Looking for a recommendation for a Folding knife, with a blade made from a higher end steel alloy.

I am not a knife snob, for the most part. I usually just carry a multi-tool but on the weekends and out in the woods and similar situations I usually add to my multi-tool a good medium size locking blade knife.

My current favorite is a Kershaw Cryo II, bottom knife in the picture below.


What I am looking for is a recommendation for similar knife to the Cryo II but with a blade made from better steel. The Cryo II has a 3.25 inch drop point blade. I like this blade shape as it has proven robust and a useful shape for me. I really appreciate the assisted opening, as I seem to find myself in situations were one hand opening is convenient. A pocket clip is a must as it will be clipped to the front pocket when carried. The Cryo II is a frame lock, A locking blade is required, but I am open to other lock mechanism as long as I can open and close the knife with one hand.

I don't need any fancy, as you can see the Cryo II is a pretty plan knife from an aesthetic point of view. The handle is just steel and there is no engraving or grip panels etc. Makes for easy cleaning when it gets slimmed and it will get slimmed when I use it.

The big thing is I want to step up to one of the higher quality steels. The Cryo II is made from 8Cr13MoV which is decent but I want something on par with at least CPM-S30V and maybe even stepping up to some of the super premium steels like CPM-20CV. It does not have to be those specific alloys but I am looking for a blade made from one of the higher end steel such as those two and configured as similar to my trusty Kershaw Cryo II as I can find.

Price, lets try to keep it under $200.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

I still love my Benchmade Griptilian. Easy to open with one hand, and the Axis lock is fantastic.

Benchmade Griptilian AXIS Lock Knife Black (3.45" Satin) 551-S30V - Blade HQ

 

Just some ideas off the top of my head:

Not a flipper, but you can get a hogue deka in magnacut. That's the new hot steel.

Kershaw makes a bareknuckle in 20cv.

Almost anything by we knives would work. The zt 0450 is pretty good.

I've got a Spyderco sage 5 in s30v I need to part with.

Kizer roach in 154cm is like 70 bucks and has great ergos.

The ganzo fh41 is in D2 and makes a great beater for $30.

 

Thanks guys, many of those look like they check all the boxes. It's not going to be an easy choice. Keep the suggestions coming.

What do you guys think of this knife, is just S30V blade but that is still pretty good steel if my research is right.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0350-Assisted--117438

Just looking at it, it seem to be extremely similar to my Cryo II. Anything jump out good or bad?

 

I’m about 90% sure I have that one in my knife box somewhere. It’s a big, heavy, solid knife. Blade opening feels a little slow with the assist but it locks solidly into place.

ZT knives can be thought of as the Kershaw premium line (think Toyota/Lexus), if you’ve been happy with the Kershaw there is no reason to think you wouldn’t like that ZT.

These days I’m carrying smaller, lighter knives like the Benchmade Bugout or more traditional blades like a Buck 112.

 

Recurve blade is hard to sharpen. 6.5 oz is very heavy. I'd look for something else.

 

Thanks I will keep those features in mind. I do nearly all of my of my maintenance sharpening on a set of crock-sticks. They are very forgiving to a recurve blade shape. 6.5 oz is a bit heavy but only an ounce heavier than my current knife. That weight is not too much assuming robustness commensurate to that weight is there also. This will be a heavy/hard use knife if I do buy it.

 

If you aren’t dead set on a stainless steel, I’ve been very pleased with the Spyderco Stretch in K390. That steel has been excellent for my uses. I also second Spat’s recommended knife of a Spyderco Native. The lightweight in S30V is a great all around knife for fairly hard use. If you don’t mind waiting a bit, you can order the same knife in Magnacut. Knifecenter has preorders and it’s a steel that does it all.

Are you looking for edge retention in your upgrade? 8CR already has pretty good toughness. Are you planning to use the knife hard? Your expected usage could help me make a steel suggestion.

 

Looking at your Kershaw...

I'd probably recommend a Spyderco Manix 2.

S30V, and it has this really strong yet smooth locking mechanism.

$136.99 on Amazon.com!

 

Though dissimilar - another one I'd recommend is the Benchmade 710 - but I didn't realize it was discontinued.

Blade profile takes a little more skill to sharpen.

Very similar locking mechanism ("Axis Lock").

 

I know Spiderco knives are good knives but I struggle with the looks they are ugly for sure.

Not set on stainless, a good high carbon steel is just fine with me. I am less worried about corrosion and more about edge retention. Since this knife will be carried a lot, it has the advantage of body heat to keep is dry even if it occasionally gets wet.

Use will be the typical everyday stuff. Cutting open boxes, cutting rope, and plastic banding on shipments. The occasion heap of card board boxes that need broken down. I used my pocket knife last week to cut to length heavy duty rubber hose for a parts washer repair. It may also get pressed into service for field dressing a deer in a pinch and other woods application like cutting a marshmallow stick or working up a kindling bundle.

 

You should also look at some of the knives that are currently using Magnacut as well. I’ve been impressed with it, though I only have a fixed blade example

 

[QUOTE="bratch, post: 12394521, member: 10564"
These days I’m carrying smaller, lighter knives like the Benchmade Bugout or more traditional blades like a Buck 112.[/QUOTE]

I didn't like the original Bugout. I think it was the handle. It just looked like cheap plastic like something you would buy at a flea market or truck stop.
It is the same thing that turns me off many of Spyderco knives.

Anyway, I was at House of Blades in Fort Worth a while back and they had a carbon fiber Bugout with a S90V blade. All on its own, my wallet hopped out of my pocket and spewed out a stack of 20s!


Now for a public service announcement regarding House of Blades.

Great knife shop and if you buy a knife from them, they will sharpen in for life.
Be warned. This is a trap.
While they sharpen, you walk around the store and as mentioned above, your wallet jumps out of your pocket on its own accord and spews 20s 50's and 100s!
It's good that I only go there once a year.

 

I got this S35VN ZT for $170. Built like a tank. Highly recommend.