Good Tactical Folder Around $100

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keygenkid

Joined
Feb 21, 2011
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I recently been lurking around the forum. I am a pocket knife newbie I have taken an interest in them. I only have 1 pocket knife and that's an overpriced smith and wesson swat I bought at a military surplus store. I am now looking for a EDC folder. I prefer the heavy tactical folder with a 3-4 inch blade. I have decided I want to buy the ZT 0200 because I love the style and it is around my pricepoint. I am just wondering if it's a good first knife and if it justifies the price. I was also looking into the tenacious but decided I would go with a better quality blade. I never bought a knife online before so any tips or crucial info would be appreciated. I will just state my questions.

Is the ZT 0200 a good tactical folder for the price?
Where is a safe place to buy knives online?
Are tactical knives good for EDC?
What are there any better tactical folding knives for around $100?
 
ZT0200 is a sweet knife for the price, I think you will only hear good things about it from everyone here. Contact member kershawguy for great prices.
I personally can also recommend the Cold Steel American Lawman and AK-47. They can be found for around $70 and so far I have not been disappointed with them.
In the end you will have a number of good options and it solely comes down to your personal preference.
 
I don't know squat about tactical use, but if you're looking for a thicker blade that you could use and abuse, you probably won't be disappointed by ZT knives (any model.) If you don't already have one, check out the Ontario RAT 1 (it's a steal at around $30 or so--you could buy a few.) Emerson also makes prybars that look like knives and have a few models that are around your target price (used or on sale--NIB will probably be double your spending cap.)
 
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As far as the 0200 goes, I'm wearing one right now. it is only good is you wear jeans a lot, because there is a good chance that pants with no belt would not be able to support it. if you wear jeans, then go for it. I love the knife, but if this is a user, buy a blem. also, look at the 0350. that is a pretty sweet hunk of assisted knife....
 
The ZT knives are big and beefy. The can withstand just about any task a folder would be used for. If you are wanting tactical, check out the Spyderco Military. It has a 4 inch S30V blade and G10 handles. Its lightweight and a great slicer.
 
Just an afterthought: maybe a waved Spyderco Endura? I hear the wave feature also makes for a good bottle opener.
 
the basic spyderco endura is one of the best all around knives you can buy in my opinion, its reliable and strong and i think you can buy them in the 50-60 dollar price range.

the cold steel rajah 3 is also in the 50-60 dollar price range, it may not have the best aesthetics, but its a very strong, very reliable, and very practical knife in a smaller package.

the kershaw rake is excellent too if you want an assisted opener.
 
My recommendations
1. Cold Steel American lawman 3.5 inch blade (compare this to a AK-47) 60$
2. Cold Steel Recon one 4 inchs (clip point or Tanto) Plain edge version 65$
3. Cold Steel Spartan 4.5 inches 60$

The Tri-ad lock is good stuff.

Prices are what i have found online. No i won't say where.
 
thanks for the feedback guys, i think I am going to go with the 0200, I just needed to get some reassurance. Maybe after that I will get the RAT 1. Where is a good source to buy all this in Canada? Preferably online because there are almost no knife stores where I live and the ones I do have are ridiculously over priced.
 
There's the Cold Steel Rajah II as well, if you don't have a blade length limit ;-)

The new Cold Steel Voyagers being released this year look pretty good, but I cannot speak to them directly.. yet.
 
I've never had experiance with a 0200 but for a tactical folder you can pick up a Cold Steel Spartan for around $60. I usually get my knives off of Ebay but DO NOT buy frome Belote he may have good prices but his items are ALWAYS out of stock, a few other good places are: cutleryshoppe.com, newgraham.com and smokey mountain knife works (smkw.com)
 
I just bought a ZT 0200. I not only think it is a great knife, I think it is a bargain for what you get.
 
keygenkid said:
thanks for the feedback guys, i think I am going to go with the 0200, I just needed to get some reassurance. Maybe after that I will get the RAT 1. Where is a good source to buy all this in Canada? Preferably online because there are almost no knife stores where I live and the ones I do have are ridiculously over priced.
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Hello Keygenkid--Please check your visitor messages. I've sent you a link to a Canadian distributor that carries both of the knives you are interested in. Hope it helps!
 
I think I would recommend the Manix 2 over the 0200 for your first knife. The 0200 is great (I own one), but it tears your pockets apart really bad, and it's HUGE. If you're just getting started in knives, then a Spyderco is a great way to go. You'll get to experience one of the fineset knife companies on the planet. The Manix 2 (don't own one, but I had an original Manix) is a great tactical/edc knife.

That's my vote anyway.
 
oh yeah I forgot about the 0400. It's definitely not as tough as the 0200, but I think it's a much better slicer and much more carryable (despite limited clip positions). I love mine.
 
MrPres said:
I think I would recommend the Manix 2 over the 0200 for your first knife. The 0200 is great (I own one), but it tears your pockets apart really bad, and it's HUGE. If you're just getting started in knives, then a Spyderco is a great way to go. You'll get to experience one of the fineset knife companies on the planet. The Manix 2 (don't own one, but I had an original Manix) is a great tactical/edc knife.

That's my vote anyway.
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1. This is not his first knife, just his first nice knife.
2. I EDC a 0200, and my pants do just fine. i switched it to tip-up on the right side, though, so i do not know if that would affect it. having never handled a manix 2, i can't pass judgment, but i sure do love the old 0200. As far as being huge goes, that is kind of the point. a 4 inch blade is pretty sweet....
 
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