Benchmade or Zero Tolerance

ZT - almost always framelock and ~7 oz. with flipper action, more expensive

Benchmade - comfortable axis lock, better weight for edc, a wider choice of models and materials
 
ourgon said:
ZT - almost always framelock and ~7 oz. with flipper action, more expensive
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ZT folders are mostly titanium frame lock flippers but there are some that are assisted opening (0350 & 0566) and some are liner locks (0350 & 0909).

There are some ZT folders that weigh considerably less than 7 ounces in the 2.5-4.5 ounces range: 0450CF, 0450, 0900, 0808, 0452CF.
 
whitty said:
Left to right with Map price:

ZT0909 ($180), Benchmade 15080-1 Crooked River ($178.50), ZT0220 ($228), Benchmade 757 Vicar ($255), ZT0804CF ($280), Benchmade 940-1 Osborne ($267.75)


https://flic.kr/p/JqrhWk https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

Not saying all these are comparable, just thought I would throw it out there to help the OP a little.
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0909 over the crooked river
Vicar over the 0220
Coin flip between the 0804 and the 940-1


In my OPINION of course.
 
whitty said:
Left to right with Map price:

ZT0909 ($180), Benchmade 15080-1 Crooked River ($178.50), ZT0220 ($228), Benchmade 757 Vicar ($255), ZT0804CF ($280), Benchmade 940-1 Osborne ($267.75)


https://flic.kr/p/JqrhWk https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

Not saying all these are comparable, just thought I would throw it out there to help the OP a little.
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Wow, what a stark contrast between the three tools and the three pieces of man jewelry!

(Thanks for the picture, I always appreciate that you take the time to post photos. It is interesting to see group pictures.)
 
IMHO, ZT. 0801, 0909, 0452, 0808, 0450, 0350, etc... Benchmade I like the Contego and Presidio. I have four Presidios. I have a Vicar and a few others too. Definitely prefer ZT.

I wouldn't mind trying a 0900.
 
I own several Benchmade knives, never have I had these issues other people say exist. With an Axis lock there is no possible way to get up/down play. Any side to side play can only result from a loose pivot, the fix is to tighten the pivot screw. I locktite them at the point of no play and easy deployment of the blade.

My favorites to date are the G-10 Griptillian with cpm20cv, the Ruckus with s30v, Loco with s30v, Crooked River in s30v, 710 in D2, the Morpho Balisong in D2, and the Infidel OTF in D2.

Benchmade has quite a few steel types they use, 154cm, d2, s30v, s90v, n690, m390, cpm20cv, and 1095. I have had no issues with any of thier heat treats.

When comparing the BM knives to other companies line-ups, I see more styles, shapes, and patterns being used by Benchmade.

All of this, Made in the U.S.A. with one of the best warranties in the business. This is why I don't but non-Benchmade folders any more.
 
Both Companies make great knives and depending on the model, "top notch" materials (whatever that means to you)

I am much more of a BM fan than a ZT fan in terms of if I could only pick 3 knives and it had to come from those two companies, all 3 would be BM's, but that's just me......
 
Benchmade is my preference by far; they give me the most using /carrying satisfaction. I like their materials used, designs, Axis lock (and frame lock), customer service, and general company attitude.

I have tried a couple of ZTs: 0900 & 0804cf; I kept only the 0900. I consider only being able to flip open a knife a drawback in some settings (public), though it is fun to flip a knife in the yard or while spacing-out on the couch.

Both companies have their proponents so it's good to take recommendations with a grain of salt. I've noticed fans of one brand or another can nit pick f&f features of one brand while overlooking design flaws in their favorite maker. Searching some threads here might help illuminate strengths and drawbacks of each maker. Good luck in your decision. :thumbup:
 
Ericz said:
Both Benchmade and ZT are around the same price range i am mainly a collector but i use my knives and prefer top quality. Which company uses better steel and materials is the basic question. i want my knives to long out live me and possibly the company's that made them.
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A user not a collector-
Just got our zero tolerance 0200 back from the factory. They had put a consistent but dullish 58° inclusive edge on it which was surprising (measured with angle finder, KME, and a sharpie). extremely quick turnaround of less then two weeks once they got it. It got no love though, no spa treatment, no shining it up or washing it off… the benchmade 275 Adamas we have is such a joy, we now have 2.
Of these two specific knives, neither of which are bigger in carry or heavier than my buck 110 and the leather sheath, almost 3 years later, the benchmade 275 wins by a significant amount. tangibles like lock strength, D2 versus 154, and blade geometry push the benchmade ahead for our purposes. the 0200 has a thinner blade and a lot of belly which in the beginning I thought I would appreciate more then i did. Kershawguy has the zt0200 for ~130 right now, which is right about what you will pay for an Adamas, if you are patient following the boards or fleaBay. I am going to sell the 0200 as soon as I find time to give it a proper edge. I would have never known which of these two knives my family liked best if I did not have both of them to use. And I think that is what you should do within your budget.
 
