What to buy this week around 150$-175???

MrBlademan2012

MrBlademan2012

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Jan 16, 2013
Messages
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Hi new to the forums, but would like to hear some opinions on some knives in this range. I have been looking at some knives like Benchmade 275, 300sn and 15020-2 also Spyderco sage2, and a zt 0550. Would be open to other options between 3-4 inch blade length. Im probably going to end up getting all the knives listed, but like one a week or so. Again just looking for some insight. also some comments on the blade steels used. A lot of them would be new to me like the s35vn, d2, and the 154cm. Never had the axis lock or benchmade for that matter. I have had a couple cage ball locks from Spyderco. No ZT for me yet either. Really any info would help kinda new to knife collecting. Thanks Everyone.... Dan.
 
What do you want to do with the knives? A Sage 2 is a lot different than a ZT0550 and they have different uses for which they'd excel. I carry a Sage 2 most days but I don't do any extreme cutting. If you want something more heavy duty go for a ZT.
 
I'd look at the Spyderco Superleaf. They've been discontinued and are getting scarce.
 
Depends mostly light cardboard, shrink wrap, and plastic at work. I do carry more than one knife on me though. Plus I don't really beat on my more expensive knives. truthfully I probably wont use this knife much as it will be my most expensive one yet. It will be carried and for lack of a better word (played with) open/close, slicing paper ect.
 
ZT: 0200 dealer exclusive in 154CM, a fantastic beast!
Spyderco: Techno, Vallotton, Chokwe (hurry, discontinued), any Sage, Gayle Bradley, Mili, Perrin PPT (also disco'd)...
Benchmade: 710 in M4, 810 Contego, 950 Rift...

So many.

God I love spending other people's money! :)
 
MrBlademan2012 said:
Depends mostly light cardboard, shrink wrap, and plastic at work. I do carry more than one knife on me though. Plus I don't really beat on my more expensive knives. truthfully I probably wont use this knife much as it will be my most expensive one yet. It will be carried and for lack of a better word (played with) open/close, slicing paper ect.
Click to expand...

Get an 0550 and don't be afraid to use it hard, it can take it.
 
for 175 you need to contact kershawguy on here and order a ZT 0560 or 0561 blem. The blemish will be something cosmetic that you usually really have to study the knife to even find. It doesn't come with the lifetime warranty but if you bend a pocket clip or something like that they will still send you replacements no questions asked, and it won't come with a box or paperwork. For me all of this is acceptable to get what I believe is the coolest knife in the ZT lineup at over 1/3 off the normal street price. Just my humble opinion.
 
Spyderco Sage 2 out of the options you provided.
Perfect little EDC blade.
Don't be afraid to use your knives, it's what they were made for.

Also have you checked out the DPX H.E.S.T. 2.0 Folder? Tough as nails, still slices good, D2 steel holds its edge very well.

I also second the Spyderco Chokwe. It's been discontinued but you can find it for a good price.
It looks strange and weird. But it's very ergonomic, and makes a wonderful EDC.
 
Personally I think the Gayle Bradley is the best bang for your buck in this price range. You get one heck of a good knife with a top of the line steel. Check it out
 
I've got one of the first production 300SN knives. I like it. It's a pretty good knife, but the handle is just a tad short (about a half inch) for me and doesn't get carried much (twice at current count and only used once).
 
The best values for that price range are the following knives:

(1) Ridiculously hard use knife - Benchmade 275 Adamas ($125). The 275 is a real beast of a knife. I prefer it to the ZT300 and just about every other "hard use" knife I have handled (including SNGs, ZT300, Spyderco GB, Spyderco Tuff, and ZT560). The action, weight of the blade, D2 steel, and beefed up axis lock make the knife a true monster.

(2) Large EDC - Benchmade 810 Contego, Benchmade 710, or Spyderco Gayle Bradley. Too hard to pick which one!

(3) Smaller EDC - Benchmade 940, Spyderco Sage 1/2, and Spyderco Caly 3.5. Again, too hard to pick which one!
 
The ZT 0550 is a great knife. Towards your upper limit, you can also pick up a ZT 0560 blem (or maybe a second-hand one). Don't overlook the 0350 either - good compromise between tank-like build and reasonable EDC size.

The Spyderco Gayle Bradley looks to be an awesome knife as well. That's actually at the top of my wish list right now. The Sage 2 is a very nice knife as well (really, you can't go wrong with any of the Sage series). The Carbon Fiber Caly 3 or Caly 3.5 also look pretty good. The seem like they'd be great for EDC - slim, lightweight, great ergos.

The Benchmade 940 is right around that range as well. That looks like an interesting knife as well. There's also the Ritter Griptilian (and Mini-Griptilian) that comes in a bit below your range.
 
I have a sage 2 and it's an amazing knife. I just handled a ZT for the first time, and I dont get it!! What are people doing with their knives that they need to have it that overbuilt? It was clearly a quality blade, but the lock was super sticky and it was huge, I couldn't imagine carrying that in my pocket everyday. People talk about the sage 2 like they are light use and fragile.... not trying to stir the pot, just saying that I think people underestimate the toughness of knives like the sage 2.
 
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