350 lockup?

matgarsmi

matgarsmi

Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
447
I am thinking of getting a 350 soon but there are no brick and mortars around me that carry the 350 for me to handle. I was just wondering, in your experience, how has the lock up been on your 350s? I'm kind of a stickler against any kind of blade play. Is it solid? How solid? Comparable to....?
 
I've got 11 different 0350s and all of them are absolutely solid on lockup with no play that I can detect. They all do vary as to how much lock they provide but anywhere from 50 to 100 percent is common.
 
No blade play in any of the ones I have seen touched(10 or so) Don't think I have ever heard of any bitching about the lockup on one. Comparable to any solidly locking up knife. There is no reason not to get one other than you don't like it.
 
Great. Exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks. How about centering? I know, I know, I'm a little OCD.
 
Describing the lockup in three words... Like a vault

As far as centering goes you can adjust any kershaw/zt to perfect center. Most of my knives that get flipped a lot require adjustment of the pivot screw to recenter from time to time.
 
Had (but sold) both a 350TS and a standard 350, and neither one had any play in the lockup. There was occasionally some horizontal play if the pivot loosened too much (I always carried mine de-assisted), but that's pivot tightness, not lockup. Never had a ZT knife that was anything less than rock-freakin'-solid.
 
I just received my ZT 0350SW today and the lockup is great. "Like a vault" as someone else said.
 
Lockup is rock solid on the one I EDC and on the other two I used to have. Im OCD just like you... or worse. I post a comment whenever I buy any knife from a company or dealer online: Please inspect my knife for blade centering, must be perfect and stay perfect after being opened and closed a few times. Also check for lockup, make sure there is no blade play. Ive had 3 350s and one came out of the box with an off center blade, I didnt want to mess with it so I sent it back. The next one came perfectly centered, but drifted off center within a few days. I took that one apart and did a little trick I found on the forums and recentered it. It stayed centered so I kept it for a while before trading it off to make room for my 350SW, stonewashed version. I would recommend this knife to anyone, but I would also suggest that you either buy it from an honest person on the forums who will send you pictures of the blade on center. OR I would suggest buying it from a good online shop and ask them to inspect the knife before shipping it like I do. The places I have purchased through and requested the inspection, and did infact inspect my knife, were BladeHQ, Knife-Works, and throught Kershaw Guy. They all have great prices. Even SOME of the ebay dealers will be honest with you and inspect the knife, just make it clear that you "wouldnt want to have to send it back for a refund and buy somewhere else". Ive had one experience where I messaged the seller and asked about the centering of the knife I had just paid for,asking him to inspect it, and he was very nice and replied that he only has two in stock and both are a bit off center, one is barely noticeable. So he asked if I wanted the one with the closest centering or if I wanted to cancel the buy, with no consequences or bad feedback of any kind, I opted to cancel... he sent me my money within minutes. And now he is one of my favorite sellers on the Bay.

Wow this is a bit more than I was thinking I would type. lol. Well bottom line is the ZT 350 is an amazing knife and you should buy one if youre thinking about it. Blade centering would be the only thing I would worry about so just buy one from a BF brother who can show you how centered it is.. Or buy from a good online store like BladeHQ and ask for an inspection before shipping. I would highly recommend KershawGuy, he is a great person to deal with and will inspect your knife upon request. And he has great prices.

Good Luck
 
matgarsmi said:
Yep, you guys have convinced me. Im hoping to have one by the end of the month.
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yah but once you get the 0350 your gonna want the 0300 series blades. You think the 0350 is a solid knife, add to that the weight of the 0300, and now your talking :D
 
wolf5391 said:
yah but once you get the 0350 your gonna want the 0300 series blades. You think the 0350 is a solid knife, add to that the weight of the 0300, and now your talking :D
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Believe me, your right. This is one of the few times when I'm actually considering having to buy both.
 
wolf5391 said:
yah but once you get the 0350 your gonna want the 0300 series blades. You think the 0350 is a solid knife, add to that the weight of the 0300, and now your talking :D
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No kidding! Ive gone through three 350s, currently EDC the 350SW. I had a 200 as my bigger blade, but I love the looks much more of the 350, so now I NEED a 300! lol. The ZT 350 is a "Gateway" knife for the ZT 300. :eek:
 
You won't be disappointed; the 0350 is a fantastic knife. Mine is extremely solid with great centering, and I have to admit that I was surprised at how good of a slicer my 0350 has been, thanks to the recurve in the blade.
 
wolf5391 said:
yah but once you get the 0350 your gonna want the 0300 series blades. You think the 0350 is a solid knife, add to that the weight of the 0300, and now your talking :D
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+:thumbup: well put. Just got my 301 earlier this week kicked the 550 out of my pocket for now. Can't wait to get the 360 skd to see the similarities between the 301 and 360. If it is anything like the former ill be pleasantly pleased. The fit and finish is just incredible.
 
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