good heavy use or tactical folder knife, any suggestions

I have been looking at the Zero Tolerance and they seem to be pretty beast of knives
 
still excepting suggestions, there are alot of knives out there.

p.s. what do you guys think of the paradox, not really as my heavy duty blade, but i found one for 20 bucks. should i go for it or is it not worth it.
 
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You're only 14?

I'd suggest picking up a Spyderco Resilience or Tenacious (maybe both?) and a Spyderco Sharpmaker, and learning how to sharpen. If you break a ~$45 knife you are probably doing something wrong, and it would be a lot better to learn safe and sane knife use with a cheaper knife, than a more expensive knife.

Use the knife for a while, and get a feel for what you really use a knife for--not for what you may imagine using a knife for. After a few months I think you will get a better feel for exactly what you are looking for in a knife.
 
alright, I just can't seem to win. so let me start over.
- yes I'm 14
- no, I'm not a novice, and I know my way around a knife and a gun
- I am looking for a sturdy 4 1/2 to 5 inch all rounder tactical/ maybe survival knife
- I am on a budget of about 100 bucks. (been saving) I can go a little above, but prefer not to
- I want a knife kind of like a recon 1 or Spartan by cold steel, and the spatan is currently my #1 option
- I do already own a kershaw skyline and an s&w ch0014 (sucks)
- I am not a novice at this and know about most steels, companies and uses for knives
- I do know how to sharpen a knife, and am pretty profficient at it
- this will be my last. purchase for a while, as I'm really digging deep in the savings

I hope everything is clear now, and that we will all be positively affected by this long rambley post
 
I'm not really sure what a "tactical" knife is, but if one of your possible uses is survival, I'd suggest choosing a fixed blade over a folder.

If you already have a Skyline, then you've got a good knife for the majority of cutting/slicing tasks.

Maybe an ESEE 4 would best fit your budget--I'm seeing them for ~$90 including shipping.

I've found that folding knives best fill their role (easy to carry, with a good slicing grind) when the blade length is between 3-4 inches. Anything over that, and you are getting a pocketful of knife, and at those lengths a fixed blade's strength will outshine a folder's.

If you're getting it just because you want it, and it looks cool, more power to you.
 
i want a folder simply because they are fun. although the added mobility and concealability is nice, they are just fun to fondle. have you ever gotten up, walked up to your knife droor and picked a knife at random. then just taken it and flicked it open. just watching the blade apear, and fly out of the handle, then lock with that satisfying click. i do it just for fun. i do intend on buying a good fixed blade for actual camping and survival, but the folder is more of a backup, a sense of security, and just a fun thing to have.

p.s. for all that asked, i call a "tactical" knife, anything that i wouldn't mind taking to war, or that was designed to be a fighting/ heavy use knife. hope that helps
 
Ok...so you're 14, and you seem to have a good idea of what you want, but no clue where to start. That's ok.

My suggestion is, since you have a computer(obviously)...is pull up Knife Center, Knife Works, GPKnives, Smoky Mountain Knife Works...and go through the brand names and look at the pictures and prices until you see something you like and can afford. We can throw suggestions at you until the cows come home but we have no idea what you are looking for except for the fact that you want something "tactical."

It's always better to just do your research on your own. It may take you a while but in the end you'll be satisfied with what YOU chose.

Good luck!
 
been doing alot of research, already told you guys my short list, just open to suggestions, you know
 
Sound like you should pick the Cold Steel knife of the size/shape you like best. I'd pick one with the Tri-ad lock. Have a look at the new Voyagers too. Maybe also consider the Benchmade Griptilian, and Presidio Ultras.
 
If you looking for a defensive-offensive folder, the CRKT hissatsu folder is a good choice for the price.
 
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Looking to try this out in a week.
 
kunchi97 said:
when i said i could pay 80- 100, i didn't mean I just had a 100 bucks laying around. this is going to be my last serious knife buy for about a year or more. i'm only fourteen, and a 100 dollars doen't come easy. i'm thinking about getting a weekend job, so that should put some extra money in my pocket. I have about a 1,000 dollars saved up, but i cant bow it all on knives (wish i could).

by the way, the zero tolerance 0200 is an amazing knife, i just don't like it's esthetics. and if it's gonna be my last knife for a year or so, i wan't to like it alot. that's why i wan't it to be sturdy, because if it breaks on me it won't get replaced by anything near as good for a while. and even though i don't live outside or go camping twice a month, the time's i do go, i expect it to perform. do you know where i can ge a zero tolerance for cheaper, that's definitly going on the list.
Click to expand...

If it breaks on you, it will be replaced by something just as good. Like I said, Kershaw and ZT will replace broken parts for free, which can't be said about the other knives mentioned. For ZT's the cheapest online dealer I've found is GP Knives. Some knife companies regulate how low a dealer can price their knives, but GP gets around this with ZT and Benchmade by offering coupon codes or not advertising the price until you add it to your cart.

If you really want something tough, though, why not consider a fixed blade? Like a Becker or ESEE?
 
I will tell you that the ZT 0200, if you have big hands, is the only folder you will ever need. period. if you have small hands, you might not like it, but those people with bigger hands will love it. if you really want to sweeten the deal, then wait till about December and get a blem from kershawguy. they will still send out small parts, but they will not replace a broken blade. however, if you manage to break that knife, then you need to upgrade to a Busse.
 
+1 for the Recon. Honestly, I like the ZT 0200 better but it is outside of your comfort zone in terms of price. The Recon is a lot of knife for the money.
 
I'm just curious is it the looks of the Zero Tolerance that you don't like? It feels amazing in the hand. Its a flipping beast I mean milled out and in a pillar construction it still weighs 8oz.s. Its like a folding fixed blade. However if you want something tough I would think a Spyderco Endura would be pretty good. Yes it is light and has a FRN handle but I have stabbed and pushed mine through pledge cans and stuff and not even chipped or rolled the edge. The lock back is sturdy and I think the knife is pretty tough. For added strength you could get the Sabre ground model as well. Oh Junkyard Dog 2 is a beast as well. And its a composite blade with a CPM-D2 blade. And the Junkyard Dog is a beast of a knife can be had by kershay guy for 55 bucks shipped. Its a blem which means no warranty but breaking that knife really shouldn't happen when in proper use.
 
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