Looking for a decent Sub $200 Overbuilt flipper.

P

Pyrogen

Joined
Dec 26, 2014
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Good morning BF! I'm new here, please go easy on me!

I'm a spyderco fan first and foremost, but not a steadfast "Fanboy". I've got a Green Delica my father gave to me, and I purchased a Native III a long while back. The Native III sees the most common EDC Usage, but I've been looking to expand my horizons. I was pretty convinced for a while that my next knife was going to be the Quartermaster Hannibal, however after watching some video reviews and lurking here, and on reddit.com/r/knifeclub, I've found myself less impressed with it by the day, and realizing I just wanted it because it looked cool. Kind of hard to justify $175 pocket brick that may or may not have issues right out of the box.

I moved onto wanting a Boker Plus War Toad, but realized that the friction folder, small size, and odd carry would make it a better niche collection knife that I don't really NEED right now. (Maybe some day!) (Honestly, I don't NEED a new EDC, my Native III is plenty sufficient, but I'd really LIKE something new, so I've got to justify it based on quality and utility.) This brought me to the Manix 2 which seems to have a similar choil and grip setup. I ALMOST pulled the trigger on buying one, then I held one at Cabellas. Nothing at all like my Native III. Not bad, but not what I expected.

Next, I moved to the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. Great look and feel, and looks to be a nice value for the money, but it felt kind of slim. I came upon the realization that I really just wanted a decent chunky flipper/Assisted Open Knife. Not quite sure where to go from here. Spyderco doesn't seem to offer any AO's and their Autos just don't appeal to me. Anyone have some suggestions? I'd like to stay below $175 if I can, closer to $150 if at all possible, but I suppose if the knife is right, I'd part with 2 bills. I prefer something I can put custom scales on if at all possible. No real preference in blade steel other than "quality". Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! I realize at <$200, I'm really choking my possibilities out, and I'll never afford a full custom beauty on that kind of coin. Maybe some day! I'd also like to say "Thanks for having me" BF, I hope to learn more about nice sharp objects in the coming months!!

P.S. If I'm way out of line asking for a decent Sub $200 Overbuilt flipper, please just tell me. I'd rather not have a new knife than waste the money on sub-par junk.
 
Check out the ZT 0560/1 0562, 0801, and 0350. The 0350 is the smallest and cheapest of the bunch, but is still a great choice. The other four are near the limit of your budget but are absolutely stellar knives, and are easily some of the best production flippers out there. In addition, custom scales are readily available for the hinderer models, and anodization is available to customize the 0801.
 
Thanks, I'll look into those! I'm not very familiar with ZT knives. Does their nomenclature denote size or shape in some way? The 0560 looks an awful lot like the Kershaw Cryo II I just bought my Dad. Is it safe to assume the Cryo II could have been designed after this knife? I like the Cryo II (although it's a cheaper steel), it's got some Heft, and I like my tools to have a certain weight to it.
 
The Benchmade Adamas is a very stout and overbuilt folder and can be found for about $170. The steel is D2 so it is quality and even though I don't know anybody that currently makes custom scales for it Im sure it wouldn't be hard to find somebody that could.
 
If you want an overbuilt assisted flipper, the ZT 0566 is very popular for a reason.

If you don't want an assisted action, the discontinued ZT 0200 is still available and is a very heavy duty knife.
 
Silvanus, I may try my hand at making my own custom scales anyhow, so as long as it can be disassembled and not dependent on an inlaid/milled out liner, I'm pretty handy with a dremel.

MatthewSB, I'd like an AO flipper simply because I don't own one yet. It's not a deal breaker though.
 
