Beefy, overbuilt folder under $100?

Tyronethepro said:
Well I made my decisions I do believe. I have a Rat 1 on order, and next week I will be picking up a ZT0200. I couldn't decide on just 1, so I picked 2 with high recommendations. I own a couple more expensive folders, but it will be my first ZT, and my first Ontario folder, I'm actually remarkably excited. I got the chance to play around with my buddies CS Recon Tanto today for a bit, and a Recon is definitely on the list now. Thank you everybody for the wonderful comments and for turning me on to some new knives to add to my collection. I'm going to have to pick up a Resurrection and a Harbinger with my Christmas bonus though.
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sounds like some good choices, i think ill be picking up a rat 1 soon as well, once you catch the bug, you start making up any excuse you can to buy more knives and different brands and styles
 
GuyWithaFewKnives said:
sounds like some good choices, i think ill be picking up a rat 1 soon as well, once you catch the bug, you start making up any excuse you can to buy more knives and different brands and styles
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Its gone quite far in the past 2 days. I picked up 2 new blades this week a CRKT Crawford Kasper and a Camillus Hustle, got the Rat 1 on order, then after that Rat gets here, its time to get that ZT, if I keep this up my collection should rapidly expand to where it was a year and a half ago about 75 blades, 40 quality blades.
 
Benchmade's HK 14715 might fit the bill:

3.6" blade
D2
full liners, G10 scales
Axis lock.
 
The Utilitac II is a fine knife but is not "overbuilt".. Notwithstanding the liner, The stop-pin on the Rat 1 is twice the size.

Lots of great recommendations here. Personally with $100, I would buy a Rat 1, Cold Steel Recon 1, and a 3rd knife in the $30 range. Otherwise get the ZT0350 as mentioned.

Pic of the stop-pin on the Rat 1. As I said, twice the size of the Utilitac 2 and many others. Not to mention phosphor bronze washers and the best deployment/comfort for the money.

 
You won't be displeased with the Hustle. I was surprised, especially when I loosened and lubed the pivot. All you have to do is get the blade moving and it GOES!
 
Tyronethepro said:
Well I made my decisions I do believe. I have a Rat 1 on order, and next week I will be picking up a ZT0200. I couldn't decide on just 1, so I picked 2 with high recommendations. I own a couple more expensive folders, but it will be my first ZT, and my first Ontario folder, I'm actually remarkably excited. I got the chance to play around with my buddies CS Recon Tanto today for a bit, and a Recon is definitely on the list now. Thank you everybody for the wonderful comments and for turning me on to some new knives to add to my collection. I'm going to have to pick up a Resurrection and a Harbinger with my Christmas bonus though.
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The 0200 is a beast! The RAT-1 is no slouch either. I think you'll be happy with both. :)

Similar length when opened, but that's about as close as it gets.
ZT0200_RAT1_open_800x386.jpg


0200 is noticeably more massive when closed.
ZT0200_RAT1_closed_800x480.jpg


Much thicker blade stock on the 0200.
ZT0200_RAT1_length_800x573.jpg


Much thicker liners on the 0200 as well.
ZT0200_RAT1_linerlock_800x379.jpg
 
Jimmy Evans said:
You won't be displeased with the Hustle. I was surprised, especially when I loosened and lubed the pivot. All you have to do is get the blade moving and it GOES!
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Oh yes, I figured that one out real quick today, I broke her down, lubed her with some Rem Oil, found that sweet spot on the pivot and she kicks out faster than ANY of my assisted blades! I'm glad I gave the new Camillus another chance, I love it! Its definitely one of the best bangs for my buck I've ever gotten.

flarp said:
The 0200 is a beast! The RAT-1 is no slouch either. I think you'll be happy with both. :)

Similar length when opened, but that's about as close as it gets.
ZT0200_RAT1_open_800x386.jpg


0200 is noticeably more massive when closed.
ZT0200_RAT1_closed_800x480.jpg


Much thicker blade stock on the 0200.
ZT0200_RAT1_length_800x573.jpg


Much thicker liners on the 0200 as well.
ZT0200_RAT1_linerlock_800x379.jpg
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Both of them sure are purdy! I can't wait for that Rat 1, I'm giddy with excitement waiting for it. The ZT0200 just looks like an overbuilt tank, making it appeal to me that much more, and seeing all of these pictures isn't helping me keep my wallet in my pocket either.
 
EDCanAdamas said:
Forgot CS knives are made in Taiwan, as if that's a big difference.
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It is a pretty huge difference, actually, although even Chinese manufacturing has stepped it up quite a bit lately. And this is coming from a guy who bought (and loves) a overpriced BM Adamas, which seems to have affected you so greatly you made it into a username. ;)
 
mqqn said:
And to add more choice, how about a ZT0700 - a beefy tanto and if you search around you can find them for $93.

Under 100, beefy, USA made, Zero Tolerance.....I gave these as gifts a couple of years ago and the guys that got them loved them.

I still have to pick one up for me....

best

mqqn
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A hell of a suggestion, Andy!

 
loonybin said:
Benchmade's HK 14715 might fit the bill:

3.6" blade
D2
full liners, G10 scales
Axis lock.
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THIS! This knife is awesome, great steel, great (LIFETIME) warranty, with full, skeletonized liners, grippy G10, and the axis lock. Also $105 shipped at bladeHQ (could probably find it for less elsewhere). Trust me, this thing is awesome. Budget Adamas.
 
