good materials, the ergonomics are great. This is merely my opinion. My lastest Strider is a FFG SMF Lego in CPM154 steel. I love this thing. It is amazingly smooth. Locks up like the proverbial "bank vault", and has a fantastic tumbled blade. I can't say enough positive about this knife. It has put my beloved Millies back in the safe. I highly recommend giving Strider a look. Judge for yourself, open minded, and decide. :)
 
I really like the L George VECP, George custom models, and some of the Guardian Tactical products. I also like the LE models ProTech is making. I am a HUGE fan of Brian Tighe knives and love the RWL-34 steel he uses, and I absolutely love his styling yet how the knives themselves are durable both structurally and cosmetically. They are hard to find and fan favorites like the BG-42 Tighe Sticks commend a huge premium. I really do like the Hinderer but I like the Project VECP more. I have found a lot of customs I like but styling-wise I really like Tighe's work the most, and I think the quality is a good representation in terms of the transition from production/semi-production/semi-custom to the nice customs and how those two knife categories differ.

The three inch Hinderer XM is probably worth mentioning too if you like that size folder like I do. It's not easy to find folders to that build quality vs price in that size (but they are a nightmare to find right now).
 
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