Choosing my first quality knife.

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Dergle

Joined
Jun 19, 2013
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Hello everyone! I'm brand new to the forums, and I'm in need of some experienced advice. So I've collected knives on and on throughout my life, but I have never really gotten into truly good-quality, respectable knives.
Well that's about to change! I've been working on researching in the fields I'm interested in, and have narrowed it down to a few knives that I think match my desires. I'm looking at getting an assisted opening knife, preferably with a flipper.
The knives I've narrowed down to are the ZT 0350, the Benchmade Nitrous Blitz, the SOG Aegis, the Kershaw Black Shallot, and the SOG Trident Tanto. Now obviously I don't have any real experience in finding a good knife, so I'm completely open to any other suggestions. I'm trying to keep the price under about $150 for this knife, seeing as I also have a car project that I'm currently hard at work on.
Looking forward to your responses!
Dergle
 
If the size and shape is right for you you can't go wrong with ZT from a quality standpoint, though the 350 is pretty much the lightest of the ZT line. Are you buying just to add to your collection or is this going to be a user or EDC?
 
ZT 0350 all the way.
Better steel, better fit and finish(though Kershaw is great, I would definitely go with their ZT line of knives), awesome quality, and if you decide you don't want the assist later on, take the torsion bar out and it makes an awesome manual flipper. Feels good in the hand, isn't overly large, a lot of the ZT knives are really big and bulky, this one really isn't but is still a tank of a little knife.
So I say, get the 0350 and you won't be disappointed.
 
Oh forgot to mention, another great knife to look at is the Kershaw Rake. It has a composite blade with a D2 cutting edge(great steel) and doesn't have a recurve in the blade(makes for easier sharpening). Feels great in the hand, nice blade length, assisted, not way too heavy, amazing knife overall and is less than the 0350 in price.
 
It looks like the ones you're looking at are all around 3.5-3.75" blade length. Of the ones you have listed, I'd pick the ZT0350. Great steel, ergos, and build quality. It's a fairly beefy knife though. The Shallot is quite a bit slimmer, and the Sandvik steel used on it is good. The ZT 0566 is also on its way (no release date yet), and that looks very interesting too (flipper, assisted-opening, ELMAX blade, Hinderer design). If you're not in a hurry, it may be worth waiting for that one. The ZT 0770 also looks great, but it'll probably retail a little above $150.

If you're not set on having a flipper, the Kershaw Blur in S30V or CPM154 are also worth checking out.
 
Of your choices get the ZT 0350 for sure but be sure to look into some Spyderco's also.
 
I would wait of the ZT 566, but if you don't feel like waiting then no questions the ZT 350 is the way to go.
 
I would take the ZT350 out of those. Might also check out the Kershaw Knockout and Piston. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
I have 2 SOGs and I won't recommend them for the price, on the other hand, I have a ZT (550) and would definitely recommend ZT.
 
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I'll put in a vote for the benchmade mini griptillian. The production
version runs about 90(?) dollars and a "custom" one starts at
$125 in 154cm steel. For that price range, the full size
griptillian is a candidate as well. You can get both sizes
them in 154cm, d2, N680, and s30v (though you have
to order a custom to get these steels). Anything
kershaw(and of course zero tolerance) I have
read is great though I personally do not own one.
 
The OP is looking for preferably an assisted flipper and folks are recommending a Dragonfly?

I'll throw my 2 cents for the 0350 as well. Solid, S30V and has a detent in case you want to try it without assist as mentioned. I've seen them for less than a Franklin.
 
Be aware Dergle that if you have large or extra large hands the ZT 0350 may have too short of a handle for you, as it did for me. 10 out of 10 knife, just too small of a handle for me.
 
No question of those you listed - ZT 0350. Better overall materials and quality. ZT 0566 could be a contender for you too but not currently available so only you can decide on that.
 
Love the ZTs, but the size of them for me is a little too bulky in my pocket.

for that price point id go for a CRKT Nirk Tighe, or either a Spyderco superleaf or PM2
 
If you like the zt350 then you would probably also like the 360skd its almost the same as the 350 but with a different blade shape. You could also check out the kershaw knockout its a really nice knife for around 70-80ish
 
Could always go the respected route and get a custom G&G Hawk knife at a production price: Kershaw RAM 1910? Fast flipper, decent steel and one of the nicest locks, smoothest deployments under $85?

Speaking as one who owns a ZT 0350ST - it is a good knife - a bit on the heavy side for EDC (in the waistband it is fine, pocket it sticks out too much i.e. is noticeable)

DSCF0559.jpg


I had a Shallot DLC coated - it deploys a little slower than I would like (personal preference) - just doesn't look all that great to my eyes either - a little slippery on the grip as well.
 
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