Good ZT Alternative? Need some recommendations on "overbuilt" folders for less

[MEJ]

The utilitac goods a lot of good press it seems like, haven't tried one though.

 

[mrdabble]

Save some cash and grab a ZT on the exchange, you'll thank yourself later

Or grab a blem from Kershawguy, as Rev and Gadfly suggested.

Otherwise I predict you'll find yourself continuing to seek what you want even after you've found a substantial alternative, but maybe I'm wrong....

 

[crom]

Also the Cold Steel Rajah 3. Total tank of a folder for good price. A lot of the knives mentioned here although graeat knives but not all are overbuilt.

 

[whitty]

Kershaw Rake, Kershaw Knockout, Kershaw Blackout, Kershaw Junk Yard Dog!

 

[Inazone]

For something different, there's the Boker Plus Kalashnikov series. I have the 101 model sitting on my desk in front of me right now, and while its 440C blade isn't going to compete with the premium steels on some knives closer to ZTs in terms of price, my impression is that it's still very much a heavy-duty knife. Of course, I can't argue with the Utilitac praise, because there's a lot to like for the money.

 

[mk.ultra]

Just got a Cold Steel Mini Recon 1 for $34 shipped on Amazon. The Tri-Ad lock is pretty legit.

 

[flarp]

The Blur is similar in size to the 0350. It's also assisted, but no flipper. It doesn't have the same overbuilt feel as a ZT, but it is very sturdy. The Junkyard Dog is also a beast. It is a manual flipper and closer in size to the 0200. The Piston and Knockout are a couple of other assisted flippers. Like the Blur, they are very solid feeling, but not quite the same heft as the 0350. The Injection 3.5 is another fairly beefy and solid feeling folder. The Cyclone is another beast. It's been discontinued, but you might be able to find them still on the secondary market. The Speed Bump is also a pretty beefy folder that is also discontinued (I think, although there was a more recent run a year or so ago).

Some various pics I've taken in the past that show some of the knives:

0200, JYD2, 0350, Blur:

Piston, Knockout, RAM, Caly3:

Cyclone, 0350:

0200, Spec Bump (same size and general design as Speed Bump):

 

[o4tg]

The Blur is similar in size to the 0350. It's also assisted, but no flipper. It doesn't have the same overbuilt feel as a ZT, but it is very sturdy. The Junkyard Dog is also a beast. It is a manual flipper and closer in size to the 0200. The Piston and Knockout are a couple of other assisted flippers. Like the Blur, they are very solid feeling, but not quite the same heft as the 0350. The Injection 3.5 is another fairly beefy and solid feeling folder. The Cyclone is another beast. It's been discontinued, but you might be able to find them still on the secondary market. The Speed Bump is also a pretty beefy folder that is also discontinued (I think, although there was a more recent run a year or so ago).

Some various pics I've taken in the past that show some of the knives:

0200, JYD2, 0350, Blur:

Piston, Knockout, RAM, Caly3:

Cyclone, 0350:

0200, Spec Bump (same size and general design as Speed Bump):

I sooooo wish they hadn't discontinued the Cyclone.

 

[crom]

O4tg, the Cyclone was indeed a nice knife, but mine and others I've held would disengage the liner lock when gripped hard. That's why mine had to go. The titanium ones are pretty sweet though.

 

[tchapman414]

This is the only "economical" rough-duty folder that I own...and it's a good one. You can shop for good prices...as low as about $70.
It's very smooth; very tough. I've had three NIB and gifted two to friends.

Kershaw Junkyard Dog 2.2 Manual Knife w/ Composite Blade 1725CB

I will have to second this suggestion. Kershawguy also has an awesome DLC limited run of it for a few dollars more.

 

[Comeuppance]

The Benchmade HK Conspiracy folder (there's a fixed version as well) does a very good imitation of an 0550, IMO.

 

[chrisk91]

American lawman.