Recommendation? US/European "Higher End" Folder Makers?

norcalAF said:
My archer certainly rubs some high shoulders, also Holt makes fantastic knives!
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I agree on Tactile! The archer, maverick and mariner 2 are shoulder to shoulder with the other high end production makers listed here. Plus one on TRM too.
 
over 300euro/usd covers a very large market and is not a high starting point.

Many laquiole makers have beautiful models with ,for example, mammoth handles over that.
Victorinox makes Damast models over that too.
 
In Europe it's not that hard to find Spydercos way over 300€, at least where I am in Austria. The Shaman, Bodacious etc are easily way over that price point, and I'm talking about the normal, S30V versions.

I can't offer an opinion on high-end makers, sorry, for me spending more than 250€ on a knife is way too much :)
 
John Lloyd makes a nice knife at that starting point.

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I carry this Bell fairly often.

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And let's not forget the Japanese.

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This little Bose will set you back into 4 figures.

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If you want an Idea of what\s around in Europe see here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/knife-show-solingen-germany-2024.1987910/
 
Check out Courty & Fils (https://couteaux-courty.com/en/) in Paris. They have a wide selection of high class knives including but not limited to French cutlery. Stumbled into their shop right around the corner from our hotel a few years ago on a family trip. Brought home (what else?) an Opinel #8 carbon, which did yeoman's duty cutting cheese, baguettes and the foil on wine bottles.
 
donkey12 said:
I just got my first SHF and it's perfect to me. I think I like it better than my CRKs. Variety is nice too!
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What do you like better about the SHF over CRK? Just curious because I’ve been thinking about getting a SHF. How’s the opening/closing action? I like the steady , tight hydraulic action of my Inkosi and Sebenza. Not a fan of blades that drop shut freely.
 
It locks up as good as the CRK. To me it feels beefier and solid. I have XL hands so it feels good to me. I'm not into flicking or any of that, I just use the thumb stud and open. The SHF is smooth opening. In short for me the price point is better and it's large which I like. I also buy used.
 
donkey12 said:
It locks up as good as the CRK. To me it feels beefier and solid. I have XL hands so it feels good to me. I'm not into flicking or any of that, I just use the thumb stud and open. The SHF is smooth opening. In short for me the price point is better and it's large which I like. I also buy used.
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Trust me, after a clean and relube of the pivot, SHFs are perfectly thumb flickable. They break in great!
 
donkey12 said:
It locks up as good as the CRK. To me it feels beefier and solid. I have XL hands so it feels good to me. I'm not into flicking or any of that, I just use the thumb stud and open. The SHF is smooth opening. In short for me the price point is better and it's large which I like. I also buy used.
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I may have to get one. I only buy new. As long as the quality is there , I’m in.
 
donkey12 said:
It locks up as good as the CRK. To me it feels beefier and solid. I have XL hands so it feels good to me. I'm not into flicking or any of that, I just use the thumb stud and open. The SHF is smooth opening. In short for me the price point is better and it's large which I like. I also buy used.
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SHF feel amazing in-hand (and, of course, they look amazing) - my favorite thing about them. As norcalAF norcalAF mentioned - give it a rinse and it's glass. CRK is a completely different knife - not really in the same design spectrum. Lighter / slimmer, more polish, and way more slicey.

If Spartan would adjust their blade geometry for better cutting performance I would be a much bigger fan.

Just personal preference, I like Les George in this price range. The Myna has flipped my lid ever since getting it - it's the perfect frame-lock flipper for me, and for my personal tastes, I will grab the VECP over the CRK or SHF.
 
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Wolverine666 said:
I may have to get one. I only buy new. As long as the quality is there , I’m in.
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They are fantastic, the only problem with only buying new is that they come out with new handles yearly and some don't ever get repeated. My two favorites are from 2022 and 2021, the watch (2021) and the koi fish (2022) I'm still hunting for some long discontinued handles, the St Michael for instance.PXL_20250128_031017121.MP.jpgPXL_20250128_031023164.jpgPXL_20250128_031033670.jpgPXL_20250128_031038933.jpg
 
Stringjam7 said:
SHF feel amazing in-hand (and, of course, they look amazing) - my favorite thing about them. As norcalAF norcalAF mentioned - give it a rinse and it's glass. CRK is a completely different knife - not really in the same design spectrum. Lighter / slimmer, more polish, and way more slicey.

If Spartan would adjust their blade geometry for better cutting performance I would be a much bigger fan.

Just personal preference, I like Les George in this price range. The Myna has flipped my lid ever since getting it - it's the perfect frame-lock flipper for me, and for my personal tastes, I will grab the VECP over the CRK or SHF.
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I can't say I disagree, LG wins that contest for me as well, though just barely 😂 my MK3 and Talos V2 have such crazy smooth action you'd swear they were on bearings
 
norcalAF said:
I can't say I disagree, LG wins that contest for me as well, though just barely 😂 my MK3 and Talos V2 have such crazy smooth action you'd swear they were on bearings
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I'm keeping an eye out for a Talos - that one seems really hard to find, but it definitely looks right up my alley. I love a great PB washer knife - nothing feels quite as good. ZT640 is my benchmark here.
 
Stringjam7 said:
I'm keeping an eye out for a Talos - that one seems really hard to find, but it definitely looks right up my alley. I love a great PB washer knife - nothing feels quite as good. ZT640 is my benchmark here.
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Trust me the LG washer action is peer level for sure.
 
Koenig, CRK, Spartan Blades, Hinderer are my favorites for the US
In Europe Herman, Blaurock for industrial knives
For customs …. There are too many :), check this list:

Exhibitors 2025 – EuroKnifeShow

www.euroknifeshow.com www.euroknifeshow.com


Others: Shirogorov from Russia, Arno Bernard from South Africa
 
My sig line has a few. My EDC is usually the Laconico EZC. Herman Stinger, Shirogorov Neon and North Arms Skaha II are all close seconds.
 
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