ZT over Benchmade, but it's a close decision. I'd give ZT the nod in this case due to what I see as Benchmade's overuse of the Axis lock. The Axis lock is great, but does 95% of the product line need one?
 
EDCanAdamas said:
ZT over Benchmade, but it's a close decision. I'd give ZT the nod in this case due to what I see as Benchmade's overuse of the Axis lock. The Axis lock is great, but does 95% of the product line need one?
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Benchmade's overreliance on the Axis lock is reminiscent of Spyderco's omnipresent and obtrusive hole and ZT's heavy reliance on titanium frame locks and flippers. For these companies theses traits are a double-edged sword, that is, a blessing and a curse.
 
marcinek said:
They are both excellent manufacturers.

They both make a wide range of knives in a wide range of materials.

Asking which is "better" is kind of like asking if pies are better than cakes.
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That last line is brilliant... love it. Was thinking the same thing--both companies make many models that are at different ranges of quality, materials, etc... I prefer ZT, but BM is no slouch. Currently, I love my ZT 0560bw. With that said, I edc (really, "edc") an Emerson CQC Super 7. Different strokes...
 
In the class these two companies are in it comes down to personal preference. What speaks to you. Two knives with the same price tag and same materials should be looked at as though there is no price tag. Quickly which one do you like? Theres your answer.
 
Both companies offer models in wide ranges of shapes, sizes and materials, and if it's just for collecting purposes, there are so many options out there that it'd be impossible to suggest a brand. Most (not all) of my ZTs were bought more for aesthetic reasons than my Benchmades, as I really like the look of flippers w/o thumb studs and metal handles over micarta, G10, FRN, etc. That influenced my choices, no question. On the other hand, the only Benchmade I bought strictly for collecting purposes was a 300SN, being a flipper. The others are - or could be - working knives.
 
I have about 15 Benchmades all bought in the last year. I haven't had one issue with any of them. Had to send a few back because I really messed them up! Can you say stripped screws??? I learned......and bought good tools!
Customer Service is nothing short of outstanding!
I have 3 ZTs, all bought from Whitty......outstanding Customer Service!!! All 3 are amazing!!! Not 1 issues at all with any.
i won't address which company's knives are better either, pretty impossible.
Choose whichever grabs your eye because they both make fantastic knives you'll be proud to carry.
Joe
 
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jday2727 said:
ZT. I love my BMs but my ZTs will outlast them by a far shot. They also have better materials.

Sent from my Z987 using Tapatalk
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Sorry but that is 100% false.

New ZT's are pretty toys. Old ones were much tougher, now it's all about how cool it flips with bearings, and say what you will, but bearings are a gimmick. There are knives that deploy better than bearings on washers when done right.

And an axis lock will outlast any Ti frame lock, and it wont slip out on you if the manufacturer decided to put a less than ideal angle on the blade tang/lock face meeting point. Bearings also have a MUCH smaller contact surface than good solid washers, so if you are one of those guys who pry things with your ZT since they are marketed as hard use pry bars, then bearings are a complete contradiction in this case.

And ZT uses better materials?? Better than Becnhmades M390, M4, S30v and one of the best heat treats on 154cm? I don't think you're very informed or have used these steels much to do real world cutting if that's your conclusion.

Benchmades are better cutting tools, ZT's are prettier "custom looking" knife bling. But the ZT will still work like a knife, and isn't bad. They have some real good models in their line up. Everything else is personal preference.
 
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Aias said:
Hmm... but there is more chocolate to be had in cake than pie. And there is Ice Cream cake... but ice cream with warm apple pie is pretty darn good too... Dilemmas, dilemmas...
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In my opinion, ice cream cake is merely ice cream mimicing the shape of a cake and takes away from a cake's core values. With that being said, I like ice cream cake and not cake and what goes well with pie? You guessed it, ice cream :D
 
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