The amazing, tank-like Pohl Force Apha One - a contender for ZT?

I have one and it is on e of my favorite heavy duty knives. The most comfortable handle IMHO I have ever felt.

Love the design.
 
How does this beauty stack up against the Cold Steel Spartan. The Spartan would probably be a suitable substitute if you can't get this in the US.
 
All I know is it looks like a really hardcore use knife. I could easily wave it if somebody would like to send me one.
 
I believe it's a debate here between ZT and the Pohl Force.
Some people like the G10 (Micarta) handles on ZT, some like the zytel on Pohl Force. Let's see the difference between those two:

G10 laminate grades are produced by inserting continuous glass woven fabric impregnated with an epoxy resin binder while forming the sheet under high pressure.
"This material is used extensively in the electronics industry because its water absorption is extremely minimal and the G10 line of materials is not electrically conductive. The G10 is most commonly used in PCB (Printed Circuit Boards) applications. G10 exhibits superior mechanical and dimensional stability and doesn't shrink. Temperature ratings of 180 degrees C. In addition to these properties, G10 has excellent dielectric loss properties, and great electrical strength. G10 is also known as Micarta and Garolite and can be used for structural supports, buss bars, mechanical insulation, gears, test fixtures, washers, spacers and tight tolerance machined parts for electromechanical assemblies."
Micarta can be made from paper, linen, or canvas. The paper micarta has almost no grain, linen micarta has a little and can still be fairly smooth when polished, canvas micarta usually has a little roughness even when polished, but is normally not polished and left rough for more friction.

"One of the top materials for knife handles is Zytel, a product made by Dupont. The technical description from Dupont says Zytel "is a nylon polymer family that offers a range of expertly designed products to help components deliver as designed in harsh environments resisting aggressive chemicals, flame, heat, cold and even wet, humid conditions."

Less commercially described, Zytel is a nylon material often reinforced with fiberglass for additional toughness and resistance to solvents. It holds up well in extreme conditions and is extremely tough and resists corrosion. It can survive for long periods in salt-water conditions which makes it a good choice for knife handles used by the Navy SEALs. Another feature important to the SEALs is that it does not become slippery when wet.

Zytel knives have been created for the Central Intelligence Agency for covert military operations and continue to be used by various agencies for covert (black) ops. In addition to the SEALs, Zytel knives are also used by the Green Berets.

Zytel is extremely popular for knife handles, including knives made by Gerber, Benchmade and SOG, because it is extremely light-weight; it weighs less than one-fourth as much as steel. Other reasons Zytel is one of the most popular materials for knife handles are that it doesn't expand or contract in heat or cold, and it won't become scratched or discolored with heavy use. Zytel naturally has a slightly textured surface, but knife companies will usually add more texture to help gripping and holding.

For manufacturers, Zytel is popular because it can be injection molded which helps keep costs down even though it is more expensive than some other materials. It is also available in many different grades.

It's little wonder Zytel was chosen for the handles of the SOG SEAL Knife and the SEAL Pup. It was created for both strength and durability. It has proven to be both durable and maintenance free, and it definitely makes a knife more affordable. Because of its many features and affordability, it is likely to reaming a very popular material for knife handles for both every-day users and well as Navy SEALs and other special forces for years to come".

Liam Conley, a 15-year Air Force veteran and intelligence analyst has been a knife fan and collector for years. He thinks that if you want to find a high quality knife, you learn what knives are used by people whose lives depend on their knife. Then you determine why they use those knives and what sets them apart.

Zytel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zytel
Micarta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micarta

Now let's see the steel inside both folders:

CPM S30V
The newest stainless steel from Crucible, purpose-designed as a cutlery steel. This steel gives A2-class toughness and almost-S90V class wear resistance, at reasonable hardness (~59-60 Rc). This mix of attributes is making S30V one of the hottest stainless steels going, with makes such as Chris Reeve switching from BG-42 to S30V. Will this be the new king of general-purpose stainless cutlery steels? We'll know over the next couple of years.

