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

Sonnydaze said:
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...
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Brad has everything cut. ground and heat treated 3rd party and then does the final assembly, fit/finish and sharpening.
 
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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Can't help you there. Personal preference. But one of those would be my choice. I do find people end up disliking their first seb due to not understanding.

My choice would be the star. I, different from you, do like the plain janes the best.
 
Only " mid-tech" that I have ever wanted is the kwaiback by Jake Hoback. It is a little heavy but I really love how the blade disappears into the handle.
 
The Carbon fiber 21 is my favorite, with the starbenza as a close second. I disagree with purple DC its not like putting a spoiler on a rolls royce. A spoiler doesn't shave any weight and is not necessary on that car, while the cf slab on the sebenza drastically changes the characteristics of the knife. It weighs a lot less than a plain sebbie, and IMO looks a lot better. Im you prefer a lighter weight knife, I think its the way to go. If you don't mind the extra weight I would go with the starbenza.

As far as the Southards are concerned, I haven't handled the Tolk. I have had the chance to hold an Avo and it seemed like the perfect size to me. I would go with the Avo over the tolk due to that.

I have another suggestion. If you have an instagram, take a look at @garethbullknives. A full TI Shamwari runs about $550 and seems to have a similar aesthetic to the knives you mentioned. It is also a full custom. Clyde Challenor is another great maker that comes to mind. Check them out, let me know what you think. Good luck with your hunt!



 
Darrel Ralph Dominator
 
Zidfeldts said:
Only " mid-tech" that I have ever wanted is the kwaiback by Jake Hoback. It is a little heavy but I really love how the blade disappears into the handle.
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Charlie Mike said:
Darrel Ralph Dominator
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First...These ---^ are great suggestions. Been watching Darrels knives lately and have to admit that even though I don't generally jump for designs similar to the dominator, but it is one sexy knife. Same goes for the kwaiback, ALWAYS thought Jake made some awesome pieces.


Second, If you plan on going to a maker to get on their "books" or order a knife they already make and have available, go with a maker that might be willing to do a few custom accents for you. That's just my personal opinion, but I think a mid-tech (even with a broad definition) that you can have the maker do a few small things different for you, is much cooler than one that may be all sold out and very popular.

Ben G said:
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.
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As for the exclusivity, I completely understand that, I own a brous reloader and as of recently a Ferrum Forge Knife Works Pretium from the original 1st 100 run. I couldn't be more proud of these. For the brous I know there are still tons of them in existence but I enjoy knowing that I have a specific number out of all of those in existence. As for the pretium, I think the work Elliot put in to them is freakin awesome and in my opinion they are truly a mid-tech. That being said I highly suggest you check out Ferrum Forge for yourself and see what you think. To second what others have said, Instagram is actually a great place to check out makers work, I used to be a skeptic but now have tons of makes I follow and really enjoy it.

Best of luck!
-Nick
 
mrnotsam123 said:
First...These ---^ are great suggestions. Been watching Darrels knives lately and have to admit that even though I don't generally jump for designs similar to the dominator, but it is one sexy knife. Same goes for the kwaiback, ALWAYS thought Jake made some awesome pieces.


Second, If you plan on going to a maker to get on their "books" or order a knife they already make and have available, go with a maker that might be willing to do a few custom accents for you. That's just my personal opinion, but I think a mid-tech (even with a broad definition) that you can have the maker do a few small things different for you, is much cooler than one that may be all sold out and very popular.



As for the exclusivity, I completely understand that, I own a brous reloader and as of recently a Ferrum Forge Knife Works Pretium from the original 1st 100 run. I couldn't be more proud of these. For the brous I know there are still tons of them in existence but I enjoy knowing that I have a specific number out of all of those in existence. As for the pretium, I think the work Elliot put in to them is freakin awesome and in my opinion they are truly a mid-tech. That being said I highly suggest you check out Ferrum Forge for yourself and see what you think. To second what others have said, Instagram is actually a great place to check out makers work, I used to be a skeptic but now have tons of makes I follow and really enjoy it.

Best of luck!
-Nick
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Thanks Nick! Yes I am on instagram, and have seen some of Darrel's work. I'll check out the dominator right after this.
 
slorenzo said:
The Carbon fiber 21 is my favorite, with the starbenza as a close second. I disagree with purple DC its not like putting a spoiler on a rolls royce. A spoiler doesn't shave any weight and is not necessary on that car, while the cf slab on the sebenza drastically changes the characteristics of the knife. It weighs a lot less than a plain sebbie, and IMO looks a lot better. Im you prefer a lighter weight knife, I think its the way to go. If you don't mind the extra weight I would go with the starbenza.

As far as the Southards are concerned, I haven't handled the Tolk. I have had the chance to hold an Avo and it seemed like the perfect size to me. I would go with the Avo over the tolk due to that.

I have another suggestion. If you have an instagram, take a look at @garethbullknives. A full TI Shamwari runs about $550 and seems to have a similar aesthetic to the knives you mentioned. It is also a full custom. Clyde Challenor is another great maker that comes to mind. Check them out, let me know what you think. Good luck with your hunt!



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Thanks for the pics and advice Slorenzo! Yes, I am on instagram and I believe im following him... I'll have to check both of them out right now!
 
Ah, yes, the Shamwari. I know what your talking about now. Yes, it does have skmilar astetics to the others im looking at, but I personally am not a fan of the deployment method... maybe if it was a normal flipper. It is a good looking blade though, I'll give it that!
 
I would go for a Sebenza over midtechs or the Dauntless.

Southard customs are dropping somewhat in price. If you're up for saving some money you could probably get a more basic or preowned full custom for around $1100-1300. Even though the price is much higher, I think it would be a better value than one of his midtechs.
 
I would avoid Darrel Ralph like the plague.

Go look up the HTM forum gunhammer. He's trying to wash his hands off the whole thing and claim innocence. Buncha b.s..
 
Scurvy092 said:
I would avoid Darrel Ralph like the plague.

Go look up the HTM forum gunhammer. He's trying to wash his hands off the whole thing and claim innocence. Buncha b.s..
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Somehow I don't think another company's manufacturing of his design vs his custom work is the same thing....but let's not sidetrack here
 
mrnotsam123 said:
Somehow I don't think another company's manufacturing of his design vs his custom work is the same thing....but let's not sidetrack here
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HTM was the problem. All my DDR custom knives were perfect.
 
Charlie Mike said:
HTM was the problem. All my DDR custom knives were perfect.
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That's what I've figured. Seeing yours and others like Jim skelton and various other owners should clear any questions about Darrell level of custom work. Kinda been wanting one myself to be honest.

But back on track!
 
I just dropped $1450 yesterday for a 5.5" Dominator. Darrel said I should have it somewhere around Christmas.
 
Another vote for a Sebenza. Mine has been at my side almost everyday for almost 4 years. I've tried out quite a few different blades since picking up my Sebenza and I have yet to find one that can take its place. Having said that, I do have a Dauntless MkIV on the way, so I'm excited to see that, but man oh man do I love my Sebenza.
 
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