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winstonsmith

Joined
Jun 22, 2003
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Hey guys. I'm a newbie here. I live in San Francisco. I'm 15 years old, and I go to an Film art high school.

My name is Jack and I'm a knifeaholic.

Well, I would be if I wasn't a minor under liberal knife hating parents.

I guess knives are slightly more acceptable to the sheeple than my other dark and unrequited love, guns, So I decided to join here.

Question: I'm looking at the Cold Steel Ti-lite Zytel, found here: http://store.yahoo.com/csstoreonline/tilites.html . I like this knife, and I've heard alot of good things about it. And it's quite beautiful. However, two people I trust nay-said. One had grip slip concerns and the other thinks the steel used is low quality. Please advise.
 
Welcome! About the Ti-Lite, I have to concur, 440A is nothing special and at that price point you can do better. See if Columbia River has anything that grabs your interest. www.crkt.com . Many of their blades use AU6M, which isn't really better than 440A, but the knives are cheaper and better made IMO. Some are made with AUS8A, which is a pretty good blade steel. I have the M16-03, it's an excellent knife at that price point.
 
From what I can tell, this knife has an AUS8A blade. 440A is used for the liners and the lock.

If you are wanting a knife with that stiletto appearance then this seems like one that provides good value (I have not handled one of these knives). If you want to check out a really nice knife for about the same price, but not in the stiletto style, check out the CRKT Lightfoot M1. I had a chance to handle one this last weekend and I was very impressed with the quality. It sells for about the same price as the Ti-lite.
 
I'd say whoever is telling you AUS8A is some kind of horrible steel doesn't know what they're talking about. It may not be up to the level of S30V or one of the other new super steels, but AUS8 is a very nice stainless steel foreveryday use.
 
I retract my previous statement, apparently the blade steel is AUS-8A, which is fine for a blade steel. If you like that style then I say go for it, CS has a decent reputation so I imagine the build quality is there. Not really my thing, but not a bad buy if you like that style.
 
No, Roadrunner read it right. It is 440A. The more expensive Titanium version is AUS8A. He asked about the Zytel version, which is 2/3rds price without the titanium and with a 440A blade. Looks nice, but I wish they made a Zytel version with a AUS8A
 
Welcome to Bladeforums Jack!

If you like knives and guns, you came to the right place.

IMHO, for the money, you can do better than the Zytel Ti-Lite. Check out the CRK&T line up as Roadrunner suggested. Also take a look at the Spyderco Delica and Endura, the Benchmade Griptilians, and Cold Steel’s Voyager and Vaquero series.





- Frank
 
No, I was wrong. Cold Steel's website is misleading. If you go to knifecenter.com they have it listed as AUS-8A. Of course, since there's so much uncertainty, perhaps you should just steer clear and check out other options. Or call Cold Steel and ask, from what I hear they don't answer e-mails too well.
 
Welcome Jack, Love to see young(responsible) knife lovers! The CRKT line is very nice! They make a great product for the money! Paul
 
Welcome Jack! I'm sure all of us had a knife when we were Jack's age, luckily I was never hassled. Anyway, there is a few other under-18's here so don't feel alone.

Originally posted by frank k
Welcome to Bladeforums Jack!

If you like knives and guns, you came to the right place.

IMHO, for the money, you can do better than the Zytel Ti-Lite. Check out the CRK&T line up as Roadrunner suggested. Also take a look at the Spyderco Delica and Endura, the Benchmade Griptilians, and Cold Steel’s Voyager and Vaquero series.
Click to expand...


Right on, I tottally agree! I know a few good places with really good prices (to name a few 1sks, Knifeworks, NGK
 
Welcome aboard! Many people feel suspicious about the lower end products from CS, CS are undergoing some 'restructuring' on their products, and right now they could be starting to turn out the zytel Ti-Lite with anything, even 420.


