What was your "step up " knife?

My "step up"?
I'd probably have to give that title to the two Randall Knives I ordered back in the 20th Century. A Model 2-7 and a Model 12-8; both with desert ironwood & nickel silver.
Still have both of them...they remain unused, and they've only been out of their original packaging a handful of times. (I think I may have put them in their respective sheath once, just to check the fit; but I'm honestly not sure.) Why did I buy them? I wanted them. More accurately - I think - the reawakened, knife obsessed voice in my head convinced me I should have them...not those particular models, but knives bearing the iconic Randall Made name.
 
Started with a CRKT then mini BM then PM2. The PM2 really got it rolling and I've stepped up, down and everywhere in between.

More PM2'2

Then got into carbon fiber, 940-1, 484-1

Some Leeks, Grips, and then got into ZT

Then came the $350 + stuff, XM18, T90, Sukhoi


And backdown to some Ritters

Had to try a Southard, ZT0770CF in M4 and a G4



More ZT0562's

Some ZT0452's and a 0450

Recently got this little beast, mini Bodega

I'm all over the place 😎
 
Benchmade Griptillian I bought for myself after I got out of the army, and subsequently lost a few mos. over the side of a small barge, into the Shrewsbury River just a few mos. Later.

A big part of why I'm still find of cheaper work knives to this day .
 
This, right here! Bought it on my birthday this year, tired of my 8cr kershaws getting dull at work everyday, so i decided to step up!

 
My step-up came years ago when I decided I wanted a good, sturdy fixed blade for camping that could take some abuse. While researching that I found bladeforums and ended up with an RC-4, (older ESEE-4), which seemed like a fairly expensive knife to me at the time. Then having broken the seal, I began the slow transformation in a full-blown knut as more fixed blades and a few cheap folders started to trickle in.

My next big step up was for a Spyderco Chaparral, which unleashed a torrent of additional folder purchases, mostly more Spyderco, and a few additional fixed blades. Finally, I recently cracked the seal on the world of Bussekin with a Ratmandu order and have been wildly buying up a modest collection of their stuff to try out ever since. I think it's hopeless.
 
My first folder over $100, and that wasn't a Buck or Kershaw bought at a sporting goods or big box store was a ZT0550 (1st Generation).
 
Todd21969 said:
My first folder over $100, and that wasn't a Buck or Kershaw bought at a sporting goods or big box store was a ZT0550 (1st Generation).
Click to expand...

The 0550 is a great knife. I have a couple 2nd gen. I wish ZT would make more non-flippers like it.

Anyway , my first knife that crossed the $100 threshold was the Benchmade-HK 14210. I bought it many years ago and still have it today. Great little knife.
 
I've been a long-time fan of the $40-70 knife range when it comes to folders. They offered good quality users that would perform well but I wouldn't be upset to use. Kershaw, Spyderco, Buck, etc. These were my go-tos.

I never thought I would be one to drop $200+ on a ZT. Not because they aren't worth it. I just didn't think the cost was worth it to ME.

...then I handled a ZT 0452cf at a local gun shop. Forked over $220 and walked out in absolute awe. My favorite folder by far.

That said, while I enjoy carrying it and using it lightly, I'm not quite to the point where I think thrashing a $200 folder at work would offer enough performance to justify it.

The 0452cf is my weekend carry. So what to do then?
Whyyy, buy a combo edge ZT350 to be my hardcore user, of course:D

I'll never be "done" with $50 pocket knives. They are fantastic tools, but now that I have tasted the quality of upper end folders, I don't think I'll be going back for my day to day.
 
My first step up knife was my Benchmade Infidel. I bought it for a 10 month stint in Afghanistan and it served me well, but after I got back I started to get away from the "tactical" knife type designs, and I was tired of the issues that are inherent to OTF knives. Here about two years later I stick to my small Sebenza 21 and I have a CRK Nyala coming in the mail in the next few days to fill the camp knife sized hole in my life. And I have a big nasty fixed blade to take with me if I ever find myself on the wrong side of the border again.
 
I've always had junk knives up until a few years after I got out of the marines my first expensive knife was a microtech ultra tech otf followed by a sage 2 then a hinderer xm-18. From there its been all over the map customs productions and all between these days mostly production and couple of customs. The hinderer started the selling and buying other stuff routine for me. I have had over 30k in knives in the last few years(and not all at once I probably had about 3k of my actual money in it) meaning I bought sold and bought something else. I chalk that up to be the time I spent actually figuring out what I like, need, and want out of a knife. But the micro tech was the first step up.
 
In terms of quality it was the mini grip, a little higher in price where I thought I would never spend that much on a knife was a Spyderco Domino. There were basically no rules to what I would get after the Domino.
 
My step up happened recently, this past June. I usually just bought whatever the Snap On dude had on his truck. Early last summer one of those 'knives' let go and gave me a few stitches. Not cool.
Got a Spydie Pac Salt and it been down hill ever since!
Joe
 
Kershaw Ti JYD II with the SG2 laminate. It was the first knife I spent more than $100 on. It was all down hill from there.
 
My first "expensive" knife was an HK 14715. I still love that thing, though I don't use it quite as much. My tastes have continued to refine since then, but that HK still works hard.
 
Carried junk until I finally bought a Kershaw Skyline a few years ago. After using a decent blade it left me itching for more. My first 100+ knife was a Benchmade 940, followed by a 943, and eventually a 940-1! Cheers
 
@Nfd538: Wow, that is a beautiful knife collection! I have similar taste in knives but not near as many. Thanks for posting all the pictures.
 
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