First Folder Purchase! ZT or Spyderco?

bld522 said:
My thought exactly. And then again, if I were going to carry a fixed blade for "hard use" stuff, why would I need a folder with a 4" blade that could pass a durability test? :confused: I'd pair it up with a decent multitool and be done with it.
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Not really a durability test. I'd just seen many different tests for the lock and blade chipped, etc. Like spine whacking and batoning. Spine whacking is sort of unnecessary though.
 
Folders are unnecessary if you're willing to carry a fixed blade. ;)

Don't get me wrong. I've got a ton of folders including Spydercos and ZTs. They're sexy as hell and they excel at convenience and covertness. But I wouldn't count on any of them in a survival situation. A folder is, by definition, a knife that's broken by design. If the SHTF, I'd go for my Swamp Rat Ratmandu and my Swisstool Spirit before I'd pick up any of them.

If you're going to get a folder, my recommendation would be to reframe your thinking. I'd suggest you get one that meets the following criteria:

Slices well
Holds an edge
Sharpens easily
Carries comfortably

Then leave the hard work for your fixed-blade.
 
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bld522 said:
Folders are unnecessary if you're willing to carry a fixed blade. ;)

Don't get me wrong. I've got a ton of folders including Spydercos and ZTs. They're sexy as hell and they excel at convenience and covertness. But I wouldn't count on any of them in a survival situation. A folder is, by definition, a knife that's broken by design. If the SHTF, I'd go for my Swamp Rat Ratmandu and my Swisstool Spirit before I'd pick up any of them.

If you're going to get a folder, my recommendation would be to reframe your thinking. I'd suggest you get one that meets the following criteria:

Slices well
Holds an edge
Sharpens easily
Carries comfortably

Then leave the hard work for your fixed-blade.
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Thank you for this. So I'm pretty set on a Spyderco Manix 2 it fits that criteria, however I can't find how easy it is to sharpen. I may just be a noob though.
 
Do you really need a fixed blade ? 560 will do the job unless you are going to abuse it .

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Get a ZT 0560.
I consider it one of ZTs best folders and one every collector should own. It's a beast. Even in a big hand, it feels large as hell.
Just something beefy about it.

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bld522 said something that really made my choice. If I'm not gonna be abusing it there really is no point in getting a ZT and less I spend more I can save for my next knife as well. I think I'm gonna go with this plan. Edit: I forgot to mention that this knife is meant to be a slicer that I want to keep very sharp and when it comes to it making kindling shouldn't be too hard either. I also really love the lock. I guess you can say I got a "hard on" for it, haha. :)

Purchase manix 2 xl.
Save for a fixed blade
Wait for gso 6 to become available, or wait for the new model.

If u guys want to suggest good bushcraft knives I'd like it 5 inches or so. 4 mm thick minimum. Full tang is a must. I'm probably going to make a new post around the time I have the money for it.
 
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If you're happy with your choice, that seals the deal. But, I'd hope you handle the ZT 0569 or 0561 before your next purchase. It's likely either one would outlast you. Enjoy the new blade man! That's what matters.
 
bowman78 said:
bld522 said something that really made my choice. If I'm not gonna be abusing it there really is no point in getting a ZT and less I spend more I can save for my next knife as well. I think I'm gonna go with this plan. Edit: I forgot to mention that this knife is meant to be a slicer that I want to keep very sharp and when it comes to it making kindling shouldn't be too hard either. I also really love the lock. I guess you can say I got a "hard on" for it, haha. :)

Purchase manix 2 xl.
Save for a fixed blade
Wait for gso 6 to become available, or wait for the new model.

If u guys want to suggest good bushcraft knives I'd like it 5 inches or so. 4 mm thick minimum. Full tang is a must. I'm probably going to make a new post around the time I have the money for it.
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I've had several SURVIVE fixed blades, one with CPM-3V. Excellent steel. And just to say, we have some very nice ladies that frequent this General Knife Discussion forum, so respect them also. Thank you. I would still suggest the Spyderco TUFF. Obviously, opinions vary. Good luck in your search.
 
