I'm looking for a new knife and I am thinking of giving frame locks another chance. This knife will absolutely be a user. I've always really liked the looks of the large Insingo Sabenza and I loved the smoothness of my Umnumzaan, but I think I got that too early in my knife experience. I love titanium so I need titanium handles. I'm curious about the Strider. Also I am completely uninterested in flippers. I think that kicks Hinderer's out. I had a 0560, but I don't want a flipper. I'm also looking for a knife that has a sharpening / refreshing service. I'm not too informed about blade steels. Please share your experiences and opinions
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Want a frame lock user...
- Thread starter The Dude1
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ZT 0550... It's big. It's beefy. It's awesome. Thumb stud opening, titanium frame lock, S35VN blade. The handles are fairly thick, so it fills the hand well. Ergonomics on it are good all around. Mine took a couple weeks to wear in, but after that, it has been one of the smoothest action opening/closing among all my knives (even compared to the ones on bearings). ZT does have free sharpening service as well (you ship the knife to them, and they'll sharpen it and do a tune-up as needed).
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I really love my small Insingo. Great blade shape, comfortable handle, and extremely attractive. I'm sure the large is fantastic too.
If you like the Hinderer design don't discredit them as they have flipperless models too.
If you like the Hinderer design don't discredit them as they have flipperless models too.
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^^^ Good point
Charr
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If you specifically don't want to have to sharpen the knife yourself I wouldn't recommend the Sebenza too much. Their steel is very easy to sharpen if you have experience and the rigth tools, but it will not hold an edge for a really long time. Sebenzas are excellent for users, and especially in the field, but you do need at least a small strop and an ultra-fine stone.
I will second the 0550 though. Will hold an edge better, is built very well, and both of the ones I've had have been some of the smoothest knives on washers I've felt for less than $300!
Honestly though, I would recommend a Benchmade Ritter Griptillian, as long as this isn't specifically you looking for a Ti Framelock. They now come in M390, which will hold an edge insanely well for you, are light, come in 2 sizes, and have a sharpening service through BM. Also quite a cost-effective knife, with a good strong lock. I know it's not a frame lock, but honestly I don't think you lose anything in the knife.
If you're specifically after a framelock, and you have a higher budget (not entirely sure), then I think the Strider SNG is a good choice. I have always regretted letting my SNG go, and I will be getting another one, because I just loved that knife. IF you do get one, I would sasy to try and find one in CPM154 instead of S30V. S30V tends to be more prone to chipping than CPM154, and I find that Strider's CPM154 holds an edge longer than their S30V. You would have to find someone to professionally sharpen that knife to get the best out of it though either way.
Lastly, I would recommend the Diskin Fire. It is a discontinued knife that was a custom, so you may not find one easily, but is has a Ti Framelock with steel insert, Elmax steel treated very well, comes in both a manual and dual-action verson, and has both Ti and Carbon Fiber on the handles. Works great, has a spectacular edge to start, and holds it like crazy (not quite as good as M390 though
).
I'm more scewed to higher-end knives, so I probably forget a few...
I will second the 0550 though. Will hold an edge better, is built very well, and both of the ones I've had have been some of the smoothest knives on washers I've felt for less than $300!
Honestly though, I would recommend a Benchmade Ritter Griptillian, as long as this isn't specifically you looking for a Ti Framelock. They now come in M390, which will hold an edge insanely well for you, are light, come in 2 sizes, and have a sharpening service through BM. Also quite a cost-effective knife, with a good strong lock. I know it's not a frame lock, but honestly I don't think you lose anything in the knife.
If you're specifically after a framelock, and you have a higher budget (not entirely sure), then I think the Strider SNG is a good choice. I have always regretted letting my SNG go, and I will be getting another one, because I just loved that knife. IF you do get one, I would sasy to try and find one in CPM154 instead of S30V. S30V tends to be more prone to chipping than CPM154, and I find that Strider's CPM154 holds an edge longer than their S30V. You would have to find someone to professionally sharpen that knife to get the best out of it though either way.
