I never knew how much two ounces really weighed.

[cutitout]

I very recently acquired a new Zero Tolerance 0300. I must say, I really, really like this knife. I like a knife that fills your hand with authority and feels beefy when you open it. My favorite knives from my own collection are my ZT 0300 then my ZT 0650 then my ZT 350sw. As you can see I am a ZT fan. I just love their big belly and solid stout grips. But up until yesterday when I got my 0300, my heaviest knife was my 0650 or my 0350 which both weigh in at a mere 6 ounces. My new 0300 is 8 ounces without the clip.

Now I have gone on (too long) telling you how much I love a beefy knife and I do, but a funny thing happened when I put my 0300 in my cargo pants pocket. My pants keep sinking down and I am constantly hoisting them up. This never happened with my other ZT's. I should say, I am not a real tight pants type of guy. I am 63 and like a little room in trousers for sitting and bending so I wear them a bit loose anyway. I don't find it comfortable to cinch my belt so tight that it hurts my back to keep my pants in place and I don't think I want to start wearing suspenders.

Now this gets even more interesting because now that I have handled and enjoy my 0300 so much, I have been looking at an even bigger knife like a Grayman Satu or a 3 Sisters Super Beast, which are about 10 ounces. Only 2 ounces more than my 0300. But, boy what a difference 2 or 4 ounces makes in carrying a knife.

I have gone to putting my knives in belt sheaths, which I really like and they help by keeping these big knives out of my pocket to free up room and keep the material from sagging or wearing prematurely. I really like my sheaths, they look cool and are easily accessible. But they actually add even more ounces. Cheesh, what a pain. I will no doubt start to get used to it, but it is somewhat interesting just how much a difference just a couple of little bitty ounces can make in how you carry a pocket knife.

By the way, it actually helps to wear blue jeans because the pock is more horizontal and the material a bit more durable than cargo pants. So now I must decide on what I will wear based on which knife I want to carry.

Just some random thoughts I felt like sharing for no particular reason.

[AKC]

It's a cross we all have to bear....

[Cynic2701]

Instead of thinking just about ounces (e.g. "only" two ounces heavier) I think it's useful to compare percentages weight-wise. An increase from 6 to 8 ounces is a 33% increase in weight.

[cutitout]

Instead of thinking just about ounces (e.g. "only" two ounces heavier) I think it's useful to compare percentages weight-wise. An increase from 6 to 8 ounces is a 33% increase in weight.

That is one way to look at it and you are right, but it is also a bit misleading. ZT says the 0300 is just 10% more knife than the 0350. I am not sure if by that they are referring just to the weight or the dimensions or both ,but I am sitting here right now looking at the two together and man, the 0300 is much more knife than the 0300 just by eyeballing it. If I didn't know better, I would have said it was 50% more knife than the 0350. In any event, what ever the percent, it is (to me) one of the greatest knives I have ever wrapped my hands around and well worth the extra weight to carry.

[Sonnydaze]

I have several 350's and a 551 ZT, but they are too heavy for my EDC @ 5.6 oz and 5.8 oz. I would rather carry a lighter folder, like my CRK Sebenza or Umnumzaan @ 4.7 oz and 5.0 oz. They are all excellent knives, but the ZT's are a bit heavy for me, even though I like them a lot.
Sonnydaze

[singularity35]

two spoons of sugar?

[cutitout]

About 7 pennies

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Being a metric guy, 2 ounces? jk

How about getting cold steel voyager xl? It'll be big without being too heavy... Listed as 7.7oz.

In any case, that's life. Seems the pants configuration with the old knife is at the limit, so adding the 'two ounces' starts sagging it.

I view that as 'beyond threshold' situation

[OhShoot]

I pocket carry a 26 oz pistol, three knives, and of course wallet and various other stuff.

Two words: good belt.

I've been very pleased the last 5 years or so with a Beltman Bullhide.

- OS

[jstrykr74]

+1 on using a good belt. I carry a 1911 or BHP everyday along with two mags, a wallet, keys, etc. A good stiff belt makes a huge difference regardless if I'm wearing a suit or shorts.

[skyhorse]

I carried a Buck 110 for 20+ years daily and never noticed the weight.At 7.2 ounces in a belt sheath it carries nice.

[Nauplios]

So now I must decide on what I will wear based on which knife I want to carry.

You don't want a tight belt. You don't want suspenders. Don't want the weight of sheaths. Don't want to have to keep hitching up your pants. Yet you want to carry enough knife to build a log cabin from scratch, and are lusting after even a larger one.

The tail is clearly wagging the dog here.

[KuRUpTD]

You might want to consider hitting the weight room

[noway]

I guess you could get a boot knife or shoulder harness or baldric:

http://www.google.ca/images?q=baldric

[skyhorse]

This will be my carry combo today and not a problem.Lol,my 30lb beer gut is a problem though.If I can just lose that,I'll become a Senior Citizen super model.

[Jack Black]

My pants keep sinking down and I am constantly hoisting them up.

What's going on, there seems to be a developing low pants problem on Bladeforums (see http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...ants-retention)??!! I almost expect some spiffy British comedy actor to wonder onto the boards going "Crikey vicar, that isn't a lady, that's my wife!"

[cutitout]

You don't want a tight belt. You don't want suspenders. Don't want the weight of sheaths. Don't want to have to keep hitching up your pants. Yet you want to carry enough knife to build a log cabin from scratch, and are lusting after even a larger one.

The tail is clearly wagging the dog here.

That's pretty funny. Never thought of myself as a complainer before. I guess hoisting my britches ain't as bad as I made it out to be and I do actually like the weight of the sheath and I like the weight of the knife. I just don't want to think of myself as one of those old geezers who's butt crack hangs out when I bend over to find the remote. So until I finish that log cabin, I'll continue to carry a knife that would make Clint Eastwood smile and be happy I still can stand on my own two feet under the weight.

Thanks for putting that mirror in front of me. I promise to complain no more. And PS... I still want a bigger knife

[Nauplios]

Thanks for putting that mirror in front of me. I promise to complain no more. And PS... I still want a bigger knife

You're welcome.

I think the key, whether toting a gun or knife, and whether on the belt or inside the pocket, is a quality stiff and snug belt. A good place to spend a fair bit more money, but will be well worth it and last forever. It may feel foreign to you at first, but you'll get used to it. Let your hips carry the extra weight.

When you finish that cabin, I'll buy you a cup of coffee and we'll talk knives.

[skyhorse]

Most belts nowadays are pure junk.Get a quality ranger style belt and I believe your problems will be solved.

[cutitout]

You're welcome.

I think the key, whether toting a gun or knife, and whether on the belt or inside the pocket, is a quality stiff and snug belt.

When you finish that cabin, I'll buy you a cup of coffee and we'll talk knives.

You will probably laugh, but I am retired from the police department in Los Angeles and carried more weight on my belt than most people carry in the trunk of their cars. I definitely know the benefits of a good belt. But now that I am retired, I am trying to lighten it up a bit.

Look forward to that cup of coffee some day. I'll get to work on that cabin now.