now I don't want to get any more cheap knives since I've got better ones recently
now i'm getting pickier, knowing what I want and don't want in a knife
my taste just keeps getting more and more expensive
same thing with firearms now.  i'm willing to spend a little more to get exactly what I want 

I hear ya and I am in the same.  Ever since I got into looking into the different steels and then venturing into the >$100 range of ZTs and other brands, I've seen the quality in many of those knives and makes me both appreciate the higher quality as well as sort of less accepting than I used to be for what is "good enough".  There are some lines like Kershaw and Kizer that have both budget and more quality lines, but even then, I have noticed a difference between those and brands like ZT, Hinderer (don't own one yet, but have handled them), etc.  In the last many months, I got only one really budget knife and it was a $25 Kershaw to test out the tanto shape more.  While that knife certainly is useful, you can really tell the difference, especially in the "small details".  Before looking closer into steels and such, I was more focused on blade shapes and what brands were decent, but didn't break the bank.  So it was Kershaw and some Benchmades.  Still a fan of Kershaw, but haven't considered getting one lately.   

I am also getting more selective as I have focused on what I want.  I still have a few brands and other style of blades that I want to try, but definitely have become pickier.  Like you said, it was similar in my evolution in firearms.  While I started buying quality stuff when I first got into firearms, I spent a lot of money trying this and that.  Then eventually focused on what my preferences were and many times it involved spending a little more to get what I want.  I mean I'm still down to try other things if they are on sale or for a great price though. 

there are some cheaper knives that I like from Kershaw:
Link M390, Bareknuckle Sandvik 14, Knockout Sandvik 14
they aren't top shelf knives, but they have a place in my EDC lineup.  I like how each of them open and lockup.  M390 is great, and the Sandvik 14 is pretty good as long as i'm not chopping down trees.   
the knockout and bareknuckle are thin and light and I often carry these at work

couple of CH knives.  same as Eafengrow on Amazon
model 3504 is with S35vn steel, the model 3507 is with M390 steel
I have the 3504 in D2 with G10 scales without the skull design, and the opening and detent are excellent

there are some cheaper knives that I like from Kershaw:
Link M390, Bareknuckle Sandvik 14, Knockout Sandvik 14
they aren't top shelf knives, but they have a place in my EDC lineup.  I like how each of them open and lockup.  M390 is great, and the Sandvik 14 is pretty good as long as i'm not chopping down trees.   
the knockout and bareknuckle are thin and light and I often carry these at work

I have a Kershaw Link M390 and it’s a great knife. I would definitely put that one in the quality category. While not as expensive as some of my other favorites, definitely like that knife. I would prefer a handle with more texture, but it’s been a great utility knife.

LionSteel ROK M390 with aluminum handles. It’s on the lighter side and the handle texture is very light. The flipper opening is pretty smooth, but not quite like the ZT 0562 that has become my favorite. Might have to try adjusting the tension and maybe some oil, but overall good. The blade came very sharp out of the box. Haven’t tried the H.WAYL pocket clip system yet, which was one of the features of this knife.

First impressions of this knife is good overall. On the pricier side, but seems like really good quality and the M390 steel is one of my favorites.

Next to a ZT 0562 for comparison.

LionSteel ROK M390 with aluminum handles. It’s on the lighter side and the handle texture is very light. The flipper opening is pretty smooth, but not quite like the ZT 0562 that has become my favorite. Might have to try adjusting the tension and maybe some oil, but overall good. The blade came very sharp out of the box. Haven’t tried the H.WAYL pocket clip system yet, which was one of the features of this knife.

First impressions of this knife is good overall. On the pricier side, but seems like really good quality and the M390 steel is one of my favorites.

Next to a ZT 0562 for comparison.

 
Lionsteel has a great reputation for quality.  although, I've never handled one

I ordered a couple deep pocket clips for one of my Kershaw's and a ZT knife, should be here in a week
also got a couple good blades on the way, 1 of them a discontinued ZT I found on ebay, bnib.  i'm looking forward to that one especially   

I ordered a couple deep pocket clips for one of my Kershaw's and a ZT knife, should be here in a week
also got a couple good blades on the way, 1 of them a discontinued ZT I found on ebay, bnib.  i'm looking forward to that one especially   

One of your ZTs didn’t come with the deep pocket clip?

I think I’m done for a while. Ok, maybe a little bit. Have some firearms stuff I’m looking at adding.   

One of your ZTs didn’t come with the deep pocket clip?

I think I’m done for a while. Ok, maybe a little bit. Have some firearms stuff I’m looking at adding.   

the 0350 is the normal pocket clip, which I like.  but the one I ordered has this Punisher design that I like, that's why I got it.  just for the looks.  we'll see how it fits and functions.
and then another clip, same Punisher design i'm going to put on my Kershaw Link.

ZT0350
https://mxggear.com/collections/zt0350/products/custom-made-titanium-deep-carry-pocket-clip-for-zero-tolerance-knives-27


this one will go on my Kershaw Link.  I read where this ZT 0560/0561 will also fit the Link.  hope it fits.
https://mxggear.com/collections/zt0560-1/products/custom-made-titanium-deep-carry-pocket-clip-for-zero-tolerance-knives-10

theres a seller on ebay with really nice pocket clips, but he's super overloaded with work and cant ship out new work until end of april/may
I think hes the same guy selling on etsy.com, but hes also out for months.  so I went with mxg instead

ZT0350
https://mxggear.com/collections/zt0350/products/custom-made-titanium-deep-carry-pocket-clip-for-zero-tolerance-knives-27


this one will go on my Kershaw Link.  I read where this ZT 0560/0561 will also fit the Link.  hope it fits.
https://mxggear.com/collections/zt0560-1/products/custom-made-titanium-deep-carry-pocket-clip-for-zero-tolerance-knives-10

theres a seller on ebay with really nice pocket clips, but he's super overloaded with work and cant ship out new work until end of april/may
I think hes the same guy selling on etsy.com, but hes also out for months.  so I went with mxg instead

Ahh. Cool. Neat way to personalize your blades. The pocket clips get beat up and can show wear quickly. The LionSteel pocket clip that is in a recess actually worked nicely for the few days that I carried that one. It got some bad reviews of being weak, but it doesn’t take much to keep a knife in your pocket.

