need help for EDC blade!!

S

stevefrench

Joined
Mar 3, 2013
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62
So i bought a kershaw cryo as my first "real" knife, and i loved it so much that im looking for an upgrade!

I really liked the flipper design but i didn't like the speedsafe. Weight is not an issue (if it was i woukd get off my fat ass and workout) and I like a knife that can take a beating.

I'm looking for a mainly EDC knife but that can be used fir hard use task, I'm in the 200$ price range.

I was previously looking at the kershaw knockout, the benchmade griptilian, and the 300 sn.
I hate spyderco, so dont even suggest that, but I'm open to anything else!

Thanks y'all!!
 
Try the ZT 0550. Can be found for 150 or so with a little searching. Good steel, size, and built like a tank.
 
stevefrench said:
I hate spyderco, so dont even suggest that, but I'm open to anything else!
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I take instruction poorly, I'm afraid. How about a Spyderco Southard?

Seriously, if it weren't for the hole you wouldn't even be able to tell it's a Spyderco knife, it looks like a Brad Southard design with a silly hole drilled in it more than anything. They often sell near your price range on the exchange, and they're awesome non-assisted flippers.

If you can wait until it comes out, how about a ZT 801, maybe?
 
ZT 0550/0560 are some great options from what I hear, never owned a ZT though. If I had the money to spend I'd probably get a Benchmade Contego. Need me some CPM-M4
 
I agree with evilgreg. I highly suggest the Southard! It is one awesome knife! The flipper is smooth and it is nice and super sharp right out of the box. Solid lock up and has a nice feel in the hand. Perfect for edc! If you do give the Southard a chance and for some odd reason you do not like it.... List it on here, I doubt it would last a day. I honestly feel that you would love the Southard. I'd consider giving it a chance. Hope this helps.
 
You have to own and use Spyderco's and see the quality to really appreciate them.

Anyways, a ZT 0550 is a great knife and well within your price range. However it doesn't have a flipper.

The ZT 0560/1 has Elmax Steel which is great with a ti frame lock and flipper. It also has bearings for smoother opening and it's extremely smooth. You can get one in your range easily and especially here on the forums.

My original suggestion was going to be the ZT 0200. 154cm steel, non-assisted flipper, big and beefy, thick and heavy duty, and well under your price limit.
 
ShepardCC said:
I was excited when spyderco made their first flipper, but finding out its non assisted was a little disappointing for me.
Since they have come out on the market I have been seeing them changing hands like a hot potato.
People will buy them and put them up for sale in a few days.
So I just wanted to know why are people handing them off so fast? What's wrong with them?
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Nothing is wrong with the Southard, it's practically perfection for a production flipper. IMO the picks of the litter for a production flipper are either a ZT 560/561 or a Southard. Observant forum dwellers see both listed regularly in the classified section, both are extremely popular. The Southard has a much more refined and precise flipping mechanism, it's lighter and is much smaller than the ZT 0560. The ZT 0560 is a brute, big and brawny. built like a tank and is much larger than the Southard. The flipper mechanism is excellent but not in the same ballpark as the more refined Southard. Try both in your in hand and you'll likely pick the Southard. The ZT0560 has the more handsome blade. Choosing one would be tough. For EDC, definitely a Southard. If you're looking for more bang for the buck in this price range, ZT0560, a lot more knife for the money.
 
I have looked at ZT's before, and if i'm getting a zt im waiting for the 0566, but in the mean time, out of the earlier mentionned knives, which would you take?
 
I'd get the 300SN. If I had a $200 budget none of the knives you mentioned would be on my short list, I'd get a used ZT 560/561 or a Southard. Those are the crème de la crème, why settle for less? Or wait for the 566.
 
My suggestion would either be a ZT 560 or ZT 200. Both are larger blades but I personally dont have any issues EDC'ing the 560 (gave my 200 to a friend a year or so ago). Actually the 560 is what I am carrying today. One other I would mention in the ZT line is the 350. I know it is assisted, but you can take out the torsion bar and make it a manual flipper. I have one coming in a trade and that is what I plan on doing with it.

Also, take a look at the Kershaw JYD 2.2. It has a composite blade and is a larger manual flipper.

For other consideration there is the Kershaw RAM and Groove (both of which I believe are discontinued but you can still find them around) and the Skyline. Just going off what you said and looking for non-assisted flippers.

Out of all of the blades I listed the only one I havent owned is the JYD and I plan on getting one. All are great knives and should serve well for EDC use.
 
The 300sn is a pretty nice knife. It has 154cm blade and beefy liners. Thicker than what I'm use to seeing on benchmades. The scales are a little thick imo but i like the overall design. I just feel that the axis lock/ flipper on the 300sn isn't the most efficient flipper design in my opinion. Don't get me wrong...it works. Just not as well as some of the other flippers on the market. With use, it will break in more & more over time. It still is a nice knife & worth checking out. Plus you can find them for the low $100+ range. In my personal opinion..Id still suggest grabbing up a Southard for just over the $200+ price range. I cant get enough of that knife! I have it in my hands constantly. It really is a fantastic design. Let us know what you end up going with.
 
ZT0550 (not a flipper) but opens smoothly and fast, my daily carry, or the ZT0350. You can remove the torsion bar if the Speedsafe bothers you that much.


Top my 0550, bottom my son's 0350TS

Photo-0016_zpsb47ebd4b.jpg
 
I think I'll wait for the 0566 cause from what i hear, its the perfect knife for me, but since it only comes out in the third quarter, I want a lower budget knife t'ill then. so like in the 100-150 dollar range.

like the griptilian, is it good?
 
stevefrench said:
I think I'll wait for the 0566 cause from what i hear, its the perfect knife for me,
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I am waiting on the 0566 too,:D

Lots of people on here like their Grips,you don't hear much complaining about them.

But you can buy a 0350 blem (cosmetic factory second) for $85 to $95 from Kershawguy.
 
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dayhiker1968 said:
I am waiting on the 0566 too,:D

Lots of people on here like their Grips,you don't hear much complaining about them.
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Well actually you hear plenty of bickering about the scales. Of course you can get some custom scales.
But I like my grip.
 
The Grip is a nice knife.
For the money, I prefer something with G-10.

But the Griptilian is a nice knife and I really liked my 550 with the thumb hole and sheepsfoot blade.

For a little more money, I would say to get the Benchmade Bone Collector - has the thumb hole and sheepsfoot blade - D2 steel which is great. You'll hear about corrosion resistance with this steel, you really don't have to worry unless you're planning on soaking it in salt water for a long time.
It had G-10 or Walnut handles and the Axis Lock.
You can get them for around $120 and it's well worth it.
They have a Large and a Mini like the Griptilian does.

This would be my choice.

Or if you're really stuck on the Griptilian, you can make your own with your choice of color, blade color, and blade steel.
I'd still go with the Bone Collector.
 
My choice would still be a ZT and I would go with the 350. Like dayhiker said, see kershawguy for a blem. He is easy to deal with and has some of the fastest shipping I have seen to date. If you dont want a blem you can find regular ones around the forum for around 100 that have been lightly used. I've owned a Grip before and I am a fan of axis lock knives but I just never was able to warm up to it. It is a great knife in its own right but with G10 scales, S30v steel, and a flipper, the 350 is hard to beat.
 
^^ Get a blem from Kershaw Guy for $85 and remove the torsion bar.
Awesome manual flipper for $85 is hard to beat.
 
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