Ready To Go Higher in Price...Need Advice.

You can't go wrong with a ZT. In your price range you could get a 0350, 0200, or an 0400. They are all good blades with good steel and you should be able to find them in black failry easily.
 
I think you got it right the first time ZT 0350. Assisted, flipper and thumbstuds, S30V blade and a lifetime warranty.
 
Frankie-5-Knives said:
In the 3.5-4" range probably. Like I said nothing over 8" open.

Wow you guys really like Spyderco. I kind of like the Griptilian. What are your thoughts on the ZT350? How would you stack it against the ones you've suggested?

Thanks guys. Keep the suggestions coming.
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I would have suggested the Spyderco Paramilitary too but it is a bit bigger than your 8" max overall length. It is a fantastic folder though if you can get over the ~1/4" over your 8" max.

But the Benchmade Grip would have been my pick if you are adamant about your 8" max. It is just about 8" exactly. But to be honest, IMHO the Paramilitary 2 is a better folder. I had a Grip and Mini-Grip and sold them. I had a Paramilitary 2, lost it, and now replacing it as I write this. The PM2 is my all time favorite folding knife thus far above all my Kershaws, my ZT0300, ZT0550, my BM 710 & Grips and Spyderco Sage 1 & Endura4 G10.
 
just buy something you think you will like. if you dont sell it and get something else. It only gets more expensive from there.
 
erhodes said:
You can't go wrong with a ZT. In your price range you could get a 0350, 0200, or an 0400. They are all good blades with good steel and you should be able to find them in black failry easily.
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BobSig said:
I think you got it right the first time ZT 0350. Assisted, flipper and thumbstuds, S30V blade and a lifetime warranty.
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I really do like the ZT and have held it in my hand, which is a plus.

UpChUcK said:
I would have suggested the Spyderco Paramilitary too but it is a bit bigger than your 8" max overall length. It is a fantastic folder though if you can get over the ~1/4" over your 8" max.

But the Benchmade Grip would have been my pick if you are adamant about your 8" max. It is just about 8" exactly. But to be honest, IMHO the Paramilitary 2 is a better folder. I had a Grip and Mini-Grip and sold them. I had a Paramilitary 2, lost it, and now replacing it as I write this. The PM2 is my all time favorite folding knife thus far above all my Kershaws, my ZT0300, ZT0550, my BM 710 & Grips and Spyderco Sage 1 & Endura4 G10.
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I could probably live with an extra 1/4" as long as I like the overall feel of the knife.

Jfoley4 said:
just buy something you think you will like. if you dont sell it and get something else. It only gets more expensive from there.
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That's the plan but I'm just trying to narrow it down. I don't have a lot of opportunities to actually handle the knives, which is a huge purchasing factor. So I'd like to get a few ideas before going through with the purchase. It appears the Spyderco PM2 is winning out in this thread, followed by the Grip. Are those two so good that there's no need to mention any others?
 
Check out the Benchmade Bone Collector series, like a materials upgrade over the Griptillian series with a sweet price tag.
 
Mcusta Tactility (here's mine, can also be had in Cocobolo, Quince Burl or Corian)
2012-10-08185322_zps59ea1ba9.jpg


or the new A.G. Russell one hand knife (I've got the bone version coming in this month)
[video=youtube_share;FSibp1NaNRk]http://youtu.be/FSibp1NaNRk[/video]

Both VG-10 goodness and both an awesome DEEP carry pocket clip that's left or righthand reversable.

The Mcusta is also available in Damascus with VG-10 core and in a slightly smaller size.
 
0350 and Para2 are both excellent choices, you really couldn't go wrong with either. The Para will be slimmer and lighter in the pocket and slice like a razor. The 0350 is a little heavier and shorter but very solid. Whichever you think looks better is the one you should go with. Or as they say around here, get them both:D.
 
I tried the ZT350 and didn't like it. It was too big, heavy, and bulk for me. For similar size I would chose the Spyderco Manix 2 XL, but it doesn't come with a black blade. I do like the paramilitary 2, but most of the time I'll grab the zdp-189 Endura first. You could dye the handle black easily and force a patina on the blade to make it look dark.

If you want to skip all the modification, you could go for a black on black Spyderco Endura, Manix 2, or Native (I haven't owned). I also like the SOG Twitch 2 XL, it's assisted, and has a deep carry pocket clip.
 
I've been looking at the Manix2 in all black. I've usually had mixed feelings on Spyderco's design, but I'm starting to come around. I'm also starting to second guess the bulk of the ZT350.

How does the Para2 compare with the Manix2?
 
Another vote for the Para2 DLC. I have one and it sees quite a bit of use even over my Sebenzas.
 
get a Kershaw Blur w/carbon fiber inlays and cpm 154 steel seen them as low as $84-95 recently
 
Since you mentioned assisted opening, I'll say the Zero Tolerance 0350. It comes in many flavors, but you can get a new one for not much more than $100. My son picked out one of those, and passed up several in the $400-range that he could have had instead, since they were mine.
Very light, thin, easy to carry, assisted opening is very secure, tough S30V blade-steel, nice blade-length of less than 3.5 inches.
 
I have owned all the knives mentioned above I like benchmade SLIGHTLY better only because of their service after the sale. I carried a 905SBT for years in the Marine Corps used it hard and never had any problems with it. A year or so ago I left it in my jeans and my wife ran it through the washer and dryer and two of the screws holding the scales came out and were lost. I sent it back to benchmade they returned it ten days later repaired recoated and sharpened free of charge
 
I would take a look at:
ZT 0350 - It's a beast of a knife with a fast assisted opening especially considering the size and weight. Fits well in the pocket and has great s30v steel(awesome EDC steel). If you decide you'd want manual opening this one has the ball detent so you can take out the torsion bar.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 - One of my personal favorites, s30v steel, smooth action(you can make it even smoother by adding lubricant), awesome locking mechanism, great ergos, can handle the tough tasks but slices like crazy! Great knife and fit and finish.

Spyderco Manix 2 - These are now made in s30v so that's a plus. This is a beefy folder that can handle anything you throw at it, whether it be a large or small task. Feels great in the hand and isn't too big in the pocket. Awesome Ball Bearing lock which is a very strong lock. You definitely can't beat this one for the price.

All of these are excellent knives for the price.

Another one to check out would be the Nemesis Manx. for $100 you get VG-10 steel(works very well for EDC, gets sharp easy and fast and holds its edge well) and a titanium frame lock. It also has a Carbon Fiber inlay which makes it look classy but seems like it can handle EDC well. It's really a good deal for Carbon Fiber, Titanium, and G-10. I've been looking into picking one up myself.

When you go back down to lower priced knives, take a look at the H&K Conspiracy Folder. It's a big beefy knife coming in under 8in. with a ti frame lock and 9cr13mov steel. It comes razor sharp, can handle anything you throw at it, sharpens easily, and holds it's edge fairly well. It's a great knife, especially at the price point. You can't beat it for around $70.
 
Most of these guys have lead you right. I too find the ZT0350 a bit bulky, especially for a first good EDC. I'd either go with the ParaMilitary2 or the Benchmade Ritter Grip. I like the scales better on the Para and Axis Lock of the Grips. Either are excellent for their sub-$120 price. I also love the Spyderco Endura for it's slim lightweight carry and full flat grind blade. It carries much smaller than it performs. You can't go wrong with any of the ones mentioned here. Just keep in mind with whatever you get, you're gonna need a way to sharpen it and these higher end steels might also require more agressive sharpening tools.
 
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