Recommendation? Slicey, larger EDC with good action, high edge retention / reasonable toughness?

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billzona

Joined
Dec 25, 2022
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Asking for advice on a knife and / or general pointers in the right direction. Thank you all in advance.

What I plan to use it for: packages / zip ties / clamshell wrap, slicing apples / veggies, cutting boxes into smaller pieces than necessary, cutting pieces of printer paper way to often to check the edge, occasional workshop marking knife. Love being able to slice off paper thin pieces of apple.

What size am I thinking?: ~3.5"-4". Just want to make sure the functional edge is >3.3"ish. I mainly carry this around the house, so upper size isn't really an issue. That being said, much bigger and it would not be comfy to carry. Weight isn't a big concern.

Price range: <$250-$300... I'm a-ok with well kept lightly used if it falls under or around that range, but for some of the Spydercos out there that fit the bill (ex: Kapara 20CV, s90v military), prices are very hiked.

Blade steel: something that can support a reasonably fine apex; good fine edge retention; not too brittle; stainless does not matter: k390, m4, 10v, s90v. 20cv and equivalents have been OK, but I'd love to try one of the higher edge retention steels that don't sacrifice toughness OR that are comparable in edge retention but amazing toughness. I haven't tried many steels other than 20cv, so feel free to tell me there is another steel I should consider.

I have enjoyed how quickly I can close the pm2 one handed, so a compression lock is great. If the axis or equivalent locks fit the same bill, I'm sure I'd like them. That being said, frame or liner locks are also great, if the blade is right.

I've been eyeing something like an endura or endela in k390, but have heard mixed reviews on the build quality, and they don't seem to fit the quick one hand open / close bill. I've also looked at the TRM Atom (and may get one if I can pre-order from BHQ)... but I'd love to try a different steel.
 
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Another thought. If you are not chasing super steels, traditional knives often are very slicy and can be had at fair prices. Look at chase trappers.
 
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The ZT 0762 has a great profile. I used the made for Snap-On copy SO82BLK for 3 years as my work knife. It was absolutely awesome. I have the ZT on my short list.
 
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I'll add the ZT 0562cf. Here is mine before and after a scale swap. Honestly one of the best grinds I've ever had on a knife.
NMU13U6.jpeg

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mmyron1 said:
I'll add the ZT 0562cf. Here is mine before and after a scale swap. Honestly one of the best grinds I've ever had on a knife.
NMU13U6.jpeg

DQkGGZZ.jpeg
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I have the 0562cf -- thought it looked perfect with the cf, but loving it post swap even more.

A couple of issues for me with the 0562 for fitting this bill:
- great at slicing for being a heavier use knife -- but still a bit thick for really fine slicing
- wish it had a bit more flat / closer to a sheepsfoot shape

I've been impressed with the value out of zt so far though. Have you used any of their other models?
 
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billzona said:
I have the 0562cf -- thought it looked perfect with the cf, but loving it post swap even more.

A couple of issues for me with the 0562 for fitting this bill:
- great at slicing for being a heavier use knife -- but still a bit thick for really fine slicing
- wish it had a bit more flat / closer to a sheepsfoot shape

I've been impressed with the value out of zt so far though. Have you used any of their other models?
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I’ve been carrying a 0909 (w/some green GP scales) almost daily for the last several months. It’s big, thick and heavy…but for such a big thick SOB it actually has enough room to thin out near the edge, so it slices ok…. Also, people used to complain about ZT running their steel soft. IDK about that.
I have only sharpened it once so far on my wicked edge (w/ a couple stroppings in between) but now it seems like the S35VN is holding better than it did when it was new. No complaints
C476F48C-B2A2-44F7-969C-23E887CBA0CE.jpeg
 
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billzona said:
I have the 0562cf -- thought it looked perfect with the cf, but loving it post swap even more.

A couple of issues for me with the 0562 for fitting this bill:
- great at slicing for being a heavier use knife -- but still a bit thick for really fine slicing
- wish it had a bit more flat / closer to a sheepsfoot shape

I've been impressed with the value out of zt so far though. Have you used any of their other models?
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I have a ZT 0350 and it is a tank. It is honestly the reason I went with the 562. The quality and overbuilt is what I prefer. The 0350 is the one and only assisted opening knife I own.
 
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I’m not much of a Spyderco guy, and my suggestion is well below your price range, but I just got a Manix 2 that meets most of your criteria. It’s a very substantial piece, definitely solidly built and feels like it could handle whatever I could throw at it. If you need a bit more heft, there’s the Manix 2 XL. S30V steel holds an edge very well, and G10 handles should hold up to anything. And at that price point I’m not overly concerned and out beating on it a bit.
 
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Danny Linguini said:
I’m not much of a Spyderco guy, and my suggestion is well below your price range, but I just got a Manix 2 that meets most of your criteria. It’s a very substantial piece, definitely solidly built and feels like it could handle whatever I could throw at it. If you need a bit more heft, there’s the Manix 2 XL. S30V steel holds an edge very well, and G10 handles should hold up to anything. And at that price point I’m not overly concerned and out beating on it a bit.
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If only I could find the Manix 2 XL in one of the higher end tool steels for <$300... only hesitation on the Manix 2 regular has been that the length is a bit short for cutting length.
 
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billzona said:
If only I could find the Manix 2 XL in one of the higher end tool steels for <$300... only hesitation on the Manix 2 regular has been that the length is a bit short for cutting length.
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A bit short? That's a pretty big blade...
I've got 2 of them sporting S110V steel, and they are a really sweet knife!
20211203_092655.jpg20211203_092608.jpg
 
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Bob Denman said:
Using a pocketknife for food prep?
Color me funny; but isn't that what all those sets of kitchen knives are for?
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Definitely agree. I’ll use a folder for food prep in a pinch, if nothing else is available. But if I’m looking for a knife for which food prep is one of its intended purposes, a folder would be way down the bottom of the list.
 
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Bob Denman said:
Using a pocketknife for food prep?
Color me funny; but isn't that what all those sets of kitchen knives are for?
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I like food. I've used plenty of pocket knives to food prep with. I can honestly tell you my pocket knives are sharper than the kitchen knives. My wife puts the kitchen knives in the sink and dishwasher. They get little sharpening love from me. I'm not about to grab a razor blade in a sink full of dishwater.

Edit to add I also keep a couple sharp paring knives on the shelf inside the garage door for food prep.
 
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Bob Denman said:
Using a pocketknife for food prep?
Color me funny; but isn't that what all those sets of kitchen knives are for?
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It is, and that's the  reasonable approach to this. But similar to BlindMouse(2/3) my pocket knives are kept sharp... and I'm not doing heavy work with them. Slicing off some scallop potatoes, cutting an apple while I am eating it... light duty stuff -- but having a razor sharp pocket knife for it is just fun for me. Plus I habitually fiddle, take them apart, clean them, etc.
 
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Find a store that has both the military and native chief in stock. I like the native but dislike the feel of the military. Everyone is different but more to the point they are different enough that it's worth side by side comparing them.
 
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If you don't mind spending less money, I'd recommend checking out Kunwu Knives. They have some very fidgety knives in well-done M390, Elmax, and Vanax, all-titanium construction, cross-bar locks and frame locks, and most of them come in around $210. I have the Zen model and it's absolutely a high quality piece. Note that their mm-to-inches conversion is wrong in many cases (I just sent them a note about it). The mm dimensions are correct.
 
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