Flipper advice and Bionic 2.0 Question

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xxratchetxx

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Aug 27, 2013
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Been looking at buying a flipper and I have these three in mind:
Brous Bionic 2.0
Spyderco Southard
ZT0560

Any advice on these three? And does anyone know what changes were made between the Bionic and the Bionic 2.0?
 
These are very different in size, do you have a general size preference? I would recommend the Southard out of those three, even though I got rid of mine. The Bionic 2.0 has a slightly more rounded flipper and no aggressive jimping right where your flipper finger goes.
 
Don't really have much of a size preference. I am mainly concerned about how well they cut. From what I have read, they all appear to have good blade shapes and geometry. I have read that the Bionic 1 had some overly aggressive jimping and very sharp edges; however, that was supposed to be fixed with the 2. I just haven't seen any reports on what exactly was changed with the 2.0.
 
xxratchetxx said:
I am mainly concerned about how well they cut.
Click to expand...

Having owned a Southard, two Bionics and played around with a few 560s, I firmly believe the Southard to be the best cutting blade of these three. Nice thin hollow grind, excellent utilitarian profile and the best steel of the three by far.
 
I edc'ed a bionic just shy of a year. I was disappointed in it. It always required a good fick of the wrist. The D 2 blade steel did not impress me at all. I sold it on eBay for half of what I paid for it. I did not feel that it was worth any more than that. Hey, it's only my opinion. Buy what you like. But I will go with a spyderco or a ZT long before any Brous made at the moment��
 
Thanks for the input jaxxsun and bpeezer. I hate to hear that about the Brous. :/

What are your opinions on the ergonomics between the southard and the 0561? I have read from some people that the southard isn't very comfortable? Sadly, there is no knife shop in my area that carries high end spyderco or ZT knives...
 
I have the original Bionic and a ZT0560 and a ZT0561 (same knife, different colored scale). I have no experience with the Southard.

The Bionic looks fun, but it's a poor flipper. I've heard tales from folks who disassemble them, polish them up, and then reassemble them that the Bionic becomes decent. Woo. The 0560/0561 is an amazing flipper out of the box. The Elmax steel will eat D2 for breakfast (and I'm a fan of D2). Granted, the ZT blade is chunky, but some folks like that. I've little doubt that the Southard is a better slicer. I've even heard that it's a decent flipper, but again, I've never handled one.

For my money, it'd be a blackwashed 0560. YMMV.
 
This forum is just outstanding. I am so glad I stumbled across bladeforums.

Thanks Neil. I completely forgot about the blackwashed 560. It looks outstanding! I have never owned a ZT but I have several Spyderco knives (Delica, PM2, Gayle Bradley). How does their fit/finish compare to Spyderco? And as far as size and pocketability, the Gayle Bradley folder isn't as heavy to me as people said and it appears to be somewhat comparable to the ZT. Did you have any problems carrying it?
 
I would skip the brous. The Spyderco would be my first choice followed closely by the 0560. If however you like larger knives the 560 performs very well given its large footprint. I would however recommend sourcing a newer model with steel lockface if possible. As for brous I had a T4 that really left things to be desired in the fit and finish department and something about the company just doesnt add up to me. I have absolutely no proof and I am not saying they are in fact imported but they have an imported feel. The blade finishing and overall tooling marks and certain built qualities actually remind me of knives produced overseas. So even if made in the USA I suspect its being done on some very archaic machinery or the process is just not up to snuff. I am not particularly impressed with the finish quality as well at least on the satin knives. I also find it interesting that he chooses to work in D2 exclusively which just happens to be the most common blade steel being utilized overseas as well. From a functional standpoint my T4 was excellent. it had early lockup and no play but honestly it reminded me of an imported knife at a domestic price.
 
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NeilB said:
I've heard tales from folks who disassemble them, polish them up, and then reassemble them that the Bionic becomes decent.
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This is exactly what I did with my first Bionic. I was disappointed that I had to do that, but I do like it a whole lot more now.
 
not supposed to talk about prices but look at the southard on amazon now. holy smokes, shut up and take my money!
 
Thanks for the input. I feel like I have been saved some potential disappointment on the Brous.

As for the price on that Southard... It pained me to skip on it because my wife has asked me not to buy anything until after Christmas :/ Hopefully, it will return to that price if I decide on that over the ZT.

Thanks for all of the input so far everyone!

Since I now need something to occupy me until Christmas, I will happily take suggestions on other flippers in that price range if anyone has other suggestions for flippers in that price range.
 
xxratchetxx said:
Thanks Neil. I completely forgot about the blackwashed 560. It looks outstanding! I have never owned a ZT but I have several Spyderco knives (Delica, PM2, Gayle Bradley). How does their fit/finish compare to Spyderco? And as far as size and pocketability, the Gayle Bradley folder isn't as heavy to me as people said and it appears to be somewhat comparable to the ZT. Did you have any problems carrying it?
Click to expand...

Both Spyderco and ZT have very high quality fit and finish. I have yet to have a problem with either manufacturer and I must own a dozen from each, maybe more. My second Military should be delivered by Friday (got the fluted titanium).

I carry my "big" knife in my right back pocket. My Keychain Of D00m goes in my right front and it's death on knives, which is why I carry in my right back. Sometimes I'll carry a traditional or smaller knife in my watch pocket (today is a Kershaw Damascus Double Cross). So, a heavier folder doesn't really bother me. That said, if I'm wearing slacks, I go with something lighter, maybe a Military. :) More seriously, a Benchmade 530 or a Kershaw Leek or a Spyderco Air would be my choices, maybe a traditional, depending.

Some guys carry a lot of stuff on them every day. I'm one, I suppose. Other guys don't like feeling weighed down with all that metal and I don't blame them a bit. Sometimes, it's what you have to wear for work. Lighter weight slacks are much less forgiving of a bigger knife than jeans. I'm lucky that I wear jeans at work most of the time.

I've carried everything from a Spyderco Micro Dyad to a Strider AR here at work and no one cares. Scared a customer once when I flicked out a ZT0777 M390 to cut a zip tie, but otherwise it's been a non-issue.
 
Thanks for the response NeilB. I have only had 1 person comment negatively on a knife I carry. She asked what I needed such a huge knife for (I was carrying my Delica of all knives). The Gayle Bradley or Benchmade 581 have never caused me any pocket problems so I guess the extra ounce of the 560 shouldn't cause a problem either. Now, I just need to wait on Christmas to get here...
 
I have a Bionic, a ZT 0560, and, uh, some Southards and I'd suggest the Southard is the best overall knife of the three, when you balance all the factors.

If you don't mind the bulk and weight, though, the 0560 is a great knife as well.

The Bionic isn't a terrible knife, but IMO it's a huge step down in all sorts of ways in comparison to the other two mentioned knives.
 
I have to agree that the Southard is a great knife design. I just picked up a Bionic 2.0 and it is neat, but does feel like it has cheap handles, although I love the blade, size and overall design. I'm keeping my Bionic and using it for travel. I wouldn't spend more than $120 on a Bionic in like new condition.
 
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