What knife should I buy episode 382

jbarsquat

jbarsquat

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Feb 22, 2017
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Good morning all! My name is Jeff and I like knives. I am new to the site and this is my first thread. I own a dozen knives in the $50-$200 range. Every one of them has a role in one of my systems. I am looking for a folder that checks all of the following boxes.
_Under $300
_3.0-3.8" blade
_Under 6 oz
_FUN to fidget with
_No recurves or tantos
_No automatic- Illinois sucks

To answer the usual questions. This will be an edc blade that is used for opening mail, trimming plastics, breaking down boxes, cutting cord... nothing harsh. My Benchmade 940, and PM2 are my 2 favorite knives, but all I have bought so far are very main stream. I do know how to sharpen and have an edge pro, sharpmaker, and a selection of Japanese water stones. I am not "scared" of harder to sharpen steels. I know I have a lot to learn and that's why I joined this site. I've been looking at Hinderer knives really hard but they are a bit above my current price limit and I don't think they will check the fun box. Thanks in advance for your help!
 
For something different try a button lock. Check out the Hogue EX-01. Layered G-10, no washers, unique design, very smooth. Comes in many different colors and blade shapes (there are some plastic and aluminum handled versions, but I would stay with the G10 for the unique layered look).
 
That Hogue has a really cool look to the scales. Is the button lock similar to the axis in the way that the blade just falls when depressed?
 
kvaughn said:
What are your "systems"?
Click to expand...
By systems I'm referring to edc items. I have items that go together for different situations. If I'm out bicycling I have a lightweight setup. If I'm going to be in the office for work I will have some more subtle high end items. If I'm going to the shooting I bring workhorse type items. That's what I was referring to.
 
jbarsquat said:
Good morning all! My name is Jeff and I like knives. I am new to the site and this is my first thread. I own a dozen knives in the $50-$200 range. Every one of them has a role in one of my systems. I am looking for a folder that checks all of the following boxes.
_Under $300
_3.0-3.8" blade
_Under 6 oz
_FUN to fidget with
_No recurves or tantos
_No automatic- Illinois sucks

To answer the usual questions. This will be an edc blade that is used for opening mail, trimming plastics, breaking down boxes, cutting cord... nothing harsh. My Benchmade 940, and PM2 are my 2 favorite knives, but all I have bought so far are very main stream. I do know how to sharpen and have an edge pro, sharpmaker, and a selection of Japanese water stones. I am not "scared" of harder to sharpen steels. I know I have a lot to learn and that's why I joined this site. I've been looking at Hinderer knives really hard but they are a bit above my current price limit and I don't think they will check the fun box. Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...

If you are looking for a serious folder for work around the shop and home this is the one I EDC and recommend. It is a little beast!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk0IxU-fuW4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfzsL9sblrc
 
I'd suggest a Kershaw Oso-Sweet. Not expensive, but one devil of a cutter and easy to sharpen. It is an assisted opener, so not sure if ok in your location. It is not an automatic in the sense of a switchblade.

Rich
 
That is a really broad range of specs, probably covers 80% of all folders.
The only spec that really stands out is the "Fun to fidget with", so I'd say for practical carry, a flipper. For non-practical, a butterfly (if legal in your area).
I'm not going to recommend anything specifically as there are just too many options and I don't have a bunch of flippers, but ZT/Kershaw/KAI kinda rules the roost in sub $300 flippers. There are several other newer companies that are making a stir in the flipper market also like WE, Rike, Kizer, etc.

Best of luck.
 
Good suggestions so far. I like the Gayle Bradley and have shopped those before. Assisted opening is not considered automatic so that would be legal here. I already have a Leek that I have carried on and off for about 8 years now and I think the OSO sweet is similar. I'm a big fidgeter and have played a lot with the leek and a couple different axis lock benchmades. I've never had an unassisted flipper but I'm sure those are fun too. What specs could I provide to narrow the search?
 
if you want to try a super steel, spyderco manix2 lightweight in maxamet steel. im holding out for something else in maxamet, but i have a maxamet mule that i use for breaking down boxes at home (i dont edc it because its a fixed blade). i do like my normal manix2 in s110v also, its fun to spydie flick.

ZT, WE knives, Reate, custom knife factory, these are all brands i like to fidget with also, and they have models that range in your requirements and are top quality imho.

if im in public instead of breaking out a knife to fidget with, i have a spinner and a "The Thinket" to fidget with.

i dont really mind the no auto policy here, but it sucks that we have it mandatory tho.
 
Hi Jeff, welcome!
Spyderco UKPK should fit all criteria, SOG twitch 2 is fun to open and has a lock.
Not sure of weight, but some traditional edc favourites for me are victorinox alox pioneer, case swayback jack, gec 15 or 25.
Blade show is coming to ATL in June, there are some very nice customs if you like
 
You mentioned that you like Hinderer knives, check out the Zero Tolerance 0562.

Also the Zero Tolerance/ Sinkevich collaborations are nice. 0450, 0460. I just got one of these and it's a great knife.
 
Freeman 451 Flipper? I've been drooling over this knife for some time. It's just a little big for me.

BM Doug Ritter Full Size Grip w/ some AWT scales? Get the knife and add the scales. Axis locks are fun!
 
I like Emerson knives--the A-100 might suit you, or perhaps one of the drop point or Bowie profiles. It's all I edc, and you really have to hold one and use it to appreciate it. Good luck with your choice, and welcome to Bladeforums.
 
The ZT 0095 is a fun knife and would be great for you uses. It is a design that will fit many scenarios IMO, insofar as it is big enough to handle most tasks but sleek and elegant enough to have a high end feel like the office carry knives you mention. The BW finish hides wear well, and adds sophistication and character to the design. Plus, it is a great slicer and quite the satisfying flipper.

I was also going to mention the Benchmade crooked river, but as I am typing this I realized it is just above your blade length limit. Worth noting anyway.




Guardian Tactical also has some nice offerings in your price range.




Another recent purchase that I have been quite impressed with is the Benchmade Vicar. It is not an AXIS but its extremely smooth operation makes it very fun to fidget with nonetheless. Plus, it can be found for a great price at the moment.

 
I had a crooked river and liked it a lot, but I ended up trading it for the 940. I think I am definitely going the ZT route now I just need to decide on the model.
 
ZT will be coming out with 2017 edition knives soon, im not sure if any of those peak your interest at all. there are some vids on youtube showcasing them at the knife/gun shows. but no customer feedback thus far.


ill +1 on the gaurdian tactical, i want one so bad in CF + cpm-154
 
+1 for the Freeman 451 if you want a fidget knife and something different.

If you're set on ZT, my 0560 has had a recent resurgence in pocket time. My other favorites are the 0550, 0801, 0562cf, 0452cf.
 
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