Lastly, I would recommend the Diskin Fire. It is a discontinued knife that was a custom, so you may not find one easily, but is has a Ti Framelock with steel insert, Elmax steel treated very well, comes in both a manual and dual-action verson, and has both Ti and Carbon Fiber on the handles. Works great, has a spectacular edge to start, and holds it like crazy (not quite as good as M390 though
).I'm more scewed to higher-end knives, so I probably forget a few...
The Sebenza 25 combines the styling of the 21 with the innovative ceramic ball bearing lock interface of the Umnumzaan, it sounds like that's your knife.
The 0550 is an outstanding choice if the user wants thick blade stock and probably the best handle I've encountered on a folder for long stretches of comfortable use. I am a very big fan of that knife and have used mine enough to have learned to love it progressively more.
There are, of course, options with thinner stock and less hand filling handles. I carry a Lionsteel TiSpine. A Sage 2 or Sebenza would be great choices, as well. Regardless of the choice made, a Spyderco Sharpmaker and a cheap folder to practice on may also be great things to pick up. It doesn't take much to learn to maintain a very good edge. I sorted it out on a Spyderco Persistence and now comfortably and capably touch up all of my blades.
There are, of course, options with thinner stock and less hand filling handles. I carry a Lionsteel TiSpine. A Sage 2 or Sebenza would be great choices, as well. Regardless of the choice made, a Spyderco Sharpmaker and a cheap folder to practice on may also be great things to pick up. It doesn't take much to learn to maintain a very good edge. I sorted it out on a Spyderco Persistence and now comfortably and capably touch up all of my blades.
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At the moment the 0550 and the 0801 from ZT have reconciled me with framelocks...
If you don't want a flipper the 0550 can be a good option... If you don't mind an heavy piece of a blade.
On a more pocketable size , you can consider the sage2
I really like this design.
But for framelocks you have many options (lion steel, etc....)
If you don't want a flipper the 0550 can be a good option... If you don't mind an heavy piece of a blade.
On a more pocketable size , you can consider the sage2
I really like this design.
But for framelocks you have many options (lion steel, etc....)
They do?? That would be cool. I heard he gives LE a discount. I also REALLY like how there are so many options for anadized screw and stuff
Man you guys have excellent ideas! I have a few nice Benchmades with the Axis locks so I'm looking specifically for a titanium frame lock. Striders, non Flipper Hinderers, and Insingo Sebenzas are REALLY high on my list. Anyone have pictures of them together to get an idea on size, thickness, etc? I'm really digging the Hinderer just for the options to change out to anodized screws and things. Anyone know if the ZT knives have those options. I also want a FULL titanium knife so I would need one that offers a full size titanium scale for the other side of the Hinderer and Strider.
The sage is a little small for what I want. It's a great knife for sure (I had a 3), but I'm looking for a fullsize.
The sage is a little small for what I want. It's a great knife for sure (I had a 3), but I'm looking for a fullsize.
A member here, Gnoleb, does make some titanium hardware that fits the 0550 (see this thread). And if you want it to be full titanium, you can get a custom front scale made, like this one.
I'm going to say it yet again. Get a Hinderer. If you can't find a flipperless model cut that dude off. I won't pay crazy prices for a $385 production knife and since the standard Hinderer's are hard to find it may be a no go with price gouging. But I like my Hinderer's as well as all my other frame lock knives (CRK, Marfione Anax, ZT, CRKT, Benchmade, Strider. )They just really pull off Teflon washers really really well and are smooth as butter and also can make it look however you want.
But after hinder I'd say what fits your hands and what type of washer system you prefer. I like CRK over most of my others but am really starting to love my Anax that can be opened in more ways than any other knife I own in a frame lock. Strider for me is too big and takes up pocket space and is a bit non public friendly at times.
But after hinder I'd say what fits your hands and what type of washer system you prefer. I like CRK over most of my others but am really starting to love my Anax that can be opened in more ways than any other knife I own in a frame lock. Strider for me is too big and takes up pocket space and is a bit non public friendly at times.