Just a quick hello

C

CreamyB

Joined
Oct 25, 2021
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Hi I have been reading posts from afar for many months now and finally decided to register and get in on the action. I live in the UK where the knife laws are a little on the strict side to say the least ! I have been hooked with knives ever since I started camping last year and although my collection is small , we all have to start somewhere.
My current knives are
Fixed blade; mora bushcraft black. SOG feild pup. Condor bushlore
Folding knives; black fox bean gen 2, Kershaw leek, KA-BAR Dozier d2, rough rider micarta , and finally my most recent purchase , a civivi elementum .
Being in England , there isnt any shops near me so I can't handle a knife before I buy it , so I'm mainly going off YouTube reviews and what I can find on the internet. Well I'm looking to buy my first ' proper ' folding knife and I'm torn between 3.
Spyderco para 2/3
Benchmade freek
Or a nice titanium ZT.
Does anyone have any hands on recommendations? I initially thought that all the spydercos were ugly as hell yet the more I read I guess I really need to have one to try yet they are quite expensive , as are the BM and ZTs .
So as I can't ' try before I buy ' what make / model would you suggest ? Thanks, Liam
 
Welcome to our little clam bake. :)

Spyderco and Benchmade are excellent brands. I don't own any ZT, so I can't comment on them.

Regarding price, I would spend the money and buy the good stuff. But, then again, I'm someone who likes to spend money on his hobbies.
 
Welcome to BF! :)

Your three models/brands are all highly regarded, so there isn't a bad choice in that mix. I know what you mean about not being able to handle stuff beforehand -- and that's a double whammy for sure when you're importing (or buying imported).

You have a solid slicer covered with your Leek, and a slicey all-rounder covered with your Elementum. For your next knife, particularly if it's expensive and you might not pick up another one for a little bit, I'd look for a model that feels different from those two.

Personally I'd go with a ZT. The 0450 is a snappy little flipper (though not a good slicer), if the handle size works for your hands. The 0562 is stellar, and whether you go Ti/Ti or Ti/CF you're going to get the feeling of owning a premium, highly functional beast of a knife.

IMO you already have some of what the PM2 and Para 3 do well covered pretty nicely. An Axis lock would be a fun way to branch out, and personally I'd start with a Griptilian (you can go premium with CPM-20CV) or a 940 (ditto, but S90V).
 
You can never go wrong with Spyderco, though today I'm carrying the absolutely fantastic ZT 0470.

https://imgur.com/pAQ8bZm

For me, when it comes to actually using a knife, the is very little better out there than Spyderco. Their ergonomics are fantastic. Plus, you can always customize.

My PM2 for example started life as a digi-camo S30V, now it something much better.

https://imgur.com/czyAmYt
 
I’ll be the outlier here for the fun of it.

I’d look at the ZT0350TS. No, it’s not Ti/Ti, it’s G10, but a beast of a knife for a good price. S30V steel and way overbuilt.

It puts you more in line price wise with what you’ve mentioned. If you don’t like the assisted opening you can deassist it in about 15 minutes and it’s totally reversible.

I just don’t think you’re gonna find a Ti/Ti ZT in the price range of the others you listed, but you might. 🤷‍♂️
 
Dadpool said:
Welcome to BF! :)

Your three models/brands are all highly regarded, so there isn't a bad choice in that mix. I know what you mean about not being able to handle stuff beforehand -- and that's a double whammy for sure when you're importing (or buying imported).

You have a solid slicer covered with your Leek, and a slicey all-rounder covered with your Elementum. For your next knife, particularly if it's expensive and you might not pick up another one for a little bit, I'd look for a model that feels different from those two.

Personally I'd go with a ZT. The 0450 is a snappy little flipper (though not a good slicer), if the handle size works for your hands. The 0562 is stellar, and whether you go Ti/Ti or Ti/CF you're going to get the feeling of owning a premium, highly functional beast of a knife.

