(Resolved!)Alrighty, looking for a high quality EDC Folder

Z

ZTFan

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Oct 6, 2016
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So I'm hoping that my list of previous buys might help with selecting a new one:

Kershaw Volt II Serrated (high school, didn't know anything)
ZT 0301
ZT 0350TS
Spyderco Dragonfly II
ZT 0900
Kershaw Launch 4
ZT 0392PURBLKWC
Kershaw Hops

These have all been sold, although I liked all of them a lot. I just get bored really easily. What I'm basically looking for is something that will never need replacing, has quality steel and will keep me forever infatuated with it. If I had to pick one quality of steel that I value the most, it would be... sharpness. I recall the Dragonfly II and Launch 4 having notably sharp blades, and I loved that. I also prefer plain edge blades. No preference on opening system, I like manuals and springers equally I guess.

If I was leaning any particular way, it would probably be the ZT 0456. I like it. All I need is enough people to encourage me to buy it, recommend a superior alternative, or give me sufficient reasons to not buy it. It seems as though it has reviewers torn, though most seem to like it just fine.

Any recommendations for an all-around quality folding knife? Most I'd probably spend is around $400, preferably less.
 
Anything Chris Reeve or ZT as of lately.

It sounds like you are wanting to take a step into the $400 knife price range. Find a used CRK, that way it's not over $400 but you still get the perks.

On a side note, that Manix wouldn't be a bad choice. I don't care for them because the tip is a little thin for my liking.
 
Why not buy more than one knife. You can get more stimulation from a box of knives!!
 
CRK, Slysz Bowie. Manix 2 is a great knife. I'm a big fan of the Spyderco Bradley folders also. Wayfarer 247 is getting a lot of press around here. The 0456 looks great to me too.
 
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That KC Manix 2 Cru-wear is fantastic. I bought it a while ago. Best Spyderco I own. Very well done!! Great steel too.
 
ZT0392BLUBOWIE -

M390 steel which, in my experience, is fairly easy to sharpen up to a great edge.

The knife is, subjectively, very beautiful.

I don't see any supporting vendors that have these in stock anymore, but I did find one in stock by searching with google.

Good luck with your choice.

best

mqqn
 
Monofletch said:
Why not buy more than one knife. You can get more stimulation from a box of knives!!
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I agree with this, I recommend buying multiple knives you like and swapping out when you start getting bored. I was in the same boat, I would buy knives, keep them until I got bored, then trade them in on something else. I noticed on your list of previous purchases that you seem to favor Spyderco, Kershaw, and ZT. With 400 dollars you can get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (CPM S30V), ZT 0566 (CPM S35VN, some versons still available in Elmax), and a Kershaw Blur for less than 400 dollars. All three have good steel, the Blur is available in 14c28n Sandvik which is a decent steel, or you can spend about 20 dollars more and get the upgraded version with CPM S30V blade steel and still come under budget.
 
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ZTFan said:
I like the recommendations. What do you guys think of this, just saw it and it's got some good reviews.
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It's a great knife, and perhaps my favorite non-LW model. The action on my sample was the best Manix I've taken delivery of to date - perfect. I'm a total Manix guy and have 8 of them (damn, forgot a couple last time I counted), BUT, " forever infatuated"? Maybe not. They only thing that can keep you infatuated is the mail lady bringing you more knives.

The Slyze Bowie is a good recommendation. I've been obsessed with mine longer than any other knife in my collection.

I treated myself to the 0392BLK lately and it's been hard to do anything in my life without having it in my hand... What an awesome experience that knife is.

Had the 0456 for a minute but it was a total brick. My 0801 and 0560BW saw the most use of my ZTs, until I bought the 0392 that is.
 
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I have a different take on suggestions for you. Looking at the knives that you've carried and used I don't think that CRK is a good choice for you. You seem to prefer bulky, overbuilt folders. CRKs might be overbuilt, but not to the degree that your knives have been, with the exception of the Dragonfly. I'd also urge towards quality over quantity. You can only use one at a time, so you might as well make the one that you're using the best you can afford. That's my philosophy anyways. I'm currently in the middle of paring down my collection to a few high end knives instead of a whole lot of midrange knives.

If I were you I'd take a look at the Hinderer XM-18. I recently had one and it's a great knife, but I prefer slimmer knives. I think it might be a good fit for you based on what you've carried in the past. It's available in enough different blade options that you should be able to find something that's right up your ally. It's also modular, so when you find yourself tiring of it you can swap out the scale or hardware instead of buying a whole new knife.

