OK, I need some recommendations, $200 range

Myker

Myker

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Feb 5, 2011
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Hi folks,

I always kinda scoffed at these " help me choose" posts, well now I feel I am in need. Gonna be getting $200 or so and am pretty much sold on the DPx HEST 2, ( I don't want to hear how you feel about the company either!) Big beefy frame lock is what mood I'm in latley. So what else out there should I be considering. Thanks guys and gals.
 
Benchmade 755 MPR is a stubby, sturdy brick of a knife not far off from the dimensions of the HEST and about the same price (with online retailer discounts). Downsides being the smaller handle and poor pocket clip, but overall love mine.
 
Pocket clip position looks a little weird, anyone have a picture of the 0550 riding in pocket?

Ya that BM 755 is up there on the list, but I want a little bigger for now.

HEST 2 vs 0550 post anywhere??
 
I just picked up a BM 760Lfti on the exchange here. It fulfills the big, beefy framelock role. The blade is about 4mm thick, 4" long with a more gentle sweeping tanto shape than the angular ones Cold Steel makes. This knife gets a bad rap here but mine displays none of the problems I've seen attributed to this knife such as blade play and thick edge. It's rock solid and the edge is not thick at all. New they're around $225 but they come up "used" here for under $200.
 
Anyone put up a HEST 2 vs ZT 0550 post. How bout some pictures of the 0550 riding in a pocket. Thanks guys.
 
I like the rotolock on the HEST 2, I know a lot of folks hate it but I do think it offers more security during hard use.
 
I'd take a gander at some of zt's offerings I'm pretty fond of the 200 model myself also you have the hinderer collabs but they seem to be rather scarce and hard to find at times
 
I am really smitten with this Hogue EX01.

Its been ridin' with me since I got it, and I have a review up, here.

Solid build, and Made USA.

Moose
 
Alright, now we're talking. That Hogue looks promising, must investigate further. Keep em coming fellas, thanks.
 
Benchmade
* Adamas
* New 810 Contego when it comes out

Spyderco
* Lionspy

ZT
* 0561
* 0550

Hogue
* EX01

Bradley
* Alias
 
For right around 180, you can get a PM2 in M390 for a limited amount of time. I know it's not a frame lock, but the compression lock's pretty awesome.
 
For around $260 take a good look at the ZT 0560, this is one hell of a knife for the money. It has kicked a lot of other good knives out of my pocket to be my EDC.
 
I've had both the HEST v2 & a ZT 0551 (Same as the 0551, different steel). They're both beefy (Heavy duty folders). I think the HEST is slightly lighter & has a low-rider clip, if you like that (I do). The O550's comfortable in the hand. Both are well built Ti frame-locks. I found myself carrying the HEST far more than the ZT, though. I still have the HEST, but got rid of the 0551s (Did get a 0560, though).

If beefy's what you're wanting & a $200 limit, the HEST v2 is hard to beat (I don't care for the head of the co. either). Others that come to mind that are beefy:

Hogue EX-01: Hard to fault. The Gmascus models are more popular & lighter, but the aluminum models have better ballance.

ZT: Any from their line that you can buy for $200 or less. The 0550 & 0300 series are great choices if you can find them within your price range. The 0200 & 0400 are well within your budget & if you can find one, the 0500 Mudd's not a bad choice, either. I don't think you're going to find an 0560/0561 anywhere near $200 (Probably hard to find at $260, too). As far as "beefy", the 0550/0551 feels beefier to me than the 0560/0561.

BM 755: Fits the bill, but is on the small size.

Someone mentioned the BM 760, but while it's a fairly big Ti frame-lock, I certainly didn't consider it "beefy", nor terribly strong.

Good luck with your choice.
 
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