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Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip
Cons: Ease of Opening, Handle Feel
Balisong Looks, Quality Folder Features
I have a fondness for sleek knives, and the overall proportions of the Ti-Lite Zy-Ex, along with its modest cost, appealed to me. I purchased this at the same time as Cold Steel's Medium Luzon, another knife that I think fills a similar niche. Knife Center's description of the Luzon makes comparisons to the style of a balisong, but I think the Ti-Lite bears more resemblance to a balisong than the Luzon. The double-row of evenly space holes down the bolsters surely takes its clue from the traditional Philippine item. I find it attractive and a secure comfortable grip. The knife weighs 3.9 oz, not light, but not especially heavy. I am able to open the knife with one hand using the thumb stud. I am not able to open it with what appears what one might think is a flipper stud on the back. It is simply too short, too small to function that way, even with a healthy flip of the wrist. I can open it using the flipper stud/guard stud on the top of the knife, rolling my thumb across the top of the closed knife. These two studs become a tiny guard of sorts when the knife is open. I find the serrations on the flippers/guards to be kind of odd in their orientation, one pointing up, one pointing down. The serrations seem to be oriented to assist in opening, but then the size of the studs seems to defeat this. Then, when the top flipper moves around to the back, it has a sharp edge that points back towards your hand where it could bite me if my hand were to slip forward. If the blade were not coated I would probably grind off this sharp edge a bit. I think this is about the only weak point in the knife's overall design and the reason I rated it 4 points instead of 5. This won't keep me from using the knife, but it could have been better executed. The handle has a subtle coke bottle shape with a swell at the butt that helps the knife feel secure in the hand. Knife Center's comparison to traditional switch blade styling is apt. The knife clicks open with authority and locks securely. The pocket clip is strong and secure; it cannot be relocated. It is not a "deep carry" style clip.Overall I'm pleased with this knife and think it will hold up well over time.
