Benchmade, Cold Steel or ZT ?!

Mick_1KRR said:
There's always one of you guys around. Horrible fit and finish? What a joke, sometimes I really feel like posting Hi Def images of the fit and finish on some CS knives just to disprove your mis-information. The Recon 1 is one of the most capable knives for the money on the planet. I've had better luck on fit and finish on my CS knives than i have on my Benchmades and they are easily on par with Spyderco these days. Haters will always find a reason to hate.
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And Spyderco has good fit and finish (and I emphasize) for the price.
Even if they were the best knives in the world, I wouldn't allow some ass hat to get richer.
Also, yeah, Benchmade has never been know for the best fit and finish.
 
cowboys.spurs.12 said:
And Spyderco has good fit and finish (and I emphasize) for the price.
Even if they were the best knives in the world, I wouldn't allow some ass hat to get richer.
Also, yeah, Benchmade has never been know for the best fit and finish.
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Spyderco are fantastic for the price and as an overall company. Honestly i know Cold Steels CEO comes across as not the easiest guy to like, but as knives (tools) with the upgraded materials these days they offer so much for the money, good steel, amazing ergos and strongest lock on the market. Yes Benchmade is very hit and miss i will agree with you on that for sure, i've been lucky lately with them but have got a few lemons.

ZT0909
Spyderco Military
Cold Steel Recon 1 spear point or Clip
Adamas

I've owned and used this bunch extensively and you wont go wrong with any of them.
 
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They are all good knives, but I'd go with the Recon 1. It's tough, good steel (new XHP), good resistance with regard to the elements, very good deal given the price, and is a pretty good size for camp/ fishing type tasks. Don't let the "made in Taiwan" thing bother you--I put the AUS-8a version through some tough work and it handled everything I threw at it... it was used pretty hard, but not abused.

That said, the Adamas would be my #2 given your list... I've handled it, but decided not to buy because it was too thick for everyday carry (for my purposes)... but it's robustness makes sense for your purposes. I really like Bechmade's D2... I had a Griptilian with it, and it performed very well.

Lastly, when I'm camping/ hiking/ fishing, I opt for a fixed blade of some sort. If that is not an option for you, for whatever reason, disregard these comments--if, however, you can carry one... it would choose a fixed blade over a folder any/ every time when outdoors. Opinions vary... but that's how I operate.

Good luck with your choice.
 
BigKurtHaze said:
Of the four, my choice would be the 0095. I think Survy092 has a good suggestion with the 0909.
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I've got a 0095BW next to me right now. It's a great knife but it would not be the one I'd grab to take into the woods. It's not flimsy by any means but I think there are better options for demanding work like processing firewood. Also, I think the thin, all-metal handles might get uncomfortable after prolonged, heavy use but that's just speculation. I can't speak to the 0909 but based on what I've read it sounds like a good choice. I will probably have one soon though.

As far as Cold Steel goes, I've got two: a Large Espada and an AK-47 with green G-10 and the DLC coated CTS-XHP blade. Honestly, I'm pretty impressed by both in what you're getting for the money. The actions are smooth and the lockups are solid. They even managed to get the blade centered on the ridiculously huge Espada, a real accomplishment in my opinion. I'm comparing these to other knives I own: about 30 Benchmades, 17 Spydercos, 14 Chris Reeves, 25 ZTs, and various others.
 
I'm a big fan of the Cold Steel Recon 1.

Super strong lock. Lightweight. Comfortable in hand. With the upgraded steel they use now, it's even better.

You could buy two for the price of the Benchmade or the ZT.

They really are tough to beat for quality and toughness. But they also cut and slice very well. Great geometry.
 
OVM said:
After I read a lot of reviews I deduced that I have to choose for my needs ( I not collector) between :
1.Benchmade 275BK Adamas Black D2 Plain Blade,
2.Cold Steel Recon 1 Clip Point Plain Edge
3.ZT 0095BW
4.ZT 0566BW

I hope that all these knives are not made in China.

My question is which one ?!
I am counting again on your advice in my choosing.

Thanks
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The 566 is the most value on your list for a user, better steel, good warranty service.
 
Not sure why you'd want to take a folder as your main blade when camping?

If you want to use it to make camp and process firewood a fixed blade or even a hatchet just makes more sense imo.

But if you do insist on a folder for these task I'd go Bahco Laplander over all of these knives.

Not the answer you're looking for I know, just thought I'd put it out there for your consideration.

Good luck with your choice either way.
 
DeadboxHero said:
The 566 is the most value on your list for a user, better steel, good warranty service.
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Not sure i'd agree on that, if it's purely value $$ the Recon 1 in XHP has it beat. The 0566 isn't a slicer (although better than some other ZT's), and as a user you will be using it to cut primarily. Plus i'd say ZT's elmax doesn't offer much over XHP at all in real use. Plus a frame lock really isn't the best choice if putting it to hard work camping. It's a good knife however no doubt.
 
