Which would you buy: ZT 0777M390 or Brous T4?

Rolex John

Rolex John

Joined
Dec 4, 2010
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I'm looking for a good "tactical flipper" - little on the larger size for weekend carry. I'm looking at the ZT 0777M390 and the Brous T4.

The size and ergos on these two are very similar. The biggest difference between them is the materials. The ZT is primarily carbon fiber with a Ti sub-frame lock and M390 blade steel. The Brous has G10 handle scales, and D2 blade steel.

I'm thinking I'm going to like the 0777's M390 better than the T4'sD2 (which I had and didn't care for as much on a Benchmade). Then again I've heard that MAYBE Brous uses CPM D2 which is better? I guess all D2 is not created equal, so to speak. Brous supposedly does a good job with theirs. I'm not crazy about carbon fiber, so I'm thinking I'll like that T4's G10 better in that regard. I know I like the satin finish on the T4 blade better...and the blade shape. I'm really quite torn.

Which would you buy?

Truth in advertising: I actually have one of each inbound to me. My intention is to keep only one of them. HOPEFULLY I'll be able to part with the one that comes in 2nd place... :rolleyes:
 
I would buy the ZT, even though Brous does a great job with his D2 I would still much prefer M390. I also prefer the flipper style of the ZT over the Brous, even though the differences are subtle. They're both pretty sexy though.
 
bpeezer said:
I would buy the ZT, even though Brous does a great job with his D2 I would still much prefer M390. I also prefer the flipper style of the ZT over the Brous, even though the differences are subtle. They're both pretty sexy though.
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I would be curious as to why you would much prefer M390 over D2? I'm leaning that way too, but I'd love to hear your reasoning.
 
Brous does not use CPM D2. He uses standard D2. I would chose the 777 over any brous any day of the week. Just going by my experience. Fit and finish will be better, as will the blade steel, and along with customer service.
 
zImsKee said:
Brous does not use CPM D2. He uses standard D2. I would chose the 777 over any brous any day of the week. Just going by my experience. Fit and finish will be better, as will the blade steel, and along with customer service.
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Can't say I've had the greatest experience with Kai/Kershaw/ZT. I currently have two ZT 0550's and both were problem children.
 
You also have to keep in mind that the price difference between these two knives are tremendous; even from dealers, it's $259 vs $380, but with the secondary market markup that's more like $259 vs $545. Personally, I wouldn't pay the huge markup on the 0777, but if I were able to get it at it's original retail value, I would jump on one. Since that's no longer a possibility, I just ordered a T4 and am quite certain I will be pleased with it.

With the T4 you're definitely sacrificing some of the fancier materials and technical wizardry, but I'm confident that functionally the T4 will be just as good, if not a little bit better (at least in terms of flipping action).
 
I would take the ZT 777 much better materials, the blade steel alone would make the choice. Add in the Carbon Fiber and top notch fit and finish the 777 is a hands down clear winner
 
Misanthropia said:
You also have to keep in mind that the price difference between these two knives are tremendous; even from dealers, it's $259 vs $380, but with the secondary market markup that's more like $259 vs $545. Personally, I wouldn't pay the huge markup on the 0777, but if I were able to get it at it's original retail value, I would jump on one. Since that's no longer a possibility, I just ordered a T4 and am quite certain I will be pleased with it.

With the T4 you're definitely sacrificing some of the fancier materials and technical wizardry, but I'm confident that functionally the T4 will be just as good, if not a little bit better (at least in terms of flipping action).
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My initial thought is that the T4 will be the better fighting/defensive/tactical blade. I have to believe the G10 on the T4 will make it significantly easier to hang on to in a defensive scenario. I also think I like both the shape and finish of the T4 blade.

Both knives will arrive tomorrow - I'm eager to compare them.
 
coli said:
I would take the ZT 777 much better materials, the blade steel alone would make the choice. Add in the Carbon Fiber and top notch fit and finish the 777 is a hands down clear winner
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The "cool" factor is definitely there with the 0777.
 
Well I definitely like the looks of the triple seven better, but I think the T4 is more tactical. That being said they are in two completely different price categories. For cool factor I would keep the triple seven if you got it for a reasonable price and for the cost of the T4 I would keep it as it is a great bang for you buck and very good quality.
 
If you are getting them both, then basically only one way to find out. Spend a couple weeks alternating between the two and then go a week without carrying either. Whichever one you miss more is the one you should keep and sell off the other one.

Based on stats though, the 777 seems like the winner. Who knows how they'll feel in hand and flip like though until you go side to side? Will you be hesitant to put the 777 to hard use though since it's "nicer" and more collectible?
 
Syncharmony said:
If you are getting them both, then basically only one way to find out. Spend a couple weeks alternating between the two and then go a week without carrying either. Whichever one you miss more is the one you should keep and sell off the other one.
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Yes, this is definitely the idea behind buying both.

Based on stats though, the 777 seems like the winner. Who knows how they'll feel in hand and flip like though until you go side to side? Will you be hesitant to put the 777 to hard use though since it's "nicer" and more collectible?
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If I am, then it's definitely getting sold since it's going to be a user knife and not a safe queen. I've had more expensive knives that I used before, so no big deal there.
 
Rolex John said:
I would be curious as to why you would much prefer M390 over D2? I'm leaning that way too, but I'd love to hear your reasoning.
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M390 has better corrosion resistance (though D2 isn't too bad as far as tool steels go), but most importantly M390 has been much easier for me to sharpen than D2. I spend more time sharpening my knives than actually using them (it's a blessing and a curse :D) and I have come to appreciate this aspect of steels. By "easier to sharpen" I don't mean that it wears any faster, just that I can more consistently get M390 to whittle hair where D2 is fairly inconsistent for me.
 
bpeezer said:
M390 has better corrosion resistance (though D2 isn't too bad as far as tool steels go), but most importantly M390 has been much easier for me to sharpen than D2. I spend more time sharpening my knives than actually using them (it's a blessing and a curse :D) and I have come to appreciate this aspect of steels. By "easier to sharpen" I don't mean that it wears any faster, just that I can more consistently get M390 to whittle hair where D2 is fairly inconsistent for me.
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This is an important factor to me, and I've had negative experiences with D2 in the past - but I also realize these things will vary quite a bit by manufacturer and that not all D2 is the sames.
 
Rolex John said:
My initial thought is that the T4 will be the better fighting/defensive/tactical blade. I have to believe the G10 on the T4 will make it significantly easier to hang on to in a defensive scenario. I also think I like both the shape and finish of the T4 blade.

Both knives will arrive tomorrow - I'm eager to compare them.
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If you plan on using them in a 'tacticool' situation I think this question may be better answered in prac tac.
 
personally i like the looks of the 777 over the t4. But then again I never got the chance to actually hold them in hand. If I were you, I'd just stick to what actually feels better in hand. The T4 looks way to chunky for me
 
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