What Midtech/semi-custom folder should I get?

[miso2]

Hi all,

I am now looking into Midtech/semi-custom knives, although I am not quite sure whether I would actually buy and edc an expensive knife like them. But at least it is fun and exciting to have that prospect. I am just a noob in this area.

Based on what I have seen on this forum, I found folding knives from Burger (Atlas), Olamic (Wayfare), Rexford (Epicenter), Shirogorov (F3), and Micheal Raymond (Starlit) very very attractive. I love their designs, steel choice, and the seemingly meticulous craftsmanship.

So are there any other factories/makers I should look at in this category?
My price range is up to around a grand.
Oh and Seb is not in this consideration, although I am sure I will eventually get it.

Any recommendation or input would be appreciated.
Thanks!



Miso

 

[asdf12345]

Something to keep in consideration - the Epicenter will cost you in excess of $4000 for even a basic model, when it comes up for sale at all.

All of these knives are built exceptionally well and range in performance from good to great. Unless your primary purpose of buying an expensive knife is to show them off to friends and on the web, buy what speaks to your tastes and what suits your needs as a user.

 

[miso2]

Something to keep in consideration - the Epicenter will cost you in excess of $4000 for even a basic model, when it comes up for sale at all.

All of these knives are built exceptionally well and range in performance from good to great. Unless your primary purpose of buying an expensive knife is to show them off to friends and on the web, buy what speaks to your tastes and what suits your needs as a user.

Oh, wow. I have to admit that I didn't check the price of that one. I am clearly a noob......
OK. it is certainly out of my range ATM, although the knife looks fantastic.....

As for the purpose, I would like to use it. I am just not sure if I have the guts to do it, and therefore am a bit reluctant to actually buy one.
But, I would like to know what else is available for me.
Let me know if you know other makers in this category.

Thank you for the comment!



Miso

 

[asdf12345]

Oh, wow. I have to admit that I didn't check the price of that one. I am clearly a noob......
OK. it is certainly out of my range ATM, although the knife looks fantastic.....

As for the purpose, I would like to use it. I am just not sure if I have the guts to do it, and therefore am a bit reluctant to actually buy one.
But, I would like to know what else is available for me.
Let me know if you know other makers in this category.

Thank you for the comment!



Miso

The Shirogorov and Raymond are both around $1000. The Olamic and Burger are both around $600. Between $600 and $1000 you have quite a lot of options. Knives by Lightfoot, Pardue, Terzuola, Emerson, Begg, Marfione, Lambert, and Elishewitz among others can regularly be found in this price range, with Emerson, Marfione and Terzuola closer to $1000.

Personally out of all the customs I've handled the ones I've been most comfortable putting in my pocket and actually using are those by Emerson. Something about his customs just screams "use me".

 

[miso2]

The Shirogorov and Raymond are both around $1000. The Olamic and Burger are both around $600. Between $600 and $1000 you have quite a lot of options. Knives by Lightfoot, Pardue, Terzuola, Emerson, Begg, Marfione, Lambert, and Elishewitz among others can regularly be found in this price range, with Emerson, Marfione and Terzuola closer to $1000.

Personally out of all the customs I've handled the ones I've been most comfortable putting in my pocket and actually using are those by Emerson. Something about his customs just screams "use me".

Thank you for the info!
I will look through their catalogs.
That itself is going to be fun!


Miso

 

[Scurvy092]

You can't touch a Terzuola for under 1300 these days. You can't order a Starlit from Michael Raymond, you have to get in on a lottery or go to a show.

I'd go with an Olamic Wayfarer as long as you are OK with the size. They are big.

 

[miso2]

You can't touch a Terzuola for under 1300 these days. You can't order a Starlit from Michael Raymond, you have to get in on a lottery or go to a show.

I'd go with an Olamic Wayfarer as long as you are OK with the size. They are big.

It's too bad that I cannot order Starlit. If I really want one, I would fly over the Pacific to attend a show.
I really like Wayfarer. I think the size is fine. But it is quite heavy (nearly 7 oz)......
Hmmm.


Miso

 

[Scurvy092]

It's too bad that I cannot order Starlit. If I really want one, I would fly over the Pacific to attend a show.
I really like Wayfarer. I think the size is fine. But it is quite heavy (nearly 7 oz)......
Hmmm.


Miso

You can go secondary for the Starlit but it will cost you over $1000. You have expensive taste!

 

[Sonnydaze]

I have been carrying my Brad Southard AVO mid-tech since I got it in late December. It has pushed competing Sebenzas and the Umnumzaan out of my pocket. It's that good. Yes, it's a flipper, but I don't care. It works just fine. I really enjoy it...high quality, great maker, and collaborated with Spyderco when they brought out Spyderco's first flipper, the Southard.
The AVO is just a bit smaller than the large Sebbie and Zaan, which means it fits my hand perfectly.
Check it out. It can often be found for about $500 here on the Exchange in as-new condition.
If you are indeed somewhat new to carrying folding knives, I might suggest that you start out with "cheaper" folders, and then make the larger dollar-jump when you are more certain of your Grail.
Here is a link to my review of the AVO and the much less expensive Spyderco version. Enjoy, sir. It's a fun hobby. You don't want to get it right the first time...What fun is that?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1252279-A-tale-of-two-southards

 

[miso2]

You can go secondary for the Starlit but it will cost you over $1000. You have expensive taste!

