Buying my last ones for a while, input needed.

Bigfatts

Bigfatts

Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
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So I'm down to my last free money for a while. I will be buying one fixed and one folder. The folder is the one I need help picking. I am more of a fixed blade guy normally but I have been buying folders lately. Looking to spend $130-150 on the folder. Of course less is always better, but I have no problem spending the money- as I said, it was free. Right now I am looking at the ZT 0200, BM Adamas, Buck/Tops Csar-T and a couple others. To give you an idea of what ranges my tastes run in, in the last month I have bought a Spyderco Valloton, Kershaw JYD Composite, and an AG Russell RUS-FX180. I've been selling off some paintball gear I don't use as much as I used to and am putting the money into my current favorite hobby.

Models I will NOT consider:
Spyderco Endura
BM Griptilian

Features I prefer:
-Recurve blade (I'm a sucker for recurves)
-Flipper
-Tip up

All of the knives I mentioned above have some qualities I like. The ZT has a recurve blade, is beefy as all get out, but it is a liner lock and kind of looks stumpy to me, like it's almost too fat. The Adamas I like just about everything except for the holes in the grip. I hate holey handles. I like the Buck but there's just something about it I don't like about it, can't put my finger on it.

So suggestions, alternatives, etc. All input is appreciated.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. While I appreciate the input, I do not buy Cold Steel products. I should've mentioned that.
 
Sounds like you need a BM 710 in M390. Its a recurve, tip up, has EXCELLENT steel, and has been a favorite of knife knits everywhere for quite a long time. It doesn't have a flipper but ease of opening and speed have never been a problem with axis lock folders. Also, if you don't have a spyderco paramilitary 2, that would be a great one to pick up.
 
I had some doubts about the ZT 0200, but those all went away as soon as I got my hands on it. If there's one ZT to get, that's the one. Sounds perfect for you.
 
Spyderco Para Military 2 is a good one. It's not beefy, it's a pure cutting machine.

As far as fixed blades go, do you want something big? Or something to edc? Hunting, camping, bushcraft? We need a little more info there.

It's a shame that you won't buy cold steel's products. They really do offer some very very good knives especially for the money. Right away after reading your post I was going to suggest a Cold Steel Lawman or Recon 1 and a Cold Steel Master Hunter or SRK in Carbon V.
These are my favorite folders and fixed blades.
 
mkjellgren said:
Sounds like you need a BM 710 in M390. Its a recurve, tip up, has EXCELLENT steel, and has been a favorite of knife knits everywhere for quite a long time. It doesn't have a flipper but ease of opening and speed have never been a problem with axis lock folders. Also, if you don't have a spyderco paramilitary 2, that would be a great one to pick up.
Click to expand...

Both solid suggestions! +1 :thumbup:
 
The 710 in M390 is a superb folder. I have one and its everything you have heard. A high flat grind, plenty beefy blade and very thick steel liners. Icing on the cake is M390 which is state of the art steel. Holds an edge forever, even s30v isn't in the same league. Just for the steel alone its a bargain. Stout and carries very small, yet has a 3.9" blade that will run with the best.

The only downside is that M390 can be a bear to sharpen without the proper equipment. But M390 is world class steel and for production knives it doesn't get much better steel wise or knife design wise.

Every Benchmade fan needs to at least TRY a 710-2.
 
The ZT0200 sounds about right for your tastes. The Benchmade 710 is another good option as well. The axis lock is very strong and easy to use. For a good fixed blade, check out the Becker line made by KABAR. The BK2 is practically indestructible.
 
The 0200 is stout, don't let the liner lock deter you, it's rock solid:thumbup:

Mine when I got it.
rotate_0314121435.jpg


And after some use:D, it just shrugs everything off:thumbup:
1332875960.jpg


Great EDC!

