Looking for a flipper

R

redman2006

Joined
Nov 6, 2012
Messages
306
Maybe
I received some great advice on the forum about previous choices.

It took me a while, but I finally warmed up to the Axis lock and the rift knife.

At about the same time, I also bought a used ZT0561. I really liked it at first, especially the flipper, but the more I carried it, the more disenchanted with it I became. I am not sure why, but the benchmade now is my EDC.

So, I am considering trading off the zt for something else, but I am not sure what. I really like the Rift, but I think the Contego will be too long in the pocket for a very small gain in the blade. Still, it is on the list. Maybe a Spyderco Gayle Bradley Southard, but I have heard a lot of mixed reviews on that knife.

I do not like the spine lock type locks like the old Buck knives have. I do like the axis now and frame or liner locks are good as well. I also like a larger blade with a nice belly to it. No serations.

I like the deeper carry of the ZT, but definitely a clip.

I really smooth flipper like the ZT would be nice.

I really don't care too much for coated blades.

So what other models and brands would be roughly on the level of the Benchmade or ZT that would fill the bill?


Thanks for the suggestions
 
Funny, I recommended the ZT 0801 in another thread and I'll do it again here. It's got a nice, broad 3.5 inch spear point blade of Elmax steel. Full titanium framelock and deep carry clip. As far as flipping goes, the 0801 is just a superior flipper to the 0561.

Let me also recommend the ZT 0562. There are G10 and carbon fiber models available, they're just a little hard to come by due to high demand.

You may also want to look into the Reate knives like the Horizon and the Hills models. They are produced overseas but from what I hear, they are quality pieces.

On a side note, the Spyderco Gayle Bradley and Southard are 2 different models.
 
funny that he posted, im seriously looking at the 801 now due to "the other thread" just fishing a bit longer before getting a 3rd ZT
 
Thanks. I don't know what I was thinking with the spyderco. I have looked at so many pictures, they are all running together.

I would like to see a 562. From what I hear, it sounds like it might work a little better for me.

I still really can't put my finger on why the 561 fell out of favor with me.
 
redman2006 said:
Thanks. I don't know what I was thinking with the spyderco. I have looked at so many pictures, they are all running together.

I would like to see a 562. From what I hear, it sounds like it might work a little better for me.

I still really can't put my finger on why the 561 fell out of favor with me.
Click to expand...

No worries, man. Different strokes for different folks, ya know. Just because it's a good knife doesn't mean it's THE knife for you.
 
The ZT 0801 seems like a really good option for you it's quite a bit shorter than the 0560, but it's a little fatter in the hand. The flipping action is very snappy unlike the 0560 which as you know is nice and smooth, but a little slow due to the larger heavy blade.
 
How is the 801 for grippiness? I use my knives in wet and muddy situations a good bit, and it just looks slippery to me.

Thanks
 
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I would definitely look at the spyderco southard. It has an awesome super steel, extremely smooth flipper, it carries deep in the pocket but not too deep, and it's just the right size for EDC. Yes I love my southard
 
Looking at the zt more objectively, a few things frustrated me on a knife this expensive:
The swedge does not end at the same place on the right and left side at the front of the blade. It does not affect function at all, but it bothers me that it is not symetrical. The edge does not have the same angle on either side, one is significantly more acute than the other, and even front to back on the same side there is a variation of the angle.

The little nubs where the blade stop/thumbstuds hit are wearing holes in my pockets.

The scale is higher than the liner and makes it more difficult to unlock than is needed. This is especially true with gloves.

Now, there is a ton I like about this knife, and a few of these things like the edge angle and the scale could be fixed here at home, but since the knife may get sold or traded, I am not sure I want to do that.

Also, would zt consider the asymmetry of the blade a warranty issue or just cosmetic?

This is a solid knife and a workhorse. I love the feel in hand. I like the flipper, but faster/snappier would be better. The blade size is about at max for me. I edc this knife, or I did until I warmed up to the axis lock.

