Best bang for your buck knife company?

If I were in that price bracket and in college for the second go 'round I'd just get a Cold Steel Code 4 and keep the rest of the money in my pocket.
 
Just one knife... what are you doing that a PM2 isn't quite cutting the mustard (to the point you sold it as per your OP)?

Maybe you need an SAK?
 
Glenn056 said:
`br4dz- said:
Their lock geometry is all out of whack on any model you pick up, leaving lockbar movement as a major problem, and most ZT fans don't even know it since they aren't used 😯.
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You have to be kidding. Because you've had every single model and several of each and met every single owner right?
If not, don't talk like you know it all.


sent from a highly secretive CIA base somewhere in the deep jungles of South America shhh
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I've had plenty of ZT framelocks, and yes, each and every single one exhibited the problem to some degree, my 0566 had the least, and my 0450's had it the worst, to where I could push the lock bar all the way to the other side with ease. Not every single knife is going to have the issue, but the issue is present on every single ZT model with a framelock. Need an example? Here: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cC-EJh4pD8 ). Don't patronize me because you don't want to believe that it's an issue. Tons and tons and tons of threads on the issue, as well as multiple videos, and most ZT owners I've explained the issue to said that after trying to move their lockbar over, it does indeed move more than any other brand (i.e. WE, CRK, Spyderco, Kizer, etc.). I'm glad you're yet another ZT owner that doesn't hard use your knife, keep opening those envelopes :thumbup:. Do your research a little better before trying to belittle someone bringing a known problem to light, and it wouldn't be an issue if ZT/KAI would actually acknowledge the problem instead of discounting it.


TheEdge01 said:
`br4dz- said:
Spyderco, out of those 3. I'd say zero tolerance, but they are art knives IMO, not worker knives. Their lock geometry is all out of whack on any model you pick up, leaving lockbar movement as a major problem, and most ZT fans don't even know it since they aren't used 😯. Benchmade is known for having very wonky blade and edge grinds and I've owned two benchmades with severe lock stick.

If a tool Steel is what you're looking for, I'd suggest looking at knifecenter's manix 2 in cruwear/carbon fiber, or a lionsteel sr-11 (not the sr-1, although that's a fine knife too). M390/20cv/204p are damn fine edc steels, and in fact my personal favorite, it's tougher and less chippy than s30v or a super wear resistant steel like zdp-189, it excels pretty much everywhere while not being king in any one area.
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Actually, ZDP 189 isn't going to be tougher than s30v due to it's extreme high hardness. S30V is heat treated around 58-60 hrc and ZDP 189 is around 62-64. The higher hardness makes it less tough.
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I never said ZDP 189 was tougher than s30v, I said, and I quote, that M390/20cv/204p is tougher and less chippy THAN s30v or zdp-189. Thanks.
 
Out of those three? Spyderco. If I had more brands to choose from...probably still Spyderco. Certainly in the top 2/3.
 
Cold Steel, Spyderco and Victorinox.

CAM05429_zpseulqmzga.jpg


Victorinox for pure utility, sheer value and timeless designs and tools.
Spyderco for best way to (inexpensively) get some working folders, try out new steels and check awesome features and designs, shapes, handle materials, etc. No-frills effective and efficient users
Cold Steel for durability, toughness and materials you get for your money (CTS-XHP, DLC, TriAd, G10...) and absolute workhorses that will last two lifetimes and won't break the bank


CAM05164_zpslvisxmgf.jpg
 
In college, I would say Spyderco and Victorinox are consistently the best best for quality and price meeting.
 
`br4dz- said:
I've had plenty of ZT framelocks, and yes, each and every single one exhibited the problem to some degree, my 0566 had the least, and my 0450's had it the worst, to where I could push the lock bar all the way to the other side with ease. Not every single knife is going to have the issue, but the issue is present on every single ZT model with a framelock. Need an example? Here: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cC-EJh4pD8 ). Don't patronize me because you don't want to believe that it's an issue. Tons and tons and tons of threads on the issue, as well as multiple videos, and most ZT owners I've explained the issue to said that after trying to move their lockbar over, it does indeed move more than any other brand (i.e. WE, CRK, Spyderco, Kizer, etc.). I'm glad you're yet another ZT owner that doesn't hard use your knife, keep opening those envelopes [emoji106]. Do your research a little better before trying to belittle someone bringing a known problem to light, and it wouldn't be an issue if ZT/KAI would actually acknowledge the problem instead of discounting it.




I never said ZDP 189 was tougher than s30v, I said, and I quote, that M390/20cv/204p is tougher and less chippy THAN s30v or zdp-189. Thanks.
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I use my ZT everyday, cutting up hard plastic packaging, straps and breaking down boxes on this part time job before school starts. Is that light use? And when i press in on the lockbar whrn it's open, it does not move any further in. It's locked at the same spot everytime. Perhaps I'm lucky? Or perhaps ZT has upped it's game?

And besides, watch vininull's harduse test on ZTs.
I dont see the locks failing in them. Sure some ZTs have lock issues, but to say all of them? Nope.

sent from a highly secretive CIA base somewhere in the deep jungles of South America shhh
 
`br4dz- said:
I've had plenty of ZT framelocks, and yes, each and every single one exhibited the problem to some degree, my 0566 had the least, and my 0450's had it the worst, to where I could push the lock bar all the way to the other side with ease. Not every single knife is going to have the issue, but the issue is present on every single ZT model with a framelock. Need an example? Here: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cC-EJh4pD8 ). Don't patronize me because you don't want to believe that it's an issue. Tons and tons and tons of threads on the issue, as well as multiple videos, and most ZT owners I've explained the issue to said that after trying to move their lockbar over, it does indeed move more than any other brand (i.e. WE, CRK, Spyderco, Kizer, etc.). I'm glad you're yet another ZT owner that doesn't hard use your knife, keep opening those envelopes :thumbup:. Do your research a little better before trying to belittle someone bringing a known problem to light, and it wouldn't be an issue if ZT/KAI would actually acknowledge the problem instead of discounting it.




