Which one would you pick?

balmung2 said:
I think I'll take the military off the list. Not a lot of supporters for it. Now these are my new options-

-Kershaw Volt 3600
-A.G Russel Acies
-Rick Hinderer XM-18
-Sebenza 21

Looks like instead of narrowing down my options, I'm increasing them. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. :)
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I EDC and love my XM-18. However, as was mentioned, it will be incredibly difficult to find one within your budget, but even if you did get one under $400, it wouldn't be the best slicer compared to the Sebenza and the Military. I'd say the XM-18 would be ideal if your focus was on a knife that could take more lateral stress than the average folder and if you were worried about breaking your folder- pretty much if you planned on doing things you probably shouldn't be doing with a folder. Either that or you like a knife with those features even though you'll probably never have to rely on them. Being honest, I probably qualify for the latter. The XM-18 is my favorite knife, but I can do 99% of the cutting I do with it, with a <$25 folder. But I think that applies to all of the $300+ folders. I don't buy knives in that price range because I need to.
 
Hello and welcome to the forums.

I have a Volt, Acies and large Classic Sebenza. All 3 are great knives, and you won't be disappointed with any of them. You could break it down by blade steel if you need additional input. The Volt and Acies have what some would consider higher end steel, using CPM-D2 and Bohler M390 in a composite blade configuration, and Hitachi ZDP-189 respectively. The Sebenza is S30V. All 3 are made in the USA.

My personal opinion is the Volt is the best value and the M390 has proven to me to be an exceptional steel, I'm a ZDP junkie so the Acies is a favorite of mine, and Chris Reeve makes a dam fine knife, regardless of the model. You might have a harder time finding a Volt because it was a sprint run. If you can find one, grab it. The Acies is a limited piece run also, but there seem to be more of them around. You can always grab a Sebenza later.

Tough decision, so I'll give you the standard BFC answer: buy them all!
 
So it's now either the volt, acies, or sebenza. Well, thanks for everyones help. I guess I'll just have to do my research and pick one. Or use the old, fool-proof method of eeni-meeni-miny-mo. Again, thank you everyone for your help.
 
Hi balmung2 -

I have the Acies and the Volt -

I really like them both -

The Acies is a thumb-stud opener with the ZDP-189 steel, and a unique leaf-style blade, very nice smooth titaniun handles and a smooth opening action.

The Volt is a little more stylish, being designed by RJ Martin. It has very cool g10 inlays in the handle, and a d2/m390 composite blade. The Volt is a flipper and has no thumb studs.

Both feature a deep carry pocket clip - The Volt is slightly larger and heavier than the Acies -

Here are my pictures of my Acies - (pronounced "ah-chee-us")

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/knives/A.G. Russell/Acies/index.html

and here are pictures of my Volt -

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/knives/Kershaw/Volt 3600/index.html

And just to whet your appetite, here is a shot of the two together -

DSC_1499.JPG


I think your problem may be FINDING a Volt - they sold out pretty quickly and I am not sure if anyone has one in stock, so if you choose that knife, you may have to look for one for sale on the exchange, where you can call or go to the A.G. Russell site and have your Acies on it's way in short order.

Good luck and best regards -

mqqn
 
SPXTrader said:
The Acies is a limited piece run also, but there seem to be more of them around. You can always grab a Sebenza later.

Tough decision, so I'll give you the standard BFC answer: buy them all!
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Indeed... budget for, and buy them all. Sell the one(s) you like the least.

I own Sebenza's (many vintages), the Umnumzaan, and Acies.

I didn't know the Acies was a limited run. If so, grab one... AG Russell has done a very nice job emulating the best features of various frame locks, including a deep carry pocket clip which I like. And if you like flat grinds and don't plan to do anything stupid with this folder, the Z-189 is run very hard, and so will be a great edge holder [while possibly being less tough, i.e. more brittle] than the Reeve S30V at Rc59.

Otherwise, I'd grab an Umnumzaan as it has all the improvements Chris Reeve sees fit over his landmark/benchmark Sebenza's (notably the thumb stud placement and use as a stop pin versus side loads). If you are set on the older Sebenza 21 design, you won't find it wanting if you use it for what a folder is designed to be used for.
 
