Best Frame Lock Folder?

Ulf Krogstad

Ulf Krogstad

Joined
Nov 19, 2013
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What's the best frame lock folder under $200 and with blade length 3.25" or over. Been looking at ZT,Lionsteel, and DPX.
 
Fanglekai said:
That's not a frame lock.

Spyderco Southard is close to that price.
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:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Great Knife. Worth the few extra bucks.
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The ZT 0801 in my personal opinion. The fit and finish is excellent, perfect flipping action, titanium handles, elmax, wonderful ergonomics, the works, and they run $192 new. :)
 
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I agree with others above regarding the Spyderco Southard. It's a little over $200 but, in my opinion, it's the best out there right now. That is, probably, until ZT 0562CF shows up for about the same price once supplies catch up with demand.
 
I'm gonna have to go with ZT on this.

From my slim, pocket friendly 0566 to my beefy, SHTF 0551, ZT makes an excellent product :thumbup:

ETA: not to mention that KAI has one of the best warranties in the business.
 
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The Zt801 definately one on the list. So is combative edge saw the m1 somewhere then forgot about so glad jsimon42085 mentioned it also looking at their fixed blades. Spyderco southard. The steel on that one I've never heard of is their a more common steel someone could mention to compare it too. I got an endura about a week ago and not very impressed. Blade play is crazy even when tightened so tight can barely open it has up and down and side to side play which honestly drives me crazy. Don't think the lock is all that safe either when compared to almost any other knife either. Not a fan also of opening holes on blades cause in my mind i think it's a weak spot in the blade and like what is shown in this picture will happen to it and not last as long as a blade and has more of a chance at breaking than one without an opening hole. Am i wrong on thinking that?

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On Spyderco, the knives coming out of the Taichung, Taiwan plant are some of the highest quality production knives out there. The Southard is made there.

The Spyderco hole is not a weak point rather an aesthetics issue. In the Southard the hole is somewhat inconspicuous when the flipper is closed and that's why it makes it such a narrow profile. The blade on the Southard is CTS-204P which is the equivalent of M390. Another key advantage of the Southard is a weight of 4.1 ounces versus 5.8 ounces for ZT 0801. If you want to stay under $200 go with ZT 0801.

The bottom Griptilian looks like it was wave modified.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
Not a fan also of opening holes on blades cause in my mind i think it's a weak spot in the blade and like what is shown in this picture will happen to it and not last as long as a blade and has more of a chance at breaking than one without an opening hole. Am i wrong on thinking that?

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I don't think the hole weakens the blade all that much. There are plenty of fixed blades that have a bunch of holes drilled into the handle to lighten it without altering durability. I might be wrong too though.

Is that your picture? It doesn't look broken at all, it looks as though someone put a wave on that Grip, which in my book is an upgrade.
 
All awesome information. Thanks.:) If anyone can think of any other good frame locks not mentioned please list em.
 
Benchwarmer is correct. that hole was "opened up" on purpose to make it like a Wave on Emerson knives. Opens when you bring knife out of pocket. The best framelock under 200 is the ZT 0550. It's a compromise in the ZT line, but does everything well.
IMO Still a bit large for me, but much smaller than the 056x series of knives, which I've also owned.
 
I had a ZT 561 for a bit and that thing was a beast. Light for it's size and flips out well too. New would be outside your budget but used ones pop up on the exchange for under $200 on occasion.
 
benchwarmer380 said:
I don't think the hole weakens the blade all that much. There are plenty of fixed blades that have a bunch of holes drilled into the handle to lighten it without altering durability. I might be wrong too though.

Is that your picture? It doesn't look broken at all, it looks as though someone put a wave on that Grip, which in my book is an upgrade.
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No it was one that was selling on ebay. And it went for around $50 which completely blew my mind. But maybe that's why it went so high cause i guess it does look like a modified wave feature rather than a break.
 
I love my Southard and think it's the best around the $200. For staying strictly under the $200 point, I'd pick the ZT 0550. 0561/0560 are awesome...superb fit and finish though I think the 0801 flips significantly better. 0550 is an overall great knife.
 
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