Opinions on 5 knife choices.

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bscalzo

Joined
Nov 17, 2008
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HI, This is my first time posting/joining a forum. I have reviewed some threads from time to time, but not very seriously, well to my point. I am in the market for a new knife and my choices (by no means final) are:
Benchmade 710
Lone Wolf T2 Ranger
Emerson CQC-16 Bushman
Zero Tolerance 300
Blade Tech RIJBAK

If opinions could be given I would very much appreciate. I have owned Benchmade knives before (705, 720) so I know the quality of the Axis Lock, but I think it's time to branch out. I have not used a liner lock before, seems sturdy for the the couple of Emerson's I've seen up close, however, I recently saw the ZT300 and it is impressive, just don't know about the heft in the pocket?
I look forward to any replies, thanks bscalzo
 
Welcome!

Out of the knives you have listed, I would go with the Benchmade 710. It is a classic knife, one of the best Benchmades, and is one of the most highly recommended knives here on BladeForums. It is an excellent all-around knife. If you can find one in something other than D2, then so much the better.

Out of the remaining knives you've listed, I like the Zero Tolerance and the Blade Tech. The Zero Tolerance is a HUGE, heavy knife, but that's what it's supposed to be. You'll never break it or wear it out, that's for sure. Blade Tech makes a fine knife. Actually, all of the knives you've listed are pretty good, I don't think you could make a "bad" choice. They're all quality, it just depends on what suits your taste better.
 
Thanks for the reply. Yes I like the Benchmade, and glad to hear it is one of the more recommended knives on the forum. I too am not so sure about the D2 steel. I used to have a Lile fixed blade made out of D2, and it had a very durable edge (not sure if this is Benchmade's choice) but I wonder how this knife will hold up against the knife choices with the S30V steel? How about the liner lock in your opinion? I have seen some video reviews out there and a couple have said that liners can fail if you happen to twist your hand upon cutting the item? Again my only folders have been the two Benchmades, so I don't have much to compare with.
 
welcome to the forums! :) they all look to be good selections, i have had the blade tech RIJBAK and thought it was a great knife! i felt the liner was plenty strong,my only problem was it was tip-down only. the zt 300 is a heavy knife, but very manageable! plus it's a framelock.
 
You've got 5 great knives there.

It's really a matter of your personal preference as to weight, bulk, and aesthetics.

I'd go with the 710 because I love the Axis Lock, and it's a slim and relatively lightweight carry even though the blade is just about 4 inches. Build quality and materials are excellent.

I wouldn't be concerned about the D2. It's great blade steel and Benchmade happens to do a particularly good job with it. I have 6 Benchmades with D2. They were all shaving sharp out of the box and still are.

(Also, if you decide the 710 is not for you, it can be sold very quickly and easily.)
 
Welcome to the forums!:)

The only one of those I have is the 710D2 & I couldn't recommend it more!

The D2 takes & holds an edge very well & the axis-lock is smooth as butter!

Also,If you don't like it,you'll easily be able to get your $$ back(& maybe more),cause someone's always looking for one.

Good luck:)
 
bscalzo said:
HI, This is my first time posting/joining a forum. I have reviewed some threads from time to time, but not very seriously, well to my point. I am in the market for a new knife and my choices (by no means final) are:
Benchmade 710
Lone Wolf T2 Ranger
Emerson CQC-16 Bushman
Zero Tolerance 300
Blade Tech RIJBAK

If opinions could be given I would very much appreciate. I have owned Benchmade knives before (705, 720) so I know the quality of the Axis Lock, but I think it's time to branch out. I have not used a liner lock before, seems sturdy for the the couple of Emerson's I've seen up close, however, I recently saw the ZT300 and it is impressive, just don't know about the heft in the pocket?
I look forward to any replies, thanks bscalzo
Click to expand...
I'd get the ZT 0300 and then the BM 710. These are two of the very best in their classes. I have no interest in the other knives you mentioned though...
 
Okay tip down or tip up, can you elaborate the pros/cons. Does one deploy better than the other?
 
Welcome to the Forums! I can see that you've done your homework, finalizing it to such a great list of contenders. Before you know it, you'll be so educated, you'll be buying all 5 knives, and then some.

I usually prefer frame locks, especially titanium, and therefore the ZT 300, but with the BM 710 and the Axis lock, you definitely have a winner. I really would have a hard time choosing between the 2, although the BM being cheaper would make it an easier choice for me. It all comes down to looks and weight, if you ask me, as you can't go wrong with either of the 2. The other 3 just don't do it for me. Not that there's anything wrong with them, they just don't appeal to me, for some reason or another.

Daniel
 
The 710 is very practical , a classic . The ZT is a fine prodo. , but pretty heavy and large . Depends if you are a fan of assisted openers . The 710 is probably a more comfortable EDC .

Chris
 
Of those listed the 710 is probably the easiest to carry, it really rides well for a knife it's size. I love mine, the Rijbak is also excellent but not the easiest to carry. I have had a ZT 0300 and it is a heavy knife but excellent, the weight was a deal breaker for me. I have owned or do own all of the knives listed and the one I carry the most is the 710D2, and I ordered 3 of the CPM M4 version coming here in a couple of months. I also carry a Rijbak fairly often.
 
