What is the better choice in knife?

Gideons said:
I currently own a mini recon 1. But, the rough G-10 rips apart the pocket. The finish comes off the blade way to easy, and not the fastest at deploying. But, I do like the strength of the knife. The AK-47 seems to have a small blade 3.5 inches for the weight, handle shape seems weird, blade shape is meh and the "wave" feature seems not overall that great at catching the pocket. My thoughts on the gold steel recon 1 and ak-47 haha.
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I like that the coating comes off; adds character to the blade and shows you've been using it. Recently they upgraded to DLC coating that doesn't come off, which is cool I guess, but I did prefer the old coating. The new stuff certainly looks snazzy though!

I own an AK-47. I love the ergonomics and consider the handle to be one of the best in the industry. Comfortable to use and it's definitely not coming out of your hand by accident. The blade is actually my favorite part of that knife, however; its geometry is top tier. The utilitarian shape is great for anything and the high hollow grind comes down to a thin edge. Just slices like nobody's business. The wave feature works really well but you do need to practice with it. It has the same problem with the G-10 ripping up the pocket; I solve this problem with some sanding under the clip.

What I do hate is Cold Steel's pocket clips, they infuriate me, but at least they make sure you won't lose your knife.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
I like that the coating comes off; adds character to the blade and shows you've been using it. Recently they upgraded to DLC coating that doesn't come off, which is cool I guess, but I did prefer the old coating. The new stuff certainly looks snazzy though!

I own an AK-47. I love the ergonomics and consider the handle to be one of the best in the industry. Comfortable to use and it's definitely not coming out of your hand by accident. The blade is actually my favorite part of that knife, however; its geometry is top tier. The utilitarian shape is great for anything and the high hollow grind comes down to a thin edge. Just slices like nobody's business. The wave feature works really well but you do need to practice with it. It has the same problem with the G-10 ripping up the pocket; I solve this problem with some sanding under the clip.

What I do hate is Cold Steel's pocket clips, they infuriate me, but at least they make sure you won't lose your knife.
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How is the new steel vs the AUS8 A?
 
If you feel you would have the need to baton a folder, don't.
Use the folding knife to carve a wedge from another piece of wood, and beat that through the wood to be split. Save your folder, and save your life.

Let's face it, if you are "stuck" having to baton with a folder, it would only be in dire straights. Cut a wedge and use that. Keep your knife for knife things, like cutting stuff.

Knowledge > gear
 
NJBillK said:
If you feel you would have the need to baton a folder, don't.
Use the folding knife to carve a wedge from another piece of wood, and beat that through the wood to be split. Save your folder, and save your life.

Let's face it, if you are "stuck" having to baton with a folder, it would only be in dire straights. Cut a wedge and use that. Keep your knife for knife things, like cutting stuff.

Knowledge > gear
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knowledge is always better :P So, why do you think youtubers like nutnfancy do stuff like that then? (he seems to have a decent knowledge of survival skills)
 
ALLHSS said:
All titanium on steel frame locks can stick if a lot of pressure is put on the lock, it's called galling. The lock up might move over some, but it won't affect safety, in fact I'm in the camp of thinking late lock up is better to a point. Either way, both of those issues are basically nullified by the lock bar insert on newer models of each, and you probably won't use them in a way that makes either happen anyway.

I've done abusive stuff with an 0560, like throwing, prying, and such, with no real lock issues. Either knife will be strong enough for any normal use, and most "hard use" which rarely is necessary in reality.
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Which do you think is tougher or better for emergency self defence, the 0560BW or the 0620?
 
Gideons said:
Which do you think is tougher or better for emergency self defence, the 0560BW or the 0620?
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Well, just so you know "hard use" and self defense take different attributes and very different knives.

The 0620 will be the better self defense knife, hands down imo, because it has the wave opening feature and deployment speed is much of successful self defense. However, with either knife the most important thing is training for self defense with a comparable trainer.

I've had both, and both are good knives. The 0560 is bigger, but they both have about the same thickness of blade stock, lock bar, and lock bar cutout which means they are about the same strength.

The biggest considerations are deployment system, blade shape, and ergonomics.

The 0560 is manual on caged ball bearings, with emphasis on the flipper (which works great) with the option of thumb stud opening. The 0620 is manual on washers, with emphasis on the wave opening feature (imo) and the option of the thumb disk.

The 0560 is a classic drop point that I find it pretty useful in all around use. The 0620 is an American tanto that is good for utility use such as opening boxes etc because of the secondary point, but not as good with food or skinning and such, and should also be good for inflicting wounds (though I have no experience with that).