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+1 on the Sebenza 21. Volt and Acies are excellent knives. However they are new knives and I don't know how they perform long term. The sebs design, fit, and finish have been proven to be a work horse for over 20 years.

I like XM-18 very much but good luck acquiring one for $400 or less. Needless to mention its a tactical blade and not as good of a slicer as the other knives on your list.
 
I vote for the XM-18. I have two in 3.5". The first one cost me $525. The second one I scored from a dealer for $385!!! :eek: So you can get one for under $400, you just have to be patient and/or lucky.
 
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i suggest a 3" Opinel.

it'll do everything a Sebenza can do and costs 1/75th the price.
 
mqqn said:
Hi balmung2 -

I have the Acies and the Volt -

I really like them both -

The Acies is a thumb-stud opener with the ZDP-189 steel, and a unique leaf-style blade, very nice smooth titaniun handles and a smooth opening action.

The Volt is a little more stylish, being designed by RJ Martin. It has very cool g10 inlays in the handle, and a d2/m390 composite blade. The Volt is a flipper and has no thumb studs.

Both feature a deep carry pocket clip - The Volt is slightly larger and heavier than the Acies -

Here are my pictures of my Acies - (pronounced "ah-chee-us")

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/knives/A.G. Russell/Acies/index.html

and here are pictures of my Volt -

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/knives/Kershaw/Volt 3600/index.html

And just to whet your appetite, here is a shot of the two together -

DSC_1499.JPG


I think your problem may be FINDING a Volt - they sold out pretty quickly and I am not sure if anyone has one in stock, so if you choose that knife, you may have to look for one for sale on the exchange, where you can call or go to the A.G. Russell site and have your Acies on it's way in short order.

Good luck and best regards -

mqqn
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It is my understanding that there are only 300 of the Volt that have been made. That is half the number of Acies that were made.
 
balmung2 said:
Hello everyone. This is my first post on these forums. The reason for this post is because I need help on deciding which knife to buy. I was set on buying the Spyderco Military Titanium, but then I learned about the Sebenza 21. Both seem like amazing knives. They will be used for a variety of things, like opening boxes to chopping vegetables to cutting rope. Which one would you suggest I buy? And would you have any other knives you could suggest for me?

Thanks,
Balmung2

(I would post a poll, but I have no idea how to)

Price limit is $400. I basically need a good cutter that will last me a long time with hard use.
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In reality even a $400 knife won't last forever. If you're really going to be using hard, I would just get a bunch of quality, inexpensive knives. Grab a couple Ontario Rat-1's, some Spyderco Tenacious', etc. You won't be afraid to break them, and if they do accidentally break or get lost with regular use, it won't really matter. Personally I could never justify spending that much on a single blade, because I would never use it in fear of scratching or denting it. Your Mileage WILL Vary, that's just my take.
 
It seems like I can't find a volt anywhere. I'll probably end up with the acies if they're still around in a couple of months. I was thinking that I could add some extra cash and buy a better knife. RJ Martin's overkill seems quite nice. Since I'll be buying it in about 2-3 months, I can probably get the extra money by then if I start saving now. Would you guys have any recommendations for the $600 price range? I'm not sure if I would spend that much money on a knife, but I'll have to decide that when I'm actually going to buy the knife. So until then, I have to decide on what I would buy at that price.
 
balmung2 said:
It seems like I can't find a volt anywhere
.
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Your Google-fu is weak. Search the popular auction site, and you'll find one.

EDIT: The price is a little steep. For one knife on the price range you're talking about, I'd go with the Acies or the Volt. I've been carrying my Acies for a while now, and the action has really come alive. A little flick of the thumb and the blade snaps into lock. I'm liking this knife more and more each time I carry it.

As for a $600 folder, buy the Volt and the Acies. You'll be extremely pleased with money spent this way.
 
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SPXTrader said:
As for a $600 folder, buy the Volt and the Acies. You'll be extremely pleased with money spent this way.
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Wow, my two suggestions made it this far.

I second Trader's post. The Volt will be a great work horse, with a thick blade of hard but durable steel. I use it for cutting big stuff :p. Lotsa meat, lotsa plants. It does everything.

The Acies will be great as a slicer, be in food, paper, cardboard, you name it. ZDP189 is a very fine steel, and lends itself to precision tasks perfectly.

You can't go wrong, my friend.
 
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