Adamas vs. 0200

[orangish ducktape]

I posted this in the General Knife Discussion as well, but I want to see what you all think. I'm pretty sure most of you will be pretty biased seeing that this is the ZT/ Kershaw sub forum, but most of the people in the general knife discussion liked the BM more....

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

 

[spiralarchitect]

I'm sure they are both fine, but, it you are going to pound on it and get it in the mud, I'd not bother with the BM. If you have ever had to take an axis lock apart you will know what I mean.... I'd rather just have a plain ole liner lock for that kind of detail. Plus, ZTs warranty service is better in my experience. The Adamas sure is a looker though.

ETA: If you really are looking for a beater.... and you can find one.... buy a ZT 0200 Blem. Can't beat the price.

 

[RevDevil]

I posted this in the General Knife Discussion as well, but I want to see what you all think. I'm pretty sure most of you will be pretty biased seeing that this is the ZT/ Kershaw sub forum, but most of the people in the general knife discussion liked the BM more....
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

OD - Poeple usually don't post a "VS" thread in a manufacturers subforum. You answered your own question, some people prefer one and some the other. Of course people will biased in here, come on.

 

[Ore_Ele]

I haven't used the BM, so take this with a grain of salt.

The BM Adamas 275 has flat G10, vs the 3D machined G10 that the 0200 has. The 275 has a blade length of 3.82 in vs the 4 in 0200. The 275 is a little thinker, being .160 thick, vs the .156 of the 0200. A real difference is D2 vs 154CM. Personally, I don't like D2, because I see it break all the time. Though I only see thinner D2. I've never worked with thick D2.

 

[orangish ducktape]

I'm sure they are both fine, but, it you are going to pound on it and get it in the mud, I'd not bother with the BM. If you have ever had to take an axis lock apart you will know what I mean.... I'd rather just have a plain ole liner lock for that kind of detail. Plus, ZTs warranty service is better in my experience. The Adamas sure is a looker though.

ETA: If you really are looking for a beater.... and you can find one.... buy a ZT 0200 Blem. Can't beat the price.

Hmm...I didn't think about the axis lock clogging up...good catch!

I would rather buy a new 0200 seeing that I will get a warranty with it, blems do not have a factory warranty so if I break it I will be pretty much screwed. I don't mind spending the extra money for that reason.

 

[dogboye]

Hmm...I didn't think about the axis lock clogging up...good catch!

I would rather buy a new 0200 seeing that I will get a warranty with it, blems do not have a factory warranty so if I break it I will be pretty much screwed. I don't mind spending the extra money for that reason.

The axis-lock clogging up, or the possibility thereof, is the reason I mentioned in the other thread that in mud and dirt, I'd rather have a frame lock. My bias in the other thread was not against Kershaw or ZT, but against a liner lock. However, as I also mentioned, or alluded to, in the other thread, I (or at east my wife, who is a gardener) have used an axis lock MERCILESSLY in dirt and downright MUD. To the point i have cringed when i have seen it. I think she uses that knife harder than probably 75% of the Members of bladeforums. I've never had it apart, and it has never failed. Not the locking, not the springs, nothing. All I have ever done to it is rinse it out -- sometimes in soapy water-- sharpen it, and oil it. So my experience has been quite different from the earlier poster who had his axis lock apart.

But to correct an earlier post in THIS thread... The 275 does NOT have flat scales. They are contoured, with a slight palm swell, that feels quite secure in the hand. They are quite nice.

As are the scales of the 0200, too, it appears (I don't have the 0200, but I quite likely will in the future, the more I think about it). The advantage of the 0200 in a mud and dirt environment may in fact BE its locking liner. I think if it got dirty and muddy, the effect would be more to prevent it from closing, even when you want, as the gunk would probably jam in behind the liner lock, between it and the scale. A good situation, in my opinion. Which is why m leaning in the opposite direction to what I said in the earlier thread, now that I've thought about it more.

But bottom line is, based on my experience, either would be great for what you have described. Pick the one you like, and buy it first. Because you'll probably end up buying both eventually.

BTW, sorry for ANOTHER long post in THIS thread, now.

 

[Dewberry]

my vote is for the ZT based on a coulple thing
3D machined G10
liner lock (i dont know that one is better than the other but i personally like simple over complicated and honestly i doubt you will ever break either)
the recurve (took a little change in sharpening technique, but it cuts alot better IMO and if you dont want to sharpen it they will sharpen it for you for free)
and the biggest advantage in my book THE FLIPPER (I LOVE the flipper)