What High-End / MidTech Knife Should I get First?

B

Ben G

Joined
Jun 4, 2014
Messages
101
Alright guys so I'm trying to decide on a midtech ... something thats not really a production knife... but I'll accept sebenzas. Keeping a price range of under $600. Here are my choices so far:

1. Brad Southard CF Tolk (to be released)

2. Brad Southard Regular Ti Tolk

3. Chris Reeve Knives CF Large Sebenza 21

4. CRK Wilson Combat Large Starbenza

5. TAD Dauntless Mk4

Any other suggestions you could offer will be taken into consideration aswell

One point that I want in the knife is to be kind of special. You can be proud to own any of these, but something like the Tolk, is just something limited to a much smaller crowd. I like that.

Please help guys, tell me what knife you think and why. THANKS!! [emoji1]

P.S. I'm new to BF and Tapatalk so... Hi
👋

P.P.S. I know there are some mixed thoughts about the definition of the word "midtech" ... how do you define it?
 
I honestly wouldnt pay much mind to the term "midtech" I kinda feel its a word that has lost all intended meaning. What once was a term used to describe how an item was made in relation to the maker has been diluted into a generic term for those wishing to portray the ordinary as extraordinary. There is nothing wrong with liking a production knife. And there is nothing wrong with production knives that cost a lot of money as long as the quality is on par with that asking price. IMHO you are simply looking for a good knife that cant be bought at big box retailers. My feelings are if you are using a production facility to make your knife for you its not a mid tech just because the maker puts his mark on the blade. Its simply a commissioned production piece. Either way I dont really think you could go wrong with anything on your list regardless of the definition attached to it.
 
Easy

DISKIN USA Flipper

Limited availability

If you buy direct instantly increases in value

Fantastic ergonomics

Great Blade to Handle Ratio





M390 Steel
Titanium Chassis
Thrust Bearing

 
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JParanee said:
Easy

DISKIN USA Flipper

Limited availability

If you buy direct instantly increases in value

Fantastic ergonomics

Great Blade to Handle Ratio





M390 Steel
Titanium Chassis
Thrust Bearing

Click to expand...
Where can i find these? How much do they cost?
 
Ben G said:
Where can i find these? How much do they cost?
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They start at 500 and go up from there

The next availabile knives will be for the Gathering In Vegas in a few Months

DISKIN does not discount to dealers

Some dealers currently have some from the Blade show but they will be selling out fast

They are selling them from 700 to 900

Check Fort Henry Custom knives

Last I looked he had at least one

They sell out at the shows very quickly

[video=youtube_share;y3B2I76qmXs]http://youtu.be/y3B2I76qmXs[/video]
 
Sebenza. You'll find it's the standard by which all others are measured. But you must understand what you're getting.

It's not a fast opening, flicking knife.

It's not a mall ninja weapon.

It's not something that will impress your tacticool seeking, S&W knife carrying buddies.

It is a high quality tool that is a nice balance between edge life and ease of sharpening that should last you a lifetime.
 
SVTFreak said:
Sebenza. You'll find it's the standard by which all others are measured. But you must understand what you're getting.

It's not a fast opening, flicking knife.

It's not a mall ninja weapon.

It's not something that will impress your tacticool seeking, S&W knife carrying buddies.

It is a high quality tool that is a nice balance between edge life and ease of sharpening that should last you a lifetime.
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I'm fully aware of what I'm getting with a sebenza, I fondled my friend's yesterday and many times before. Problem is i don't just want the plane jane sebenza. But i cant decide between CF or starbenza
 
Ben G said:
I'm fully aware of what I'm getting with a sebenza, I fondled my friend's yesterday and many times before. Problem is i don't just want the plane jane sebenza. But i cant decide between CF or starbenza
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If I were you I would get the star one. IMHO it better represents what a sebenza is. Sure carbon fiber is cool but its kinda like putting a spoiler or a hood scoop on a Rolls Royce. The star pattern I think give a unique take on it that doesnt drift too far of the beaten path. Honestly I think you would be making a great choice on a sebenza. And that is coming from a guy who wont buy or carry one at the moment. I am a gadget lover at heart so my knives have to have a bearing system, a spring or button of sorts. But even though I want gadgetry I appreciate what a sebbie is and what purpose it serves. And I have long said that as soon as I grow up I will retire from the hobby and buy a sebenza and be done with knives. But I dont wanna grow up. Im a Toys R' Us kid. Still given what you are looking for I think its a fine choice. There are a ton of flavor of the week makers right now. A good percentage will never be heard of again in 10 years. CRK on the other hand? Forget the diamond. Sebenzas are forever.
 
