What folder in the $400 - $500 range?

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

Knifemaker
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 21, 2000
Messages
6,250
Let's say you had $400 - $500 dollars to spend for a folder that would be used for basic EDC purposes. What would you choose and why? I'm looking for something with a secure lock that will cut well. There are a lot of choices in this price range, and I'm having trouble narrowing it down.
 
You've been around for a while. Are there any particular folders that you might be leaning towards, and any you've ruled out?

Obvious choices to begin looking at are the Sebenza or a Strider -- SnG or SMF. Customs are a reasonable choice in that price range, also, of course.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
You've been around for a while. Are there any particular folders that you might be leaning towards, and any you've ruled out?
Click to expand...
I've considered the Sebenza; it's a fantastic knife. The only reservation I have about the Sebenza is that for around $100.00 more, I can get a truly hand made knife made to my specs.

The knife that's probably at the top of my list right now is an RJ Martin Devastator.
http://truenorthknives.com/tnk_1mainframe.htm?tnk_gallery-c-RJM7107.htm~main
It seems like it would be a good balance between utility and SD. Very nice design.

I've also been looking at a few Lightfoot and Snody knives, but haven't narrowed it down much.
 
snody folders are hard to find in that price range.

the crawford kasper and perfigo are both classic designs and very well made.

striders are good if ya dont mind something thick/bulky.

darrel ralph makes some good stuff, and his spring assisteds are good too, but outta that price range unless ya got lucky.

honestly i carry either a crawford perfigo or a emerson CQC8 and am very happy with both.

some i listed are liner locks but few will say a emerson or crawford liner lock isnt top notch.
 
In that price range, I would be looking at a CRK Sebenza, anything by Rick Hinderer, David Mosier, Darrell Ralph, Strider. These are my personal favorites.
 
I would be looking at RJ Martin as well. His shop is not that far from me I don't think. I would love to visit. I like the Avenger recurve too...and really anything else he touches!
 
When I was in that position I went with a Large Redwood 2003 Sebenza and am still very happy with that decision.

There are so many good choices, hard to make a really bad one, but customer service should also be included in the choice and CRK really is one of the best.
 
Devastator, by R.J. Martin. One of the coolest, sharpest folders ever!
 
http://www.airkatknives.com/Trip-Modified

Pre-Order for $475.00,
Rare knife, tough, durable, one of the kind. Never handle it personally. People have saying good things about it.

At the moment, I would actually get Airkat over Sebenza. Simply, Sebenza is selling every where now. You can always find one when you wanted.

Airkat is a good knife that is just not around the block.
 
4 to 5 is a pretty sweet spot for a great edc folder. I would have a very tough time chosing between Carson, Scott Cook, R.J. and Rick not to mention a nice slipjoint from a number of folks. Lots of choices and the best thing is that you would not go wrong with any of the suggestions that have been made in this thread.
 
I think you have to narrow it down by style. Some like Classic, some like Tactic and some buy expansive Art knives. If you ask me the question, I am automatically throwing a lot of tactical knives that is in the price range. Yet, tactical knife might not be your thing!

What style, what blade, what handle:confused:

I can tell you fore sure, I won't buy a fancy deco handle or blade knife. Simply, they made for LOOKING, not working. I don't want to think too much about my knife condition when I use it.
 
I must be missing something, but why would anyone EDC a $500 knife!? If I had one, the only place it would ever see would be the inside of a display case.

What happens if you are cutting something and the knife falls out a window, or off a cliff or point-first on concrete, or - god forbid - it gets stolen?

Is $500 still a lot of money, or am I just really poor?

confused and astonished,
TheSurvivalist
 
Everybody likes different styles, for me, if I was looking to spend $400-$500, I'd consider JW Smith, Obenauf, Hinderer, RJ Martin, Lightfoot, Kirby Lambert and for a little more, D. Ralph.
 
For less than the price of a Sebenza or a Strider you could get a Bill Vining folder or for much less a Dick Atkinson lock back folder. Both these custom makers give a lot of bang for the bucks spent. I have one of each and have spent 4x the money and not recieved as much folder. In Dick's case many times over the price and still not been as happy.

http://www.medawebs.com/knives/default.htm

http://www.dickatkinson.com/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top