New to the forum, a Kershaw Leek got me started. I have a ZT0561, Sog Tomcat,Vulcan, Dirk Tighe a Blur and several others. I am looking for an unassisted ultra smooth opening knife. Must have a thumb stud but a flipper option would be nice. Prefer to stay away from liner or frame lock. Something like the axis lock or what Sog uses but that is not a deal breaker. Won't really be a user. I have VG10, SV30, 154CM and Elmax, another steel would be nice. Titanium would be a plus. Midsize to larger. So far the ZT 801 looks good but no thumb stud. Different price ranges are ok for the right knife. Prefer to keep it around $200 or so but can do more for the right knife. Are trits ever added to knives? That would be sweet. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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New and looking for help deciding on a new knife.
- Thread starter pageyjim
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I fully understand your dilemma. I do not think that I have fully figured out what I like or which direction I am headed in this god forsaken knife collecting world. Yesterday it was Spyderco and today Bodega! All I can say is enjoy the ride and you will get to whever it is that you are going while having a fun ride along the way. I agree with your opinion and own the ZT 0801 and I highly recommend it even though it is not exactly what you are looking for. It is incredibly smooth and easy to flip. Most attractive knives these days come as frame locks and now flippers. For axis locks I would heavily recommend the Benchmade Presidio and the Barrage both the mini and full size versions. The Barrage is a fantastic knife but it is assisted. The Presidio Ultra is super smooth but the standard Presidio has an upgraded steel, smooth but not as smooth. Close though. I own both the Barrage mini and the standard Presidio mini. The Sage series for Spyderco is very popular, all 4. The Sage one is a liner lock, 2= frame lock, 3= similar to axis lock and 4= a nice back lock. I prefer the 4 because it is much heavier duty than the other 3 and the back lock is easy to operate with one hand. The Spyderco Manix 2 is larger but super smooth and has a similar lock as the axis lock. One of my loves is the Spyderco Paramilitray 2 with a compression lock and this baby is super smooth using a 3.5" blade. Really any axis lock is going to be smooth no matter what. Sometimes the blade length and especially weight of the blade can make a subtle differnce in how the opening and closing performs. I have owned a ton or Spyderco knives and Benchmade knives. Now moving towards higher end Hinderer and Strider styles and as of to day a Bodega and a Kirby Lambert custom. Therefore, I invite you to email me with any particular questions concerning these or similar knives where I might be able to give you first hand knowledge. It is simply a pain to buy only to have to move it immediately because it was the wrong choice. However this does make you more well rounded about what is out there for options. Hope this helped. Good luck!
I hear ya, it's like why delay the inevitable? It seems a Sebenza will always keep most of its value anyways. I know Sogs are not favored here. I think they will always be my dirty little secret. A little overpriced and they seem to fall short somehow.
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Brother,I had the Sog bug worse than anyone i have ever met! Over a year ago i had 30+ SOG models in my collection, even went so far as to hunt down rainbow titanium models back then. Sold them all and i regret some of it. Now I'm a semi custom/custom kinda guy lol hard on the wallet but goodness the quality! That being said, i really like the Benchmade 300sn flipper i had for awhile. It seems to fit every aspect of what you described that your looking for. Check it out and welcome to the forum, if you ever are looking to sell that tomcat let a brother know! 
lol
lolI looked at that one earlier and was close to pulling the trigger. One minute I like the styling and the next I'm unsure. I saw a video about deassisting it also. Still on the fence with that one. I only have one Benchmade, a Mini Griptilian so I am sure I will be getting atleast one more.
is the mini grip a spring assisted opening?
No, it has the axis lock with a thumb stud. Opens easily with the stud or using the axis lock. Very smooth opening blade will swing freely. Axis lock can be used on one side or both sides. Nice knife what I EDC. I have some blade play side to side and I am not in love with the scales also closed construction.
blade play on the mini grip? how long have you had the knife?
Brother,I had the Sog bug worse than anyone i have ever met! Over a year ago i had 30+ SOG models in my collection, even went so far as to hunt down rainbow titanium models back then. Sold them all and i regret some of it. Now I'm a semi custom/custom kinda guy lol hard on the wallet but goodness the quality! That being said, i really like the Benchmade 300sn flipper i had for awhile. It seems to fit every aspect of what you described that your looking for. Check it out and welcome to the forum, if you ever are looking to sell that tomcat let a brother know!
I really like the looks of the 300SN. Seems like it may be pricey for what it is. I do like the looks and scales though. For the money I feel like I should get a better steel. Looks go a long way with me though. I still have to go over the size specs, I'm thinking its about the size of a blur which would be ok.
