Please help me decide!

GlockSlicer

GlockSlicer

Joined
Mar 22, 2015
Messages
25
I see a million different knives on this forum you all carry each one cooler than the next and just as nice as the last. I have to cheap folders right now, a Kershaw Volt 2, and a Kershaw Emerson design. I do like them both, even got another Kershaw Volt 2 as a backup but I am ready to get some quality. I have a birthday next week and my wife told me to buy something I wanted. Well, I got a bunch of guns and am now looking to pick up some knives. I would like my first one to be in $200 area. I would use it as an edc, perfer a folder, I do like the stonewashed look too. Automatic would be nice. Nothing to heavy. I am open to suggestions and also would like to know your best online store you perfer to shop.

Thanks, from a knife Noob!
 
I would recommend the new ZT 0450, 0452cf, 0808 or 0900. They are all in the $200 price range and depending on the size blade you want they are from just under 3" to just over 4". Welcome to the forum and happy birthday.
 
Prepare to get blitzed with lists of favorites for $200!

My contribution: it's not automatic, but the Zero Tolerance 0562 is a flipper that flies out with authority. My preferred version is G-10 scale with stonewashed Elmax blade, right at $200.
 
Thanks for those suggestions! I already have more questions after looking at some reviews on them...I work as a firefighter/paramedic and would like something that could handle prying as well.. Not much prying but not a blade with a weak tip either...
 
Can't go wrong with an L-UDT. Look for one of the older ('96-'99) models with a tip down carry if you carry your knife IWB, it deploys much faster. Get tip up if you pocket carry.
 
GlockSlicer said:
Thanks for those suggestions! I already have more questions after looking at some reviews on them...I work as a firefighter/paramedic and would like something that could handle prying as well.. Not much prying but not a blade with a weak tip either...
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+1 on the ZT0562. I have the CF version and I absolutely love the knife! It's a Hinderer design (he only sells to first responders/law enforcement) and it's definitely up to the task. Pretty much all of the ZTs would be defined as "hard use" folders, and I doubt you'd be disappointed in any of their knives. But to me, the 0562 is choice!
 
In that budget I would get a used microtech or emerson. as others have said the zt 0560 is an awesome knife though.
 
I watched a review on YouTube by AppstleP about the this ZT 0560 and 0562 with theball bearing pivot and how they have issues...can anyone clarify or explain what causes this issue and how it effects knife use?
 
GlockSlicer said:
I watched a review on YouTube by AppstleP about the this ZT 0560 and 0562 with theball bearing pivot and how they have issues...can anyone clarify or explain what causes this issue and how it effects knife use?
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No idea, but his videos wear me out. Somebody get that guy some sinus meds!

Seriously, it's one guy's opinion. I wouldn't read too much into it. There are countless threads in this forum praising the 0562. I actually just tried to watch his video review of the 0562Cf and the first 10 minutes (of a 31 min video) was him ranting about all of the ZT knives he hates...not the 0562 in his hands.

If you look around a bit you'll find plenty of great, unbiased reviews.
 
Jondllas311 said:
No idea, but his videos wear me out. Somebody get that guy some sinus meds!

Seriously, it's one guy's opinion. I wouldn't read too much into it. There are countless threads in this forum praising the 0562. I actually just tried to watch his video review of the 0562Cf and the first 10 minutes (of a 31 min video) was him ranting about all of the ZT knives he hates...not the 0562 in his hands.

If you look around a bit you'll find plenty of great, unbiased reviews.
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Lol! Yeah I thought the same thing, he needs to blow his nose! I couldn't watch the whole or pay attention much because it was so distracting...I figure someone here could straighten me out. I really do like the looks of that ZT0562cf..
 
Not the best pic, but I took it on vacation in Northern California a couple weeks ago. Only way I could find one was here on the exchange. Supply has been really slow to reach dealers, but it's a regular edition so eventually they should be out there. I read that KAI was having difficulty securing the M390 steel. But I gotta say, the steel is amazing. My previous experience was limited to S30V, and I think the M390 is better in every way. Easier to sharpen and hold the edge forever.

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One of the key questions is do you like and use the wave feature on your Kershaw/Emerson collaboration? If so then how about something like these;

ZT0630:
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Emerson Horseman:
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Emersons: Roadhouse/CQC-7AW/ CQC-7V


For me personally, whilst I regularly back them up with another folder, I always carry a waved Emerson in my front right pocket. Every day.

Lots of choices, I just figured we could use some more photos in this thread ;) Whatever you decide, let us know...

Enjoy the process!

Ben
 
If you want an automatic, how about a Kershaw Launch 1? Looks like a really nice auto, pretty lightweight and good steel as well.
 
I would say to at least look at the Spyderco Gayle Bradley folder. It doesn't fit the auto part but from what I have used mine it is great for hard use applications.
 
Jondllas311 said:
No idea, but his videos wear me out. Somebody get that guy some sinus meds!

Seriously, it's one guy's opinion. I wouldn't read too much into it. There are countless threads in this forum praising the 0562. I actually just tried to watch his video review of the 0562Cf and the first 10 minutes (of a 31 min video) was him ranting about all of the ZT knives he hates...not the 0562 in his hands.

If you look around a bit you'll find plenty of great, unbiased reviews.
Click to expand...

His alien thumbs distract me more than the sinus stuff.

Anyways op...I'm pretty much in the same boat. I'm leaning towards a zt 0561 over the 0562 based solely on size. I prefer a bigger folder. Other ones I'm also considering are the spyderco military, spyderco tuff, and the spyderco southard. I'm also still not sure about how the ball bearings hold up when compared to washers.
 
Very nice suggestions so far, I do enjoy my Kershaw Emerson but I don't always wear shorts/pants with pockets..here in south Florida sometimes it's just a pair of boardshorts to mow the lawn or run out to the store. I would like to still be able to open the knife with a quick draw. I forgot to mention that I would be cutting a lot of fruit with this knife too so I would be getting some acids on the blade. I collect rare fruit trees and am always munching on them, I don't want to mess up a blade with acids if that could happen...I did like the spyderco paramilitary 2, prolly cause that digital camo scale is so cool looking...not sure yet...
 
+1 on the PM2 and Military recommendations. I picked up a PM2 before my ZT and really, really liked it. The ZT bumped it from my pocket so it wasn't getting much carry time. I actually just gave it to my neighbor yesterday when I saw what he was using at work.

Long story, but he asked me to sharpen his "work knife" and pulls out a Ducks Unlimited branded "SARGE" folder w/ a gut hook. It was awful. Liner lock barely engaged only about 50% of the time. He was one wrong move away from losing a finger.

The compression lock is really nice. I'm seriously considering picking up another one because I like it so much. For your uses though, you would probably be better off with the Military. You mentioned that you want a strong tip and the tip on the PM2 could be considered a weakness by some. Also, others have noted that the blade to handle ratio is a little strange on the PM2. The extra blade length of the Mili would probably come in handy too.
 
ZT 808 or 801

I personally prefer the 808's handle over the 801. Both are around $200, and for what you get....I doubt you could do better.
 
I agree that ZT is the way to go. I would recommend finding a dealer or store where you can handle several models to decide which fits you best.
 
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