Strongest , toughest , fastest folder @ 150$ max

The ZT is what you're looking for for. At minimum, the size of the liner lock likely provides equal strength to the Axis. The assisted opening is fast. The Military is not as fast as the ZT or Axis in opening. The ZT has a superior handle for hard use as well; the flipper doubles as a finger guard and in the case of lock failure saves your hand. The Military and 701 handles are more conservative and while sufficient, they do not provide the slip protection of the ZT.

I would not get the Gayle Bradley. Despite being an awesome knife, strong metal and a large liner do not make a hard use folder. Its ergonomics are meant for a gentleman's knife.
 
DallasSTB said:
The differences in capabilities between those knives are almost negligible. This is the part where subjectivity plays a big role.

My recommendation - PICK THE KNIFE YOU LIKE THE MOST!

You won't be disappointed or regretful then.
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+1 on this. Pick the one you like. The ZT is probably the most robust of he bunch but all of them should be sufficient for intended uses. You shouldn't pry with any folder.

For tactical purposes, you want reach, lightweight, and fast deployment. The Military is very light and has a long handle and fast deployment. It is probably the best slicer and piercer too although I have heard some say the tip is a bit weak but that shouldn't matter unless you're stabbing into concrete or something. My personal preference is the Military, but they are all great choices.

As far as customer service I've had great experiences with Benchmade and Spyderco. Zero complaints from them. They treated me very well. As long as you don't abuse your knife they will take care of you. I recently sent a BM in for a blade replacement because I messed it up being an idiot and they replaced the blade on a $250 knife for $25 on a discontinued model-very awesome.
I haven't had any experiences with Kershaw's customer support.

Pick the one that most appeals to you. You can't go wrong here.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I don't understand why you think the AXIS lock would be harder to open? Both knives open easily, and both blades open 180deg where they lock in place. As long as you open both knives they are both locked open. To say you might not engage the AXIS lock because you're excited doesn't make any more sense then saying the same thing about a liner lock.
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Oops. I see what I forgot to mention. I meant if you opened the by pulling back on the Axis lock bar and wrist flicking it open. It might just hit the stop pin, bounce back, and not be open fully.

I guess if you practice opening using the thumbstuds, you'd be fine with either lock.
 
I like the Zero Tolerance 350 or 200. No AO on the 200 but it still opens fast.
 
Pete2s said:
The Military is not as fast as the ZT or Axis in opening.
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yes, it is, I can flick open some variants of the Millie just as fast as my Axis Benchmades (and by saying 'some variants' I am thinking >2009, like the orange or digicam Millie)
that being said, I'll second Matt's suggestion: the Para opens even quicker than the Millie, is 'spyder-droppable', and will be more NKP-friendly
 
My fastest knife is a waved spyderco.
I think there's no faster knife then these waved featured knives:thumbup:.
So for you the waved endura would probably be 1 of the most fast knives.


The strength might not be comparable with zt and others so emmerson might be a strong and fast knife too.(i never handled one)
 
brj said:
yes, it is, I can flick open some variants of the Millie just as fast as my Axis Benchmades (and by saying 'some variants' I am thinking >2009, like the orange or digicam Millie)
that being said, I'll second Matt's suggestion: the Para opens even quicker than the Millie, is 'spyder-droppable', and will be more NKP-friendly
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That's odd and I think atypical. My Military, a digicam/black bought late 2009 has a very strong detent--one of my favorite features of the knife. All Militarys I've handled previously have had the same strong detent not capable of being flicked.
 
I have 2 millies.
On new camo just like you with strong detent.

But i also have an old type se black g10 with not a very strong detent so a very flipable and fast knife.

I mean flipaple without using the hole.
So a wrist flick and its open(reverse grip).
 
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Pete2s said:
That's odd and I think atypical. My Military, a digicam/black bought late 2009 has a very strong detent--one of my favorite features of the knife. All Militarys I've handled previously have had the same strong detent not capable of being flicked.
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maybe spydie dropped. does the zip tie wave work on tip down only?
 
