Hardest decision i got to make.

I went through this process about 10 years ago. I chose an Emerson Blackbird , it's similar to the model you pictured.
At first , I was pretty underwhelmed and it took awhile for me to appreciate the Emerson design.
So my advice would be to go with either the Rift or the Zt. I think you'll have a better experience.

You might also want to check out the ZT 0550, they're being discounted in most places and IMO a higher quality knife than the one you pictured above.
Check out the BM Bone Collector too.
 
Out of those 3 I recommend the 0350. I will honestly say it isn't my favorite ZT... But it is just so convenient to carry and such a good cutter that the thing just keeps ending up back in my rotation.
 
I highly recommend the Zt 0350 because its a tank of a knife for the price. You can also de-assist it and it makes a great manual flipper.
 
I also own the rift and the 350. I agree with the comments made about nothing wrong with the rift just no real connection to it. I really like my 350 great knife. I think my zt 801 is awesome and might be worth a look if you don't like the assisted opening in a 350. I think the kershaw/zt warranty is about the best in the business. So when choosing a high end knife or any knife for that matter you have to consider the support you might need if your knife ever fails for some reason. I don't know anything about Emerson so I can't comment on their product.
 
Rift all the way! The ZT is way too heavy. The Emerson is a close second as I have a mini 7 that has most of my pocket time.
 
I have all three and either would be a good choice. Well, I actually have the Protech-Emerson CQC7.

Hard to really rank them, lot of personal preference in that.

Have to say my first choice would the the ZT350 since I've been EDC'ing one for several years.

The RIFT would be my 2nd choice. Really love that design.

The CQC7 would be a close third.
 
The rift was my edc for about 2.5 years, then I got a zt0350 and carried it for a month before I gave it to my dad, it is a great blade and he loves it just wasn't to my personal preferences. Between those two I would pick the rift without a doubt. That being said I was so impressed with ZTs fit and finish I wanted to try another one so I got a 0560, I am crazy about, carry it every day and use the hell out of it and the elmax willtake and hold a razor edge. Give it a look if you want a ZT but aren't a fan of the spring assist.
 
Wow....if the hardest decision you have is what knife to buy, your knife must be pretty sweet. Wanna trade? :eek:

For Scagel's sake....just buy whichever one "works" for you visually. They are all good knives, and it is not going to be the last knife you ever buy. It's not supposed to be so difficult. You are just looking for something that cuts stuff and makes you happy. They all will cut stuff.
 
Sorry tomake your decision harder but do consider:

ZT0550... Or ZT0566 (coming soon)
AND
Definitley the Spyderco GB

If it is BM with the Axis you want, the 710... I prefer it over the Rift.
 
The only 1 of those 3 I have is the 950 Rift, and to me its a keeper/user.
Buy a Rift, I dont think you will regret it.
 
In my experience the Benchmade axis lock knives have some of the best actions for folding knives. I don't have any experience with ZT but if I was going to buy a ZT I would probably opt to go for one that has a frame lock instead of a liner lock.
I like Emersons but I have to say that they are not exactly newbie knives. They usually need a significant break-in period to smooth the action up and after/during the break-in period they often need cleaned since they ship with grease in the action.
 
Rift.

BUT, please consider the MUCH nicer 810 Contego. CPM-M4 steel is the shiznit, and this model can be had for ~$170 or less (I paid $175 at my local knife shop). The Axis Lock is arguably THE best lock on the market. If you have time, look up the lock-fail tests on the Benchmade youtube channel. They have videos of almost every current model being destroyed by a robot.

ZT's have never done it for me, for a few reasons. The ergos have always been too blocky, assisted knives are a product of rubbish bureaucracy, and -here's the big one- recurve blades are an absolute nightmare to sharpen properly. I use the hell out of my EDC, and end up sharpening/touching it up at least once a week. Knives are expensive enough... I don't want to be spending even more money replacing ruined stones, or munging up a recurve blade with my flat stones.

I don't have any physical experience with Emerson, but I have seen enough to know about their reputation. They've always seemed vanilla to me.
 
Moondrop said:
Glad somebody said it...
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I think you guys are taking what I said a tad too seriously. Definitely not the hardest decision and not specifically an important one. With that being said I was just having fun like I see a lot of folks on here when they say like they would rather die then lose their collection or their most valuable item is a crk. We all know its just fun posts but they usually don't get looked at seriously and that wasnt meant seriously.
 
White. said:
I think you guys are taking what I said a tad too seriously. Definitely not the hardest decision and not specifically an important one. With that being said I was just having fun like I see a lot of folks on here when they say like they would rather die then lose their collection or their most valuable item is a crk. We all know its just fun posts but they usually don't get looked at seriously and that wasnt meant seriously.
Click to expand...

Don't sweat it and it's hard to sometimes understand someone on the interwebz. People can take things the wrong way when it's not your intention.
Anyway, sometimes it can be a hard decision because we all want the best possible knife for our money.
 
csisland said:
Don't sweat it and it's hard to sometimes understand someone on the interwebz. People can take things the wrong way when it's not your intention.
Anyway, sometimes it can be a hard decision because we all want the best possible knife for our money.
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It's all good. And I mean yea it's a hard decision and especially when it comes down to using your hard earned money. I think I'm going to try a cqc 7 unwaved I'm making sure I don't beat it up right away so if I don't grow on it I can exchange it or just simply trade it for something else here on the forums.
 
Of those listed in the OP I would go with the rift hamds down. With that said, I'd take a spyderco domino over any of those every single day of the week, it really is just that good.
 
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