I'd like to third the ZT909.
I know it's not on the list, but it gives you a large blade with a fine edge for slicing, has enough mass to really dig in, the blade steel is easy to sharpen and corrosion resistant, the g10 scales give plenty of purchase, and it sports a steel liner lock that may be the beefiest in the ZT line (which is saying something).

I've been very pleased with mine. The 909 is my favorite ZT out of the 5 I own, and the folder I grab when I head out on the trail.
 
Of the ones you listed I recommend the Recon 1.

For your requirements I recommend the ESEE 6 and an Opinel(lots of size choices)
 
I haven't used the others mentioned so I can't make a fair comparison, but I edc an Adamas as a work knife. It seems to be a very robust, well made folder and I've absolutely fallen in love with the axis lock. It's also very large in your pocket and pretty heavy if that's a concern to you. I get along fine with it, but I can certainly see how someone might not. It does have a very thick edge and a pretty low saber grind, making it not the best slicer around, but strong. I'm actually planning to order a ZT 0909 and a Recon 1 in the near future to try out against the Adamas for a work knife, looking for something still pretty strong, but "slicier".

I agree with others who've said a fixed blade would probably fit your stated needs better if that's an option.
 
Based on your options, I'd say get the Cold Steel hands down. Excellent steel, arguably the strongest lock on the market (research the tri-ad lock), and far less expensive than a ZT or BM with equal f&f. . I own knives from all three companies and I can say that CS offers the most bang for your buck by far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hey folks ,
I'm impressed by your kindness to explain to a novice about qualities of pocket knives from US. I'm glad to be hier for learning from your experiences . You are doing the best marketing for manufacturers of knives. I saw your opinion and I understanding a lot of information. Like your I know the quality things cost more, but worth it!
I HAVE ALREADY a fixed blade knife FOR CAMPING with high quality, made by a best Romanian producer http://www.myknife.ro/vandute.php?cat=15 . Unfortunately it does not produce pocket knives.
I want a pocket knife as an accessory in addition to camping gear that I will take in fishing travel. The purpose pocket knife fisherman's job is easier when fished out of the camp, not to unnecessarily hinder fishing vest a with heavy and longer knife or an ax that was in the camp. For that I want the pocket knife.
It will appear in several TV shows in which I will try to explain to viewers about the tools necessary absolute minimum a trip into the wild. It will be a series about finding simple authentic human values which every nature enthusiast looking for them in the wild. It will be a real issue, not marketing gimmicks or mystifications that in each tool has its torch. Whith pocket knife I will make a primitive fly fishing rod to illustrate the skill of fisherman's catch the trout , not the ultimate latest technology of graphite fishing rods !
As are you so passionate about knives and I am passionate about nature. Not receive any money for TV shows where I work but I have the freedom to speak objectively what I think about the tools wich I use. I buy the tools from my personal budget. As we talked about Sage, Simms and Scott, the best brands in the world of fly fishing now came the turn of pocket knife produced in the US which will be a main character in the show.
I hope you now understand better my post on the forum.
Sorry for my bad English!



PS. I am very disappointed because I sent several e mails major US manufacturers but none answered within a week. Naturally I asked for information about a knife just to buy it. They lost the opportunity of a free commercials in a TV show that reaches 22 times in home to more than 9 000,000 fishermen and hunters in Central Europe. Someone form this forum pointed me to ask [non-BF dealer link removed]
I ask but ... nothing reply, just mostly advertising...
 
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photoman12001 said:
I've got a 0095BW next to me right now. It's a great knife but it would not be the one I'd grab to take into the woods. It's not flimsy by any means but I think there are better options for demanding work like processing firewood. Also, I think the thin, all-metal handles might get uncomfortable after prolonged, heavy use but that's just speculation. I can't speak to the 0909 but based on what I've read it sounds like a good choice. I will probably have one soon though.

As far as Cold Steel goes, I've got two: a Large Espada and an AK-47 with green G-10 and the DLC coated CTS-XHP blade. Honestly, I'm pretty impressed by both in what you're getting for the money. The actions are smooth and the lockups are solid. They even managed to get the blade centered on the ridiculously huge Espada, a real accomplishment in my opinion. I'm comparing these to other knives I own: about 30 Benchmades, 17 Spydercos, 14 Chris Reeves, 25 ZTs, and various others.
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From your huge treasure:thumbup: with pocket knives you not find one as Cinderella:), the ugliest, most worn, rusted the most disliked most boring but great good blade to cut very well ..... to break up for a decent price ?! ... I will burn your forum name so I'll show ?!:surprise:
 
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