Pocket Knife: For all around purposes.

jeremy2792 welcome to a fun spot. these guys will always try to help you . most have very positive contributions. my 2 cents since you mentioned defense , fishing,cutting chores, & some animal processing a coupal of strong contenders fit this bill well . the spyderco endura & the spyderco military.although my 1st choice for the boonies is a locking folder without a clip when you add in fish & skinning chores & possibly defense the nod goes to the spydercos.i would cut a stout stick for defense if it makes you feel better.as to steel choices i suggest vg10 or s30v. these are a good compromise between edge quality & not being too hard to sharpen. the blade contours allow fish & skinning chores as well as some general duty.
 
I know you say you don't want bulky, but you really owe it to yourself to handle a ZT 0200 and ZT 0500 MUDD. These are great knives, and I think the 0200 is a fantastic all around knife, albeit bulky (8 oz.)

I would (and do) carry either one along with a SAK (Vic Climber) for the small stuff and whittling.

With this combo - there really isnt much you can't work your way out of!

All this for under $200.
 
like my mini and super commander's but my spyderco military beats them for overall function.
the military is an excellent fish and food prep knife and great for small game with the thin grind and pointy blade. Would still fill the bill for protection, carry mine 90% city or woods.
 
Wow. This forum was like a good night of trapping. Set the trap at night, and it's full of game the next morning. I am absolutely shocked how many great replies I got. I have been looking up all of these knives that you guys recommend.

So far, I have decided that I am going to get the ESEE RC-3 or RC-4. I can't decide which one would be more suitable for me. Which would be easier to skin a deer with, the RC-3 or RC-4 or do you recommend something bigger? Also, do you guys recommend a straight edge with no serrated blade, or a blade with the incorporated serrated blade towards the handle of the knife?

Again, all of your replies are very much appreciated.
 
jeremy2792 said:
Also, do you guys recommend a straight edge with no serrated blade, or a blade with the incorporated serrated blade towards the handle of the knife?
Click to expand...

Some of us love serrations, some people only want plain edged, some people like both but not on the same piece of metal, some like combo edges. There's another thread running now about it ('New guy...').

I think that for deer dismemberment, a plain edge would be better, but I'm sure people have done the job with a combo edge. Everybody's different. Go with what you like best and what works for you.
 
The RC-4 seems like it'd make for a better outdoors knife, as the extra length could be useful for other tasks that require light chopping. There tends to be an agreement that the longer the blade, the less control. In other words, it becomes more difficult to do delicate work with a longer blade, usually. Luckily, skinning doesn't require one to be too delicate, so I would go with the RC-4.
 
So with your guys help, I have recently discovered these knives, new to me anyway.

I'm sure there are a lot more knives out there, but so far with your guys recommendations and internet research. Knife dealers are very limited where I'm located for some reason, and overly priced if I can find one at all. The reason I am asking so many questions is, I'm going to order these knives online without ever seeing or reviewing these knives before I buy them.

So far;

EDC-Zero Tolerance
0200 Matte Black Folder
Steel: 154CM stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating
Handle: 3D machined, G-10 in matte black
Blade: 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm) Closed: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Weight: 7.7 oz

OR:

0350 Matte Black Folder with SpeedSafe
Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating
Handle: Textured black G-10
Blade: 3-1/4 in. (8.25 cm) Closed: 4-5/8 in. (11.75 cm)
Overall: 7-7/8 in. (20.002 cm) Weight: 6.2 oz.

I can't really decide which one is better. The 0200 is $20 more, but I cannot see why. I am not real sure what the difference is. I was hoping that with the information provided you could help me understand the differences between the two knives.


For my fixed blade outdoor knife, I am still unsure if I want the RC-3 or RC-4.

The 0100 All-Black Fixed Blade is also a pretty cool knife. Do you guys recommend the 0100 over the RC-3/4?
 
jeremy2792 said:
So with your guys help, I have recently discovered these knives, new to me anyway.

I'm sure there are a lot more knives out there, but so far with your guys recommendations and internet research. Knife dealers are very limited where I'm located for some reason, and overly priced if I can find one at all. The reason I am asking so many questions is, I'm going to order these knives online without ever seeing or reviewing these knives before I buy them.

So far;

EDC-Zero Tolerance
0200 Matte Black Folder
Steel: 154CM stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating
Handle: 3D machined, G-10 in matte black
Blade: 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm) Closed: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Weight: 7.7 oz

OR:

0350 Matte Black Folder with SpeedSafe
Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating
Handle: Textured black G-10
Blade: 3-1/4 in. (8.25 cm) Closed: 4-5/8 in. (11.75 cm)
Overall: 7-7/8 in. (20.002 cm) Weight: 6.2 oz.

I can't really decide which one is better. The 0200 is $20 more, but I cannot see why. I am not real sure what the difference is. I was hoping that with the information provided you could help me understand the differences between the two knives.


For my fixed blade outdoor knife, I am still unsure if I want the RC-3 or RC-4.

The 0100 All-Black Fixed Blade is also a pretty cool knife. Do you guys recommend the 0100 over the RC-3/4?
Click to expand...

It is slightly more because the blade is a decent amount longer.
 
If your looking at fixed blades you owe it to yourself to check out Bark River Knives. They have a huge variety of knives to choose from within your budget. I'd try and narrow a specific model but there are so many that will serve your purposes. Its all personal taste.. not to mention the handle options.

I love my ESEE knives as well and you can't go wrong with them either, I'd go for the rc4 if you are pairing it with a folder.

For folders I'd suggest the salt1 or military as many others already have.
 
I would stick a $30 Buck 110 with sheath (from Walmart) on your belt. Its built like a tank, is perfect for the outdoorsman and general tinkerer, and will outlast you by about 300 years.

Link
 
I also second the 2 knife scenario. A Spyderco Aqua Salt fixed blade is almost indestructable and very useful for all camp chores, hunting and fishing. I would add a Queen #9 stockman in amber stag bone and D2 steel for pocket carry (and whittling!). Each available for under $100; you should have money left over and all bases covered.
 
I've got the ZT 0200 but do not have the 350.

I vote for the 0200 - it's a great knife.

Built like a tank, fit and finish are great, and the price is very reasonable for what you get. Comes out of the box razor sharp and holds an edge well.

It will last you a lifetime.
 
For fishing in Florida you can't beat any of the Spyderco salt series knives in H1 steel, especially if you fish salt or brackish waters. If you plan to bring carbon steel to saltwater then it will require a proper cleaning and oiling after nearly every use to avoid rust and pitting on the non coated surfaces. Since H1 steel can't rust, it's always a winner around water.
 
Can I get anyones person recommendation that owns both the 0200 and 0350. I have watched reviews and done research on them both. It's so hard to compare the two knives without holding them both in your hand or actually using them.

Which do you guys prefer the ZT0200 or the ZT0350?
 
can't go wrong with a spyderco military. however if you want a decent knife that will cost about half as much take a look at the endura 4 or the pacific salt.

if you don't need something that big take a look at the caly 3 or sage. delica 4 if you are on a budget.
 
I would look into more traditional offerings by Case, Queen, GEC, and Boker. They cut much better than the "tactical" type of knives such as the Commander, due to thinner blade stock. Most still use good old carbon steel, easy to sharpen and takes a wickedly sharp edge. I find them much more visually appealing and they are definately better for whittling. Check out the Traditional forums on this site for more info, great folks over there.
 
It looks like you have your heart set on the ZT but I like many others would also like to recommend the Spyderco Pacific Salt. All around great knife and you can even buy the tactical all black version for the kool factor:

 
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