Rebel4ever said:
If you're happy with your choice, that seals the deal. But, I'd hope you handle the ZT 0569 or 0561 before your next purchase. It's likely either one would outlast you. Enjoy the new blade man! That's what matters.
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Here's the issue. Anyone under 21 can't handle knives in the store I plan to purchase from or that would have those in stock. I'm 20. I've held a few Kershaws that have close to the same dimensions as the 0560.
 
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Sonnydaze said:
I've had several SURVIVE fixed blades, one with CPM-3V. Excellent steel. And just to say, we have some very nice ladies that frequent this General Knife Discussion forum, so respect them also. Thank you. I would still suggest the Spyderco TUFF. Obviously, opinions vary. Good luck in your search.
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Yea. 3v is my absolute favourite steel. Its just a bit hard for what I'm looking for in a folder.
 
I strongly recommend the ZT 566 or 801 for your purposes. Regardless of ZT and the controversy over their elmax, I find the 0801 to be a very awesome knife, sturdy, great slicing ability and well excited frame lock. The 566 is much the same.
 
Paramilitary 2 if you can find one. Liner locks and frame locks can't hold up to the strength or durability of the Compression Lock. Caged ball is a good system as well, but I like the shape of the handle and blade more on the PM2 than the Manix. Do a search on YouTube to compare the two and you'll probably see more praise for EDC on the PM2 than the Manix, but that's all subjective. Only problem will be finding one for sale--from what I gather you'll have more luck finding a unicorn riding a dragon. All that said it seems like ZT knives can handle more abuse without the fear of cosmetic damage.
 
bowman78 said:
bld522 said something that really made my choice. If I'm not gonna be abusing it there really is no point in getting a ZT and less I spend more I can save for my next knife as well. I think I'm gonna go with this plan. Edit: I forgot to mention that this knife is meant to be a slicer that I want to keep very sharp and when it comes to it making kindling shouldn't be too hard either. I also really love the lock. I guess you can say I got a "hard on" for it, haha. :)

Purchase manix 2 xl.
Save for a fixed blade
Wait for gso 6 to become available, or wait for the new model.

If u guys want to suggest good bushcraft knives I'd like it 5 inches or so. 4 mm thick minimum. Full tang is a must. I'm probably going to make a new post around the time I have the money for it.
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I'd say you made a good choice as far as the manix is concerned considering what you want. As far as the fixed blade, you may really want to look at the ZT 0180. They're using a very good steel. It's thick, it's tough, and it has really good edge retention. A spyderco folder and the ZT fixed blade seems like a winning combination if you're willing to carry both. Sounds like you and I are after very similar choices. Thin blade with a reliable lock for a folder and a meaty fixed blade knife that can be absolutely pounded on. Although a lifetime, no questions asked warranty from Esee is stellar.
 
If you ever plan on camping in cold/wet weather, I'd steer away from a framelock. I recently used my 566 in a rainstorm while it was in the low 40s to take down camp on the way out after an overnighter, the metal of the frame made is really uncomfortable to use when your hands are also quite cold. If you wear gloves you're fine, but I'd recommend a knife with a handle that is not made of metal as your go-to camping knife. I shoulda just used my mora allround, but I was lazy and decided to use my ZT.
 
hhmoore said:
ZT tends toward overbuilt; Spyderco, at least in my experience, has better slicing blades. You can't really go "wrong" with either brand.
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I've had a lot of ZT's, and they're great, but generally more heavy-duty capable and just plain too heavy for me to carry for my ordinary casual day. I've had many more Spydercos than ZT's, and will readily admit the Spydie is much more my favorite.
 
The ZT 0560/0561 is hard to beat. I love mine, and also just acquired the smaller version 0566, which I also really like. The blade shapes are very functional, and the knives do everything I ask the,. Nothing wrong with the Spydercos. The Manix II is one of the better knife values out there.
 
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