On the other hand I also recently owned a Manix 2. It's a fantastic knife, and all you'd ever need. I wasn't a fan of all the jimping, but I seem to be in the minority there. It's definitely going to be thinner than what you're used to.

No matter which way you decide to go, good luck with the hunt.
 
Cory Hess said:
I have a different take on suggestions for you. Looking at the knives that you've carried and used I don't think that CRK is a good choice for you. You seem to prefer bulky, overbuilt folders. CRKs might be overbuilt, but not to the degree that your knives have been, with the exception of the Dragonfly. I'd also urge towards quality over quantity. You can only use one at a time, so you might as well make the one that you're using the best you can afford. That's my philosophy anyways. I'm currently in the middle of paring down my collection to a few high end knives instead of a whole lot of midrange knives.

If I were you I'd take a look at the Hinderer XM-18. I recently had one and it's a great knife, but I prefer slimmer knives. I think it might be a good fit for you based on what you've carried in the past. It's available in enough different blade options that you should be able to find something that's right up your ally. It's also modular, so when you find yourself tiring of it you can swap out the scale or hardware instead of buying a whole new knife.

On the other hand I also recently owned a Manix 2. It's a fantastic knife, and all you'd ever need. I wasn't a fan of all the jimping, but I seem to be in the minority there. It's definitely going to be thinner than what you're used to.

No matter which way you decide to go, good luck with the hunt.
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Great advice. After looking at several Chris Reeves, they're obviously very high quality but none of them really grabbed me like knives have in the past. Maybe I'm a sucker for certain aesthetics and should focus more on specs, but they just seemed like rectangles to me. I also agree that since I can only carry one knife at a time, that lends itself to one high-quality blade.

Those XM-18s sure are sweet, definitely remind me of the ZT 301/350. The Bowie blades are killer! I'd probably get something like this if I had to choose.

The more I look at that Manix 2, though.... I like the carbon fiber because I've never owned a knife with that kind of handle, and apparently the steel's good too. I've also never had a ball bearing lock, and it looks like a really smooth closer. What's weird is that most people online seem to prefer the Paramilitary 2....

Decisions suck. Can't wait till there's general AI to decide for me.
 
Why not get a Randall #1 and have it made to your liking, perhaps a Blue Diamond taken from the navel of a Egyptian Princess, or something special like that.
 
ZTFan said:
Great advice. After looking at several Chris Reeves, they're obviously very high quality but none of them really grabbed me like knives have in the past. Maybe I'm a sucker for certain aesthetics and should focus more on specs, but they just seemed like rectangles to me. I also agree that since I can only carry one knife at a time, that lends itself to one high-quality blade.

Those XM-18s sure are sweet, definitely remind me of the ZT 301/350. The Bowie blades are killer! I'd probably get something like this if I had to choose.

The more I look at that Manix 2, though.... I like the carbon fiber because I've never owned a knife with that kind of handle, and apparently the steel's good too. I've also never had a ball bearing lock, and it looks like a really smooth closer. What's weird is that most people online seem to prefer the Paramilitary 2....

Decisions suck. Can't wait till there's general AI to decide for me.
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A lot of folks complain about the locking mechanism on the Manix because the spring can be really stiff. The Para 2 is equipped with the compression lock which is basically a reverse liner lock and it seems to get much better reviews.
 
TheEdge01 said:
A lot of folks complain about the locking mechanism on the Manix because the spring can be really stiff. The Para 2 is equipped with the compression lock which is basically a reverse liner lock and it seems to get much better reviews.
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That's interesting, because the videos I've seen look really smooth, and a few folks can close them one-handed with a small flick
 
Since you have primarily owned KAI & Spyderco products, but none held your fancy for any time I will avoid suggesting any thing from either company.

If you have an interest in the Manix BB lock and like the big overbuilt folders, then a Benchmade Adamas, or Contego should be right up your alley.
Also the handles on the Manix are actually G-10 with what amounts to a carbon fiber sticker on it.
The main knife I would suggest would be (as another mentioned) the Hinderer XM-18 or XM-24. The fact that you can buy new scales, pocket clips, spacers, and filler tabs seems like you can make the same knife new all the time.

Other knives to check out would be.
Grayman Knives- Satu
Southern Grind- Bad Monkey
Microtech- Matrix
An Andre DeVililers mid-tech- Pathfinder or Butcher
Olamic- Wayfarer 247
Hogue- X-5
Strider- SMF or SnG

All have a great rep and seem to be in line with what you seem to like.

Have fun!!
 
Maybe you should give in to your instincts, that knife is sweet... I put black hardware on mine:

32482700240_73153d7d6b_c.jpg
 
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