What Knife Has Pleasantly Surprised You the Most?

Another vote for the Southern Grind Bad Monkey. Everything about this knife is exceptional, from fit and finish to ergos to weight to blade steel. It works very well, carries very well, and it is always a conversation starter. I didn't think that I would like the little pocket clip, but after carrying it on the first day, I was sold. The only way I could see it getting any better for me, would be the addition of a flipper. I've been carrying my Southard for the majority of the past year and I just have really gotten used to using the flipper. Other than that, I find the Bad Monkey to have exceeded my expectations in every way! :thumbup:
 
My crkt razel folding knife. Only paid 25 bucks and i carry it more than my zt's and kershaw knives.
 
Accelerator said:
Another vote for the Southern Grind Bad Monkey. Everything about this knife is exceptional, from fit and finish to ergos to weight to blade steel. It works very well, carries very well, and it is always a conversation starter. I didn't think that I would like the little pocket clip, but after carrying it on the first day, I was sold. The only way I could see it getting any better for me, would be the addition of a flipper. I've been carrying my Southard for the majority of the past year and I just have really gotten used to using the flipper. Other than that, I find the Bad Monkey to have exceeded my expectations in every way! :thumbup:
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I agree with everything you say except the flipper. That's what the wave is for. They would have to redesign too much of the knife. If you look, the stop pin would interfere with a flipper. A high or almost full flat grind would be really awesome, so would a 3/4 sized version of the Bad Monkey. SG has proven they can make a really nice folder. Ide like to see them design an entirely new model, which could be a flipper. Zack loves his Emerson knives so I'de be surprised to see a flipper, but you never know.
 
for me it is a couple knives I had purchased that were made in china. Production knives made in china for the big companies arent anything to write home about. And Its those knives that I feel keep people from believing china can make a good knife. But i have a few higher dollar knives produced over there and a couple of them took my breath away. Its not just fit and finish that is amazing but they are doing grind lines over there that some manufacturers feel cant be implemented in a production knife. I have said it before and I will continue to say it. The time to get a chinese knife is now. In 5 - 10 years I believe the prices will be comparable to japan and USA produced products. Maybe even sooner. They have progressed so much in such little time its scary. And now that they have been showing that they will start utilizing higher end materials in their products the gap between us and them is shrinking by the second. In some cases their products are superior to that of stuff produced in the USA.
 
Other than the Victorinox Farmer the knife that really impressed me is the Manix2 L/W. I have the CTS BD1 version and this knife gets carried more often than all my others that cost 5-6 times more.The knife is easy to sharpen and takes a screaming sharp edge. It locks up tight and once the lock breaks in it can be easily opened and closed without ever touching the blade.Don't let the FRN scales fool you,they're rock solid with an exellent pocket clip.This knife is easy to forget you're even edcing it because of it's light wieght.Enough of my ranting,carry on pals.:)
 
2 blades... One my frost cutlery barracuda has been amazing considering A its frost cutlery and B I bought it to abuse is and it has taken everything. Number 2 is my biohazard zombie machete I got for 20 bucks on eBay just as a cool show blade but it is not my favorite chopper. Crazy but I've been lucky with super cheap lol
 
Hey, welcome to the forums!

That's cool about Frost Cutlery. If it's working for you it is amazing you found such a gem in their line-up!
 
My choice. Boker Pry Mate and/or Boker Pry mini, sharp as a razor, amazing satin finish, almost works of art.
 
Ontario RAT Model 2

Just the right size. Fairly light weight. Came very sharp. Fit and finish were well above my expectations.

Doh... No pics via Tapatalk... Sorry :-/
 
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Honestly, I was blown away by CRK. I was always wanting more in a knife and finally decided I would bite on a used one for sale here. I was immediately in awe of the fit n' finish of the knife. Never before had I finally found a knife that I was proud of like that. It was absolutely beautiful, in a simple sort of way.

I decided to sell the used one and buy a new one. Then another. Then another... :)
 
revitup said:
My choice. Boker Pry Mate and/or Boker Pry mini, sharp as a razor, amazing satin finish, almost works of art.
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I have both as well. Amazing little fixed blades. I just still need to find someone to make leather in-pocket sheaths for them.
 
The benchmade Osborne , 943 for instance, is the folder that surprised me more.
I am more in the "full-size" medium folders... ZT0350 and PM2 were my usual carry.... When I decided to give the Osborne a try, it was more a curiosity for the axis lock...
But I have to,admit that the compactly of the Osborne for a >3" blade surprised me.
It is easy to flip open, compact, deep carry... And benchmade has done a very good job with their s30v...


Very good EDC, and very good surprise!
 
Sage 1. I had tried out a Sage 2 before that and was not impressed. But something about that Sage 1 was just right.
 
The Kershaw Thermite comes to mind. For something I spent less than $30 on, it was actually pretty decent. Solid lockup, great blade centering, an awesomely deep carry pocket clip, and a very easy to sharpen blade (8cr13mov may not hold the best edge, but you've got to admit it's a very forgiving steel for unskilled sharpeners).
 
MisterJeff said:
and a very easy to sharpen blade (8cr13mov may not hold the best edge, but you've got to admit it's a very forgiving steel for unskilled sharpeners).
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I'll second that. I bought my dad a Cryo and he has me sharpen it. I usually don't get it until the spine is sharper than the blade. Usually only takes me about 5 to 10 minutes to get it back to razor-sharp.
 
Ontario Rat 2- too much knife for the money
Benchmade 940- Very solid feel, not a cheap knife but worth the money
Survive GSO 4.1 I don't know what it is about this knife, but I cant stop thinking about it
 
gerber bear grylls ultimate pro. I was super surprised. this thing has so many details that i want in a knife, large finger choil, saber grind, awesome hammer pommel. if only it wasn't so gaudily colored(i rattle-canned it black), soft, made in china and sporting such a ridiculous sheath. it also just feels so good in hand, I really wish gerber would come out with non-orange, made in america version with a good sheath and better steel.



second for the kershaw thermite as well. awesome folder for cheap money.
 
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