Looking for a decent Sub $200 Overbuilt flipper.

If you don't mind assisted opening, the ZT 0566 is a good option. I prefer the ZT 0801 (best flipping action going IMO). The 0801 isn't particularly conducive to custom scales, but can be anodized in some awesome variations. I am also a fan of the Hogue EX 02 (comes in different blade shapes and either with thumb studs or flipper). I have the flipper version and like it very much.
 
As already mentioned... The benchmade adamas... I think it is the best option for what you describe you are looking for. It is the production version of overbuilt greatness. Suspend disbelief and just get it...
 
ZT 801 is the first thing that comes to mind after reading your post. I was just given a black 801 for Christmas and I like it a lot so far.
 
KW has a lot of Zero Tolerance knives for under $200 and some are barely over $100. Also, you might look at the Kershaw Blur.
 
Jurgs18 said:
As already mentioned... The benchmade adamas... I think it is the best option for what you describe you are looking for. It is the production version of overbuilt greatness. Suspend disbelief and just get it...
Click to expand...

Not a flipper.
 
Reate District 9, best value for 200 dollars on the market. I bought a 0770 recently and while being a nice piece it is a little thing, definitely not overbuilt. If you are looking for overbuilt id save up a little longer and venture into midtechs, well worth the money.
 


+1 on the Blur, ao, not a flipper, beefy but not overbuilt. I like it almost as much as the other knife in the photo... Well almost lol... They are currently my two favorite folders though! Mine is in Elmax.
 
Moander: Those Dendra's look great! Thanks for the recommendation.

Brigadier: The 770 seems a bit smaller than I'm looking for, but the 0200 looks pretty good! Bladehq has it for $160 in black with G-10 scales, but it's a combination serrated blade. I'm really not up for learning how to sharpen a serrated knife quite yet. Might keep on the lookout for a normal one though! Looks like a beast.

To the 0801 Crowd, I'll look into that a bit more, thanks!

Really looking for a Flipper, but the Benchmade Adamas does look like a hefty knife for sure!

RobertA.R: I'll look into some Midtech's, thanks. Are they a company that takes customs and has them produced on a larger scale? I'm not familar with names past the typical Spyderco/Benchmade/Zero Tolerance/Kershaw names.

I will say, after a bit of Youtubing, the Zero Tolerance 0300sn seems to be about the size I'm looking towards, but the price point is a bit much. If I'm looking to pay that much, might I have better luck in a different price bracket at that point? I'm not afraid to save up a bit more money if I'm on the "knife edge" between classes of blade quality. Money's not exactly burning a hole in my pocket.
 
Midtechs are generally knives where the parts are manufactured and then the maker hand fits and finishes the knife. I have an Adv butcher which runs about 450 and is a very quality knife. I recently got the Graham Razel for around 400 which is also a great piece. The Redencion 228 is also a very nice one that i have handled and plan on getting. You can't go wrong with most of the suggestions here though. Happy hunting!
 
Another vote for ReaTe. District 9 would definitely qualify for overbuilt. I'm not sure if the hills or horizon would though. I have the hills and am playing with it right now actually. Don't let the Chinese manufacturing fool you. It is top notch.
 
Decent Sub $200 Overbuilt flippers:

  • ZT 0801, 0801BLK, 0801BW
  • ZT 0562
  • ZT 0560/0561
  • ZT 0770CF
  • ZT 0566, 0566BW
  • Spyderco Southard
  • Spyderco Domino
  • Spyderco Dice
  • Reate Horizon-B
  • Reate District 9-A
  • Reate District 9-B
  • Reate Hills
  • Boker Kwaiken Flipper
 
Pyrogen said:
Moander: Those Dendra's look great! Thanks for the recommendation.

Brigadier: The 770 seems a bit smaller than I'm looking for, but the 0200 looks pretty good! Bladehq has it for $160 in black with G-10 scales, but it's a combination serrated blade. I'm really not up for learning how to sharpen a serrated knife quite yet. Might keep on the lookout for a normal one though! Looks like a beast.

To the 0801 Crowd, I'll look into that a bit more, thanks!

Really looking for a Flipper, but the Benchmade Adamas does look like a hefty knife for sure!

RobertA.R: I'll look into some Midtech's, thanks. Are they a company that takes customs and has them produced on a larger scale? I'm not familar with names past the typical Spyderco/Benchmade/Zero Tolerance/Kershaw names.

I will say, after a bit of Youtubing, the Zero Tolerance 0300sn seems to be about the size I'm looking towards, but the price point is a bit much. If I'm looking to pay that much, might I have better luck in a different price bracket at that point? I'm not afraid to save up a bit more money if I'm on the "knife edge" between classes of blade quality. Money's not exactly burning a hole in my pocket.
Click to expand...

If your looking at ZT's make sure to check Kershawguy.com he has great prices and is a fantastic guy to deal with.
 
For an assisted flipper, ZT 0566 or 0350. The 0566 isn't as "chunky", but it is still very solid. There are several people that make custom scales for both of these.

For a manual flipper, ZT 0801 or 0562. I haven't seen any custom scales for an 0801, although several have done custom anodizing jobs on them. There are a number of custom scales for the 0562.

You may be able to get a ZT 0300 or 0560 on the secondary market for under $200 as well.
 
Another vote for the zt0561. Even so, mine sits in a drawer soon to be traded or sold as the rift replaced it in my pocket.
 
Right on, lol. From the looks of this forum, ya'll seem to be a very trade/sale heavy forum swapping metal quite a bit. I tend to way overthink most purchases with the notion that I'm buying something I'll keep/use/horde until it's outlived it's value. I also don't make a ton of money so I'm really careful to buy something only after I've settled my mind on it completely. I've never even thought about knives actually holding resale value. I'd like to pick up a Spyderco Tenacious eventually and try my hand at customizing it some. If It goes well, I may take the risk and move up to customizing something more expensive. I'd really like to eventually wind up with a Blackwashed, black hardware knife with a crimson/wine or "CAT yellow" G-10 scale/s.
 
Ok BF, I think I've come to the conclusion that I want to go full spatula with a zt 0300. I KEEP going back to look at it and compare it to the 0566, which also seems to be a hefty knife. I like the full frame lock better than the 0350, and the handle/scale shape more than the 0566. Are there any B&M Retailers known for carrying ZT knives that I might visit and handle one of these before purchasing? Any idea what they typically go for used? Anything I should pay particular attention to when purchasing used?
 
The 300 series in no way compares to the 566, its about twice the knife as the 566. So keep that in mind, what area are you in so we can give advice on a B&M near you, and try it in the pocket before you buy it. Not just in the hand. Looking at used ones on the forum just look at weather its centered, scratched up, how far does the lock bar go over, normal stuff like that. Most of the ones sold on the exchange have been babied, your pretty much getting a new knife in most cases, check the seller's rep and feedback and glide right on by someone asking for you to pay gift or add paypal fee Ie net to me. If they can't figure out how to add that in their total price, well you get the picture.
 
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My top 3 "overbuilt" knives at the moment are


Benchmade 275
Spyderco Vallotton
ZT 0566 CF

In no particular order. Though I have 4 275's. Probably gonna get a matching set of the other two also.
 
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