Tactical_Geek Variable X Vintage EDC Knife Discussions | Drop

Apr 3, 2018

IanEDCWon't argue about the tanto or less money part, but better than S35VN and titanium? I also prefer smaller knives since I often wear lightweight shorts and smaller ones don't bang around or feel so odd.

Apr 3, 2018

CombatSharp

Apr 3, 2018

bookworm13You took the words out of my mouth... If you believe there is better out there than S35VN and titanium at a better price, pls advise?

Apr 3, 2018

Apr 3, 2018

CombatSharpYou can get a ZT 0450 for around $15 more. A Kershaw Link or dividend in S35VN or M390 is almost half the price. Hell Benchmade even has fine offerings for less than this, although not in titanium.

Apr 3, 2018

CombatSharp

Apr 3, 2018

namhodThank you for the info namhod. Not a huge ZT fan bc it's just Kershaws high end knives and I didn't think Kershaw made any blades that weren't 8Cr13Mov. Same steel they have been using for years....

Apr 3, 2018

Apr 3, 2018

CombatSharpTheir cheap Chinese stuff is all cr13, they have stepped up their steel game over the passed few years. Although they have been making knives in sandvik for a while, which is a fine budget steel, they now do certain US made models in S30V, S35VN, CPM154, and even M390.
Link, Dividend, Blackout, Skyline, Blur, the whole Launch series. I am sure I am missing some.
I am not knocking this knife at all, I know nothing about it. Although at first glance it seems like you are paying for form over function. IMO at least.
Buuuut, you asked for good materials at cheaper than $150.

Apr 3, 2018

CombatSharp

Apr 3, 2018

namhodFair enough....

Apr 3, 2018

Jschreiner1349

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Jul 5, 2018

CombatSharpDiscounting ZT because it’s “just Kershaw’s high-end“ brand is like saying Lamborghini, Bugatti and the Audi R8 are junk because they’re Volkswagen’s high end. A Veyron is just a VW Golf with 4matic and a couple extra cylinders, right? Anything ZT is leagues beyond the $20 Kershaw you bought at Walmart, the difference is so huge it’s laughable. I can’t account for your tastes and I don’t mean to, but don’t be ignorant. Incidentally, Kershaw (ZT’s low end, as you might remember) has also made plenty of blades in 14C28N, S30V, S35VN, M390 and the like. If you have any interest in this knife, seek out a ZT0900 instead and be forever pleased with your decision. Chisel grinds work well for chisels and that’s about it.

Jul 5, 2018

FuctFace

Jul 5, 2018

CombatSharpHey I know this is an old post, but I am kind of in the same boat. I like smaller lighter knives (particularly in the summer) and since you asked about nicer knives than this at a better price I thought I should see if you have seen--> https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bestech-zen-titanium-folding-knife?utm_source=linkshare&referer=RTVN3F the drop was for around $100. Also, the Factor Bit which is available for $99 with a pretty nice flashlight included--> https://www.factorequipment.com/product/knives/factor-bit-ghost-flashlight-combination-offer/ Both knives are nearly identical (I think it's safe to assume they were made in the same factory). They are titanium and S35VN. I don't own the Factor, (I would like to own one but they don't ship to Canada) I discovered them after I missed the drop for Besttech Zen, but then I believe the Zen dropped again and I was able to buy one. It's very well made. I use all my knives eventually, but that one I haven't been able to bring myself to start carrying it yet.

