Help with choosing a large edc?

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
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Okay, so my last thread I asked about the benchmade 940 and ZT 0450. I was thinking about it because everyone basically suggested the 940 and I was feeling partial to the ZT. I couldn't figure out why but I think it's because I wanted something beefy and overbuilt.

So now I'm looking at a large edc. I'm looking at the lionsteel sr1 and zero tolerance 801 ti.

I'm not picky about materials, I'm more interested in ergos and toughness of the knife.

I already own a ZT 0562CF, but I want something with more user friendly materials, like s35vn and g10.

Price range: under 200

Thanks everyone
 
JDX said:
Okay, so my last thread I asked about the benchmade 940 and ZT 0450. I was thinking about it because everyone basically suggested the 940 and I was feeling partial to the ZT. I couldn't figure out why but I think it's because I wanted something beefy and overbuilt.

So now I'm looking at a large edc. I'm looking at the lionsteel sr1 and zero tolerance 801 ti.

I'm not picky about materials, I'm more interested in ergos and toughness of the knife.

I already own a ZT 0562CF, but I want something with more user friendly materials, like s35vn and g10.

Price range: under 200

Thanks everyone
Click to expand...
Well, if your ceiling of $200 is firm, then yes, any of the incarnations of the 3.5" 0801 Rexford would make a nice, comfortable and ergonomic choice. But for 20 bucks more my preference is for any of the recent issues of the 4.1" Sinkevich 0452. I say recent, because the very first issue had an almost universal problem with an overly fussy lock bar engagement; if using your right hand, you had to be very careful to hold it just so, or your middle and ring fingers would put enough pressure on the lock bar to severely hinder opening the knife. (A long break-in period of about 1,000 opening and closing cycles would usually mitigate the problem, but it was nonetheless a disappointment.) ZT/Kai must have listened to customer complaints because subsequent issues (and I have them all, with some duplicates) have been free of this defect. The 0452 is now one of my favorite ~4" production folding knife designs - and partly because like classic Japanese katanas and Merlin-engined British Supermarine Spitfires, it's exceedingly pretty and easy on the eyes.
 
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Zt 0804cf it's a thinner blade stock than most for better slicing and other tasks as well. Great flipper. Recently discontinued too so price is lower now. Unless they all sell out.
 
Deltadag said:
Well, if your ceiling of $200 is firm, then yes, any of the incarnations of the 3.5" 0801 Rexford would make a nice, comfortable and ergonomic choice. But for 20 bucks more my preference is for any of the recent issues of the 4.1" Sinkevich 0452. I say recent, because the very first issue had an almost universal problem with an overly fussy lock bar engagement; if using your right hand, you had to be very careful to hold it just so, or your middle and ring fingers would put enough pressure on the lock bar to severely hinder opening the knife. (A long break-in period of about 1,000 opening and closing cycles would usually mitigate the problem, but it was nonetheless a disappointment.) ZT/Kai must have listened to customer complaints because subsequent issues (and I have them all, with some duplicates) have been free of this defect. The 0452 is now one of my favorite ~4" production folding knife designs - and partly because like classic Japanese katanas and Merlun-engined British Supermarine Spitfires, it's exceedingly pretty and easy on the eyes.
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I would love a 0452 unfortunately it doesn't abide to laws in my state. Unfortunately blades must be 4 inches and under and I believe the 0452 is 4.1. Now I'm not sure if 4.1 is the blade length or the cutting edge length. But as long as the cutting edge is under 4 inches then it would make a good choice, it just seems a bit sleek to fulfill the beefy overbuilt qualities I'm looking for. Thank you though!
 
Mo2 said:
Zt 0804cf it's a thinner blade stock than most for better slicing and other tasks as well. Great flipper. Recently discontinued too so price is lower now. Unless they all sell out.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the Rexford ZT 0804 was a steal at the $99 to $139 asking price - I got five to use as high-end Christmas stocking stuffers! It might be awhile before we see its like again. (About the only criticisms I read about the 0804 was the fact that the sharpened edge ran all the way to the plunge grind, and that ZT didn't furnish a stylish cover to fill the unused pocket clip cutout on the scales. The latter complaint was rather like quibbling if you ask me.)
 
JDX said:
Okay, so my last thread I asked about the benchmade 940 and ZT 0450. I was thinking about it because everyone basically suggested the 940 and I was feeling partial to the ZT. I couldn't figure out why but I think it's because I wanted something beefy and overbuilt.

So now I'm looking at a large edc. I'm looking at the lionsteel sr1 and zero tolerance 801 ti.

I'm not picky about materials, I'm more interested in ergos and toughness of the knife.

I already own a ZT 0562CF, but I want something with more user friendly materials, like s35vn and g10.

Price range: under 200

Thanks everyone
Click to expand...

If you like the 450 but want something bigger just get the ZT 452. For a big knife it is extremely light and a pleasure to use. Is it too big, or why have you not considered it? Part of the reason I like it so much is that most ZTs have a stainless steel liner under their g10 or cf scale. The 452 does not and is thus thinner and lighter.

I have the first version of the 801 and it is an awesome knife. I also like it how the handle is full Ti on each side. I always found it abit cheap that ZT uses a stainless steel liner on most of their knives.
 
I just bought 801Ti's for all of my kids for Christmas. They have had the chance to handle dozens of my knives, and the 801 is what they always walked away with. Mostly for the comfort in hand, and ease of flipping. I just ano'd my 801 the other day. I like the looks of the original, but my family really digs the Ti version.

The 452 is a very cool knife, but seems intimidating in public. And the 450 is nice, but very small/lightweight.