ZT 0909  https://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0909-Flipper-Knife--34414
got it on ebay.  paid a little more than whats listed on bladeHQ, but its what I wanted so I don't mind.
its sort of like my 0350, but bigger.  and its manual flipper, whereas the 0350 is assisted.  but the manual opening on this 0909 is perfect!     the detent is really strong and opening is really smooth.  its the perfect manual flipper action.
3.875" S35VN, G10 grips, liner lock.  its big, but not too big.  this and my 0350 are my best defensive folders.

ZT 0909  https://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0909-Flipper-Knife--34414
got it on ebay.  paid a little more than whats listed on bladeHQ, but its what I wanted so I don't mind.
its sort of like my 0350, but bigger.  and its manual flipper, whereas the 0350 is assisted.  but the manual opening on this 0909 is perfect!     the detent is really strong and opening is really smooth.  its the perfect manual flipper action.
3.875" S35VN, G10 grips, liner lock.  its big, but not too big.  this and my 0350 are my best defensive folders.

Awesome! I picked up one of those from a forum member for a Christmas gift for a buddy. Definitely a solid blade with some heft to it, but like you said, not too big/bulky.

Do you notice a difference between the manual opening of the ZTs and say your Bokers?

Awesome! I picked up one of those from a forum member for a Christmas gift for a buddy. Definitely a solid blade with some heft to it, but like you said, not too big/bulky.

Do you notice a difference between the manual opening of the ZTs and say your Bokers?

big difference.  the ZT is way better.
I only have 2 Boker folders, I have a few fixed Bokers.
1 Boker, the opening is pretty good (wildcat).  the other one is not good (Masada).  weak detent, I can gravity flip it out pretty easily.  that I don't like.  the other Boker Wildcat is a very good opening.  seems to be hit or miss with the quality control.
ZT seems to be better built, better quality control.  i'm going to buy more ZT's, i'm sure. 

at the time I got the 0909, there was also a Hinderer ZT that I had my eye on too, but I couldn't afford both so I got the 0909.  the other one has since sold out

big difference.  the ZT is way better.
I only have 2 Boker folders, I have a few fixed Bokers.
1 Boker, the opening is pretty good (wildcat).  the other one is not good (Masada).  weak detent, I can gravity flip it out pretty easily.  that I don't like.  the other Boker Wildcat is a very good opening.  seems to be hit or miss with the quality control.
ZT seems to be better built, better quality control.  i'm going to buy more ZT's, i'm sure.

I agree. You are, or at least were, a fan of Boker, so figured you were a good one to ask on difference. I have two Bokers and I think they seem good, but definitely much more impressed by build, feel, and function of ZTs. As well as other lines in the same price and quality range.

It also seems like many Bokers are D2 steel, which isn’t high on my list due to corrosion resistance. So I haven’t looked into them very much.

I agree. You are, or at least were, a fan of Boker, so figured you were a good one to ask on difference. I have two Bokers and I think they seem good, but definitely much more impressed by build, feel, and function of ZTs. As well as other lines in the same price and quality range.

It also seems like many Bokers are D2 steel, which isn’t high on my list due to corrosion resistance. So I haven’t looked into them very much.

not so much a fan of Boker any more.   
now I found brands that fit me better.  like ZT, Kershaw, Kizer, Reate.
the Kizer Uprising and Reate Hills have great opening like the ZT I have, detents are strong and bearings make for a very smooth opening.  the Kizer Intrepid is almost as good, but the detent is just a little on the weak side but still opens smoothly, just not as good as the other ones.
I have a couple ZT's on my wishlist

https://www.ebay.com/str/blade4sell?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

ebay store that has custom pocket clips.
they are busy.  11-12 weeks wait time. 

got the pocket clips
works well, but is slightly larger than the factory clips, but doesn't bother me.  the Link sits more deep in the pocket.  the 0909 sits about the same in the pocket.  I like how it looks on the Kershaw and the ZT, looks different and I like the Punisher so I like it.

I got another ZT on the way.  0393, a Hinderer design.  it has a blue anodized frame with G10 overlays, CPM20CV steel.  on sale from BladeHQ
i'm going to pimp this one out!!!   
I ordered some Hinderer parts in matching blue anodized Titanium.
i'll update when I get it all done.  should be a few weeks bc some parts coming from Australia
i'm aiming to pimp it out to be not the $5 Hotel st. hoe, but more of a high class $5000 escort hoe.     

I got another ZT on the way.  0393, a Hinderer design.  it has a blue anodized frame with G10 overlays.  on sale from BladeHQ
i'm going to pimp this one out!!!   
I ordered some Hinderer parts in matching blue anodized Titanium.
i'll update when I get it all done.  should be a few weeks bc some parts coming from Australia
i'm aiming to pimp it out to be not the $5 Hotel st. hoe, but more of a high class $5000 escort hoe.     

I was close to ordering that same one in the brown(ish) handled one, but I've held off. 

Damn, I'm starting to cringe when I see you're posting in this thread.  The more nice blades you're getting makes the itch flare up.