Advice on ZT 0301.........

[BloodGroove4570]

Hey folks, was thinking about getting a new blade and was considering the 0301 or 0302, is it too big for an EDC or better left for woods walks and such???? I havent seen one in person and thought i would ask those of you who own or know about it. Now somedays i carry an esee RC6 on me so the size isnt truly my problem but how is pocket carry???? Thanks for your time.

 

[Ankerson]

I have had mine awhile and it fine for EDC IMO if you can carry the weight.

 

[Hondo.3]

I recently used mine to make shavings to start a fire. Although I'd used the knife for many small tasks, this was the first time I used it hard for more than a few cuts at a time. I found that the jimping on the spine abraded the web of my thumb. I switched my grip, and placed my thumb on the ramp. It was more comfortable, but I missed the power that you get from a real sabre grip. After a few minutes, I actually switched to the SAK Pioneer that was also in my pocket.

I really like this knife, and happily carry it when I'm not at work. I like the blade profile, the way it fills your hand, the lockup, and I even think it looks pretty good. Truly, I think everyone should have one. However, I think the hard-use ability of the knife is best accessed with a pair of gloves on your hands.

So, if you are using it for a short tasks, then I'd agree with it as an EDC. If you are going to be using it for longer, repetitive tasks, without gloves, I'd steer you towards something else.

TC

 

[Reeek]

Size was not the issue as I carry in my right front hip pocket and I'm tall and big in an athletic sort of way. To me, the issue is the weight. I'm much happier carrying my Hogue EX01 4" G-Mascus at almost half the weight of the 030X series ZT's and it's still quite strong and BIG. And I don't know about you but some of the more simple EDC tasks like opening an envelope is challenging with the wide bellied blade of the ZT. It's hard to get the blade tip into the flap of an envelope to open them sometimes. The ZT 030X's are a KAI icon and their reputation is well deserved but I find them just too specialized for general EDC - IMHO of course.

 

[glockman99]

I carry a ZT 0301 as my EDC in a horizontal belt-sheath*...No problem.

*Yesterday, while at home (recovering from the "2-day flu"), I took a Leatherman Surge Nylon belt-sheath, and using black upholstery thread and a large needle, I sewed the sides of this sheath slightly together using the middle "strip" that's on the sides of the sheath as the "new" sides of the sheath, (so the sheath wasn't too tight). This makes for an almost PERFECT belt-sheath for the ZT 0301.

 

[Uz4u]

I know I'm gonna catch some crap for saying this.

Try a spyderco manix 2, its a little smaller. Definitely not a light weight knife though.

And for only $75 too. I'd put it up against the ZT0300

 

[Noctis3880]

Did you happen to see Ankerson's video on both knives?

The Manix 2 and ZT 0301 are in entirely different classes. I don't have much of a problem EDCing the ZT 0301 clipped to my pocket. But then, I don't have to reach in there often either.

 

[powernoodle]

I don't think carrying the ZT0300 series is a problem. The question is whether you want to deal with the bulk and heft on an ongoing basis. I've carried mine, and its no prob, but don't carry it much anymore because it competes for pocket space with my keys, Sharpie, whistle and SAK.

 

[glockman99]

I don't think carrying the ZT0300 series is a problem. The question is whether you want to deal with the bulk and heft on an ongoing basis. I've carried mine, and its no prob, but don't carry it much anymore because it competes for pocket space with my keys, Sharpie, whistle and SAK.

Yup, these are folders who don't like sharing a pocket with much of anything that you might need to reach in and retrieve from the pocket.

 

[mystro]

The 300 IS too big and heavy to carry for EDC IMO. Would you carry a can of soup in your pocket all day every day?...The 0350 is not and is why the 0350 was made.

 

[xtestifyx]

Did you happen to see Ankerson's video on both knives?

The Manix 2 and ZT 0301 are in entirely different classes. I don't have much of a problem EDCing the ZT 0301 clipped to my pocket. But then, I don't have to reach in there often either.

The Manix 2 failure only happened in Ankerson's tests. Just because the ZT held up in his test doesn't mean all do. Do you see where I'm getting at?

I'd like to see someone baton with a folder in a real life situation. If you were in the outdoors, I would bet large that you would take a Fixed blade with you, instead of a gigantic frame lock ZT030X with you.

In regular use, or usage of a knife, you won't even get to break a Manix 2. That means no prying.

 

[Nick15]

The 300 IS too big and heavy to carry for EDC IMO. Would you carry a can of soup in your pocket all day every day?...The 0350 is not and is why the 0350 was made.

Thumbs up on that one:thumbup: I bought mine because I wanted a 0301 but after holding it and finding out how big and heavy it actually was switched to the 0350 for edc and i haven't regretted it yet. I think the 0350 is as heavy and bulky as you'd want to go for a edc knife, but still feels extremely strong and rugged... I do love those 0301s though....... but it is your call and if you want a big, heavy beast of a knife to carry around go for it.