PopCopyManager said:
THIS! This knife is awesome, great steel, great (LIFETIME) warranty, with full, skeletonized liners, grippy G10, and the axis lock. Also $105 shipped at bladeHQ (could probably find it for less elsewhere). Trust me, this thing is awesome. Budget Adamas.
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A little less at Knifeworks...
 
I think someone already mentioned Bad Blood knives, but they really are worth a look. Big, heavy, beefy and most between $30-50. Check out the Fire Spitter, Nano Partisan Folder, Dreadnought Folder, Harbinger and the Crossfire. They obviously can't compete with ZT in terms of quality of materials, but the fit and finish is great for the price. You could buy three for $100...one for each hand with a spare for your back pocket:cool:
 
Hackenslash said:
I think someone already mentioned Bad Blood knives, but they really are worth a look. Big, heavy, beefy and most between $30-50. Check out the Fire Spitter, Nano Partisan Folder, Dreadnought Folder, Harbinger and the Crossfire. They obviously can't compete with ZT in terms of quality of materials, but the fit and finish is great for the price. You could buy three for $100...one for each hand with a spare for your back pocket:cool:
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Go back to post #65 on this thread and you can see some "in hand" pics.

I would certainly give you full agreement that BB knives can't keep up with ZT as far as steel goes. But they do a good job with their steel, and for a good solid knife that is easy to sharpen, I have found the BB more than satisfactory as a work knife in my construction work.

As far as fit/finish/construction, I would put the BB on par with ZT. I actually bought the knife after reading really positive reviews here and on another site. Likewise, YouTube vids from folks that have the knife. I was stunned at the quality. G10 handles (!!), a thick blade with precise grinds that came sharp, a very smooth action, and again, the fit was almost perfect. G10 spacer, a relieved lock bar (not common an inexpensive knife) and an incredible lockup.

I was happy that the BB's 4" blade fit nicely into the 5" handle. I don't care for 3 1/4" or 3 1/2" blades in a 5" handle. I like the 4" blade as well, and to get close to that in a ZT, you will probably be well over the $200 mark. And to my knowledge (feel free to correct as needed!) there are no readily available ZTs with a 3/16" thick blade until the fixed model.

This is a look at the lockup on the BB (on the bottom) compared to my Kershaw Tremor which is what I usually carry. Note the size of the thumbstuds.. easy to use! The Tremor is an enormously sturdy knife, but the BB is even more so.



If you are a steel nut, the BB won't float your boat. But for me, the 8Cr14 is really easy to sharpen and touch up in just seconds on my diamond rods, making it great for what I do. I am not familiar with BB's warranty, but I am with Kershaw's, and Kershaw's is bullet proof. I don't know if that is anything to consider. If you are looking for a big folder that has milled G10 scales, excellent utility value, a great appearance and a great work knife, follow the advice of getting a couple of these. Besides, we all know no one has just one big, beefy folder! I have several, and this one really stands out.

Robert
 
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WuGod said:
How do you fold a BK2?
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If you can't fold a BK-2 then you really can't call yourself a man now can you ! ? :D To the O.P. If you want a tough inexpensive folder try the ka-bar Mule or Cold Steel Lone Star Hunter or Mackinac.
 
midnight flyer said:
Go back to post #65 on this thread and you can see some "in hand" pics.

I would certainly give you full agreement that BB knives can't keep up with ZT as far as steel goes. But they do a good job with their steel, and for a good solid knife that is easy to sharpen, I have found the BB more than satisfactory as a work knife in my construction work.

As far as fit/finish/construction, I would put the BB on par with ZT. I actually bought the knife after reading really positive reviews here and on another site. Likewise, YouTube vids from folks that have the knife. I was stunned at the quality. G10 handles (!!), a thick blade with precise grinds that came sharp, a very smooth action, and again, the fit was almost perfect. G10 spacer, a relieved lock bar (not common an inexpensive knife) and an incredible lockup.

I was happy that the BB's 4" blade fit nicely into the 5" handle. I don't care for 3 1/4" or 3 1/2" blades in a 5" handle. I like the 4" blade as well, and to get close to that in a ZT, you will probably be well over the $200 mark. And to my knowledge (feel free to correct as needed!) there are no readily available ZTs with a 3/16" thick blade until the fixed model.

This is a look at the lockup on the BB (on the bottom) compared to my Kershaw Tremor which is what I usually carry. Note the size of the thumbstuds.. easy to use! The Tremor is an enormously sturdy knife, but the BB is even more so.



If you are a steel nut, the BB won't float your boat. But for me, the 8Cr14 is really easy to sharpen and touch up in just seconds on my diamond rods, making it great for what I do. I am not familiar with BB's warranty, but I am with Kershaw's, and Kershaw's is bullet proof. I don't know if that is anything to consider. If you are looking for a big folder that has milled G10 scales, excellent utility value, a great appearance and a great work knife, follow the advice of getting a couple of these. Besides, we all know no one has just one big, beefy folder! I have several, and this one really stands out.

Robert
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I don't know about the Bad Blood knives. I had a Fire Spitter and tried to use it to notch a soft pine 2x4. The internal stop pin snapped right off and the blade folded up over the top of the handle. It looks and feels pretty beefy but really did not hold up to something that my 0200 handled without complaining.
 
I have had my ZT 350 for a few weeks now and they are $85.00 for the Blems and of course I could not tell why it was a blem?

I can't imagine a more robust folder for the money?
 
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