Whatever I get, this is the max weight for sure. It tends to pull pretty hard on the picket edge with the pants I have to wear at work.

The blade shape is great, but I am really fond of the rift in that department. Thickness may be a little more than I need, and it certainly is not the slicer that the rift is.

I like the frame lock a lot, and I would even more if I fixed the scale.

Anyway, just musings.
 
Scotty,
The one thing I dislike is the hole in the blade with a flipper. I know it is silly, but darn, I wish they would not have done that.

Still, either that or the Gayle Bradley are way up on the list.
 
I also bought and sold a 561. I have handled a 562 recently and for me it is everything the 561 wasnt. The problem now is that I just cant justify buying another knife.
 
In reading your posts it sounds like your only real disatisfaction with the 561 is the blade grind and the fact that it doesn't snap open as fast as a knife with less mass in the blade. The other complaints require only sandpaper.

You should be able to get the blade issue resolved through your dealer or Kai warranty. A 561 should have a well and accurately ground blade. It should be perfect. That's a slam dunk.

When you send it in ask what they can do about rounding the stop nubs and the scale height at the lock. I'd think they'd be pleased to do the grinding if they already had the knife.

And btw, little wrist action (and maybe pivot adjustment) will make the knife open as fast as you want it. :)

Just saying, between your first and second posts a lot of love for the 561 seems to have been recovered. If you're bored with it, that's another thing. Be sure before you get rid of it is all I'm saying. I sure like mine. So do a lot of other people. Hate to see you wish you had it back.
 
Cabelas has done a run of the BM 300 flipper w/ AXIS lock in D2 and black/tan G10. That might be worth looking at.
 
Another vote for the 0562. It's just an all round perfect knife. You get one of these and you won't be sorry. I had a 0560 a year ago, and to me, it was too big to carry everywhere. This 0562cf is perfect. I'd get one if I were you, and if it turns out you don't like it, you won't lose a dime if you try an resell it. Fact.
 
check out the ZT 0770cf, its made with elmax steel, they also made one with m390 steel a 0770CF-m390 the m390 version can be found on online for around $180 which i think is an amzing deal for such a high end steel (the m390 is the next knife im going to buy)

do you want your flipper to be spring assisted or not?

I personally prefer the non-assist flippers and i have tried lots of brands and models and so far CRKT flippers are the smoothest, the require absolutely zero wrist flip that many non assist flippers do.
the only down side is the steel. they generally dont use the super high end steels, thats not to say the steel they use is low grade. They use good common steels like AUS-8 or 8cr14Mov which are perfectly good steels but they just arent in the same ballpark as M390, elmax s30v 154cm. But the CRKT flippers are amazing knives for the money i highly reccomend the shenanigan synthetic handle version (they have a aluminium handle or a synthetic handle)with AUS-8 which can be had for around $25 (i bought one for $15.xx on ebay a few months ago) its a great knife that you can use in situations you dont want to risk loosing an expensive knife....seriously i cant recommend this knife enough, its just an amazing value, you will not regret it

my list of knives you should check out
-zt 0770
-CRKT shenanigan
-CRKT Cruiser
-ZT 0200
-benchmade 300
-ZT 0550
-ZT 0566
-ZT 0562
 
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Something out of.left field.with this but have a look at Al Mar knives. Some of the smoothest opening knives I've owned even though they have thumbstuds. Beautiful grinds, great fit & finish and lock up is bank vault tight. There is a sere 2000 for sale in production folder area around page 7. Have a look & good luck
 
i have been carrying the Reate Horizon-B recently, and its one of the smoothest flippers ive owned. i also own a zt801 but i like the Horizon better and the flipper action is smoother in my opinion, though im sure all knives may vary slightly even if they are the same model. the quality of the Horizon is just as good as ZT or other well respected companies. the reate hills looks nice too.

[video=youtube;YcGmN7D53FI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcGmN7D53FI[/video]
 
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