Torn between 2 Knives Reate Hills vs. ZT0801

[Jason0341]

Hey guys any input would be awesome. I'm torn between the Reate Hills flipper and the ZT0801. Regardless of which one I decide on its going to be anodized.

 

[Colorodo]

What is keeping you from one or the other?

 

[PURPLEDC]

Of those two i prefer the reate. Not that i am huge on either design but the hills has the edge (Pun!) imho. Change that zt number to nearly any other current model and my answer would probably be different. Of all of todd rexfords designs the model the 0801 is based off of is my least favorite. Something about it to me seems off. From what i understand it was designed to have really good blade to handle ratio which it succeeds but i just couldnt find any love for it. Now he 0900 or 0452cf? Pure win.

 

[Comeuppance]

Aside from being Ti framelock flippers, those are two VERY different knives. I would go with the 0801 just because I think the Hills looks goofy and I know the 0801 is a wonderful knife from personal experience.

 

[bflying]

I'm loving the 801's (have a second on order), but have yet to try Reate. I'm sure the Reates are great, and would like to try one out sometime. But the 801 is just soooo smooth and has perfect balance imo. Got mine in the pocket now.

 

[mainaman]

I am a big fan of the 801 blade shape, and not a fan of the Hills blade shape. But if the Hills is anything like the Horizon, the 801 looses in the flipper category big time.

 

[lemonfish]

Nice thread. same question as OP

 

[poolhustler]

Even being a new Reate owner, I would go with the 801 hands down. I just don't like the blade shape on the Hills.

Now if its a choice between my Horizon C and a standard 801, I would go with the Horizon C.

Throw an 801S110V into the equation and the choice gets much harder. Can't go wrong with either.......

 

[hhmoore]

I've never even seen a Reate, so I can't comment on that.
The 0801 is one that I'd looked at from the start - always liking it; but never quite enough to click the BUY button...until I saw the 0801BW. That was a must have. I loved it at first sight, and I haven't changed my mind at all.

 

[bladeninja]

I've never owned either but like the Reate Hills better because of the S35VN over Elmax. Aesthetically, I like the ZT better. Then again, you haven't stated why you narrowed your choices down to these two blades so it's hard to give a dialed in answer.

 

[whitty]

Definitely the 801!

 

[Pittknife]

I have multiples of both and in different finishes/blades. All of the Reate knives flip the same (among the best production or custom) and the fit and finish is perfect. I love the 0801, just a great knife. The Reates have it for flipping and fit/finish with the clip. the 0801 has it for design.

A better comparison is the Reate Horizon series vs the 0801.

If you are into modding, the Reate would be my choice, unless you get the 0801 s110v, the flat surface gives you more things that can be done.

If I had to choose? it would be the Reate Hills over the 0801.

Here are some pics of the modding I did to my Reate Hills, I didn't like the blade so I made it a drop point, redid the pivots, and added the cracked ice finish.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[Jason0341]

Hey guys thanks for all the input. Sorry I got tied up today. I see there is plenty of love for the ZT. I own a couple ZTs already and love them. My main reason honestly between these two was for modifying aspect. I have seen plenty done to both knives. The blade shape of the Reate doesn't bother me much since it reminds me of the Southard. The flipping action and quality I have seen on the Reate Hills has me leaning to it more.

 

[hungdangnguyen23]

important question (my 2 cents): are you going to get the knives brand new or used?

I got an 801 off of the exchange here a week ago and ordered a 2nd new 801 fresh from amazon which was waiting at home for me after work today. There is a crazy world of difference between the two, my second hand 801's detent is fairly weak and I couldn't tighten it (do some searching and you'll see a common problem with the stonewash ones have pivots that spin, you have to add locktite). My new 801 is ridiculous it fires out like a missile and the action is so crisp compared to the second hand.

I have no experience with the reates (although I'm lusting after the horizon B with the texturing on the handle) but I can wholeheartedly, unequivocally recommend the 801 as long as you buy new with a stiff detent. And I would go for either the blackwash or blackout 801, I hear that zt resolved the spinning, nonadjustable pivot issue with the 1st generation regular stonewashed ones.

Supposedly different elmax heat-treated steel between 1st Gen vs blackwash/blackout versions so the newer obest allegedly have better edge retention? Can't comment on this firsthand bc I haven't had to sharpen mine yet.

 

[austonh]

Reate has better ergos IMO. I'd go ZT 0562 over both tbh.

 

[Scrim]

Wow. I like what you did with your Reate Hills. Not subtle but interesting, IMHO. If you're open to a trade for something, let me know. I'd be interested to see if we can work something out.