D2 (What? indeed the newest Pohl Force Alpha Survival and other types use this kind of steel)
D2 is sometimes called a "semi-stainless". It has a fairly high chrome content (12%), but not high enough to classify it as stainless. It is more stain resistant than the carbon steels mentioned above, however. It has excellent wear resistance. D2 is much tougher than the premium stainless steels like ATS-34. The combination of great wear resistance, almost-stainless, and good toughness make it a great choice for a number of knife styles. Bob Dozier is one maker who uses D2. Benchmade has begun using D2 in its Axis AFCK.

I don't want to mention here the look of those two. (the bulkier ZT and the way too fancy PForce)
That was my 2cents thought and I hope it wasn't boring :)
 
Octav....could you neaten up your quoatation marks, please...they come and go. It makes it unclear if you are saying the things in your post or if you are taking the things in your post from some source. And who is the source? :confused:

I can't make sense out of it, and would like to. :thumbup:
 
Octav said:
For manufacturers, Zytel is popular because it can be injection molded which helps keep costs down even though it is more expensive than some other materials. It is also available in many different grades.
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The material can be popular for manufacturers that have knives made in countries where molds are inexpensive. Here in the USA, molds are quite costly, and with Zytel's perceived value (or lack there of), unless there is some real volume expected to be had with a project, Zytel is not a 1st handle material choice.
 
It looks like a large knife with a big 440C blade, a "cool" (read mall ninja) design, a funky handle, and a price tag that is out of the realistic price range of this product. i just got an 0200 blem with 154cm for $85, and i could have gotten a s30v 0400 for $100. they have 3d machined G10 for the handles and are much more readily available. just my 3.5 cents.
 
thegeek574 said:
It looks like a large knife with a big 440C blade, a "cool" (read mall ninja) design, a funky handle, and a price tag that is out of the realistic price range of this product. i just got an 0200 blem with 154cm for $85, and i could have gotten a s30v 0400 for $100. they have 3d machined G10 for the handles and are much more readily available. just my 3.5 cents.
Click to expand...

Not really true - take the knife for what it is - a knife for the military.

I picked one up because I happen to love big folding knives - and I'm about as far from a mall ninja as they come. I wear XL/XXL gloves, and for outdoors work while hiking, camping etc. this knife offers a lot for me.

This knife is big, beefy, offers multiple grip positions, locks up rock solid, and instills confidence during use due to it's design and build. I haven't sharpened the knife since taking it out of it's case - and after cutting and chopping wood, cardboard, some leather and paper this thing still shaves hair.

I have ZT knives, Hinderer, Strider - and this thing is bigger than everything in my arsenal except for my Cold Steel Rajah 2. It was something I wanted to add to my collection.

This knife is definately not for everyone - and value is perceived.

You should hold one / handle one before weighing in too heavily with too many negative comments.

Not everyone who buys a black blade, tanto blade, etc. are mall ninjas. I'm a big guy, and I like and feel more secure with larger knives - for my safety. For the record - I carry a large Sebenza and a Vic SAK most of the time.
 
The Alpha One is now discontinued. Currently Pohl Force produces two variations of it's Alpha model - Alpha Two with recurve blade and Alpha Three with tanto blade. Old Alpha Two's which are still in stock in some places (but not in production) have 440C blades and the new Alpha Twos (Survival, Outdoor) and the Alpha Threes (Desert, Survival) have D2 blades.

