According to knife theory, the bigger, the heavier, the folding knife- the more of a
beating it can take.
Throw a lock on a lock.
And you can baton right through that log.
Ok that's really not true.
And by the way I exchanged my Lion Steel SR-11 at Blade HQ- a big thanks to them... by flexing
their return policy... but unfortunately that lock bar still flexes more than their return
policy.
If you remember that review- well this model still has that problem.
But we're not here to talk about Lion Steel a $200 knife, we're here to talk about another
big ass flipper the HX Outdoors ZD-010.
Unfortunately this video can't answer why we need a folder that weighs as much as a
fixed blade or if you'll ever amount to anything.
So let's stare at the numbers for a minute and see if we can figure out why videos of
a similar length are more watchable.
The blade length and cutting edge.
Oh I think I figured it out.
The handle size and that grip area... made for big hands.
The spine thickness and handle thickness.
And the tallness closed and flipper protrusion.
There are a few key differences between my Italian made flipper that costs $200 and this
$16 flipper made by fine Chinese craftsmen.
And none of those differences will make me carry any one more.
But a big one is the steel.
The ZD010 uses 8Cr14MoV, which has never been a steel I have seen anyone go out of their
way to praise.
It wasn't razor sharp out of the box... so after my minor beatings it took me about 30
minutes to touch up- oh wait maybe that means it's a super steel.
Or just hard man.
It features a drop point and a very slight hollow grind.
With a semi polished satin finish.
It has real thick jimping on the blade spine, and thins out near the tip.
Blade centering is pretty good.
The blade is deployed by a flipper stud, and can really be deployed easily however you
hold it.
It is one of the smoothest ball bearing flippers I have tested.
Not necessarily the fastest, because of it's blade size... but pretty close.
If it had a stronger detent it would rocket out like an assisted.
Still though, it's much smoother and easier to deploy than my Sr-11a... but it kind of
has a weak detent.
So if you drop it, like I did a lot, the blade would probably pop out.
The flipper stud is nice and smooth, and probably the least fatiguing flipper I've used from
full open to close.
The blade is locked into place with a liner lock that's neither overly strong, or secure...
but it's as reliable as my lion steel rotoblock with even the rotoblock engaged.
For regular use it's a fine lock.
Whacking the spine on the lock repeatedly didn't cause it to fold... although it did
once when I threw it at the stump.
I said detent was sort of weak and it doesn't take much to deploy the blade when closed
without hitting the stud.
The handle is a nice size.
It has a full liner with a little bit of skeletonization .... or rather weight saving holes drilled...
otherwise it would weigh 8 ounces presumably.
It has G10 camo scales, that facilitates a new knife every few months if you use it in
the woods frequently.
The G10 and various ridges allow the knife to be not too slippery when wet and create
some great hot spots when using hard... although, regular pocket knife use it's fairly comfortable.
I don't really need the thick jimping up top, but then again I don't need a nearly 7 ounce
folder either.
The pocket clip ain't changeable or reversible or assignable.
Tip down blade forward in my right pocket.
That gets a thumbs down for tactic-ability.
Ok, so I think the need for a folder this large is basically overcompensating...
something I guess I could say for about 3/4 of my knife collection.
Let's look at a few other big knives.
Like the SR-11... which has a slightly smaller blade, a nice comfortable handle...
more comfortable than this one- but also it's a harder knife to flip with a stronger detent,
but a lock that functions the same despite the marketing.
How about another knife that I basically have no practical use for but I spent about $160
on.
The Spyderco K2.
It's bigger but with a handle that doesnt feel as comfortable.
It also looks imposing and tactical, even though it doesn't have a beard and a tight
shirt.
Ok I stole that joke from a subscriber.
I prefer the spyderco because it's bigger and weighs about the same and I paid more
for it.
Ok another Chinese flipper, that I think showed up in a video or two ago.
This one sucks at flipping, is heavy, and even it's parents don't like it.
What a disappointment.
The Enlan EW054, something I keep around for a reason I can't think of- hey these are like
$15 too.
Ok let's do one more.
How about the D2 steel and another large knife you'll see a review on from me very soon.
The Y-Start JIN02... which looks like something out of the Soviet Union in the 80's.
I like the clean design of that one a bit better, even though it's isnt a smooth AF
flipper like this Ok, should you buy this knife.
Why should you buy this knife.
I don't know you figure it out.
I don't even know why I buy expensive knives I don't use.
Alright I'll give you one thing...
it flips easier than probably most or all knives you own... and it could conveniently
open on the ground if you drop it.
If you like this review, follow me on Instagram which serves as a preview for stuff I'm going
to review here.
And pictures of beer.
Subscribe, click the bell below the video to get a spam email every time I release a
new video, and every time I piss.
Give the video a thumbs up, or don't if you're one of my regular thumbs down bros...
Uhh I think I said everything I need to and watch one of these other videos... which many
haven't.
Gear Best provided this knife for review.
Thanks for watching.