Jul 5, 2018

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FuctFace

Jul 5, 2018

FuctFace @bookworm13

Jul 5, 2018

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Jul 5, 2018

FuctFaceWell, I don't know what you consider acceptable steel, weight or price, but this is what I've been keeping an eye on. I don't have any of them in hand so take a handful of salt with these suggestions:
Boker & CountyComm D2 Chap Knife, 40g, inactive drop: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/boker-county-comm-d2-chap-knife
Steel Will C22M- 1BK Cutjack Hunting Knife, 3.0" D2, 82g: https://www.amazon.com/Steel-Will-C22M-1BK-Cutjack/dp/B078VGKB4B
Kubey KU-101 D2, 102g https://www.amazon.com/KUBEY-Opening-Outdoor-Tactical-Everyday/dp/B0753CQV6L
Kershaw Skyline (1760) 3.1” Sandvik 14C28N, 71g: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CZBDF8
TANGRAM 2.76" ACUTO440 Azo Amarillo TG3001A1, 68g: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076JC789C
Eafengrow CH3001 D2 (questionable), 87g: https://www.amazon.com/Eafengrow-Folding-Flipper-Titanium-Camping/dp/B071GKG5YP

Jul 5, 2018

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Jul 6, 2018

bookworm13Eafengrow is the seller, CH is the maker. The knife is the CH 3001. I have the CH 3002-G10, and it's pretty damn awesome for the money.

Jul 6, 2018

Jul 7, 2018

namhodI find it odd that CH makes a titanium and G10 version of the same knife and they not only have different blade steel but also different blade lengths. For example the CH 3002-G10 has a 3.7" D2 blade and the titanium-handle CH 3002 has a 3.2" AUS-8 blade.
What do you make of the people posting negative reviews of CH/EF knives saying that its not really D2 steel? Just people upset that they copy famous knife designs?

Jul 7, 2018

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Jul 8, 2018

bookworm13I only have the one CH, and it is holding up as well as any other D2 blades I have. So my very unscientific assessment is, seems ok.

Jul 8, 2018

Jul 13, 2018

namhodDo you know who makes the EF series knives for Eafengrow?

Jul 13, 2018

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Jul 13, 2018

bookworm13Got a link to one?

Jul 13, 2018

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Jul 13, 2018

namhodhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07437VBZG https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B62LXH2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078XS77C3
Someone mentioned somewhere that the EF series were their first efforts and that the quality of the CH were better, but didn't say that CH was the maker.

Jul 13, 2018

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Jul 13, 2018

bookworm13No idea. I seem to remember seeing all their clones with the jade handles and stuff first. And they didn't have any branding on them.

Jul 13, 2018

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FuctFace

Jul 31, 2018

namhod @bookworm13 Hey guys, how's it going? Sorry I just read your replies today. I'm trying to reduce my purchasing here, and it's hard because I have been using this site basically from when they first started and there's good discussion as well as a place to discover new brands and stuff I like. This site is pretty tapped in to my mindset. I used to have serious doubts when people posted about poor experiences with Massdrop since I was pretty loyal to it, but I recently had one of my own.
Not too long before I posted in this thread I had a very lacking customer service experience, and because I have a hard time not buying things when I see them here, I have been reducing my visits to the site. I just popped in today to see if my Massdrop X Bob Terzuola (that I ordered long before my bad CS experience) shipped out yet.
As far as these Chinese knives like CH and the Eafengrow (who I believe is a middleman, not really a brand in the sense we are used to) knives. I have a few now, and I have had a few more over the years. I would suggest FastTech as a good place to buy the lower end ones (Here's a link for their Eafengrow ones https://www.fasttech.com/category/1901/knives-for-outdoor-survival?sort=r&keywords=EF). For the higher end "Replicas" and Chinese customs I have had good experiences dealing with JUFULE https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1502428?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.75e35bd4HKfBrj .
If you search jufule or kevinjohn on Aliexpress you will see many sellers selling what seem to be the same product at varying prices, but I have ordered them from multiple sellers and found the quality varies between them. That particular seller (JUFULE Knife Tools Store) has prices slightly higher but seems to have a much more consistent quality.
Edit: I forgot to mention that I take their steel claims with a grain of salt. I am pretty sure that most of the ones that claim D2 are likely D2 since its pretty common and cheap in China now. I imagine that the high end originals are likely the steel they claim to be as well. If I see some knock off of a knife that is originally m390 or something for under $100 or so, I am almost its probably D2 as well.

Jul 31, 2018

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