Most exciting brand?

Zero Tolerance and Spyderco are my favorite production brands, and their new for 2015 models look great. I did not care for many of the new Spyderco's last year. $200 for VG-10, really? Kizer has really upped their game as well, finally offering tip-up clips. Cold Steel's new CTS-XHP models excite me. Brous has some cool knives out as well, including a Bionic Auto! Ack, 2015 is gonna empty my wallet, all these new knives plus paying for a wedding and honeymoon. Ay yai yai!

Despite Benchmade pissing me off in a number of ways, and with their QC issues I worry about the axis lock, one of their new knives is really appealing to me. The 808 Loco. IF they come out with a non-S30V version, I may jump on it.

Knives I will be purchasing this year at some point:

ZT 0808
Cold Steel AK-47 CTS-XHP

Considering:
BM 808
Kizer 423
Kizer Flashbang
Brous of some sort
 
K.O.D. said:
Zero Tolerance and Spyderco are my favorite production brands, and their new for 2015 models look great. I did not care for many of the new Spyderco's last year. $200 for VG-10, really? Kizer has really upped their game as well, finally offering tip-up clips. Cold Steel's new CTS-XHP models excite me. Brous has some cool knives out as well, including a Bionic Auto! Ack, 2015 is gonna empty my wallet, all these new knives plus paying for a wedding and honeymoon. Ay yai yai!
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I hope Cold Steel doesn't completely phase out AUS-8, which I've always found serviceable. If they do, I don't think they'll be an affordable "go to" brand for me anymore, in terms of good budget knives.
 
Spyderco and ZT are different animals. Spyderco is more performance based. Coming out with the latest super steels at affordable price points and mostly all have lean grinds on thinner blade stocks. Spyderco always has their heat treat spot on.
ZT is more flash, features, over built with thick blade stocks. Mostly all blades are over 3.5 inches in length. Prices for the limited ZT's are pretty ridiculous IMO. Paying over mid tech prices for production blades.
 
RIPtastic said:
Spyderco and ZT are different animals. Spyderco is more performance based. Coming out with the latest super steels at affordable price points and mostly all have lean grinds on thinner blade stocks. Spyderco always has their heat treat spot on.
ZT is more flash, features, over built with thick blade stocks. Mostly all blades are over 3.5 inches in length. Prices for the limited ZT's are pretty ridiculous IMO. Paying over mid tech prices for production blades.
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ZTs definitely perform though.
 
RIPtastic said:
Spyderco and ZT are different animals. Spyderco is more performance based. Coming out with the latest super steels at affordable price points and mostly all have lean grinds on thinner blade stocks. Spyderco always has their heat treat spot on.
ZT is more flash, features, over built with thick blade stocks. Mostly all blades are over 3.5 inches in length. Prices for the limited ZT's are pretty ridiculous IMO. Paying over mid tech prices for production blades.
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Zt happens to use the latest and greatest steels for a good price too. They recently put out knives in CPM-M4 and S110V. Their LE's are built for what they're worth imo. Look at the new 0392, the "real deal" Eklipse goes for around $425-$700. $375 is a great price for something that will compare to the knife it was modeled after, and with CTS-204p:eek:
 
I'm shocked it took so long for someone to mention Cold Steel. They're the only company that made me really sit up and take notice this year. They're also the only company I see truly branching out into new territory. And they honestly seem to really be pushing for a lineup that has something for everyone.
 
I'm glad somebody posted cold steel before me and that went off without a hitch. I'm very excited about their 2015 line up and xhp offerings this year. It's looking like they will be able to really contend with some of the higher end makers.
 
Blues Bender said:
Zt happens to use the latest and greatest steels for a good price too. They recently put out knives in CPM-M4 and S110V. Their LE's are built for what they're worth imo. Look at the new 0392, the "real deal" Eklipse goes for around $425-$700. $375 is a great price for something that will compare to the knife it was modeled after, and with CTS-204p:eek:
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How does CTS-204p compare to S110V or M390?
 
Scurvy092 said:
Troof. How about the 3d printed lionsteel? Sure it's 1600+ but that's definitely some serious innovation.
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I had to look it up. Now that's innovation! Aesthetically it's similar to the Spyderco Q knives, but the Loinsteel construction method and manufacturing technique are absolutely cutting edge.
 
I wish I could say some company other than ZT, but honestly when it comes to new knives ZT has got the others beat. Spyderco is awesome but their best designs are some of their oldest designs as well, while ZT's best designs seem to be the most recent ones at any given time.

Kizer and Reate are very intriguing to me, if I had more expendable funds I would probably try one of those next. Ultimately, though, that ZT0392 is freakin' sexy.

knife117 said:
All of which are made in Taiwan. No thank you. They just won't compete with ZT knives made in the USA.
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From what I've heard the Taichung factory Spydercos are among the best-made production knives in the world, just because they are made in Aisa doesn't mean they are any less good than the Golden, CO Spydercos (or any other knives made in the US).
 
As far as new stuff I gotta go with ZT. I only own one and I'm not a big fan but they are listening to the community. Producing knives with super steels, high grade scale materials, various sizes, collaborations with well known knife makers, at great price points. I'm really starting to like ZT more and more.
 
Gotta agree with ZT. 450 will probably be my next folder. In also excited about Cold Steel and their steel upgrades. In also attracted to apt of the new stuff from Broker+. O love my Kwaiken and they are doing some great collaborations lately.
 
knife117 said:
I think Spyderco needs to up their QC game to compete with ZT in the high end production knife market.

My favorite is definitely ZT right now.
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Seneca18 said:
Huh? QC and Spyderco? Maybe I am missing something but I have 20+ Spydercos and have had zero quality issues, sure, they are not built with Sebenza tolerances in mind. Maybe I have just picked good ones.
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He's upset because his Pacific Salt has a tiny bit of an asymmetrical grind towards the tip. As if he would ever notice it while cutting. He's probably one of those types that just buys knives to fondle and look at. Basically he's expecting Chris Reeve fit and finish out of a $60 knife. OCD is a bitch, ain't it?

Anyway, as for the most exciting brand? For me, it's Spyderco. I would have said ZT, but saying Spyderco will irritate knife117. :D
 
I like Bark River. They have great knives! However, I'm a little biased because they are my fellow Michiganians (some folks say Michiganders). Still really great blades, though - anyone who likes fixed blades should definitely check them out!
 
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ZT - they do so many collaborations with great materials, all made in the USA.

Cold Steel as of recently, I've always liked the way they design their knives and i'm looking forward to their new knives made in more modern steels that they unveiled for 2015.
 
Custom Knife Factory have come out really strong with their knives so far.

Spyderco has some really promising future collabs, another Brad Southard collab, more with Peter Carey, and the Rassenti Nirvana come to mine. If they continue having products on par with the Slysz Bowie or Rubicon, I'll be happy.

ZT is always doing great work. I'm really excited by some of their 2015 products, the 0452cf looks great.

Speaking of SHOT Show unveilings, I am considering buying Cold Steel products for the first time. The Demko 4Max seems especially awesome.

Emerson has some really interesting knives that were at SHOT. Ball bearing pivots, flippers, and steel framelock inserts made me doublecheck I was actually seeing Emersons.

To be honest, there are a lot of impressive products coming out in the next year. Too hard to pick one brand, and I'm sure I've forgotten some.
 
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Able Dog said:
Emerson has some really interesting knives that were at SHOT. Ball bearing pivots, flippers, and steel framelock inserts made me doublecheck I was actually seeing Emersons.
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No kidding! The Iron Dragon looks absolutely incredible.
 
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