Cold steel Zytel TI-LITE

C

ColonelX

Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
686
I recently traded my cold steel Tanto Triple action for a 4 inch Zytel Ti-Lite and despite the fact that the trade price wise seems like i got the short end but IMHO i came out of the deal with the better knife, the Open is as fast as it gets from any method including the thumbstud,the flipper,the "wave" feature everything is lightning fast with the best lockup on a linerlock ive ever seen. it is a bit wider than my usual EDC but i don't consider it an issue. for most of my EDC's i prefer partial serration but its got a pretty good edge as it is. the one initial issue i had was the pocket clip, it was WAAAAAAY to tight after a bit of prying from my multitool i loosened the angle a bit and it feels ALOT better now but overall ill give this knife an 8.5 out of 10 if you dont already have it its worth getting ahold of one. here are the factory stats

4" TI-LITE WITH ZYTEL HANDLE

Specifications:
Weight: 3.5 oz.
Blade Thick: 1/8" (3mm)
Blade Length: 4"
Handle: 4 3/4" long. Zytel®
Steel: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless
Overall Length: 8 3/4"
Stainless Pocket/Belt Clip
MSRP:$69.99

my overall rating

blade::thumbup:
steel::thumbup:
handle::thumbup:
opener::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
lockup::thumbup:
weight::thumbup:
clip::thumbdn:


if anyone has any questions feel free to ask

cheers!

the Colonel
 
That's CS clips generally. It's easier to ease a tight clip than tighten a loose one. I just got a CS Pocket Bushman with a clip so tight you'd think it was welded down. :)

I got a Ti Ti-lite when they first came out. Very impressed. I imagine the basics are the same for yours, just slightly different materials. At one point I took the thumbstuds off, the flipper worked so well.
 
I love my ti-lite 6", but for EDC i want to purchase a 4", I hesitate betwin titanium (blue) or the new one with aluminium handle.
Any suggestion ?
 
Between the current production ones, I like the zytel the best in the 4" version, but the aluminum in the 6". The original titanium just can't be beat though.
 
The 6" aluminum version makes one hell of a kubaton from a nonlethal self defense standpoint, if you've got the training. :)

I also have a 4" Zytel Ti Lite that I received from an uncle at Christmas-time a few years back. What impressed me most about the knife was its solid liner lock and the factory edge. I was unimpressed by both the edge geometry and cutting dynamics, as well as the plain vanilla design of the knife and generic ergonomics. Also, the thumb stud is useless. I do like the wave-like feature, although it has been ripping the edge of my jeans pockets to shreds. All that being said, it has massive penetration potential!

Not the best utility folder to have in your pocket, but it's not a bad knife either.
 
Another note...

I wish they would've made a 6-inch titanium version. I would've bought one in a heartbeat, I think. :thumbup:
 
"Also, the thumb stud is useless"
I thought so too at first because it's so recessed, but I can open that knife faster than any other thumbstudded knife I own. It will give you a callous real quick.
 
crom said:
"Also, the thumb stud is useless"
I thought so too at first because it's so recessed, but I can open that knife faster than any other thumbstudded knife I own. It will give you a callous real quick.
Click to expand...

It would still be much easier if they had beveled the scale to allow better purchase on the thumb stud. I'm going to look into buying some small washers to use as spacers so the thumb stud protrudes further out from the scales for better purchase. Right now my thumb is pretty torn up from playing with the knife all day.

Also, the quillions would be much better if they were curved in the opposite directions. That way, the wave feature would actually be a hook and would be much more effective. It would also provide an effective thumb ramp to prevent the hand from sliding forward. If they made the flipper curve forward instead of backwards, it would make for much more effective flipper deployment with little or no wrist flick. Looks like they wanted to stay true to the look of an Italian switchblade with the quillions. However to me it's not worth it as reversing the direction of the quillions would make this knife infinitely more usable.
 
While I very much agree with your opinion regarding the direction of the quillions...

1a6953.jpg
 
i bought the 4 inch aluminum version almost a year ago and i love it. It doesn't quite fit my EDC needs but i like to carry it as a self defense weapon so when i go to the bar or just out for the night it comes with me seeing as how i live in canada and can't get a permit to carry a hand gun. the only negatives i have to say about this knife is the paint on the pocket clip is wearing off around the edges which doesn't bother me that much but it's also developed some up and down play in the blade. i don't use it heavily so i'm not sure what gave it the blade play but other then that i love this knife and i love the looks i get when someone asks if i can cut something for them and whip out this "switchblade-esk" knife as my friend put it
 
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