$350 and need something nice to buy.

FYI, ZT has some new knives coming out (big boys). Check the thread over in the Kershaw section to see what's going to be on display at BLADE.

Also, Bradley makes some simple but awesome folders.
 
EZ Bake said:
FYI, ZT has some new knives coming out (big boys). Check the thread over in the Kershaw section to see what's going to be on display at BLADE.

Also, Bradley makes some simple but awesome folders.
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I've looked at the Bradleys. Almost seem like slightly more defensive oriented sebenzas.
 
If you like larger knives, here is a selection. Top down: BM 630 Skirmish (S30V); ZT-0561 (ElMax); ZT-0551 (ElMax); and ZT-0301 (S30V). All worthy examples of well designed and carried out knives. Certainly stout - especially the ZT-0301.

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Now, if you want a finer small knife - consider the following, top down, CRK (StarTac) Umnumzaan (S30V); Buck 172 Mayo TNT (S30V); CRK Small Plain Sebenza (S35VN); and BM 480-1 Shoki (CF & m390).

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I seldom carry the ZT-0301 - it's too big. I love the ZT-0551 - I bought two - it gets carried a lot. So do the 480-1 and small Sebbie - I honestly look at them as equivalent in my use, although I know the Sebbie is more stout. My first CRK was the 'zaan - bought to commemorate a milestone (retirement). Your first CRK is like a gateway drug... there will be more. Next was a fb Nyala - then the small Sebbie. BTW, both Sebbies are from the same thickness blade stock - .125" - the 'zaan is .140" thick - clearly, the most stout CRK folder. All CRK dealers keep MSRP prices - $350 for the small plain Sebbie in S35VN - many include s/h, too. Enjoy your new small Sebbie!

Stainz
 
Stainz said:
If you like larger knives, here is a selection. Top down: BM 630 Skirmish (S30V); ZT-0561 (ElMax); ZT-0551 (ElMax); and ZT-0301 (S30V). All worthy examples of well designed and carried out knives. Certainly stout - especially the ZT-0301.

030.jpg


Now, if you want a finer small knife - consider the following, top down, CRK (StarTac) Umnumzaan (S30V); Buck 172 Mayo TNT (S30V); CRK Small Plain Sebenza (S35VN); and BM 480-1 Shoki (CF & m390).

002-2.jpg


I seldom carry the ZT-0301 - it's too big. I love the ZT-0551 - I bought two - it gets carried a lot. So do the 480-1 and small Sebbie - I honestly look at them as equivalent in my use, although I know the Sebbie is more stout. My first CRK was the 'zaan - bought to commemorate a milestone (retirement). Your first CRK is like a gateway drug... there will be more. Next was a fb Nyala - then the small Sebbie. BTW, both Sebbies are from the same thickness blade stock - .125" - the 'zaan is .140" thick - clearly, the most stout CRK folder. All CRK dealers keep MSRP prices - $350 for the small plain Sebbie in S35VN - many include s/h, too. Enjoy your new small Sebbie!

Stainz
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Thanks. Woudl you go with a small brand new seb, a used large seb, or a used umnumzaan for $350? And I want a really hard use knife that I don't have to baby. I like the ZT strength but am not a fan of recurves on folders.
 
I'd chose a brand new small seb. And a ZT 0550 for hard use. Only $200. You can always return or resell any of those knives for a full refund, depending on what online store or dealer you go with. Order a couple and go with what you like. Resell is pretty good on those. I was nervouse about selling anything new or used on the Exchange. And so far everyone is awesome to deal with.
 
Aidansdaddy17 said:
I'd chose a brand new small seb. And a ZT 0550 for hard use. Only $200. You can always return or resell any of those knives for a full refund, depending on what online store or dealer you go with. Order a couple and go with what you like. Resell is pretty good on those. I was nervouse about selling anything new or used on the Exchange. And so far everyone is awesome to deal with.
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True. Now after watching reviews I'm rolling back to the 0560 :P I almost want to get a few nice knives now and then later on get one of the nicer large sebenzas or a new umnumzaan or something. The thing is after the Emerson fail I now don't have a good strong blade or defensive blade for that matter, so it's hurt my want of the CRKs, since they don't seem to be the toughest or best defense blades
 
Fear of impending attack? Defensive blades--bleh. One use for a knife that will never happen, while leaving behind all the multi-day useful things a knife can do as a tool.

DJK
 
expwmbat said:
Fear of impending attack? Defensive blades--bleh. One use for a knife that will never happen, while leaving behind all the multi-day useful things a knife can do as a tool.

DJK
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Well I consider a defensive blade the same as a hard user: Tough with great lock up that is meant to get dirty and can be broken down and cleaned with little difficulty. I have my 710 but it seems people don't think of it very highly as a working knife.
 
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Well it sounds like you want something bigger than the small Sebenza (or TSF Beast, for that matter, though it's bigger). The ZT 550, 551 and 560 seem awesome, and like great values, but they are a bit big--too much for the average person's EDC. Still, you are probably best heading in that direction--get a ZT 0560 and see what you think. I doubt you would be going wrong.

Here's a push in a different direction--buy the second-hand TSF Super Beast that's on the custom sales board right now. It's $350, with a 4" blade (bigger than the ZT 0560), and an absolutely sweet deal.

DJK
 
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