Well, I fly to the US quite often for my business and may be able to attend a show in areas where I have business affairs.
Otherwise, I will patiently be waiting for my chance......


Miso

 

[miso2]

I have been carrying my Brad Southard AVO mid-tech since I got it in late December. It has pushed competing Sebenzas and the Umnumzaan out of my pocket. It's that good. Yes, it's a flipper, but I don't care. It works just fine. I really enjoy it...high quality, great maker, and collaborated with Spyderco when they brought out Spyderco's first flipper, the Southard.
The AVO is just a bit smaller than the large Sebbie and Zaan, which means it fits my hand perfectly.
Check it out. It can often be found for about $500 here on the Exchange in as-new condition.
If you are indeed somewhat new to carrying folding knives, I might suggest that you start out with "cheaper" folders, and then make the larger dollar-jump when you are more certain of your Grail.
Here is a link to my review of the AVO and the much less expensive Spyderco version. Enjoy, sir. It's a fun hobby. You don't want to get it right the first time...What fun is that?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1252279-A-tale-of-two-southards

Hi Sonnydaze,


I did read your nice review of those two Southard (quite nice!) and considered AVO as well.
One thing I was not sure was the steel.
So far I love M390 and ZDP-189 on my production folders for their edge retention and ease of sharpening.
I am not familiar with BG-42 or PSF-27, but are they comparable to these super steels?

For the last point you made, I think the right choice will become obsolete quickly and be replaced by a new demand
I feel that it is going to be never-ending......
But yes, I will enjoy it.



Miso

 

[EagleScouter]

They have since been discontinued but the Tim Galyean Pro Series were great knives. I owned a Turbulence and it was a fantastic flipper with great F&F. :thumbup:

The Turbulence

The Lahar

The Junkyard Dawg

They popup every now and again.

 

[CharlesIV]

IIf I had the money right now I'd get a Phantom Steelworks midtech I have an Olamic Wayfarer and can't say enough good things about it

 

[miso2]

They have since been discontinued but the Tim Galyean Pro Series were great knives. I owned a Turbulence and it was a fantastic flipper with great F&F. :thumbup:

The Turbulence

OMG! The Turbulence looks fantastic! That is definitely going to my wish list......
Thanks!


Miso

 

[miso2]

IIf I had the money right now I'd get a Phantom Steelworks midtech I have an Olamic Wayfarer and can't say enough good things about it

Yes, Wayfarer screams at me like "take me!".......
I have to ponder if I can keep a knife with that much weight in my pocket......
I will try to put my Vallotton as a mockup.

Knives of Phantom Steelworks are very unique, although they may be too, uh, jazzy I guess, for my taste.
But thanks!


Miso

 

[EagleScouter]

No problem. I found some pictures of the one I owned and you can see they came in a different handle pattern as well.





Stuff like the blade centering was spot on, and the IKBS bearings made it a super smooth flipper.

 

[miso2]

I am drooling......

 

[EagleScouter]

They didn't make too many.

Right around 70 pieces.

But when they popup they're quite reasonable at ~$400. There was one for sale here last month. You just need to keep you eyes peeled.
Tim also works for Kershaw and they make(made?) a production version (#1790) with the SpeedAssist.

Obviously not the same, but if you like the looks of the knife it comes in a smaller and much less expensive option. I own a black DLC coated one.

 

[miso2]

It now actually reminds me of ZT 0770cf.
The blade and handle shapes are quite similar.
Do they also collaborate???
Anyway, thanks for the info.
$400 is pretty reasonable, and I can imagine myself using it hard.


Miso

 

[Sonnydaze]

CTS-B75P compared with BG-42...chemically very close indeed...

The steel in my Southard AVO is CTS-B75P, although the AVO folder has been produced in at least one other blade-steel. Originally, this B75P
steel was made by Latrobe as BG42, and was developed for use in aerospace bearings. Chris Reeve once used BG42 in his famous Sebenza series of folders. The vanadium carbides enable great edge-holding, but sharpening is still reasonably easy.
Carpenter later bought Latrobe and now makes the steel and calls it CTS-B75P. Once a vacuum melted steel, the B75P is now made with the powder metalurgy process; a 2nd generation steel.
I'm very happy with it. It holds a nice edge and cuts superbly, although Anderson doesn't rate the steel very highly in a mule that he tested..

Earlier, you noted the ZT 0770 in M390. I have one of these, and of course the steel is top-rated for edge-holding and rope-cutting tests. This knife is also made in Elmax and has been well received. What makes this ZT so unique is that it is SOLID but weighs only three ounces in either blade-steel. I consider this a real win for ZT, as I've had many of their models, but this is the first one that I care to carry...due to its light weight and slim design.