New to BladeForums.....question heavy

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Ryanp143

Joined
Dec 11, 2014
Messages
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Hey everyone I signed up a few weeks ago and have been browsing different threads learning a lot. I've collected knives for as long as I can remember and thought I knew quite a bit about them but damn was I wrong, especially as a kid just buying knives that looked "cool". Anyway Ive been in the market for a new knife and have been looking at the for sale section a lot but never realized what I good pocket knife could really cost :eek: . I've carried and currently carry Kershaw knives, specifically the Needs Work and the Tanto Blur. Love those knives and the speed safe open assist. They are decent but I'm currently looking for something with better quality and feel.


So....what I would like to ask is I am looking specifically for a locking folder and to stay under or right at 200 bucks. My favorite blade styles are the tanto and the drop point but I am not too picky. And I would like the open assist too if thats possible. Anyway I'd like to hear your opinions and suggestions for an entry level but quality locking folder or if you are wanting to sell one in my price range that you think I may like but have yet to list it in the knife exchange let me know. Also the Blems since I will be carrying it every and using it

Lastly I've been checking these out and would like your opinion on them as well..

http://www.gpknives.com/brands/reateknives/reateknivesd9-b-purplefolder.html
http://www.gpknives.com/brands/zero-tolerance/zerotolerance0566fdebw.html
http://www.gpknives.com/brands/zero-tolerance/zerotolerance801bw.html different finish http://www.gpknives.com/brands/zero-tolerance/zt0801rexfordflippertiblk.html
http://www.recon1.com/shop/producti...-elax-steel-stonewashed-plain-edhe-knife.html
http://www.recon1.com/shop/producti...ck-cpm-s35vn-blade-plain-edge-knife-0550.html
http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Southard-Folder-Plain-Knife/dp/B00A9XN9E2
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-ToleranceHinderer-0560-Knife--9495 <----I have found those for less other places


And those are just the few I've looked into. If you cant tell I have tons of questions and dont know where to start. Anyway and all suggestions/opinions are welcome
 
I think you are going in the right direction, get the one or ones that you like.
 
I love ZT and Spyderco, can't go wrong.
 
+1Ankerson ..and welcome aboard.

This forums Search function and Google are your friends.

I am NOT a real knife guy but have learned a lot here - what I like and what I have no interest in....all good. I'd suggest that you work on accumulating a on-going new knife budget so you won't always be driven by low price point, can always use for kids college if you don't spend.

Lot of knowledgeable helpful people here, some not so much.

Best.
 
All of those are great choices, can't really go wrong with any. As mentioned above, buy the one you like the most first, and go from there. Merry Christmas and welcome to BF.
 
Locking folder under 200?
Spyderco paramilitary 2 or the military if you want a larger knife. Not assisted, but very easy to open. Or you can look into the zero tolerance line. 0556 is a great option. Benchmade Osborne is a nice knife as well. The spyderco is vg10 steel or s30v (I think that's other models though) the zero tolerance is elmax (not certain) and then I'm not sure about the benchmade but they're all great steels. Better than the average aus 8 or 440.
 
Gonna +1 the 940 Osborne. Got one a week ago, and the more I carry it the more I appreciate it.
 
Welcome to the next level of the addiction.

From what you have selected I would go with the Spyderco Southard. It&#8217;s a little different than the others and a chance to use a different steel for comparison.
 
Check visitor messages regarding great prices for zt's on sale
 
Thanks for all the input everyone.

NJBILLK thanks for the info! I definitely may now be purchasing two or at least one that was a little out of my price range!

UNK good call on the knife fund I will definitely be starting one with my singles and fives thanks for that idea and I have been part of truck forums before so I know how it goes when it comes to people being helpful and then others being the exact opposite

JDX I seen the spyderco paramilitary knives but I honestly am not a fan of the way the spyderco knives look other than the southard model, most of their knives look too much like dinosaur heads to me with the way the blade humps up over the circular cut out that you use to open it.

Anyway keep the opinions coming, I'm a firefighter/emt so if there are any else out there let me know what you carry while on duty, as that is the main use for the knife will be.
 
Benchmade has a line developed with fire/emt/rescue in mind, check them out. Sorry, but the exact name escapes me atm.
 
ZT0801
ZT0562
Even though they are nor A/O, they flip so fast, you don't need the A/O feature. Same goes for the 560
 
NJBillK said:
Benchmade has a line developed with fire/emt/rescue in mind, check them out. Sorry, but the exact name escapes me atm.
Click to expand...
I've had fire/ems specific knives before and they pretty much over do it when it comes to "features". I haven't checked out the benchmade fire/ems knives so I'll check into them know. Thanks

Ajack60 said:
ZT0801
ZT0562
Even though they are nor A/O, they flip so fast, you don't need the A/O feature. Same goes for the 560
Click to expand...
Yeah from what I watched on YouTube and read on here the open assist isn't needed but I liked it so I just mentioned it to get other opinions because the threads I've read were some what old and the YouTube videos were of companies trying to sell the knives lol. As of now I'm leaning to the ZT knives so I'll check those models out. Thanks
 
If I was going to buy off your list I'd go with either the ZT 0550 or 0560. Mainly because (IIRC) they are being discontinued and will be very difficult to acquire later down the line. So if you think you will eventually want to get one, then now is the time.

For an AO my choice is the Benchmade 581 Barrage. I still absolutely love mine. Benchmade and ZT are basically it for AOs in this price range. I can say that once you get into PB washers and especially bearings in the pivots on the higher end knives, you'll likely have no desire for any more AO knives.

Have fun with your search.
 
blades&wrenches said:
+1 on the 0562! Who needs assist when you've got KVT? However, if you really want assist, go with the 0566.
Click to expand...
I have no clue what KVT means anyone mind enlightening me on it since I'm new? haha
NorthernSouthpaw said:
If I was going to buy off your list I'd go with either the ZT 0550 or 0560. Mainly because (IIRC) they are being discontinued and will be very difficult to acquire later down the line. So if you think you will eventually want to get one, then now is the time.

For an AO my choice is the Benchmade 581 Barrage. I still absolutely love mine. Benchmade and ZT are basically it for AOs in this price range. I can say that once you get into PB washers and especially bearings in the pivots on the higher end knives, you'll likely have no desire for any more AO knives.

Have fun with your search.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info, but again I dont know a few of your abbreviations what does IIRC mean? and also "PB washers"? t
The ZT knives seem to be Favorited I will most likely not go with an open assist knife seeing as everyone is saying that its not needed but I may later check into them if I dont like the way the non open assist ones open...although that doesnt seem like it will be the case.
 
Ryanp143 said:
I have no clue what KVT means anyone mind enlightening me on it since I'm new? haha


thanks for the info, but again I dont know a few of your abbreviations what does IIRC mean? and also "PB washers"? t
The ZT knives seem to be Favorited I will most likely not go with an open assist knife seeing as everyone is saying that its not needed but I may later check into them if I dont like the way the non open assist ones open...although that doesnt seem like it will be the case.
Click to expand...

KVT is Kershaw/ZTs ball bearing washer system (Kershaw Velocity Technology). PB is phosphorous bronze.
If I recall correctly, IIRC means "if I recall correctly". ;)
 
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