The Ti-Lite is no doubt very pretty but like the BM spike
(Also designed by Phil Boguszewski ) It's not overly practical. If you're looking for a 'User' this isn't the knife for you.

There's a TRUCKLOAD of good knives in the $50ish area that will serve you well,

but if you do have to buy a Ti-Lite
Dont let the 'suggested retail' put you off, the higher end version can be had for about $100 on ebay as opposed to the SRP of $200+ I can only speak from my own point of view,
and if I bought the cheaper version I'd always look at it knowing that for just a tad more I could have the 'real thing'


Happy knife hunting - a knife is a tool first and foremost
and a weapon in a last ditch situation.
 
hmm, I'll call them up. I want a copy of their DVD anyways. (Eh, under 18, but how are they gonna know?):D
 
I have the Ti version(only way to go) of the ti-lite... the 8A takes a wicked edge.

About 1/2 the time I change my right/front carry, the ti-lite goes in. I carry a fixed blade 95% of the time, also on right side, so I'm not concerned about the knife doing anything on me. It gets light to medium jobs.
 
Yeah, the ti-lite is pretty much out the window. I went shopping around today to find out what these knives feel like, but the store I went to only had three of the ones I was looking The Kershaw Blackout, the SOG Flash 2, and the S&W recon.

The S&W sucked ALOT. Bad weight, not ergonomic, and just generally pug-fugly.

The Kershaw was a beaut, and might be the winner. Nice size blade, fits into the hand well, nice weight, and from what I hear very popular.

The SOG Flash was inferior to the Kershaw in that it didn't feel like it belonged in my hands as much as the Kershaw did.

However, it had a feature that I am ambivalent about; a safety. Putting a springloaded object next to your crotch is not my idea of smart, but a safety in a knife fight would get in the way. Can I trust the kershaw not to make me a eunich? If I can thats one of my finalists.
 
Welcome Jack, There's a lot of accumulative knowledge here, makers, collectors, and production mnfg. reps.

If ya haven't already, check out the FAQ on the top of the site, Use the Search function to see if you can find the answer to your question there, odds are someones asked the same question already, and play nice.

I wish there was a place like this for me to go when I was 15.

Enjoy and have fun.:D :cool:
 
Ok, I have a selection of knives I will choose from when it comes time for that.

Now on to the home front. A friend from over on THR (Andrew Wyatt) has reccomended that I get a list of the knives I want, I show it to my dad, and show him the various ones, and how safe they are.

Then the discussion will progress to my whole reason for wanting a knife. I will argue that with the continuance of the teen ages I will stay out later and go into worse neighborhoods. Thus the likelyhood of an encounter where a weapon is needed is increased. They will say, "Well if your going into a neighborhood where you'll get into a knife fight we don't want you going there!"

I will point out that I got mugged right next to my high school, and shows that anythign can happen anywhere.

I will then say, "As a cognitive entity, I beleive I have an inalieable right to self defense. Would you agree?" How can they not?

Then we will squabble about the legalities. I will refer them to
http://www.equalccw.com/knifelaw.html (and other good ones if you can refer them to me).

If you spot anyway I can tighten up my side of the argument please tell.

If worse comes to worst I can always get the Wenger Ranger, a pocketknife with a 4 inch locking blade. :rolleyes:
 
If you really want a knife don't tell your dad it is to defend your self . A knife is a tool that can in a last recort be used to protect your self. if you are smart leave the weapon part out and find other reasons to have a knife as a tool like open things or curveing wood ...
 
Jack, your knife is a tool PLAIN AND SIMPLE... got it? Tools can be used for many things, from opening things, to whittling to well you get the picture eh?

BTW: for all of you here is a better knife law site.
 
Originally posted by winstonsmith
. Can I trust the kershaw not to make me a eunich? If I can thats one of my finalists.
Click to expand...

The chances of it opening in your pocket are very very small, the blade is under no spring tension at all until about 10% lifted, Its almost impossible that such a thing could happen.
 
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