The 0560 has typical Hinderer ergonomics, with a curved back, finger choil area in the handle, and flipper guard. The 0620 has typical Emerson ergonomics, with a no frills and blockier design. I found both fit my large hand well, though the 560 is definitely roomier.
 
Gideons said:
knowledge is always better :P So, why do you think youtubers like nutnfancy do stuff like that then? (he seems to have a decent knowledge of survival skills)
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Oh Man! I didn't think of that... That changes my mind on it since someone else does something that is Still a bad idea... :rolleyes:

I am trying to help you out by giving you an alternative that will keep your knife in better working condition, while allowing you to focus on what you want in a knife.

If you think about it, just about any knife can make a wedge from a piece of wood, which now reduces your (wants in a knife) list by one item. Allowing you to target more a more "defensive" based option...

Regarding "nutnfancy", he is just that, a run of the mill outdoors guy who tests knives so You don't have to. But I personally like trying to see what my knives are capable of. He likes knives I dont, and I like some that he doesnt, which leads me to my next point.

There is a problem here that you have just scratched the surface of... There are so many options, that you will find yourself lost amongst them, or you will find you like everything about a knife except for (at least) one thing. But, unfortunately everyone on here has a different take on how a knife looks and more so how one performs.

Ultimately, You have to just take a pick from the list that you have compiled, and see how you like it. It will either work for you or it won't.

Fwiw, I like the ZT 620 or 620cf
 
Gideons said:
I heard the pivot was insanely tight and even hard to deploy via thumb stud? Is that true?
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For big babies maybe.



Just kidding. ZT's new detents are notorious for needing to break in. Once done though they are perfect.
 
Get a small fixed blade. And just out of curiosity, what type of situation would you be in where all of a sudden you are alone with only a folding knife and need to baton through wood?
 
NJBillK said:
Oh Man! I didn't think of that... That changes my mind on it since someone else does something that is Still a bad idea... :rolleyes:

I am trying to help you out by giving you an alternative that will keep your knife in better working condition, while allowing you to focus on what you want in a knife.

If you think about it, just about any knife can make a wedge from a piece of wood, which now reduces your (wants in a knife) list by one item. Allowing you to target more a more "defensive" based option...

Regarding "nutnfancy", he is just that, a run of the mill outdoors guy who tests knives so You don't have to. But I personally like trying to see what my knives are capable of. He likes knives I dont, and I like some that he doesnt, which leads me to my next point.

There is a problem here that you have just scratched the surface of... There are so many options, that you will find yourself lost amongst them, or you will find you like everything about a knife except for (at least) one thing. But, unfortunately everyone on here has a different take on how a knife looks and more so how one performs.

Ultimately, You have to just take a pick from the list that you have compiled, and see how you like it. It will either work for you or it won't.

Fwiw, I like the ZT 620 or 620cf
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If I am completely honest, as you can probably tell my "survival knowledge" is limited lol. Which is why I was kinda hoping for a super strong blade to make up for some of my ignorance lol. Nutnfancy was just an example :P Just wondering, in your opionon is it a big loss that the 0620 doesn't have the Rick Hinderer lock bar stabilizer like the 0560 does? Thank you for your input sir.
 
ALLHSS said:
Well, just so you know "hard use" and self defense take different attributes and very different knives.

The 0620 will be the better self defense knife, hands down imo, because it has the wave opening feature and deployment speed is much of successful self defense. However, with either knife the most important thing is training for self defense with a comparable trainer.

I've had both, and both are good knives. The 0560 is bigger, but they both have about the same thickness of blade stock, lock bar, and lock bar cutout which means they are about the same strength.

The biggest considerations are deployment system, blade shape, and ergonomics.

The 0560 is manual on caged ball bearings, with emphasis on the flipper (which works great) with the option of thumb stud opening. The 0620 is manual on washers, with emphasis on the wave opening feature (imo) and the option of the thumb disk.

The 0560 is a classic drop point that I find it pretty useful in all around use. The 0620 is an American tanto that is good for utility use such as opening boxes etc because of the secondary point, but not as good with food or skinning and such, and should also be good for inflicting wounds (though I have no experience with that).