IMO you already have some of what the PM2 and Para 3 do well covered pretty nicely. An Axis lock would be a fun way to branch out, and personally I'd start with a Griptilian (you can go premium with CPM-20CV) or a 940 (ditto, but S90V).
Click to expand...
Thanks for taking the time out to reply ! The reason I had the para and BM on the list is the fact I would like to try the axis or compression lock. I've been around the knife would for a good 9 months to know how heated and sometimes downrighty bitchy people become over the spyderco Vs benchmade thing but as I have never had my hands on either , I prefer the looks of the benchmade and you mentioned the 940 I love that blade shape do they do that in a ' mini ' also ? I'm liking the thought of a mini grip or bugout
 
K.O.D. said:
You can never go wrong with Spyderco, though today I'm carrying the absolutely fantastic ZT 0470.

https://imgur.com/pAQ8bZm

For me, when it comes to actually using a knife, the is very little better out there than Spyderco. Their ergonomics are fantastic. Plus, you can always customize.

My PM2 for example started life as a digi-camo S30V, now it something much better.

https://imgur.com/czyAmYt
Click to expand...
Those knives both look fucking sweet sir !
 
Oklahoma Outlaw said:
I’ll be the outlier here for the fun of it.

I’d look at the ZT0350TS. No, it’s not Ti/Ti, it’s G10, but a beast of a knife for a good price. S30V steel and way overbuilt.

It puts you more in line price wise with what you’ve mentioned. If you don’t like the assisted opening you can deassist it in about 15 minutes and it’s totally reversible.

I just don’t think you’re gonna find a Ti/Ti ZT in the price range of the others you listed, but you might. 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
I hear ya brother ! I can get a spydie or BM for sub 200 no probs but the ZT s are next level money . It's a shame there isn't even a second hand market in the UK as all knife sales are banned on eBay Amazon ect
 
CreamyB said:
I'm liking the thought of a mini grip or bugout
Click to expand...
I can't believe I forgot the Bugout! What a great knife, in every way. Lots of options to choose from, too.

And yep, there's a mini 940:

Benchmade Mini Osborne - Knives for Sale | Blade HQ

The Benchmade 945 Mini Osborne is a happy addition to the Osborn family. It has everything you have come to love about the 940 design, only smaller.
www.bladehq.com
 
CreamyB said:
I hear ya brother ! I can get a spydie or BM for sub 200 no probs but the ZT s are next level money . It's a shame there isn't even a second hand market in the UK as all knife sales are banned on eBay Amazon ect
Click to expand...
The ZT0350TS can be had for $165.00USD.
 
Looks like you're missing some beef in your folders, out of those I'd grab an M4 Freek or the new adamas in Cruwear.

Welcome!
 
Dergyll said:
Looks like you're missing some beef in your folders, out of those I'd grab an M4 Freek or the new adamas in Cruwear.

Welcome!
Click to expand...
The adamas in cruwear looks like an absolute beast and the freek is in my top 3 atm. I just wish there was somewhere I could actually have a look and hold the knives before parting with my money ! Thanks for the input bro , means alot
 
CreamyB said:
Yeah I dunno what it is but the UK dealer I use doesn't stock ZTs so when I've looked at buying them thru other US sites they are wanting almost that in shipping fees on top 😂
Click to expand...
You’ll have the same predicament with the others you mentioned. 🤷‍♂️
 
Welcome C CreamyB !

Watch the exchange here - good deals pop up very often.

Benchmade presidio II , not a very popular knife, but a great utility / camp / defensive Jack of most trades knife. Comes in two sizes, can be found for about $130 US average.

I’m torn Between the Presidio II ( benchmade model 570 ) and the ZT 0562 for edc beaters ( not cheap knives, but well worth the prices in my opinion).

EDFF5994-3342-4DC3-9263-E3D0967E6835.jpeg3D308403-BFB8-4444-AD65-5C58E63C9B88.jpeg

Both have been carried a few years - sharpened, dropped, put away wet, lost / found, re sharpened and loved.

Check out the international exchange section 👍👍
 
luethge said:
Welcome C CreamyB !

Watch the exchange here - good deals pop up very often.

Benchmade presidio II , not a very popular knife, but a great utility / camp / defensive Jack of most trades knife. Comes in two sizes, can be found for about $130 US average.

I’m torn Between the Presidio II ( benchmade model 570 ) and the ZT 0562 for edc beaters ( not cheap knives, but well worth the prices in my opinion).

View attachment 1667344View attachment 1667345

Both have been carried a few years - sharpened, dropped, put away wet, lost / found, re sharpened and loved.

Check out the international exchange section 👍👍
Click to expand...
I'm in the UK bro so don't know if I'll be eligible but I'll take a look thanks
 
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