Need input for an upcoming purchase...

Railsplitter said:
Not sure about “better” but:
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At least in my opinion, based on what I have read, the Link and the 0357 are very similar, at least in design.

I am looking for something with some positive feel in the hand, which is why the ZT stuff comes to mind.

At least in my area it is a 30 plus minute drive to someplace where I might be able to see what some of these knives feel like.

One of my roles in life is a photographer. If I don't like the feel of a camera in hand, then I am less likely to want to use it. Same goes for my firearms.

Does anyone have experience with the 0770 to pass along?
 
No one’s mentioned it but I’ll throw in the Tactile Maverick in G10….I recently got the Ti version and I’m floored by the action, size and weight. It has kicked my small Sebenza and small SHF out of my work rotation. It comes with 3.5” stonewashed maganacut blade, and the G10 versions are lightweight. FWIW I picked up my Ti version used (unused) here in the for sale section under your max price point, so if your patient they pop up from time to time. In G10 they come in right at your price point and are USA made to boot. Just another option to mull over. Good luck.
 
I used to have an 0770CF. Fine knife, I just don't like assisted. It's very lightweight.

The ZT 0470 is nice. Although made in Taiwan, the Demko AD-20.5 is worth a look.
 
Valkyr said:
At least in my opinion, based on what I have read, the Link and the 0357 are very similar, at least in design.

I am looking for something with some positive feel in the hand, which is why the ZT stuff comes to mind.

At least in my area it is a 30 plus minute drive to someplace where I might be able to see what some of these knives feel like.

One of my roles in life is a photographer. If I don't like the feel of a camera in hand, then I am less likely to want to use it. Same goes for my firearms.

Does anyone have experience with the 0770 to pass along?
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My dumb question. Did you search for a shop that actually specializes in these things? Not your "everyday market" that sells fishing lines and such?
 
Valkyr said:
Does anyone have experience with the 0770 to pass along?
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Welcome. I have the basic aluminum/elmax version that I purchased in person from a shop in Atlanta years ago. So not the nicer CF/S35VN. Still, nice knife, in very good condition, may not have any of the packaging. Could post a couple pics later. Don't use it.

If you are in the continental US, and would like, I can pass along the knife:

Purchase a gold membership, message me your address, and I will drop it in the mail next week. That would scratch that itch, forum membership is well worth it, and you have most of your budget for another of your choices.
 
spict said:
My dumb question. Did you search for a shop that actually specializes in these things? Not your "everyday market" that sells fishing lines and such?
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I did search for a shop, both local and online that is a specialist. There is one about 30 minutes from me that I checked the online inventory. A different one, local as well, was a bust as well. The others are even more specific and only sell their own lines (Medford) or OTF stuff which is not that appealing to me. I would have to start haunting the dedicated gun stores which is dangerous enough for my wallet

The everyday market stores around me run from anything that isn't a Benchmade for anywhere near that price point.
 
JB in LV said:
Welcome. I have the basic aluminum/elmax version that I purchased in person from a shop in Atlanta years ago. So not the nicer CF/S35VN. Still, nice knife, in very good condition, may not have any of the packaging. Could post a couple pics later. Don't use it.

If you are in the continental US, and would like, I can pass along the knife:

Purchase a gold membership, message me your address, and I will drop it in the mail next week. That would scratch that itch, forum membership is well worth it, and you have most of your budget for another of your choices.
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Thank you for the very kind offer to pass that along. I am not locked into the Carbon and S35VN so it is very appealing to me. I will think it over, and let you know in the next couple of days.

Post a couple of pics if you have a moment.
 
Valkyr said:
I am already looking to go higher in the price point
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Great advice from everyone here. All I will add is there are some tremendous bargains to be found here (and elsewhere) on the pre-owned market for some incredible cutlery.
 
Valkyr said:
...Post a couple of pics if you have a moment.
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Nice knife, just not really my preference. I think I lost anything that it came with, but would double check. Let me know if it's something you'd like and use.
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Valkyr said:
I have been a long time lurker in the forums and now I need your input.

. . .

Here are the criteria that I would like to work with and a budget capping out at $250 ish:

USA manufacture preference *would also consider Italy or similar
Upper end steel (S30VN, S35VN etc.)
Blade length in the 3-4" range
No Automatics, assisted is fine
Preferably no polymer scales
Flipper or thumb stud opening, I just have a hard time with any hole based openers.

Here is a candidate so far... link is from KC.

ZT 0770 CF
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OP: As you have already discovered, asking for "input" just opened a Pandora's box of suggestions for other knives you could consider buying based on the criteria that you mentioned.

I could offer you many other ideas myself but I think that a ZT 0770 CF S35VN would be as good a place to start as any.

I don't own the ZT 0770 S35VN but I do own two ZT 0770 variants: one with an Elmax & another with an M390 blade:

snLrCuV.png


These variants turn up from time to time on the 2ndary market and can sometimes be had for what you're currently willing to pay for a knife.

So, you may want to keep a look out for one of these variants, particularly the Elmax which (depending on your use) arguably may be better suited for you than would S35VN. See: Elmax vs S35VN

M390 is considered even better steel that Elmax & S35VN but you'd have a hard time finding a 0770 CF M390 for what you're willing to pay. 🤷‍♂️

Good luck! :cool:
 
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OP: I just noticed that there's a ZT 0770CF Elmax (without a box) for sale on ACK for just $125.

It's used, the clip shows visible signs of wear (but ZT will send you a new clip for free) & the blade has been re-sharpened (but the edge looks good in the pics) which would be a great buy if you're planning to use the knife anyway.

There's also another used 0770CF Elmax (apparently not sharpened but also w/o a box) for sale there for $150 & also a DLC M4 bladed variant of the 0770CF (without a box) for sale there for $195.

If you decide that the 0770CF is the knife for you, you should check these out before buying one from Knife Center.
 
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sgt1372 said:
OP: As you have already discovered, asking for "input" just opened a Pandora's box of suggestions for other knives you could consider buying based on the criteria that you mentioned.

I could offer you many other ideas myself but I think that a ZT 0770 CF S35VN would be as good a place to start as any.

I don't own the ZT 0770 S35VN but I do own two ZT 0770 variants: one with an Elmax & another with an M390 blade:

snLrCuV.png


These variants turn up from time to time on the 2ndary market and can sometimes be had for what you're currently willing to pay for a knife.

So, you may want to keep a look out for one of these variants, particularly the Elmax which (depending on your use) arguably may be better suited for you than would S35VN. See: Elmax vs S35VN

M390 is considered even better steel that Elmax & S35VN but you'd have a hard time finding a 0770 CF M390 for what you're willing to pay. 🤷‍♂️

Good luck! :cool:
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Thank you for the input and the article. It does help me out. I am still working through things on my end, but a secondary market option is appealing.

JB in LV has made a very generous offer that I may very well jump on very quickly.

I think Elmax would be perfectly fine for my use and I am already going to be snagging a Bel Air for lower profile carry.

Pandora's Box is an understatement to say the least. But an educated decision is best, which is why I asked.

Thank you all for taking time to help me out.
 
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