Zieba Southern Star Flipper M390 4” Blade, $674 Recommend?

Douglas Wever said:
What extras? The little bean skull?

Wilson Combat actually called me this morning to warn me it would take 3-5 business days to Alaska or did I want to pay an additional $51 I think it was to keep the overnight I had previously selected. So I’ll be posting in 3-5 business days.
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Yes, beads, bottle opener hard case/soft case. I’ve had 2 Zieba knives before and they both came with some extras but I wasn’t really expecting any. Also curious what the lockside looks like and if there is a WC logo on the clip like the CRK’s or somewhere else.
 
snapshot2017 said:
I know it must be be a really nice knife, but don't see what is has over the ZT 456 and it cost $240 US.
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It's a custom knife, hand made. The ZT is a factory product, only $240 more makes the Zeiba a bargain.
 
Barman1 said:
Funny.
I saw the post stating that the S5 weighed 7oz and absolutely had to grab mine and put it on the scale due to the disbelief.
And it does in fact weigh about seven ounces.
Doesn't feel like it though.
It's a big knife with a lot of handle for a large handed individual so it doesn't feel heavy at all.
Just well balanced.
I've got others that are the same weight with no thought as to proper balance and I won't carry them.
At the price you've stated I would not hesitate to buy the S5.
Great knife!
ShvVIKJ.jpg
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Barman,

I got the same knife a few days ago. Returned it because the flipper tab was on the sharp side and took a lot of pressure to deploy the blade. Maybe the tension bar was too tight? Had to use my thumb to push down on the flipper tab instead of my index finger. Wonder if you had similar problem?
 
Usnavydoc said:
Barman,

I got the same knife a few days ago. Returned it because the flipper tab was on the sharp side and took a lot of pressure to deploy the blade. Maybe the tension bar was too tight? Had to use my thumb to push down on the flipper tab instead of my index finger. Wonder if you had similar problem?
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I wouldn't necessarily...consider it a problem.
The flipper tab has one "jimp" right at that spot where the index finger wants to land that uncomfortably protrudes at an angle that makes fidgeting with this knife uncomfortable.
I'm not a fidget-y type and use my knives.
So in essence that once or twice that I open my knife to use it during the day a small amount of discomfort is not a problem.
But I can empathize, when I got mine I cycled it a few times and could feel the dent in my index finger and thought that smoothing that tab (obviously returning it for modification) would be beneficial.
 
Douglas Wever said:
What extras? The little bean skull?

Wilson Combat actually called me this morning to warn me it would take 3-5 business days to Alaska or did I want to pay an additional $51 I think it was to keep the overnight I had previously selected. So I’ll be posting in 3-5 business days.
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Have you got the knife in yet? Would love to see more pics!
 
Yes I did. I'm going to provide a link to a couple of pics since every time I try using that functionality within the post here it doesn't work for me. When you hit the link for Photographer's Base at the end of this paragraph, there will be a contact sheet that comes up. The knife will be at the bottom of that sheet. Click the thumbnail; there are multiple resolutions available of the pics below the image. http://www.pbase.com/dwever/le

This is a very big knife, bigger than the picture represents next to a Benchmade 761. If it weren't for the Titanium, it would be too heavy for EDC. I think the relative blade thickness of the two was 0.12 BM and 0.16 for the Zieba/Knight/Wilson Combat.

None of the little accessories came with the knife from Wilson Combat like they do in the fancier handled Zieba/Knight version. I think that version has something like an anodization process applied to the handle that gives it a unique colorful finish. I prefer the raw Titanium as this knife is a tool not a jewel. The blades are identical between the two Zieba versions.

In short, given the likelihood it holds up, worth every penny. Balanced, substantial, mechanics seem very robust, and perfect fit for my large hands. I have a residence in Alaska, and lined gloved use is much easier with the Zieba's overall beefy size and fat flipper extension giving easy deployment of blade with clumsy gloves on. Mechanics are vault like.

It really has to be handled to appreciate the fit, feel, and finish. Since in Alaska I wear pretty heavy Mountain Khakis every day, the knife’s large size and modest weight are not an issue. With some Summer pants I could see wanting a lighter knife like the Benchmade 761, a substantial EDC that weighs seemingly nothing.

My son carries a knife with a significantly lesser steel that he is sharpening all the time. I may order him this knife.
 
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Appreciate the review and pics! I agree I prefer the raw Ti to the fancy smoke anodizing. I’m just not a colorful knife kind of guy. And since I don’t care much for beads or anything the lower price of the WC version makes sense. I had a Zieba Bold and really liked everything about it but always wished it were bigger. Might just have to pull the trigger.
 
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