Out of your list and based on price and value, get the 710 (I had 3, sold one and still have 2) then the ZT (I own 2 020x's and 3 030x's). Either or. It's just that they are way different animals. The 710 is a sweet knife and about the only complaint I ever hear about it is some think it could have grippier scales. I think it's fine. Others may complain that the jimping on the liners is not in the scales too. Some will say the thumb stud is hard to reach but that is pure BS. Push the thumb studs FORWARD, not up. The 710 is a fantastic value for just over $100. Axis is the bomb. It is truly a one handed knife to open and close.


The ZT is a monster knife and not only in size. It's a monster knife in strength. The speed safe on these knives snaps them open like racking a 1911 pistol. Awesome knives. The knives are not as one hand friendly to close due to the wide blade profile. They fly open for sure but closing them one handed easily takes some practice.

The 710 is ambidextrous for tip up carry. The ZT is ambidextrous for tip up and tip down.

Take a look at the Spyderco G10 Military too.


Here are a couple pictures with 710's and a ZT 0301 for comparison:

DSC00751.jpg

DSC00747.jpg
 
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Reeek said:
Out of your list and based on price and value, get the 710 (I had 3, sold one and still have 2) then the ZT (I own 2 020x's and 3 030x's). Either or. It's just that they are way different animals. The 710 is a sweet knife and about the only compliant I ever hear about it is some think it could have grippier scales. I think it's fine. Others may complain that the jimping on the liners is not in the scales too. Some will say the thumb stud is hard to reach but that is pure BS. Push the thumb studs FORWARD, not up. The 710 is a fantastic value for just over $100. Axis is the bomb. It is truly a one handed knife to open and close.


The ZT is a monster knife and not only in size. It's a monster knife in strength. The speed safe on these knives snaps them open like racking a 1911 pistol. Awesome knives. The knives are not as one hand friendly to close due to the wide blade profile. They fly open for sure but closing them one handed easily takes some practice.

The 710 is ambidextrous for tip up carry. The ZT is ambidextrous for tip up and tip down.

Take a look at the Spyderco G10 Military too.


Here are a couple pictures with 710's and a ZT 0301 for comparison:

DSC00751.jpg

DSC00747.jpg
Click to expand...
Reeek you Rockk!
Thanks for the pictures comparing the two biggest contenders for my choice. I would love to purchase both, but kids christmas presents come first. As for all who have responded to this 'thread' I thank you. This site is awesome for obtaining feedback from actual knife users, and I plan to view it more often, of course that means I am probably going to desire more knives. Thanks, bscalzo
 
welcome to the forum, i have fell in love with the emerson knives, all of them are of great quality, however the microtech socom is an excellent knife and a great edc, just something else for you to think about if you did not have enough, but then thinking about knives is great big fun anyway, however i am drifting away from the productions towards the customs and that is a whole other fun world.

have fun whatever you do!!!
 
Out of the knives you have mentioned I only have the 710 and I can easily recomend it. It was sharp out of the box, an excellent cutter, it carries well and it has the amazing Axis lock that I cant say enough good things about. If you dont mind looking into other choices I would suggest the BM 615 mini-rukus which is my all time favorite knife. It is sharp and an excellent cutter, is incredibly ergonomic, easier to sharpen than recurves, built like a tank, and has the axis lock. The mini-rukus is a little heftier in the pocket than the 710 though.
 
Some things to consider: What are you going to be doing with it? Are you left or right handed? How often will you carry it? Is there a weight or size limit to what you want to carry?

AXIS locks are ambidextrous, liner and frame locks aren't. The ZT and the 710 have pretty different blade profiles. Will one work better than the other for your uses? Will a recurve blade cause you any sharpening problems? I don't know specifically about the CQC-16, but a lot of Emersons are chisel ground. Are you OK with that?

As far as opinions on the knives listed, I'd have no reservations at all about the 710 in either D2 or 154CM. For my uses, it's probably the most versatile of the ones you've listed. I had a Strider RCC for a while that was similar to the ZT and I found the blade profile to be less useful for me because of the width of the blade and the overall size of the knife. I don't have any experience using Blade-Tech or Lone Wolf, but the Blade-Techs I've handled were very solid and seemed to be well made.
 
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If I could have only one of the 5 you listed, it would, hands down, be the Bladetech Rijbak. I've had the others, except the Emerson, and I'm just not an Emerson fan. You will not find better fit/finish than the Rijbak will have. Although it is listed as a framelock it is more of a linerlock since there is a scale that covers the lockbar, but the lockbar is .080" thick, and the lockup is excellent. The lockbar is stiff enough that it will not accidentally slide off the blade. The knife rides entirely within your pocket with only the clip itself showing, if that is important to you.......it is to me as I don't like to advertise the fact I have a knife on me. The Rijbak will be the only one of the 5 mentioned that rides this way, on the others you will have a varying degree of handle sticking out of your pocket. Guess you could say that I like the Rijbak!:D
 
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