Advice sought, ZT 0452CF

J

jonbutcheraxis

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Oct 27, 2005
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177
Was considering buying a ZT 0452CF S35VN, thought to seek some BF wisdom.
I like all of the appointments/ stats of the ZT 0452CF S35VN, 4" blade size and profile etc, but would prefer a tradional liner lock, meaning a blade mounted opening stud, at or around the same price point.
Any suggestions would be most welcome, feel free to post pictures.
 
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Thanks Converge, I AM a fan of the Spyderco Military, in fact have one that is a fine and capable user, thought I'd upgrade to something new and really do like the ZT 0452CF save for the opening mechanism.
I should mention I've never actually owned a flip mech knife though I have handled several. My hesitation is about safe and secure deployment under less than optimum situations[ ie cold, wet]. I like the ZT 0452CF though so much I may actually give a ZT flipper a try.
 
The closest thing I had to the 0452CF with regards to size and general profile (thin/slim with a ~4" blade) was the Benchmade 710. That uses thumb studs. It uses the Axis lock though, which is very different from a liner lock (or frame lock).

ZT0452CF_BM710_open_800x299.jpg
 
dr_fosg8 said:
It is a budget blade but might want to check out the Kershaw/Emerson cqc-4kxl.
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How about the Emerson CQC-8, it's fairly slim, and 3.8" blade.

How about the Spyderco Vallaton?

I have a 0452, and I would recommend it, it's an excellent knife IMO.
 
Flarp has a nice suggestion with the Benchmade 710. If you don't like it in D2, you can always find it in a fancier version with M390.
 
I do like my 0452 my initial thought would be a ti military, but what about a cold steel they make a few light folders at or around 9" I know they don't tend toward the higher end materials. Also to repeat what's already been said the 710 is a standard for me one of the all time best folding knives out there and the 710-1401 is on sale right now
 
Thanks guys, this is very helpful. Question- do any of you find any issues deploying the flipper mechanism in real world usage[ camping, EDC etc ? Are there any notable drawbacks you've experienced from a deployment standpoint ?
 
jonbutcheraxis said:
Thanks guys, this is very helpful. Question- do any of you find any issues deploying the flipper mechanism in real world usage[ camping, EDC etc ? Are there any notable drawbacks you've experienced from a deployment standpoint ?
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No issues, as a matter of fact, I find flippers to be one of the easiest ways to deploy a knife. Especially with my left (off side ) hand. It's generally no more difficult than pushing a button. The only issue with the 0452 is that it comes with a pretty stiff detent. It breaks in and becomes smoother pretty quickly though.
 
I just got my 0452cf yesterday. Ordered it from a BF supporting dealer, USA Made Blade.

Let me first tell you what an outstanding knife this is, I do love flippers, and find them easy to use in just about any situation. While the 0452cf is new to me, ZT flippers are not. My particular specimen has a PERFECT detent and fires like a rocket with a VERY secure closure as the detent ball is sucked into its detent hole.

I have medium sized hands and find this knife to be orders of magnitude more comfortable than my Millies as a point of reference.

While I cant give you other suggestions of knifes like the 0452 with studs, I can give you the above feedback on that particular knife.

Good luck!
 
Flippers are arguably the safest opening mechanism. Your fingers never get near the blade - unlike with thumb studs, with which it is possible to slip a digit onto the edge - and when the knife is fully deployed, the tang extension (flipper tab) also guards your index finger AND prevents the blade from closing onto your hand (with any part of the sharp edge, anyway) as it hits your index finger first.

A well-made flipper will deploy correctly in almost any circumstance, as well. Flippers are just as prone to jamming up and pivot problems as any other knife, though.

If you REALLY want thumb studs, just get some Kwik-Thumb thumb studs. I put some on my Cold Steel Kudu and Eland.

 
Considering how beefy the flipper is on my 0562 I dont forsee any issue deploying it. However, like all knives that you open one handed you can always accidentally fumble and grab the knife handle wrong and that can slow you up or cause you to rearrange your grip by using your body or whatever else. Whether it's a thumb stud, Spyderco hole, flipper, etc it's possible in a stressful situation to mess up the opening. But to your question I don't think it's more likely to happen with a flipper.

I actually like that a frame lock has a flipper. With my other frame lock thumb stud openers sometimes when trying to open the blade my index finger rests on the lock bar making it hard or impossible to open the knife with the grip and placement I am used to with my other knives. That is why I went with a ZT that had a flipper instead of a stud.
 
I would really like the 452CF; it looks nice. I'm NOT sure that I want that blade-length, though.
I carry a Southard AVO every day. It's a framelock; it's also a flipper. I prefer a framelock. I bought it because it's a fine knife, and was willing to gamble whether I wanted a flipper or not.
The flipper is just fine; I don't "notice" it at all; it's quicker than thumb-studs for me, and I'm very happy with it.
I have had other flippers and they are just fine in my opinion...every bit as good and "positive" as thumbstuds or Spydieholes.
 
Excellent Drew78, I appreciate the mini-review and also appreciate the votes of confidence the 0452cf seems to attract. As of now I'm on board with trying a ZT flipper and plan on getting a 0452CF just as soon as one turns up either here or elsewhere.


DREW78 said:
I just got my 0452cf yesterday. Ordered it from a BF supporting dealer, USA Made Blade.

Let me first tell you what an outstanding knife this is, I do love flippers, and find them easy to use in just about any situation. While the 0452cf is new to me, ZT flippers are not. My particular specimen has a PERFECT detent and fires like a rocket with a VERY secure closure as the detent ball is sucked into its detent hole.

I have medium sized hands and find this knife to be orders of magnitude more comfortable than my Millies as a point of reference.

While I cant give you other suggestions of knifes like the 0452 with studs, I can give you the above feedback on that particular knife.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
Benchmade 710 (3.9" blade, 4.5 oz.) has the same thin and narrow profile as ZT 0452CF (4.1" blade, 4.1 oz.). However, the BM 710 is not a liner lock.

Right now you can get the regular production 710 one with D2 or the KnifeWorks exclusive one with M390.
 
The 0452CF is a brilliant production knife. The flipper works great so no worries. For the price it is a must-have.

Get one. If you don't like it you can sell it. If you don't get yourself one it will always haunt you.
 
did you want to lose the flipper entirely or did you just want the option of a thumbstud? This might work if its the latter.


 
Converge said:
my index finger rests on the lock bar making it hard or impossible to open the knife with the grip and placement I am used to with my other knives
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That is the only draw back for me with my 0452. I don't have that issue with the smaller 0450. Practice and a different clip on the 0452 would eliminate any issue with gripping the lock bar, but it depends on your grip and hand size. For me it seems natural to grip on the lock bar area because of the slim frame, but a different clip to shield it a bit more would help. I don't see it being a huge issue though. I also don't see thumbstuds on a flipper as necessary. If it is a flipper I flip it. Many thumbstuds and bladestops on flippers are not usable.
 
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