Which sub-$180 Folder Should I Buy?

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crowmagnon

crowmagnon

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Hi folks! I just finished selling off about a third of my collection, and I'm left with $180 to spend. I'd like to get one high-end folder with most of the cash. Here's what I'm seriously considering:
ZT 0200
Spyderco Military


Any advice would be welcome. I like larger folders, and I literally can't go over 180 bucks.

Thanks!
 
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The latest folder I got, and the one I have been totally enamored with is the Benchmade 275 Adamas.

Highly recommended :thumbup:
 
If it had to be out of those 3 I would choose the 0200 I love that knife!!


crowmagnon said:
Hi folks! I just finished selling off about a third of my collection, and I'm left with $180 to spend. I'd like to get one high-end folder with most of the cash. Here's what I'm seriously considering:
ZT 0200
Spyderco Military
Benchmade Bedlam

Any advice would be welcome. I like larger folders, and I literally can't go over 180 bucks.

Thanks!
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I'd choose the Military out of that bunch for size, useful blade profile and length, the front choil for choking up since the blade is long enough to accomodate the choil, carry weight and the slim carry profile.

Hands down.
 
Both are great knives but you will feel a huge difference between those two knives in your pocket. I think as a general, overall EDC, the Military gets the nod. The super pointy tip, the blade profile, the slim stature and overall carriability of the Military is a touhg combination to compete against.

Good luck witgh your choice!

crowmagnon said:
I've narrowed it down to the Millie and the 0200. I wish I could buy both!
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My vote would be ZT0350 - its within your budget and can handle hard use and is a little shorter than the military or the ZT0200 while still plenty big enough for any edc tasks you'll have to deal with.

I'd also look into the Spyderco Gayle Bradley as it seems to be both slicey and strong...

Good luck!
 
I have both the ZT0200 and the Spyderco Military and if I could only keep one it would be the ZT. It's an overbuilt beast of a knife that holds its edge well and the flipper is a big plus. The Military is more of a slicer and while well built the blade doesn't inspire confidence as much as the ZT, that being said they are both great knives.
 
You can often find used Militarys under $100 and sometimes with the 0200. I say keep your eyes peeled in the classifieds and try to get both. Built for different purposes and would compliment each other nicely.
 
military and 0200 are both great choices. for utility, military is a better choice cz of the ffg. i would also look into the hogue ex01 folders. very well built knives.
 
The Hogue EX01 should be considered. The Paramilitary 2 is the best knife on the planet so it's really up to you and what you want your knife to do. I had the 0200 and it was nice but too heavy.

Hoguebutton.jpg

Para2.jpg
 
Why the Military and not the Paramilitary 2? I'm picking up my P2 tonight and can't wait. I got to handle one a couple of months ago and instantly saw what all the fuss is about, and the guy it belonged to has agreed to sell it to me (it's his "spare"). For me, the Military is just too doggone huge and I sold it in favour of fixed blades at that length.
 
The Hogue EX01 is an excellent one to consider. Great design, well-built, and it's something that not everyone else owns.
 
Benchmade 710 in M390 would be my choice. Big, but not heavy, good slicer, axis lock and one of the better steels on the market.
 
I'd go with the ZT 200 the ergo's and blade profile are great ( if you don't mind recurves ) also the blade steel and handle material are top notch not to mention it's coming from a great company like Kershaw and will be backed by an excellent warranty and customer service.
 
crowmagnon said:
I've narrowed it down to the Millie and the 0200. I wish I could buy both!
Click to expand...

Between the two, and I have both, I would go with the ZT0200. I choose it because of the heftier build and because I like the way it fits into my hand. I also like the 154CM blade steel and am comfortable with this steel.

But like res1cue mentioned, the Benchmade 275 Adamas is certaintly worth a look as I think it is a great deal for a great deal of knife. It is a lot like the ZT0200 when it first came out and people were really, really impressed with the whole thing, especially at it's price of $128. Now the same has happened with the Adamas 275 and it's price of ~$125.

ALL three are a lot of knife for the price. The ZT and BM are built heavier, thicker liners, and blades. The Military is a slicer though, and the one I have is no slouch, I just like the other two I mentioned more. Blade thickness may be a little of a variable on the Military, depending on which model you get. The blade thickness on my titanium Military is .145" thick. I think it started out as a .160" thick blade, maybe even thicker, but has now been slimmed down a little. I don't know if that matters that much to you or not. The other two are .156" thick for the 0200, and .160" thick for the BM 275.



CONGRATS on the Military! I posted without reading the entire thread and missed that bit of info before posting. Good luck with it, and it is a really nice knife.:thumbup::)
 
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