other than a couple cold steel recons and a benchmade grip that i use for junkers here is the folders i own.the striders i just got recently.

strider cc
strider SmG
ZT 301
TOPS thunderhawk
emerson CQC-14 "snubby"





all are frame locks except the emerson.the emerson is decent,i EDC'ed it for over a year and the WAVE feature can be a gift and a curse.the blade is 2.7in so it is legal in states with a 3in limit.lock-up on emerson is hit and mmiss.i got lucky.

the striders are incredible and where all they where hyped up to be imo.the CC is just a miniature version of the Smg without a pocket clip and with the handles rounded off and contoured for more comfortable pocket carry.the SmG is my full time EDC now and will be for a long,long time.

the ZT actually impresses me more than the striders and would honestly eat them for lunch.it is just such a brute.its like a rhinoceros.i gave it a third world satin finish because i couldnt stand the camouflage stripes that the blade had on it.i also took out the torsion bar for the assisted opening.mine opens and closes a lot better without it actually.its smoother,not jerky.i EEDC'ed it for maybe 6 months or more but traded it for the SmG because its so big and bulky on you pocket.if you shop around you can get these for under $200.

the TOPS is a hidden gem you never hear about.Ti & G10 frame-lock.N690Co. blade gets sharp and gets sharp easily maybe better than any knife i own strangely enough.no blade wiggle and is the lightest other than the strider CC.its a very "slept on" blade imo.i dont EDC it partly because its tip up carry only and its light weight make it perfect for my B.O.B.

the benchmade rift,ruckus and mini ruckus are the next folders i'm looking into or maybe rockstar from jim burke

I was afraid of hearing that. I've been waiting a while for a new folder to come out, and this one really has my attention. It should be available in March, I hope ZT doesn't make the satin one exclusive for Tad Gear like the 0300 series because that's some serious mark up in price.

I did a quick chop comparing the original black vs satin.

My new favorite folder is not a $300 hard use framelock, but I love it. It's my new Victorinox One Hand Trekker in Stay Glow yellow! This model came with a plain edge and has a corkscrew instead of the phillips head screwdriver. I love OHTs and have carried my old one constantly since buying it. The saw really works, and the tool can also cut, open bottles and cans, bore holes in wood, drive screws, pick my teeth, remove splinters and strip wire. This one can even open a bottle of wine. Now that's a survival knife! And if I drop it in the bush, this one should be easy to find.



Thanks, Jimmie!

I'm with you MRpink....I cant wait to get my hands on one of those ZT 350's. They look awesome...a little smaller, but just as BADASS! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

northern1, Striders are great aren't they! I regret selling an SnG, "don't know what you've got till its gone". I have an SMF now and might have another SMF or PT soon.

When will the ZT 350s be available? I like that one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Vic...I heard release of March 2009.

Thanks, REM762. I've been eyeing those ZTs for a while and that new ZT350 looks like a good EDC.

Thomas W., the rep/manager/moderator/inside man, over at the kershaw page on bladeforums said the date is now april. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Bummer....Looks like we gotta wait till April.

I got bored and decided to look at the coldsteel website, they have a new folder coming out, not the prettiest, but was very amused with thier video demonstration, did like the look of the spartan model, looks like the ZT.

I didn't see this at the time I posted my comment, should have known someone would have seen it already and had a comment in pocket