My wife and daughter gave me my father's day gift early, it's my new EDC effective tomorrow. I'm a lucky man.
NiceAl Mar WarriorSome of my meager collection...
My wife and daughter gave me my father's day gift early, it's my new EDC effective tomorrow. I'm a lucky man.
Nice collection. I wish Benchmade still made the Skirmish and Mini Skirmish models...they did a hella job with the styling and functionality. I had one of the Blue Mini Skirmish LEs that was 007 of 250 and traded it...I really regret it
The Warrior is IMO one of the best SD fixed blades ever made. I've always wanted one. What Benchmade fixed blade is in the back left corner...is it a Nim or Presidio by chance?
Judging by your folders, I am going to guess that like me you are a big fan of the Reeve Integral Lock/framelocks. Any ZT folders for you in the future?
The Warrior is nice, but a little to heavy for a fighter. As I recall the story, Al Mar was not happy that the contractor switched to a cheaper, heavier steal in the manufacturing. Sypderco came out recently with a copy, but it is not the same in looks.
If you are talking about the knife in the same photo as the Warrior, that is a Randall-esque 2-8 dagger. No Randall Knives name on it, just the initials "DBT". The other 2 next to it are a Al Mar SERE 6 and a pre-production SERE 5.
Funny you should ask, I have been thinking of picking up a ZT 100, and/or 350.
What do yo usually EDC? Both of your ZTs are among the finest of folding knives ever made IMO, so it must be hard when debating between the two of them, let alone with the rest of the selection?
Thanks, kinda like a chick with shoes, I carry whatever seems to fit me for the day. Trying out the Manix XL now, but have been carrying the 561 mostly, it just works, and has turned me into an Elmax and KVT fan. ZT IMO has probably the most knife for the money out there now, famous designers, more high end carry models, lots of limited editions, top materials, and great warranty. $200 for a folder seems like a lot, but in many cases they are twice as good as a $100 knife, and can hang with some semi-customs around $1000. I still would love a 0777, or the upcoming 801CF, the 454 is almost awesome, I hate D2, and the angular composite blade is at odds with the smooth flowing handle IMO.
I really like the Adamas...especially the auto. That vid is pretty sweet. I always knew it was though but not that tough.
The 0301 IS impressive, and is one of my two favorites. But for abuse, the Benchmade Adamas might match it. This video made a believer out of me. Even though it got damaged, it didn't fail.
http://youtu.be/LWz_JLXgIL0
U ever handle one? I thought my benchmade bone collector was a thick and heavy knife to carry for its size until I picked up an adamas. The thing feels like it's a mile thick and made of lead. It's tough for sure, but not sure I'd like one as an edc. You could probably carry a knife of normal size AND a small fixed blade for serious work easier than carrying that brick of a knife.
I've been on a waiting list for the 0777 for months. I really want a 561, but I want the 0777 even more. ZT taking the 'Overall Knife of The Year' with the 0777 in 2012 and the 0454 in 2013 really excites me because they have essentially turned the market upside down. I am a huge Chris Reeve fan and my larger EDC folder the Umnumzaan is a favorite, but ZT coming into the picture and upping the bar is just great, and the past few years of frequent updates to steels, locks, handles, and pivots continues to redefine the industry of $200-$400 extreme-usage folders. As much as I love the 0301, the weight was not something I am fond of and the new ZT folders have really expanded on offering lighter weight folders without a compromise to performance. Even Mr. Reeve himself has commented on the impressive quality and durability of ZT's folders.
I own some customs and I've owned quite a few over the past decade. I would often asess them against my Sebenzas, Umnumzaan, and ZT0301. I am yet to see one capable of hanging with them in terms of the ability to withstand extreme usage and abuse. And other than the Umnumzaan and 0301, there aren't many other folders I have which I feel comfortable using in a fashion that puts such force against the lock that a lock failure would mean losing every finger on my right hand. I've had some really nice and gorgeous customs, but if someone wants a knife essentially designed to be abused, I believe ZT is where it's at.