What should I look at buying?

[gosuto]

Hey guys! So my life has been pretty crazy the past 8 months. Lot of bad, and a lot of good. However this month I celebrated my birthday, am 7 months sober, and I'm almost done with my 75 pound weight loss journey. (Been a long a$$ 17 weeks).

SO! As a little reward to myself for all the hard work and bitterly fought victories, I scrapped up a little bit of money and wanted to buy a knife for myself. However, I need some advice! There's a few models I really want, but want to know if there's anything I'm overlooking. I don't have enough cash to replace my stolen mini commander, and I don't quite have enough to get a ZT 550 before they start disappearing, but I've got my eye on a few blades in and around the $80 mark. 1 is the Kizer KI405, the awesome red and black sheepsfoot flipper in S35vn. Had one before, loved it to death. Another I'm debating is the new spyderco native 5 lightweight. Had the G10 version, it was fantastic just a bit heavy and now there's the FRN version! Last is the Manix 2. That one I am still mad I don't have anymore, I broke the damn first one I had back in my drinking days.

Anyways, what folder recommendations do you awesome lads and lasses have for me?

 

[Sonnydaze]

I really love the Para 2, at just about one hundred bucks..maybe a bit above. A great folder.
I congratulate you on your accomplishments.
Don

 

[whitty]

Check out the Kershaw Knockout. We never get a single complaint about them and they feel great in the hand! Congrats on hitting your milestones. Keep up the great work!

 

[gosuto]

Haha the funny part is that I actually just sold my knockout this month, that's where about $50 of the money came from

 

[whitty]

Just for other suggestions: The Kershaw Link, Kershaw Blur, Benchmade Mini Grip or Mini Barrage. Just throwing stuff out there looking from my computer around the shop for stuff in your budget!

 

[strategy9]

Congrats...

All solid choices, esp. If you already owned them and know you'll like 'em.

Ultimately you'll decide, but just to make your decision tougher;
I just set my sight on the D2 LionSteel mini folder with cocobolo and ti liners. Usually not a fan of smaller Knives, but that said I don't own many smaller Knives, and she is purty, and only 2 oz.
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Lion-Steel-Mini-Cocobolo--7640
For something larger, and more classic looking; Boker+ exskelibur I in cocobolo (440c)
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-Plus-Exskelibur-I-Liner-Lock--25098
Nice little options for a gentleman's folder

Kizer 3304b's s35vn wharncliff style blade and titanium handled framelock has had me close to buying one more then once too. Under 4oz.

I will note, the kizer 405 is heavier then a spyderco g10 native... Both pushing up towards 5oz.

 

[Hackenslash]

First off, congrats on the milestones in your life!

I have the Kizer Ki405 and although its a fine blade (like all Kizers), its just a little "chubby" in the pocket. I rarely carry it. The red/black G10 is kinda snakeskin cool though.

A couple of other Kizers to consider:
The Ki4443A is a total rock star. Great ergos and carries great. I'm actually wondering right now why I don't carry mine more...
The Kizer 403's are great blades and one of the few examples of what Kizer can do with thumbstud only deployment. You have to be careful with 403's though...some are tip down only and some are both. If that matters to you, make sure you know what you're buying.
The Ki4416's are built like a tank, for a liner lock. I don't have a 4416 but I do have a 3416 small version. It's in my pocket as I write this.

The suggestions from Spyderco and Kershaw are great, can't go wrong with any of them, but a Kizer at the $100 price point will equal a Spyderco in fit, finish and quality at the $150-200 price point. Definitely get more value for the buck with Kizer. Unfortunately, that value is beginning to disappear as Kizers experience upward price creep.