Looking for help

J

jevacqua

Joined
Sep 13, 2015
Messages
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so I've purchased some cheaper knives such as the Cryo II and I have also ventured into the range of the Benchmade 940 and the Spyderco Domino. I am looking to make my next purchase and was looking for some help as to where the next step should be. Right now my options are looking like the Para 2 or the 0560 from ZT. The 0560 would round out my collection a little better with the size of the blades but the Para 2 is a classic that I feel must be added to my collection. I was looking for some advice as to what you all thought or if there are any other knives that I should look at instead. thanks.
 
jevacqua said:
so I've purchased some cheaper knives such as the Cryo II and I have also ventured into the range of the Benchmade 940 and the Spyderco Domino. I am looking to make my next purchase and was looking for some help as to where the next step should be. Right now my options are looking like the Para 2 or the 0560 from ZT. The 0560 would round out my collection a little better with the size of the blades but the Para 2 is a classic that I feel must be added to my collection. I was looking for some advice as to what you all thought or if there are any other knives that I should look at instead. thanks.
Click to expand...

As a Cryo II owner I went directly to the PM2 and it became my EDC modern. The only times I'm not carrying the PM2 are when I'm carrying the Cryo. I appreciate ZTs and BMs and the like but the PM2 to me is the ultimate modern production folder.
 
The Para 2 is comparable in size and weight to the BM 940. The ZT 0560 is a beast compared to those two. If that's what you're looking for, it's a spectacular piece, that is only going to become harder and harder to find.

Go for a used one, and you will be set as you could always turn it back around for what you paid for it.

If you want to venture into a bit pricier category, the ZT 0452 CF is larger, but lighter, and still a great knife that is lighter than you'd expect.
 
I think you should buy what YOU like and want, not what other people tell you you should buy.

After all, it's YOUR collection. Your the one paying for it, and your the one who's going to live with it.
 
^^Agreed. I have bought in to a few vocal-crowd favorites/opinions in my time here that ended up not suiting me whatsoever. One of those was the Para 2. I would recommend considering which knife would truly make you the most stoked to have in the mail on its way to you. Go with your stoked...ed...ness :rolleyes::D
 
jazub said:
^^Agreed. I have bought in to a few vocal-crowd favorites/opinions in my time here that ended up not suiting me whatsoever. One of those was the Para 2. I would recommend considering which knife would truly make you the most stoked to have in the mail on its way to you. Go with your stoked...ed...ness :rolleyes::D
Click to expand...
Same thing happened with me regarding the PM2. I fell for the hype and after EDCing it for about a month It was shelved and I always choose the BM 940, 581, or even my Dragonfly over it. Best description I can give it is that it does almost everything well, but nothing great, and it's a pocket hog. I also agree that my opinion is NOT yours. You might love the PM2.
Honestly you really should get the knife that tickles your fancy, but if you want a suggestion... I would check out the BM Crooked River. It seems to be in line with what you may be looking for size-wise.

Have fun with your search!
 
jevacqua said:
so I've purchased some cheaper knives such as the Cryo II and I have also ventured into the range of the Benchmade 940 and the Spyderco Domino. I am looking to make my next purchase and was looking for some help as to where the next step should be. Right now my options are looking like the Para 2 or the 0560 from ZT. The 0560 would round out my collection a little better with the size of the blades but the Para 2 is a classic that I feel must be added to my collection. I was looking for some advice as to what you all thought or if there are any other knives that I should look at instead. thanks.
Click to expand...

As a Cryo II owner I went directly to the PM2 and it became my EDC modern. The only times I'm not carrying the PM2 are when I'm carrying the Cryo. I appreciate ZTs and BMs and the like but the PM2 to me is the ultimate modern production folder.
 
I've owned both, still have the PM2.

PM2:

Pros:
Weight--light as a feather, you won't notice it in your pocket
Ergonomics--works with most hand sizes, has a choil to choke up for fine cutting
Price
Lock

Cons:

Delicate tip
I'm not a fan of CPM-S30V, though there are other options out there, but mine has been very chippy
I've hear people get some where the action isn't smooth.

Other thoughts:

This is a medium to light duty knife. Don't let the name fool you. I really like the compression lock, almost as much as the caged ball bearing lock on the Manix 2.

ZT 0560

Pros:
Elmax. Really love that stuff.
Heavy duty, if that's your thing.
Caged bearings
Flipper

Cons:
Detent/flipping action--I've handled several of these in addition to the one I owned, and they are weak, like most Hinderer's and Hinderer collaborations
Weight: It's like carrying a brick.
Flipper: Extraordinarily tall flipper, often got in the way.

Other thoughts:
If you have xl hands, the ergos are great, otherwise its much like a short sword. In the event I have a sudden urge to fell a sequoia, this would be the folder of choice.

Thoughts on both:

They are vastly different knives. There were just so many things that turned me off on the ZT, and ZT in general. I hate metal handles, and thus framelocks. With the temperature extremes we have in northern IL, metal just doesn't work for me. The flipper action on the 0560 was like a limp handshake. The S30V is really the only thing that is off putting in regards to the PM2, IMO.Both knives have a myriad of aftermarket parts available, so you can customize at will.

If Ti is your thing, I much preferred the 0801.
 
Since you already have bm940 and spyderco domino, I would suggest you go with ZT0560/1. The new gen of zt0560/1 have a steel lockbar insert and based on my experience they are with high quality and excellent fit and finish, detent is perfect, flip like a rocket, beautiful 3d machined ti and g10 handle, and ti actually performs extremely in low temperature. I dont want to get into a war with people with different opinions, but I rank ZT among top 2 in terms of quality among production folder brands (could be number one).
 
As KOD said, they are very different knives. Sounds like you want a heavy duty folder. Go ZT if that's what you're feeling. I will suggest looking at their 2016 line also. Some pretty sweet blades this year. Also I would suggest looking at a Spyderco Gayle Bradley1 while you can still get them. Awesome cutter, better than most ZT's but maybe not quite as overbuilt.
 
Para 2's are classics. Get that first. I have found out that I stay away from any folder heavier than five ounces...just my opinion.
 
I say PM2 also - not even a question in my humble opinion. I dig the digi-camo version:



Btw - just a consideration - this is one of those blades that tip-up-folks (myself included) often choose to carry tip-down (notice my clip configuration above). It just feels right running it tip-down for some reason. The ONLY other knife I can think of that I run tip-down is the RAT-1. Same thing - it just seems to work better that way.
 
I have both, and the 940. Here is how much I carry them, assuming those were my only 3.

940 98%
PM2 2%
0560 0%

I carry the PM2 when I want something a little bigger, as it takes up more room in my pocket and the 0560 is just a big knife, too big for EDC IMHO.
 
The ZT 560 was one of my grails a few years ago but for what ever reason I never ended up purchasing one. I'd say, get the ZT 560 first because they are discontinued, then consider the PM2 (If you are buying a new knife, not used).

Also, while I respect Spyderco, I dislike how they do not re-blade their knives should you break or use up your blade. I find this practice odd for models like the Military/PM2 because they are models that Spyderco consistently produces, not limited runs, meaning that having extra blades around to use as replacements is not an unrealistically hard for the company to do.
 
Have both the PM2 and a ZT 561. Both are great knives. I carry both often. Either way you will get an excellent knife. I do find I carry the ZT more than the PM2, but I love both of them.


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