Do you really need it to be overbuilt? To me a pocket knife for edc has to have some limits in terms of size. The 566 is a great tradeoff, it's beefy yet edc'able, the new Kershaw Camber in S30 is a great alternative to the "pocket brick."
 
cchu518, it's not imperative that it's overbuilt, just a personal preference as I'm looking to diversify my collection some. I've got a Delica and a Native III both with FRN that serves me quite well for light weight/edc use. If I were looking for a solid slim, non AO knife, I'm pretty sold on the Spyderco paramilitary 2, and will likely own one some day, but it looks and feels just like a bigger, nicer Delica. I love my Spyderco's, but I'm trying to get my feet wet in a chunkier category. The 0566 seems to be the top contender at the moment, though I wouldn't mind something bigger than my Native III (at 3.125" blade length, it's the longest folding knife I currently own). The 0566 isn't much larger at 3.25" but the spec's look pretty badass.
 
You may want to look at a Reate District 9. It feels like it's carved out of a single piece of Ti when open and has the features of knives costing way more. The blade flies open since its on bearings. I would consider it midtech quality for under $200.


 
Used but like new DPx folders pop up on the exchange pretty regular. Not sure what new ones go for right now. I've a couple of them and they are tough, well built knives, made by Lionsteel in Italy.
 
The first two knives to pop into my head are the ZT 566 and ZT 350. I own the 350 and have the 566 coming in the mail.
 
Pyrogen said:
Thanks, I'll look into those! I'm not very familiar with ZT knives. Does their nomenclature denote size or shape in some way? The 0560 looks an awful lot like the Kershaw Cryo II I just bought my Dad. Is it safe to assume the Cryo II could have been designed after this knife? I like the Cryo II (although it's a cheaper steel), it's got some Heft, and I like my tools to have a certain weight to it.
Click to expand...

The nomenclature doesn't have much to do with size. The 0561 is larger than the 0562, for example. All ZT knives have significant weight to them, though around 6 oz I don't consider the 0561 or 0801 to be pocket bricks. The comparison to the Cryo II is a fair one - both are Rick Hinderer designs. ZT knives are a branch of KAI cutlery, which also owns Kershaw, so you'll see a few similarities between their knives. ZT is their high-end, overbuilt, more tactical line - and their fit and finish is top notch. As others have suggested, the 0566 is a good option as well if you want something smaller (I prefer a hefty 3.5"+ blade myself though).

From a manual ZT you can expect to see a near complete lack of cosmetic flaws, extremely solid lockup, absolutely no blade play, and extreme smoothness from their bearing pivots (some do require a little breaking in though). The 0350 and 0566 are assisted, and I have heard one or two stories of blade play in these models, though generally they are very solid as well.
 
The 560/561 is one of my favorites, flips great, its smooth, holds a great edge in the Elmax steel and is overbuilt and tough. The 566 is just the smaller version with a steel frame lock instead of the sculpted titanium. Both are great knives and both can be had in your price range. Watch the Exchange forum here for Zt's for sale and you can often pick up a 566 for 100 bucks or less and a 560/561 for around 150.
 
Get the new Viper Vox Odino. Just got mine and for $189 it is the strongest knife in my collection. Glass smooth too. Mine has the Ti front scale, Stonewashed blade.
 
Oh damn... That Viper is a Sexy beast! I like the ZT 0566, but I may just hold back a bit and study that viper a bit more. First impressions make it look a bit small though. I've got pretty wide hands and am looking for a fairly chunky knife that won't get lost in my palm.
 
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Anyone have any thoughts on the Spyderco Rubicon? Just saw a video on it, no idea how much it is though.

Edit: I take that back, It's Way above my price range. Looks like a gorgeous knife though.
 
Check out Dendra knives, I'm partial to the Typhoon and Defender, but they have a couple other models also in your price range.

Also the Hogue EX02 can be had with a flipper, and a choice of scales.
 
Don't overlook the ZT0770. Lots of those around under your price limit, especially on the FS forums.

And if you want a nice, big, tough flipper, +1 on the ZT0200.

And if you can stretch your budget, get the ZT0301. Or Guardian Tactical Helix.
 
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