Pete2s said:
That's odd and I think atypical. My Military, a digicam/black bought late 2009 has a very strong detent--one of my favorite features of the knife. All Militarys I've handled previously have had the same strong detent not capable of being flicked.
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I got a digicam/black Military two days ago. Its detent is adequate but I can flick it open very fast with ease.
 
spyderco will most likeley tell you "its within tolerances" if somthing is off on your knife, and unless you talk to sal himself spydercos CS can be iffy.

I reccomend a kershaw tyrade or ZT350
 
How about a kershaw junkyard dog 2? you could get two of em for 150!!
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ZT 0200 is one tough SOB.

I like the fact that the flipper becomes part of the choil. As long as you have a finger in the choil the blade will not accidentally close on you.

One can be had for around $120.

I've had mine for months now - and have hacked and chopped my way thru all kinds of goodies - and have yet to sharpen it.

I like 154CM - have always had good luck with it.
 
Toyz said:
ZT 0200 is one tough SOB.

I like the fact that the flipper becomes part of the choil. As long as you have a finger in the choil the blade will not accidentally close on you.

One can be had for around $120.

I've had mine for months now - and have hacked and chopped my way thru all kinds of goodies - and have yet to sharpen it.

I like 154CM - have always had good luck with it.
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I have heard that theory before but I'm not sure I would trust it. If you are putting enough pressure on a blade to defeat the lock, your finger being in the choil isn't going to stop anything. It is going to push your finger out of the way and keep going. I haven't seen it happen and I don't ever want to. But I have seen what can happen when a decent amount of force is involved and the crazy things that can happen in a blink of an eye.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I have heard that theory before but I'm not sure I would trust it. If you are putting enough pressure on a blade to defeat the lock, your finger being in the choil isn't going to stop anything. It is going to push your finger out of the way and keep going. I haven't seen it happen and I don't ever want to. But I have seen what can happen when a decent amount of force is involved and the crazy things that can happen in a blink of an eye.
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I would never trust the flipper as the end all be all safety device - it's just nice to have.

The only knife whose lock ever failed on me was a Buck linerlock and lucky I was paying attention.

The ZT 0200 liner lock is very stout and the knife locks up tight upon opening.

I have recommended it to many people since picking one up months ago as it is very tough and a lot of knife for the money. I think the OP would have no problem with resale if it wasn't their cup of tea.
 
Strongest, toughest, and fastest you say, hmmm. One that definately fits the first two, and not close behind on the last characteristic is the Ontario Retribution 1. This is strong and it is tough! The dimensions;

blade length: 4 5/8"
overall length: 10 1/2"
weight: 10.3 ounces
blade thickness: .200"
blade steel: N690Co
liner thickness: .100"
liner material: titanium
handle material: green micarta


It comes with a nice sheath that will work just fine. It does not have a pocket clip, unless you do as I did and that was to sand the handles down almost flat and add a foldover, deep-carry pocket clip. When in my pocket all you see is the clip, if you can even see it!

It opens via a rectangular slot in the blade.

Here is a link to a pic, courstey of www.knifecenter.com

http://images.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/ontario/images/8782.jpg
 
I think the Gayle Bradley would be a great choice, Carbon Fiber and CPM-M$ high speed steel for the price cannot be beat, :thumbup:
powernoodle said:
The Bradley's Spydie hole is partially obscured by the scale, which is not optimal if a lightning fast opening is what you are after - though it is still a fast opener. My Bradley is on the way to Tom Krein to relieve that area for full Spydie hole access, and a FFG if the blade will accommodate it.
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I'd be interested in seeing the blade ground down any further. It already has a super deep hollow grind, I'd be afraid of the blade becoming prone to chipping.

The action on my Gayle Bradley has been super smooth from the day I got it. I've never oiled the pivot either (i haven't disassembled it for fear of ruinging the smoothness). It opens with an solid authoritative "Click!"

I think the thumbhole is ok being the way it is, the sharpness of the hole gives my thumb enough purchase to get a clean hold on it.

So when it gets back, PICS OR IT DIDN"T HAPPEN!:)
 
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