Help a newbie pick a knife

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BasserJim

Joined
Nov 26, 2015
Messages
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Hey guys, hoping for some suggestions. Looking for a new knife for edc. Looking for assisted open, drop point, 3 inch ish blade. I currently carry a Kershaw Leek. Thinking I would like to find something from either Benchmade or Zero Tolerance
 
WELCOME!

The BM and ZT fans will be along shortly to flood you with excellent choices.

In the meantime, explore the subforums, there's a lot of info and expertise, all free just for the asking.
 
In order of ascending price:

Kershaw Volt II, RJ Tactical, most imported pieces.

Kershaw Knockout

ZT0566

I don't think you need assisted though, a ZT0900 fills all of your needs, it fantastic and the bearings and detent will make you forget spring assisted knives ever existed.
 
Scurvy092 said:
In order of ascending price:

Kershaw Volt II, RJ Tactical, most imported pieces.

Kershaw Knockout

ZT0566

I don't think you need assisted though, a ZT0900 fills all of your needs, it fantastic and the bearings and detent will make you forget spring assisted knives ever existed.
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It doesn't have to be assisted. I'm just used to cheap knives that don't like to open without it. I've never had a nicer knife without it. If you say I don't need it I will trust you though. Next question- serrated at all? Steel?

I like that 0900
 
A brand new ZT0900 appeared in my mail yesterday. You will absolutely LOVE this. It is so damn fast! No need for a spring assist or auto with this little gem! I typically don't buy serrated blades. I prefer to have the entire edge clean. It also makes it easier to maintain the edge.
 
netguy1999 said:
A brand new ZT0900 appeared in my mail yesterday. You will absolutely LOVE this. It is so damn fast! No need for a spring assist or auto with this little gem! I typically don't buy serrated blades. I prefer to have the entire edge clean. It also makes it easier to maintain the edge.
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I agree with this completely. 0900 was the first thing I thought of when I read the original request. Regardless of Benchmade or ZT you will be buying a great quality knife backed by a fantastic company!
 
Zt 0301 rocks! Its big though.

Never serrations, ever again. Once you learn to sharpen you will never need them and may even hate them. Trust me.

A good choice is a Spyderco paramilitary 2. It isnt assisted, but doesnt need it. Great knife, wont break the bank.
Best of luck! Let us know what you get, with pics.
 
BasserJim said:
Hey guys, hoping for some suggestions. Looking for a new knife for edc. Looking for assisted open, drop point, 3 inch ish blade. I currently carry a Kershaw Leek. Thinking I would like to find something from either Benchmade or Zero Tolerance
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22111knives010.jpg

This has an NSN number BTW.
http://www.benchmade.com/black-class/mini-reflex-family.html
 
Kershaw Link... Best deal for Made in USA assisted opener (Almost Identical to a certain ZT but I forget which model)
Ontario Rat 1 ... Not assisted but does't need it.
Ontario Rat 2 .. Same as above but smaller

Get all 3 of these combined for less than one ZT.
Watch youtube reviews and do google/bladforums searches for some insight on these blades.
 
When you add the "ish" to the 3, the door opens a little more. Oh, and on the blade, I prefer plain....no serrations. For my needs, serrations would just limit the amount of usable blade. I don't cut rope for a living.

The zt808 if you like your leek, but want more beef. If you like the super thin aspect of the leek, then the zt450. Both all titanium frame, with s35vn blades. The KVT ball bearing pivot system these little guys have will open at least as fast as any of my assisted knives, and easier to close because you do not have the spring to work against.

If you really want to stick with assisted, the zt566 as mentioned above. Or one of my favorites, the zt770cf. This is thin, light, with great looking CF slabs, and Elmax blade. At first glance you would just think this knife is just a light duty gentleman's knife. With pretty much just cf frame and steel linerlock, and wonder where they squeezed in a very effective spring for the assist. But after handling you will realize that it's really very stout set up. I consider it one of the most durable "super light" knives I own.

If that "ish" lets you "round up" to say 3.75", then things open up even more. You've got the ZT 801 (kvt), and the 350 (assisted).

My all time favorite and current EDC is the ZT562CF (kvt). Smooth, fast, stout, pretty, and solid. Worth checking out.
 
ZT0770cf, or 450.

They have it available in elmax, m390 and m4, assisted but most of them can be deassisted fine but do not have to be.
The newer CF pattern is nicer looking than the older stuff and depending on what you want regarding edge retention/ease of sharpening/toughness we can steer you in that direction.

The 450 is a Ti framelock non assisted, but is Very fast and smooth. A fantastic smaller carry.

My ZT 770cfM4 with the DLC finish sanded to a blackwash.
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BM offers the sequel, northfork, presidio, and the 940/943.

I don't have much experience with the listed BMs aside from the 940 and 943. Having owned both, they are the two knives that I sold that I know I will buy again, especially the 940.

Both carry a 3.40" blade but they carry it well. Slim, light, grippy hand feel though people do make aftermarket scales for them.

Available in s30v which is fine for everyday tasks and as long as it isn't reground too thin you won't have to worry about it being "chippy".

The axis lock is smooth, fun to play around with, ambidextrous and easy to manipulate. I have owned a few Benchmades and aside from the 710-1401, the 940 is my favorite.
 
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How much money do you have to spend?

1] Look at the Spyderco Domino or Positron. Once bitten by the Spyder you will not go back. Both of these have better steel than others mentioned here.

2] Benchmade knives are a bit better than ZT in this regard, they have a better lock. The flipper may be slower (though I have some that are FAST), the lock is simply better.
 
DocT said:
How much money do you have to spend?

1] Look at the Spyderco Domino or Positron. Once bitten by the Spyder you will not go back. Both of these have better steel than others mentioned here.

2] Benchmade knives are a bit better than ZT in this regard, they have a better lock. The flipper may be slower (though I have some that are FAST), the lock is simply better.
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My constraint is not in budget but rather in comfort. Sure I could afford to buy a $500 or even more knife, but I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying it. Thinking a max of $200-250
 
I just picked up a ZT 566 a month or so ago and have carried it for a while and enjoy it. Light, good in the hand. Think you can get them for about $140. Picked mine up from a member here and had a custom CF scale on it. Like it.
 
If you're at all flexible on the blade shape, I'd second the 0770cf. I'm not usually a big fan of AO knives, but the positive attributes of the 0770 far outweigh the slight negative (to me) of being AO. This is the best "light" knife you're likely to find. You won't even know you're carrying it.
 
Try on a Benchmade 531 Pardue for very light, thin, and classy, a 707 Sequel, mini Barrage, or mini Presidio.
 
You can try two at that budget as long as you don't mind watching the forums and auction sites, I find I'm more comfortable carrying a nice knife when I have an equal quality replacement at the house in case I mangle it somehow or lose it.
 
NG VI said:
You can try two at that budget as long as you don't mind watching the forums and auction sites, I find I'm more comfortable carrying a nice knife when I have an equal quality replacement at the house in case I mangle it somehow or lose it.
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I used to be like this too. I usually bought my knives in pairs. Lately I've decided that I'd like to try different knives, so I've been selling off many of my NIB standby's. If I mangle one, maybe there's a reason. At that point I can decide to replace with the same or try something else :)
 
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