The 0560 has typical Hinderer ergonomics, with a curved back, finger choil area in the handle, and flipper guard. The 0620 has typical Emerson ergonomics, with a no frills and blockier design. I found both fit my large hand well, though the 560 is definitely roomier.
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Hmm, yes. The 0560 has 0.15 inches longer blade, but weighs about 0.6 ounces less than the 0620. I know the tactical and hard use do not go really hand in hand. It is hard to find something that does both. I think the 0620 is better for self defence, even though the blade is smaller. Something about the 0560BW is just attractive haha. I think it is my lack of survival experience that is making me expect too much out of a knife.
 
Gideons said:
Hmm, yes. The 0560 has 0.15 inches longer blade, but weighs about 0.6 ounces less than the 0620. I know the tactical and hard use do not go really hand in hand. It is hard to find something that does both. I think the 0620 is better for self defence, even though the blade is smaller. Something about the 0560BW is just attractive haha. I think it is my lack of survival experience that is making me expect too much out of a knife.
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Just go with whichever you want more on an instinctual level.
 
ALLHSS said:
Just go with whichever you want more on an instinctual level.
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Alrighty :P BTW, have any suggestions that you think may be good besides these two ZT's and thoughts on the 0301? Also, do you think that it is a huge downside for 0620 that it does not have the lock bar stabilizer?
 
Gideons said:
Alrighty [emoji14] BTW, have any suggestions that you think may be good besides these two ZT's and thoughts on the 0301? Also, do you think that it is a huge downside for 0620 that it does not have the lock bar stabilizer?
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It sounds like useless advice, but I find that I'm happiest with a purchase when I just go with whichever I'm drawn to more.

No, it's unlikely you'll push the lock bar far enough across that you'd bend it. Especially if you're not using it in high stress situations with gloves on.

I mean, there's endless possibilities. What are your requirements? As in lock types, blade length, price point, etc.
 
ALLHSS said:
It sounds like useless advice, but I find that I'm happiest with a purchase when I just go with whichever I'm drawn to more.

No, it's unlikely you'll push the lock bar far enough across that you'd bend it. Especially if you're not using it in high stress situations with gloves on.

I mean, there's endless possibilities. What are your requirements? As in lock types, blade length, price point, etc.
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Blade length, hopefully 3.75 - 4 inches, lock up: axis, triad, titanium liner locker or any lock up that is super strong. I am looking to spend upwards of around $250 or so. Prefer the one side not being g-10 so it doesn't shred my pocket (which depending on the g-10 it might not). Preferably something under 6 ounce. Fast deploying, whether it wave, assisted opening, flipper or maybe even just a good thumb stud(auto's are illegal where I am). I want it not to be super thick in the handle and a higher clip so it is easier to conceal in my pocket. Knives I have currently been looking at are: ZT 0560, ZT 0301, ZT 0620.
 
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Gideons said:
Blade length, hopefully 3.75 - 4 inches, lock up: axis, triad, titanium liner locker or any lock up that is super strong. I am looking to spend upwards of around $250 or so.
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Well that opens it up pretty wide. I'd suggest using BladeHQ or KnifeCenter, or any BF dealer's search feature. Some have nice criteria searches.

If you're all about strength, I'd go with a Cold Steel. You could get a Voyager, Recon, AK47, or Talwarand save some money or get an Espada.

Just throwing it out there, compared to a backlock, especially triad, or axis or plunge lock a titanium frame lock is nowhere near as strong. The lock bar cutouts are usually as or more thin than the liner on a steel liner, and titanium is less strong. Not at all saying it isn't a good lock, just that the idea of it as the best hard use or strongest lock is a hype myth.
 
ALLHSS said:
Well that opens it up pretty wide. I'd suggest using BladeHQ or KnifeCenter, or any BF dealer's search feature. Some have nice criteria searches.

If you're all about strength, I'd go with a Cold Steel. You could get a Voyager, Recon, AK47, or Talwarand save some money or get an Espada.

Just throwing it out there, compared to a backlock, especially triad, or axis or plunge lock a titanium frame lock is nowhere near as strong. The lock bar cutouts are usually as or more thin than the liner on a steel liner, and titanium is less strong. Not at all saying it isn't a good lock, just that the idea of it as the best hard use or strongest lock is a hype myth.
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Yeah. IDK, why just not really "digging" the recon 1 haha. I own a micro it is a great knife. But, doesn't feel "special" you know? I have looked at everything from the first gen Combative Edge m1, Emerson ETAK, Benchmade Adamas 275, ZT 0301, ZT 0560, ZT 620, Hogue EX-01, spyderco para-military 2, Ontario XM-2t haha... Just none of them seem quite right. So, you would say a recon 1 is stronger then a strider SMF-T?
 
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