new to edc

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devdev98

Joined
Mar 11, 2014
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id like to start off saying I am pretty new to knives. my most expensive knife to date for edc is a Kershaw half-ton. im looking for something better to edc. the knife wont get abused much but knowing it can take it if need be would be great. I was looking at the zt 350 but im not sure if the recurve blade would sharpen well since Im not the best at sharpening. im not really looking to spend more than $150. any and all suggestions are welcome. thank you everyone in advance for the help.
 
You could get a Spyderco Gayle Bradley for around $150 if you look around. It's alot of knife for your money, and will serve you very well:thumbup:
 
As a relative newbie myself, welcome! And as the vets will tell you: sorry about your bank account, because it's about to get a lot emptier. :D

Now, you'll need to give a little more detail for the guys and I to give some recommendations: blade shape, size, flipper/no, assisted open/no, etc. So provide that and some info on what you will use it for and you'll get some good ideas. I can tell you that ZT is a good brand to go with for heavy duty use, so you're on the right track. Have fun!
 
Spyderco Something
Benchmade Something
ZT something.


You cant go wrong.. It all matters to your taste and wallet
 
devdev98 said:
id like to start off saying I am pretty new to knives. my most expensive knife to date for edc is a Kershaw half-ton. im looking for something better to edc. the knife wont get abused much but knowing it can take it if need be would be great. I was looking at the zt 350 but im not sure if the recurve blade would sharpen well since Im not the best at sharpening. im not really looking to spend more than $150. any and all suggestions are welcome. thank you everyone in advance for the help.
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If you're interested in ZT have a look at the 0566, or for 160$ you could get the new 0450. Benchmade griptillian is very strong and well suited for edc tasks. Benchmade 710 if you want something that's well suited for self defense. Spyderco if you want something hideous and likely foreign made ;), just kidding I like spyderco, I just don't find them very attractive....but for edc use they're excellent value, look at the PM2 or a zdp-189 delica/endura. Gayle bradley as well, as previously stated.
 
Zt 0350 is a great knife for the money. And the recurve isnt too bad to sharpen I find you just need to have a narrow stone if its too wide it has the possibility of not making full contact, that's just what I've noticed though I'm by no means a great sharpener
 
Well I would of course suggest reading my blog... 'cause I like people reading my blog. ;)

But seriously, there are a lot of different knives out there. Figuring out exactly what you want out of a knife is important if you really want to find something that will really make you happy. I actually did write several blog posts on my search for my personal ideal EDC knife, and wrote some reviews on the knives I tried out.

One website that I really liked (aside from Blade Forums) is Everyday Commentary. I find his knife reviews to be some of the best I've read and they cover a variety of different EDC options at a range of prices. I'd suggest reading his reviews honestly more than my own, I really think they are good reviews http://www.everydaycommentary.com/p/reviews.html
 
In that budget I consistently suggest the ZT0350. It is well with in your budget, can hold up to anything, and is fun to hold and use. If the shape or re curve set you back, then I suggest the ZT0566! Let us know what you decide!

Welcome to the forums!
 
If you like the wider blade profile (relative to the knife), like on your Half Ton, the 0350 may be a good fit. It is quite a bit larger than the Half Ton.

As for sharpening, how frequently do you find yourself sharpening the Half Ton? And what are you using to do so? The edge retention on the 0350 is significantly better than the Half Ton. The recurve isn't bad to sharpen once you've done it a couple of times. The Sharpmaker makes touching up the 0350 really easy.
 
Another vote for the ZT0566.

A Blur 1670 in Elmax would be nice too.
 
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devdev98 said:
id like to start off saying I am pretty new to knives. my most expensive knife to date for edc is a Kershaw half-ton. im looking for something better to edc. the knife wont get abused much but knowing it can take it if need be would be great. I was looking at the zt 350 but im not sure if the recurve blade would sharpen well since Im not the best at sharpening. im not really looking to spend more than $150. any and all suggestions are welcome. thank you everyone in advance for the help.
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I would go Sage 2. Its $160 on amazon and it is a worth every penny.
 
CraigMang said:
As a relative newbie myself, welcome! And as the vets will tell you: sorry about your bank account, because it's about to get a lot emptier. :D

Now, you'll need to give a little more detail for the guys and I to give some recommendations: blade shape, size, flipper/no, assisted open/no, etc. So provide that and some info on what you will use it for and you'll get some good ideas. I can tell you that ZT is a good brand to go with for heavy duty use, so you're on the right track. Have fun!
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As for blade shape im pretty open just as long as it isnt tanto but i mostly look for drop point. Size- i would like the blade to be max 3 1/2 inches probaly as i am edc it and dont want to many people thinking im a crazy guy with a knife, flipper- i have never used one but love the idea, assisted open- im not sure about dont want to get in trouble with the law. I mostly use my knife for box cutting, rope, and bags of dirt/mulch, and occasionaly on pesky roots of plants im pulling out of the ground. Im not really just looking for something tacticool either. Just something to get the job done.
 
I'll stray from the usual brand suggestions and mention the Hogue EX line. All are USA-made with 154CM blades. There is a 3.5" drop point model with a few different handle materials to choose from, and you should be able to stay well within your budget. They are excellent knives.
 
+1 on the 0350

Excellent knife and better when de-assisted.

Welcome to the forums.
 
The 0350 is a hell of a tough knife, especially if you're into wider folders like your Half-Ton. Let me also suggest the ZT 0566:



Also, you might want to consider the Spyderco Manix 2. It's in your budget and is also very reliable.

 
grownstar said:
The 0350 is a hell of a tough knife, especially if you're into wider folders like your Half-Ton. Let me also suggest the ZT 0566:
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I will admit i love the look of the zt 0566 but im worried about the assisted opening. I live in mn and travel to nd almost everyday as far as i know the are legal to own but im not 100% certain. Otherwise i would probably buy the 0566 right now.
 
devdev98 said:
I will admit i love the look of the zt 0566 but im worried about the assisted opening. I live in mn and travel to nd almost everyday as far as i know the are legal to own but im not 100% certain. Otherwise i would probably buy the 0566 right now.
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Then you're in luck! The 0566 can be de-assisted, as in all you have to do is take off the G10 scale, take the torsion bar out and put the scale back on.

It might take a minute or two to find that sweet spot in the pivot but don't let that stop you from pulling the trigger. Mine is de-assisted right now. I can open the blade immediately with the flipper, or do a slow and deliberate opening with the thumbstud. It's the best of both worlds!
 
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