11ltz86.jpg


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Although not a metal handled knife fan, I do like the design of both of your choices. You really can't go wrong.

Since you already have a ZT, I just might vote for the Lionsteel so you can experience another brand.

The TM1 looks nice too. The black micarta + black blade looks sexy imo. Btw, price in cart is $199.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--LionSteel-TM1-Lockback-Knife--23813

Another choice for a beefy folder is the BM Adamas.

Good luck!
 
Deltadag said:
Yeah, the Rexford ZT 0804 was a steal at the $99 to $139 asking price - I got five to use as high-end Christmas stocking stuffers! It might be awhile before we see its like again. (About the only criticisms I read about the 0804 was the fact that the sharpened edge ran all the way to the plunge grind, and that ZT didn't furnish a stylish cover to fill the unused pocket clip cutout on the scales. The latter complaint was rather like quibbling if you ask me.)
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I am having a hard time accepting you are talking about: first ZT 0452 wont open due to pressure on lockbar as an issue. It is not an issue of the design, but an issue of lack of proper skills of opening the knife. Then you go on saying ZT 0804 sales at $99-139. I dont know which planet you are on but that model has never been priced that low.
 
Deltadag said:
Yeah, the Rexford ZT 0804 was a steal at the $99 to $139 asking price - I got five to use as high-end Christmas stocking stuffers! It might be awhile before we see its like again. (About the only criticisms I read about the 0804 was the fact that the sharpened edge ran all the way to the plunge grind, and that ZT didn't furnish a stylish cover to fill the unused pocket clip cutout on the scales. The latter complaint was rather like quibbling if you ask me.)
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Holy cow! If you can get an 804cf for around $100, that would be an amazing way to go too. I paid a crap load more for mine. For the little clip cutout, I just glued in a peice of leather. Seems to fit, and most people that see it don't even ask about it like they did when it was empty.

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gazz98 said:
Although not a metal handled knife fan, I do like the design of both of your choices. You really can't go wrong.

Since you already have a ZT, I just might vote for the Lionsteel so you can experience another brand.

The TM1 looks nice too. The black micarta + black blade looks sexy imo. Btw, price in cart is $199.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--LionSteel-TM1-Lockback-Knife--23813

Another choice for a beefy folder is the BM Adamas.

Good luck!
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I'll 2nd the tm1!
 
I like bflying chose of knives! I would like to get another 804 or 801. Great knives. Where are they selling 804's that cheap?
 
If you're looking for beefy, S35VN, and G10 I think what you're looking for is the ZT 0909. Recently discontinued but still available fairly cheaply at a few dealers, well under two bills.
 
sharp_edge said:
I am having a hard time accepting you are talking about: first ZT 0452 wont open due to pressure on lockbar as an issue. It is not an issue of the design, but an issue of lack of proper skills of opening the knife. Then you go on saying ZT 0804 sales at $99-139. I dont know which planet you are on but that model has never been priced that low.
Click to expand...

I don't question your general intelligence, but despite your not insignificant total number of previous posts, you simply aren't well informed as to the history of the Sinkevich ZT 0452. The earliest release of this model did indeed have a common idiosyncrasy of being hard to deploy if held in the right hand using a normal grip. I would go so far to say that any flipper knife that requires average users to consciously place his fingers "just so" to reliably open the blade is (1) poorly designed, or (2) a good design but poorly executed. The early 0452 examples expressed the latter problem, and that's precisely why a long break-in period with many, many opening and closing cycles mitigated the issue for some owners (I being one). It's telling that since that first production run, all later 0452s have been easy for right-handed users to deploy "right out of the box" - as they should have been in the initial release. I strongly suspect ZT, in response to customer complaints and warranty returns, quickly "tweaked" the lock bar engagement and blade detent production specifications. That this likely occurred is supported by the fact that despite the 0452 still being in ZT's current lineup, the forum complaints about the initial problem has dwindled to zero; the problem was fixed and did not require the model be discontinued.

At the risk of emulating veteran Bladeforums.com members who express contempt for new members who do not use the forum search function, I suggest you do just that. And also at the risk of hijacking this thread, some early owners of the 0452 might care to chime in to confirm what I just described.

And finally, yes, the Rexford ZT 0804 did indeed sell over the Internet by at least one retailer for as low as $99 almost immediately after it was discontinued. The much-despised MAP pricing was then no longer in effect. And that exceptionally low price justified my purchase of a number of them for use as stocking stuffers this Christmas. Believe that or not as you will.

Again, my apologies to all for possibly derailing this thread.
 
JDX said:
Okay, so my last thread I asked about the benchmade 940 and ZT 0450. I was thinking about it because everyone basically suggested the 940 and I was feeling partial to the ZT. I couldn't figure out why but I think it's because I wanted something beefy and overbuilt.

So now I'm looking at a large edc. I'm looking at the lionsteel sr1 and zero tolerance 801 ti.

I'm not picky about materials, I'm more interested in ergos and toughness of the knife.

I already own a ZT 0562CF, but I want something with more user friendly materials, like s35vn and g10.

Price range: under 200

Thanks everyone
Click to expand...
What about a Spyderco Military in M4/G10?
 
Too bad about the 0452 length. The 801 is a solid choice (I have 2) they are great users. They 909 is a great recommendation if you don't mind the weight. How about an 0560 off the exchange? Here's a pic I took recently:

4OvUTrH.jpg

4OvUTrH.jpg

ZT 0804cf
ZT 0452cf
Military
ZT 0561
ZT 0562CF
Manix2
 
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There is a Grey G10/Cruwear Military in the exchange now. Probably one of the best combos available for toughness and ease of maintenance.
 
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