After having thought about it for a few hours (and reading some of the later responses), I'm going to go even further against the grain than I did earlier:
If I was going to spend $500 to get into the knife hobby knowing what I know now, I'd buy 3-4 knives in various steels totaling around $200, spend the rest on a quality sharpening system (there are lots of good options), and then (most importantly) spend the time it takes to learn how to use it properly.
No matter how good a factory edge is, you'll need to sharpen it eventually. You don't want to use a $500 knife as your practice mule while you learn how to put a really good edge on. Or even a $200 knife.
Buying a good sharpening system from the get-go (read reviews here and elsewhere to help you find a good one) will save you doing what I did and spending a ton on inferior solutions, wondering why I could never get a good edge on my fancy blades...
Therefore don't be super shocked if your $500 dabble quickly doubles up to $1000 and then you will be going down that slippery slope.
I have not one single name to recommend to you as I personally do not own and have not own any flippers. Flickers I do own, but pure flippers I was never too interested in.
Thank you all for the insight. Maybe I should be a little more specific as well. I have big hands so a bigger knife dimensionally works well for me. I have looked at the zero tolerance and I really like those knives.
Not a flipper but the Spyderco military is a solid (and larger) knife.
Absolutely nothing wrong with what you said but if you buy a popular paperweight you can usually sell it on.$500 is an awful lot to spend if it turns into a paperweight.
Maybe check out the XM-18 or XM-24. There's a ton of different kinds of Hinderer knives, I'm sure one will suit you. Well built with a great reputation. If you want a tough 500 dollar flipper, these are just that.Thank you all for the insight. Maybe I should be a little more specific as well. I have big hands so a bigger knife dimensionally works well for me. I have looked at the zero tolerance and I really like those knives.
Flipper shmipper.
Get a Cold Steel Voyager in large. Top knife in this photo. Practicality wise you can hardly do better and you will be embarrassed at how little it costs for what you get. I posted this photo so you can compare size to other winners of the knife world. Next knife down is the Buck 110. That one MUST be carried in a belt pouch but the Voyager is a great pocket carry even though it is pretty large.
Not saying you shouldn't get a Chris Reeves but the Voyager is a work horse.
With that kind of money saved up, I wouldn't limit yourself just to flippers. Get a few different knives with different locking mechanisms and deployment methods and see what you like.Thank you for the insight and with that said which direction would you recommend I start with the five 100 EDC knives? All help is appreciated
Yes, but by picking up a spyderco on the exchange he can try them. See if he likes them, if not he can sell it with no lossThe OP is lookingnfor a flipper.
I am another that would suggest the Military. I always found that I didn't like the feel of a flipper tab when it is open and functions as finger guard. The military is not a flipper but is about as awesome a slicer and cutter as you can buy. (which is what a knife is supposed to do). It has an awesome handle and is easy to deploy and close with gloves on, so a big handed man would appreciate the ergos and form of the handle.