Torn between two knives

Not a big fan of SOG here. I’ve only owned a couple of them, one was a trident and man it felt cheap. The other is a keychain knife so it is cheap, but it’s cool. I’ve never handled a ZT that didn’t feel premium. The 0350 is rather heavy tho, but if that’s not a problem I’d recommend them over SOG any day.
 
Dadpool said:
In that case, have you considered side-opening autos? (They're illegal in Washington, or I'd likely own them in place of my assisted knives.)
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They’re not out of the question.
Every year, just about, my wife and I would travel to Gatlinburg for vacation. While down there, we’d hit up Smoky Mountain Knife Works. I’d usually walk out of there with a new knife. We haven’t been there in years due to her health and I’m getting antsy to buy a new knife!
 
JGKC9AYC said:
Do you have examples?
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Like I said, the current market has a huge and growing number of knives with great manual action. For instance, most of the flipper or thumb stud knives from Kizer, Bestech, or WE (including Civivi and Sencut) will range from "pretty good" to "fantastic".

I've been thinking about my favorite knives per price level in 2021. They all came from WE. That's never happened before but I have all of these and I've had all of them apart for inspection. All of them would qualify. I don't know if any of these will fit your particular style, but it could be worth looking.

Under $50 - Sencut Snap
$50-100 - Civivi Riffle or Civivi Bo
Over $100 - WE Seer or WE Snick

The Bo is a small knife with a thin blade. It fills a different EDC role so I'm okay keeping a tie in that tier. The Seer is incredible but it's also a limited release. The Snick is technically my Christmas present from the wife this year but she let me unwrap it early. I promised to re-wrap it for Christmas morning and "look surprised". 😇 It looks a bit like something the Mandalorian would carry but the action is amazing and it feels great in hand.
 
I looked at the Snick and they seem to be running around $250.
You think your wife would buy me one for Christmas too??
😁
 
I haven't owned a Sog in many years, but I own a couple ZT350s still. The ZT is a big heavy knife but they are solid and I like the ones I have. From what I've seen Sog quality has not been great more recently.
 
I know I’ve heard bad things about Gerber.
I also had my eye on an OTS automatic knife, but according to their warranty, I’d have to take it to an authorized dealer to send it in and pick it up. In my instance that’s a 130 mile round trip each time. So if all companies have similar warranties, they’re definitely off my list.
What’s the deal with Benchmade’s Axis system?
 
JGKC9AYC said:
I looked at the Snick and they seem to be running around $250.
You think your wife would buy me one for Christmas too??
😁
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Mine is the one with Micarta and a non-coated blade. I know where she got it. With a discount code, it was around $215. That makes it one of the most expensive knives I own but also one of the best Christmas presents she's ever given me. :)

I tend to look at things in context. If you were already thinking about the 0350 and that SOG, you'd already be on the hook for around $175. That's not too far off.
 
JGKC9AYC said:
What is the other?
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The other one I own is the BM 585 Mini Barrage. Great snappy little knife too. My only gripe with mine is that it has gone back because the assist spring has popped off and had to be replaced/re-seated. I'm sure there is a way for that to be done myself but I couldn't get it back in place.

One more thing about ZT is they will ship you all the spare small parts you need free of charge. Fill out a form on the website and they will send you screws, pocket clips and assist torsion bars no questions asked.
 
ZT 0350 and the SOG Pentagon XR Blackout ?

Buy both, test - tell us, please

BTW - SOG got better steel
And half inch longer blade
Prices are in about same area
 
Since OP didn't state its intended use...

I'd go with the SOG.
The steel is new to me and I'd like to experience it.
Lock mechanism is far safer than a liner lock. However, if this would be my box cutter, liner lock is a non-issue.
The Kershaw flipper is too big and I would expect it to open in my pocket under stressful conditions.

Only downside is the SOG blade is from Taiwan. Good steel, just no USA pride.... I'd still go with it.
 
mmyron1 said:
The other one I own is the BM 585 Mini Barrage. Great snappy little knife too. My only gripe with mine is that it has gone back because the assist spring has popped off and had to be replaced/re-seated. I'm sure there is a way for that to be done myself but I couldn't get it back in place.

One more thing about ZT is they will ship you all the spare small parts you need free of charge. Fill out a form on the website and they will send you screws, pocket clips and assist torsion bars no questions asked.
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How long did you have that BM before it developed issues?
 
JGKC9AYC said:
How long did you have that BM before it developed issues?
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The BM always had blade play. The Mini Barrage and its larger brother by design are near impossible to take down without the spring popping off. It isn't a torsion bar but a coil or clock spring type mechanism. It sits in a slot on the blade and you have to completely remove one scale to adjust the pivot at all. And if you're not careful that spring pops off the blade and you now have a manual unassisted knife.

Like I said I'm sure, in fact I know, a person can put it back together without having to send it in but I could never get it to work. It was overly complicated.
 
I dunno...

I've lost the knives before I ever got a chance to do their warranty service. However, I'm about to find out soon! Sending back an old Barrage hopefully tomorrow.

Replacing the blade on my Barrage here costs $75...

This is a little discouraging:
"Knives purchased on the Internet through unauthorized websites, mail order outlets, or through any other unauthorized source, and knives which are determined by Benchmade to be counterfeit (see Counterfeit Goods Notice), are excluded from coverage under this warranty."

The Barrage is my favorite assisted folding knife. AXIS lock is great! As dude said above about disassembly, it isn't the easiest putting it back together. For the record, all mine were assembled correctly : )

I like ability to custom order... it's cool if you don't mind overpaying for a knife haha. I was going to go with an all blue and satin mini Barrage, but the liner is only available in Royal Blue which doesn't match the handles! Weak.

Lastly (I'll stfu after this I swear), you can't custom order the knife to be NOT sharpened. Only can do that during warranty process................
 
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