I never said ZDP 189 was tougher than s30v, I said, and I quote, that M390/20cv/204p is tougher and less chippy THAN s30v or zdp-189. Thanks.
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I've never had the issue you describe on any of the zts I have had or still have so when you say they all have this issue you are wrong. :thumbup:
 
Glenn056 said:
I use my ZT everyday, cutting up hard plastic packaging, straps and breaking down boxes on this part time job before school starts. Is that light use? And when i press in on the lockbar whrn it's open, it does not move any further in. It's locked at the same spot everytime. Perhaps I'm lucky? Or perhaps ZT has upped it's game?

And besides, watch vininull's harduse test on ZTs.
I dont see the locks failing in them. Sure some ZTs have lock issues, but to say all of them? Nope.

sent from a highly secretive CIA base somewhere in the deep jungles of South America shhh
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my zt0804cf is the only ZT i have that the lockbar goes all the way to the scales. i would NOT say the majority do this, only a few. there is no failure with this problem, its just annoying.

ZT's quality is above average in comparison to most other brands, especially for the materials you are getting. the one and only issue with ZT is there heat treatment is softer than most, its not optimal, and being that its a mass production knife company, thats better for warranty. if you want an optimal heat treat go with a custom knife specialized in heat treatment.
but the fact is you are getting your moneys worth especially for those looking for quality and materials.

spyderco is by far the best heat treatment on production knives i know of. not only that but they offer almost every single super steel available and at affordable prices for them. the super steel's are often between 165$ (manix2 LW in maxamet) to $300... and that is very affordable.
 
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+1 for Cold Steel.

Of the brands you listed, all 3 have MAP pricing.

Here's how I see it:

$1-50 = Victorinox, Ontario, Kershaw
$50-110 = Cold Steel
$110-150 = Spyderco
$150-210 = Benchmade [others may prefer ZT here; personal preference]
$210-300 = ZT/Benchmade

I tend to have a $200 ceiling so I own mostly Benchmade and Cold Steel. Once I break the $100 threshold, product servicing and blade replacement factor in as critical components of a purchase. That may or may not be important to you.
 
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Mo2 said:
my zt0804cf is the only ZT i have that the lockbar goes all the way to the scales. i would NOT say the majority do this, only a few. there is no failure with this problem, its just annoying.

ZT's quality is above average in comparison to most other brands, especially for the materials you are getting. the one and only issue with ZT is there heat treatment is softer than most, its not optimal, and being that its a mass production knife company, thats better for warranty. if you want an optimal heat treat go with a custom knife specialized in heat treatment.

spyderco is by far the best heat treatment on production knives i know of. not only that but they offer almost every single super steel available and at affordable prices for them. the super steel's are often between 165$ (manix2 LW in maxamet) to $300... and that is very affordable.
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Fair enough, i agree that the heat treat seems kinda soft, the steel doesn't seem to hold up to my expectations in terms of edge holding

sent from a highly secretive CIA base somewhere in the deep jungles of South America shhh
 
Spyderco. Their annual price increases and MAP aren't my favorite things, but they still pack the most value in a premium tool out of the 3 IMO.

ZTs quality is bar setting,and their prices aren't bad, all thing considered. Benchmade is pretty much coasting IMO at this point, which is really too bad.
 
`br4dz- said:
I've had plenty of ZT framelocks, and yes, each and every single one exhibited the problem to some degree, my 0566 had the least, and my 0450's had it the worst, to where I could push the lock bar all the way to the other side with ease. Not every single knife is going to have the issue, but the issue is present on every single ZT model with a framelock. Need an example? Here: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cC-EJh4pD8 ). Don't patronize me because you don't want to believe that it's an issue. Tons and tons and tons of threads on the issue, as well as multiple videos, and most ZT owners I've explained the issue to said that after trying to move their lockbar over, it does indeed move more than any other brand (i.e. WE, CRK, Spyderco, Kizer, etc.). I'm glad you're yet another ZT owner that doesn't hard use your knife, keep opening those envelopes :thumbup:. Do your research a little better before trying to belittle someone bringing a known problem to light, and it wouldn't be an issue if ZT/KAI would actually acknowledge the problem instead of discounting it.




I never said ZDP 189 was tougher than s30v, I said, and I quote, that M390/20cv/204p is tougher and less chippy THAN s30v or zdp-189. Thanks.
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I misread the post, sorry.
 
I know there are knife snobs out there who will turn their noses up at this suggestion, but I would say the title of "Best bang for your buck knife company" has to go to Schrade. I know they are made in china, and I know they don't use "super steel" in their models, but the performance you can get for 30$-50$ is unmatched.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Cold Steel
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I know this wasn't an option, but if you just want a quality, reliable knife at a reasonable price then the thread should have wrapped up after Charlie Mike's post, #3.

The marketing is awful, but the knives are great and will do everything you could want them to . . . except impress knife snobs on the Internet, I suppose. ;)
 
evilgreg said:
I know this wasn't an option, but if you just want a quality, reliable knife at a reasonable price then the thread should have wrapped up after Charlie Mike's post, #3.

The marketing is awful, but the knives are great and will do everything you could want them to . . . except impress knife snobs on the Internet, I suppose. ;)
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they are fierce on bananas and fingers.
 
If you have a slightly higher bracket I would say ZT, but given the range you posted I'd go with Spyderco. If you don't mind used you can get a solid ZT
 
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