What would you buy for $300 and under?

Joined
Jun 24, 2012
Messages
139
I've been looking at a few knives and I'm having trouble deciding. I'm posting on here so maybe some of my peers can shed some light or show me something I haven't seen before.

I'm looking for something tactical/semi tactical that I will carry and use from time to time. I'd like something around 3.5-4 inch blade that is durable and easily deployed.

Here's what I've been considering:

Kershaw tilt
Zt 0560
Spyderco tuff
Emerson super commander
Emerson cqc 15

What do you all think?
 
Out of those listed by you and Cane, you can't really beat a ZT for this kind of knife. The 030X, 055X, 056X has my vote.
Also I just got a new knife made with simple materials but is made amazingly, the Wilson Combat Elite Level 1, 1B, or 1G may be up your ally. I have the Level 1 with the regular grey handles, not black(1B) or OD Green(1G). It's a big monster of a folder while still packing fairly light and thin. I really enjoy mine.
 
I'm going to be a bad influence, and suggest (if you already have a good knife) that you instead of buying a new knife, find a worthy charity and donate to them.

I know I'm a jerk. But it's important to give what you can. :D



Also, have you considered the TriAd locking knives by Cold Steel? They're great tough hard use knives and inexpensive expecially for how strong the knife is. The blades are AUS8, which is a good strong steel but won't hold an edge like s30v or 154cm, so you'll need a good stone to maintain it with.
 
Out of those, I'd go for the Tilt. I've got a Tilt and a 560 and I love them both, but the Tilt is just so awesome if you can find one. I'd never trade my Tilt for a 560, but I'd easily do the other way around. The way they're built, they're pretty similarly made, but the Tilt just seems that much higher quality. It's fit and finish is just amazing and it's even smoother than the 560. The carbon fiber is nice, the milling is amazing and the weight is awesome. If the Tilt was a regular production knife and was the same price as the 560 and made exactly the same, a little more on the normal production end, then it would be harder. The Tilt is very unique with just amazing ergos and a very useful blade shape. But the 560 is such a great design as well. Very hard to compare the two and I love them both.
 
I just picked up a Benchmade model 810 contego. With a M4 steel blade of around 4 inches. I love the axis lock
 
Brous Silent Soldier Flipper. Or a pre-loved Sm Sebenza. For $50 more you should be able to score a Strider SnG. Check out the Brous if you havent already. Handmade, really cool & under $300.
 
I have the last three on your list, and of those, the tuff gets my vote. The super commander really isnt the type of knife to use for EDC, in my opinion, but the 15 is better suited for that.
 
561.. held off getting one, but am very impressed.

I'm a big Spyderco guy and love my Military too (P2 isn't bad either). The 300 ZT's are just to wide for pocket carry IMO. I have a few Emerson's and some have been great, and others just OK. I think they are highly over priced for not updating any technology in their knives over the years.. again IMO. Nice knives, but no real wow factor for me.
 
Hands down a custom fixed blade from one of the makers here on the forum
 
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