-sh00ter
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I will check out the BM 7 and 810. Don't think I have anything against liner locks, both the Valloton and JYD I just bought are liners. It's just that I have always had almost exclusivly liner lock knives and have been looking to try new locks. That's why I bought the AG Russell, so I could try a frame lock.

-Chris, I have bought Cold Steel knives in the past and have been let down by every one of them. I gave thwm multiple chances for them to impress me and it was a waste of time and money.

And as far as fixed blades, I am pretty much between the Tops B.O.B. and the Esee Laser Strike.
 
I'd recommend the Gayle Bradley. It's not a recurve, but it's an excellent knife that delivers a fit and finish far beyond its price point.

If this is going to be the last knife purchase you make for a while, though, I'd highly suggest you save it for now. You have all that time to wait on the exchange forums for a good deal (or clearances from knife stores), which you would be spending agonizing over knives you aren't buying if you make your purchases right away.
 
I can only say BM275 Adamas, in whatever flavor you like. I don't go for the holes either, and that is the ONLY think I would change, and might do so by having a new set of grips made. Other than that cosmetic "blemish", the Adamas is an outstanding knife, especially for those who love the beefy folder's.

I also love the ZT0200 and it fits the same profile as the Adamas when talking heavy-duty, and beefy. The 154CM takes, holds, and is easy to sharpen back the edge. The liner lock is .080" thick stainless steel and I have never had it even offer to fail on me.

I don't think you would be dissapointed with either one of these, but atm I would give top billing to the Adamas.

Btw, I had a Vallotton that went missing a few weeks ago, and I just got my new one a week ago. Loving it.:thumbup::)
 
Tsuji- thanks for the input. It will be my last ones for a while, but not indefinately. My wife and I have an understanding. If I can make money on the side, ebay for instance, it's free money that I can do with as I please. This is the last of my current free money but it probably won't be too long before I have more. I'm pretty good at making my hobbies support themselves. Anyways, I have looked at the Gayle Bradley in person and I just don't care for it all that much. I haven't been converted to a love for the Spyder hole yet. The Valloton is probably my favorite knife I've ever owned but I mostly use the stud over the hole.

Cutter17- I do like the Adamas but I imagine a new set of grips would be rather costly to have done. I am really digging the 710 over the Adamas atm. And you had a Valloton get filched? :eek: Heads would roll...
 
Another vote for the 710, here. In fact, as I read your details, it was the first knife that came to mind. No flipper, but with such a great knife, who cares? Super-fast opening and closing, slight but useful recurve, great steel (any version), nice grip, slim profile, excellent blade length, and perfectly reasonable weight. I've carried mine faithfully as part of my EDC rotation for 7+ years and it's never let me down. Still looks almost new after all this time, too.

Your only concern might be that it's too slim or narrow for what you're after, considering some of the other knives you mentioned. Don't get me wrong -- it's still a handful and built tough as a railroad spike, but if you want something big, it might be a hair too svelte. I still think you could pick it up and spin it around on the forums if you don't like it; I doubt you'll lose more than a couple dollars that way.

Good luck in your quest!
 
Thank you for all the input so far guys. Unfortunately I went looking at the 710 and ended up looking at a bunch of BMs (one of the main brands I don't currently own.) My eyes hit the 755 and I haven't been able to stop looking at it. It's a little more than I was looking to spend but that means maybe I will get to try one of the Condors I've been looking to try out for the fixed blade end of things. I think I concluded the ZT is just a little too big for me for EDC, the 755 looks like a nice compromise. So right now I am between the 755 and 710 and I am having a real hard time not ordering the 755 as we speak. I will wait until later tonight though. What do you guys think?
 
If you thought the ZT was big, that 755 seems like it'd be akin to carrying a computer mouse around in your pocket. It might be built tough, but jeez, what a handful.
 
Well length was my overall concern with the ZT. The OAL on the BM is a good deal less. Some of my pants have rather shallow pockets and I don't know if the ZT would fit. So does anyone have the BM 755?
 
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