0200 or Adamas?

orangish ducktape · Jun 21, 2012

So my Cold Steel Pocket Bushman finally broke, I have been rather interested in purchasing a "folding fixed blade" recently and I think I have narrowed down my list to just two knives.

Benchmade Adamas or Zero Tolerance 0200?

I really want a folding knife that I can just beat on and not worry about it at all.
Has any of you owned both? If so how does the toughness of the two compare?
Could any of you provide pictures of the two knives side by side so I can see how the size compares between the two?

How are the ergonomics of each knife, which is more comfortable for extended hard use, or any use of that matter?

How do the locks compare? Is the axis lock stronger then the liner lock used on the 0200?

Are there any other knives I should take a look at and consider?
What I want:
US made
Lifetime warranty
Tough steel
strong lock
nothing over $140

If there are any other knives that fit my criteria please share them below!

Thanks in advance,
-orangish ducktape

rmeron · Jun 21, 2012

I think the Benchmade is going to be more than $140. The ZT0200 should run you exactly $140 from the KershawGuy.
I really love my 0200,0400 and 0560. The 200 is one tough knife.

orangish ducktape · Jun 21, 2012

rmeron said:
I think the Benchmade is going to be more than $140. The ZT0200 should run you exactly $140 from the KershawGuy.
I really love my 0200,0400 and 0560. The 200 is one tough knife.

I found a site that sell the adamas for around $125 and a new 0200 for $115.
Have you ever batoned with your 0200?

-orangish ducktape

Scurvy092 · Jun 21, 2012

I have batoned with my 0200.

dogboye · Jun 21, 2012

I have a 275. I have a 550 (just got it today). I don't have a 200. If I'm not mistaken, you have a 550. IMO, the Adamas and the 550 are practically two sides of the same coin, the two sides being frame lock vs. axis lock. Before I go further, I should say I am a HUGE fan of Benchmade and the axis lock. I have probably 20 versions of the axis lock. All are users. So I am familiar with the axis lock.

I just pulled out my 275 and put it next to my new 550. The 275 blade is about 1/8 inch longer than the 550, comparing cutting edges. The 0200 is going to have a longer blade.

Here is my problem. I LOATHE liner locks. Period. I have three, out of probably 50 knives. I do not trust them. Of those three, one is a Kershaw Boa, one is a Benchmade mini-AFCK, and the last is a Buck, with a system very similar to the Boa: a liner lock with a pronounced finger guard that would help keep the blade from closing. All that is to tell you where I'm coming from, which is an EXTREME bias against the 0200.

Of the two, I would buy the 275. I DID. I love it. Between the 0200 and the 275, I could not pick the 0200. I have no doubt, based in the KAI products that I have received in the last couple of days, that the 0200 is as good a liner lock as you can get. I know that the 275 will do everything I need it to. Of those two, 275. If you made me pick between the 275 and the 550 or 560, the choice would be much harder. I would make THAT choice based in the environment. IMO, the FRAME LOCK is a superior lock to the axis in a muddy or dirt environment. I have never had an axis fail in that environment, and I have had axis locks tested in that environment. But the engineer in me recognizes the superiority of the FRAME lock over the axis in that environment. But that superiority does not extend to the frame {meant that to say liner} lock, IMO.

Benchmade 275 Adamas wins.

dogboye · Jun 21, 2012

BTW, while I have not batonned with my 275, I HAVE batonned with axis locks of lesser stature/robustness (710). Not HUGE pieces, but just small kindling. No problem.

Neither of the knives in question, IMO, should be batonned. However, of the two knives in question... To be honest... Batonning... I don't think either would fail. The 0200 would have a slight edge in blade length, which could make it easier to baton.

Hope I've helped...

orangish ducktape · Jun 21, 2012

Scurvy092 said:
I have batoned with my 0200.

Was it still solid afterwards?

rockspyder said:
I have a 275. I have a 550 (just got it today). I don't have a 200. If I'm not mistaken, you have a 550. IMO, the Adamas and the 550 are practically two sides of the same coin, the two sides being frame lock vs. axis lock. Before I go further, I should say I am a HUGE fan of Benchmade and the axis lock. I have probably 20 versions of the axis lock. All are users. So I am familiar with the axis lock.

I just pulled out my 275 and put it next to my new 550. The 275 blade is about 1/8 inch longer than the 550, comparing cutting edges. The 0200 is going to have a longer blade.

Here is my problem. I LOATHE liner locks. Period. I have three, out of probably 50 knives. I do not trust them. Of those three, one is a Kershaw Boa, one is a Benchmade mini-AFCK, and the last is a Buck, with a system very similar to the Boa: a liner lock with a pronounced finger guard that would help keep the blade from closing. All that is to tell you where I'm coming from, which is an EXTREME bias against the 0200.

Of the two, I would buy the 275. I DID. I love it. Between the 0200 and the 275, I could not pick the 0200. I have no doubt, based in the KAI products that I have received in the last couple of days, that the 0200 is as good a liner lock as you can get. I know that the 275 will do everything I need it to. Of those two, 275. If you made me pick between the 275 and the 550 or 560, the choice would be much harder. I would make THAT choice based in the environment. IMO, the FRAME LOCK is a superior lock to the axis in a muddy or dirt environment. I have never had an axis fail in that environment, and I have had axis locks tested in that environment. But the engineer in me recognizes the superiority of the FRAME lock over the axis in that environment. But that superiority does not extend to the frame lock, IMO.

Benchmade 275 Adamas wins.

Very informational. Thanks for writing that up for me.

-orangish ducktape

michaelm466 · Jun 21, 2012

I'd say the BM is going to be sturdier overall due to the thicker blade grind and lock. Both are the two toughest folders I have, The 200 slices better due to the higher grind, but if absolute strength is your goal, giving up slicing ability for strength, go for the Adamas. Both are also very comfortable for me, the 200 locks into my hand more, but both are good.

Scurvy092 · Jun 21, 2012

orangish ducktape said:
Was it still solid afterwards?

Like a rock. I found a felled tree about 10 feet long and about 3 inches in diameter. Batoned through a straight piece twice and then whittled it down into a very nice walking stick. Still solid as a rock.

The pivot on the 0200 is solid. I'm not sure about the Adamas.