What should I get?

The Magician

The Magician

Illusionist
Joined
Jan 19, 2000
Messages
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Every year I buy one super cool knife. I always hope it will be the end all EDC, but not yet. Last year was the Sebenza. It didn't do it for me. This year I am thinking TNT or maybe Darrell Ralph. I would like suggestions, pics and links are even better. I like around 3" blade. Folding, manual opener. Prefer open frame lock design, but not closed to other options. Basically, I want super high quality, small, folder. Should be light, thin, and easy to clean. The Kershaw Vapor is near perfect, if upgraded to VG10 and Titanium, I would be in love. Help please? $500 or less. I am willing to go secondary market to make price range. Does ken make a custom vapor in this range?
 
Given the specifications you've mentioned, I think you'd really be happy with the TNT. Fit, finish, smoothness, ergonomics and utility are all excellent, to say nothing of the outstanding customer support Tom provides for the life of the folder. I also find the oval opening hole a bit easier to manipulate in this smaller class (3") of blade.
 
Go with a small or medium TnT. Tom just switched to Stellite 6K, which holds it's edge slightly longer than Talonite. It's pretty hard to tell the difference between the two, though.

Jeff
 
Hey you should check out the Kershaw Whisper... Its a Ken Onion design and has some crazy new lock like Vault lock or something and of course the usual Speed-safe and stuff... It think its gonna be like a semi-production around $300 or something and should be coming out soon. Ask Dex cause i remember he did posted about it a while back.
 
Originally posted by The Magician
The Kershaw Vapor is near perfect, if upgraded to VG10 and Titanium, I would be in love. Help please? $500 or less. I am willing to go secondary market to make price range. Does ken make a custom vapor in this range?
Click to expand...

Ken Onion's customs go for a little more than that if you can get one directly from him. Double the price in the secondary market. Mine is 440C and Titanium with SpeedSafe, worth every penny (thanks, Michael!)

I also have a >3" Tom Mayo TNT, great little knife as well. Keep in mind that Tom uses blade materials other that colbalt alloys if you so desire!
 
Yup, I think "exclusive" would have been better than "unique"! Still mighty sweet, though.
 
Have you looked at Bob Dozier's Tab-Stop folders? The design is simple and practical. The lock is arguably stronger than even a frame lock. And Bob Dozier makes his knives for serious use.

--Bob Q
 
The dual integrals are nice, a simple and clever addition to the design. Dozier makes a wicked sharp and stout little folder.
 
You could even drive down to Springdale to pick up a Dozier, as it is probably about 1 1/2 hours away from where you live. I myself would suggest the Mayo knives. If you aren't interested in carrying a knife that LOOKS auto, you could save up a bit more, and get a D Ralph Illusion Apogee auto. That is one of my dream knives. Whenever you get the knife, you better tell me so I can come down and see it.

DD

EDIT:
Brian, I think you need to find a Custom maker to make the knife design of your dreams. You can pick the steel, handle material, and blade shape. You can have them put whatever clip you want. It may be time to take the step into the Custom world. Here's where I'd look first, if you aren't interested in a DRalph, or Mayo. Crawfordknives.com I would suggest a mini Point guard, or Mini Kaspar, or especially the Falcon.

Good luck,
DD

Here's a pic of the Falcon from Crawford's page.:
Falcons.jpg
 
You should give some serious thought to the Darrel Ralph EDC. It can be had in a variety of blade steels and handle configurations. I have the 3.5" version and it is a gem.
 
I vote TNT. Just picked one up and love mine. Stellite 6K for a small blade is really nice. Don't have to worry about rust, fit and finish is perfect, it's really a fine knife..

Here's mine:
tnt1.jpg
 
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