The Pohl Force knifes are made in Germany and the price of European labour is high, that is the main reason for the high price tag. BTW the USA-made knives cost also a lot here in Finland. I have one Alpha Three myself. I also own two ZT folders, the 0200ST and the 0350. While the ZTs are more practical for most applications and even small enough for edc, the Pohl Force has its advantages too. For example it is easier to operate with gloves on than my ZTs, due to the big (and comfortable!) handle. And I like big folders - pure and simple, so personally I don't need any more justification than that to own one :D
 
In Afghanistan, and initially thought it was a great lock back. My version has a partially serrated, black coated, D2 blade. The first sign of design flaw was the up and down movement in the locked position. Upon investigation, as the other posters have photographed, the lock bar is too shallow/thin and the blade cut out is rounded. This doesn't allow for a good purchase in the locked position. The lock bar would move up when pressure was applied to the blade, I went back to the store to check other Pohl folders, and they also had this same flaw. Could have been a bad batch, but I doubt it. For the money, stay with ZT products. This knife was made for the poor bastards that can't get Kershaw knives! The PX also had many of the Boker knives and they were ok looking, but unbelievably overpriced. A Spyderco Endura 4 was $172. Also the zytel handles are slick, so the debate of the size of one's hands and grip are irrelevant when the handle material is not grippy. Any amount of moisture and this knife is not in the same league as my ZT301 or my Manix g10.
 
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I should have added that the Pohl knife never accidently closed, but it's up down blade play doesn't give you any confidence that it may not, accidently close. My Cold Steel Lawman never budges and it has been put through a lot of intensional abuse; throwing, standing on, and hammering like a nail. So if a $50. dollar knife locking mechanism can take that, then a $160 knife should also. Not so. Skip the Pohl, there's better knives for the money. My 2 cents.
 
Yes...the Pohl folder is "over" build, but it is a classic lockback and, indeed, the lockbar it has a thin spot near the end ( because of the big jimpings, maybe 2.5mm but the bar it's wide so it has some "meat" even in it's thinnest point ) Anyway, you can't compare a triadlock with a lockback...
 
Toyz said:
Not really true - take the knife for what it is - a knife for the military.

I picked one up because I happen to love big folding knives - and I'm about as far from a mall ninja as they come. I wear XL/XXL gloves, and for outdoors work while hiking, camping etc. this knife offers a lot for me.

This knife is big, beefy, offers multiple grip positions, locks up rock solid, and instills confidence during use due to it's design and build. I haven't sharpened the knife since taking it out of it's case - and after cutting and chopping wood, cardboard, some leather and paper this thing still shaves hair.

I have ZT knives, Hinderer, Strider - and this thing is bigger than everything in my arsenal except for my Cold Steel Rajah 2. It was something I wanted to add to my collection.

This knife is definately not for everyone - and value is perceived.

You should hold one / handle one before weighing in too heavily with too many negative comments.

Not everyone who buys a black blade, tanto blade, etc. are mall ninjas. I'm a big guy, and I like and feel more secure with larger knives - for my safety. For the record - I carry a large Sebenza and a Vic SAK most of the time.
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+++1 VERY well said Toyz, and more importantly--it's true!:thumbup::)
 
take a look at pohlforce.de. They make a bunch of different folders and fixed blades. Dietmar Pohl has his own company. While he has designed knives for Boker, these are all his own and distributed from his company. CUSCADI the scale guys from Germany also sell custom versions on their website. (finish & scales). I bought a Bravo 1 from them with some beautiful Desert Ironwood scales.

In the US you can buy them new for around 120 to 160 USD. At any rate, the knife I have is awesome. The D2 steel version (Bravo 2) was a bit of a pain to sharpen. The hardness must be up there on the scale on those. On the flip side they should keep their edge well.
 
from what Bobo said, it sounds like the knife is defective. :confused: Send it back for warranty work.
I don't care who makes the knife, blade play is unacceptable and you should have it fixed by the company.

Any company that gives a rats a$$ about their product will fix the problem. From what I have seen and heard in the German forums, the company has a good reputation.

The one I have is rock solid and has a perfect lock-up. While I grant you the 440c steel is an "old" steel it's sharpens easily and stay's sharp. You could alway's pick up a D2 steel version if you want something different.
 
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