Its probably akin to a sin to say here but I still want a Sog Fatcat. I love my Sog Vulcan Tonto. It is loaded with faults but the blade is beautiful. It has a weak detent, deep carry pocket clip but it is weak and basically plastic handles. Lol I will keep you in mind with the Tomcat.
I bought it used here on the forums. I acted on it too quickly I thought I was getting a better deal than I was. Oh well no biggie.
maybe send it to benchmade for a tune up.
I want to thank everyone for their input, I'm sure I may need it again. To sum up I did order the ZT0801, also ordered a Viper Start and Viper Free. Had to get some carbon fiber, 2 new steels, a great looking blade and what looks like 2 good looking unique knives. Still need to check out Spyderco, another Benckmade. Technically I'm still in search of my original post. Oh and I didn't forget Chris Reeve either.
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Its a stout little blade, the overall size reminds me of a fat jalapeño pepper, good ergonomics and smooth action. Cut pretty well also, it was their first flipper so i gave it a shot. If you see a good deal on one give it a try!
As for the SOG
Haha! I wont judge you for that comment, honestly i loved my Fatcat it was a gorgeous knife and the ergonomics were good also. Don't look at the Arcitech though or you will have to have it! And i agree the Vulcan has a sick blade, i bought the tanto version as soon as i saw a decent deal on it on eBay and i too was let down by the plastic cheap handle but the blade deserved a better body to be attached to thats for sure. Have you ever seen the Flash II's in rainbow titanium? Check my profile pic, it is a GORGEOUS knife, another one i kick myself for letting go of.
Thanks again to everyone for their advice and help. For anyone interested this is what I decided on and my afterthoughts.
I got 2 Vipers, the Free and Start. The Start I'm happy with. Nice blade, came with a nice finish and sharp. The carbonfiber scales the finish wasn't so great. I was able to smooth some rough spots on it. And the Free, again happy but did have some probs also. It came sharp and blade was centered but very hard to open and got worse as I tried to work it in. I took it apart added some white lithium grease and it is ok now, although not centered. I am a fan of D2 btw. There is space between liner and G10 scales in spots.
Spyderco Southard. A nice knife with smooth flipping action, and feels really good in the hand. Not so sharp out of the box and I am no expert but I have questions about the blade edge possibly being uneven. Not so easy for me anyways to sharpen. Also picked up a Benchmade and Spyderco combination model discontinued, I forget the model. It is a liner lock and very happy with it.
ZT's. An 0561, real happy with it. Centered, smooth opening and closing, nice fit and finish. Not sure about Elmax though. 0801 flipper, it needs a lot more force to fllip open and hard to close one handed. Frame lock sticks and it hard etc. I really want to like this knife but the jury is still out. I like the anodized mods that I am seeing. And an 0550 first gen. entered and real sharp, nice size, feels good in the hand but is impossible to open with the thumb studs. I had to take a week off because my thumb was so soar lol.
Socom Elite with the "floating" liner lock and carbon fiber. Centered and opens silky smooth. A lot of blade for the size of the knife. I think it's S35N, not as sharp as I'd like. I can usually sharpen that steel easily but will give it a second try.
And an assortment of relative cheap chinese blades without getting into them I am the most pleased with them in general not even considering prices paid.
I got 2 Vipers, the Free and Start. The Start I'm happy with. Nice blade, came with a nice finish and sharp. The carbonfiber scales the finish wasn't so great. I was able to smooth some rough spots on it. And the Free, again happy but did have some probs also. It came sharp and blade was centered but very hard to open and got worse as I tried to work it in. I took it apart added some white lithium grease and it is ok now, although not centered. I am a fan of D2 btw. There is space between liner and G10 scales in spots.
Spyderco Southard. A nice knife with smooth flipping action, and feels really good in the hand. Not so sharp out of the box and I am no expert but I have questions about the blade edge possibly being uneven. Not so easy for me anyways to sharpen. Also picked up a Benchmade and Spyderco combination model discontinued, I forget the model. It is a liner lock and very happy with it.
ZT's. An 0561, real happy with it. Centered, smooth opening and closing, nice fit and finish. Not sure about Elmax though. 0801 flipper, it needs a lot more force to fllip open and hard to close one handed. Frame lock sticks and it hard etc. I really want to like this knife but the jury is still out. I like the anodized mods that I am seeing. And an 0550 first gen. entered and real sharp, nice size, feels good in the hand but is impossible to open with the thumb studs. I had to take a week off because my thumb was so soar lol.
Socom Elite with the "floating" liner lock and carbon fiber. Centered and opens silky smooth. A lot of blade for the size of the knife. I think it's S35N, not as sharp as I'd like. I can usually sharpen that steel easily but will give it a second try.
And an assortment of relative cheap chinese blades without getting into them I am the most pleased with them in general not even considering prices paid.
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