PURPLEDC said:
If I were you I would get the star one. IMHO it better represents what a sebenza is. Sure carbon fiber is cool but its kinda like putting a spoiler or a hood scoop on a Rolls Royce. The star pattern I think give a unique take on it that doesnt drift too far of the beaten path. Honestly I think you would be making a great choice on a sebenza. And that is coming from a guy who wont buy or carry one at the moment. I am a gadget lover at heart so my knives have to have a bearing system, a spring or button of sorts. But even though I want gadgetry I appreciate what a sebbie is and what purpose it serves. And I have long said that as soon as I grow up I will retire from the hobby and buy a sebenza and be done with knives. But I dont wanna grow up. Im a Toys R' Us kid. Still given what you are looking for I think its a fine choice. There are a ton of flavor of the week makers right now. A good percentage will never be heard of again in 10 years. CRK on the other hand? Forget the diamond. Sebenzas are forever.
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Very well said. I appreciate your opinion and it makes me think more to a sebenza. I still think that at the moment I'm leaning towards a tolk because I love Brad's designs and he is a fantastic custom maker. I might be able to get him to sign the box if i get one 😊. Anyway, the tolk just seems to offer more. I'm kind of opting toward a flipper knife and I really am a fan of the bearings. I also like the details and more intricate yet simple design of the tolk. It's been said to blow most other midtechs and even some customs (in terms of fit and finish) out of the water. Plus, although boring and plain, it doesn't get anymore perfect than a sebenza. And they are absolutely fantastic slicers with yesterdays experience. If I were to get one I think I may have to go with the CF. I just don't know yet though.
 
Ben G said:
Very well said. I appreciate your opinion and it makes me think more to a sebenza. I still think that at the moment I'm leaning towards a tolk because I love Brad's designs and he is a fantastic custom maker. I might be able to get him to sign the box if i get one 😊. Anyway, the tolk just seems to offer more. I'm kind of opting toward a flipper knife and I really am a fan of the bearings. I also like the details and more intricate yet simple design of the tolk. It's been said to blow most other midtechs and even some customs (in terms of fit and finish) out of the water. Plus, although boring and plain, it doesn't get anymore perfect than a sebenza. And they are absolutely fantastic slicers with yesterdays experience. If I were to get one I think I may have to go with the CF. I just don't know yet though.
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Well then the only other advice I have for you is to stop listening to people like me, LOL. We like what we like. And in this hobby you will be hard pressed to be able to justify anything over $10. With that in mind I would only worry about if the knife is of quality in relation to the price. I am confident that anything attached to Brads name will be just that and if there is a problem he will take care of it. I would just caution to resist drifting into lesser known makers as you first foray into higher end knives. You want a knife you can rely on but you also want a company or maker you can rely on in the event the knife has an issue down the road. And lifetime warranties are for the life of the company not the knife. None of the knives on your radar are poorly made. And none of those responsible for them raise any red flags for me. So really I think you just gotta ask yourself what you really want in a knife and consider all other things equal. I have made knife purchases that "make sense" but I always go back to what i like regardless. And what i like never makes sense, lol.
 
Ben G said:
1. Brad Southard CF Tolk (to be released) Maybe

2. Brad Southard Regular Ti Tolk Maybe

3. Chris Reeve Knives CF Large Sebenza 21 Very nice

4. CRK Wilson Combat Large Starbenza Nice

5. TAD Dauntless Mk4 No, I don't like the large choil, which can cause the knife to hang up in a stabbing maneuver... Mine did...in a cardboard box.


P.P.S. I know there are some mixed thoughts about the definition of the word "midtech" ... how do you define it?
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I like Brad Southard. I've been carrying his mid-tech AVO since Jan 1...exclusively. Before that knife, I've carried Sebenzas and Zaans for several years. Brad Southard says on his site that the AVO is a mid-tech because he does the great majority of the folder, but some of the small parts are derived from third-party suppliers. In my recollection...
He has used two different blade-steels on this knife, although primarily B75P...which is a fine powdered stainless with nice edge-holding...very similar in composition to the CPM-154 steel, which is widely known and respected.
I carry my AVO every day...all day.
I do like carbon fiber, but I also like plain-Jane titanium slabs...as in my AVO and most of my CRK's.
I prefer about 3.3" blade-length with good stainless blade-steel. Grip-length at least 4.5"; not to exceed 4.8". I have large hands, but not large enough to be comfortable with a large Sebenza...even though the small Sebenza is TOO small for my hand.
Grip-width is also important, and I prefer about 0.460" as in the AVO and large Sebenzas and Umnumzaans.
Certainly, your individual hand-size is all-important in your choice.
And finally, I believe that any blade-thickness (spine) that exceeds about 0.140" is overkill. In fact, I like 0.125" (1/8") to 0.140" for casual carry.

I just looked it up. The TOLK is about one inch LONGER (open length) than my AVO.... that's too long for me. Opinions...opinions...
 
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I agree, either the Starbenza or a Ti Tolk...I personally would go for the Tolk but it is a little more $$$$$ (or a 'zaan, not really that impressed with the regular sebbie or 25 but I do realize their smoothness, just not my preference). I have been eyeing a Tolk but blew my budget on a Grimsmo ;) They are few and far between under $600 but they do come available from time to time, you just have to be quick and/or lucky because they usually don't last long on the forums.
 
coinbuysell said:
I agree, either the Starbenza or a Ti Tolk...I personally would go for the Tolk but it is a little more $$$$$ (or a 'zaan, not really that impressed with the regular sebbie or 25 but I do realize their smoothness, just not my preference). I have been eyeing a Tolk but blew my budget on a Grimsmo ;) They are few and far between under $600 but they do come available from time to time, you just have to be quick and/or lucky because they usually don't last long on the forums.
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I'd love a norseman! I love EVERYTHING about it EXCEPT the blade shape. I know it's designed for using over sexiness...but it's not doing it for me yet. They're great because the Grimsmos are giving you a $1000+ custom knife for half the price lol
 
I would add a Hinderer XM-18 to the mix. They generally aren't super fast flippers or laser beam cutters, but I keep going back to them.
 
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