Benchmade rift or ZT 0350

M

McCleaven

Joined
May 24, 2009
Messages
161
Well, it's that time of month again ;). Yup. The time of month where I have spent WAY too much time on Bladeforums, and now I am craving a new knife. The choice was originally for a ZT 0560, but I am getting tired of waiting, and it has been...well, a month since I bought a new knife :D. So now here is what the choice has fallen between. A ZT 0350 and a Benchmade Rift. Price is not anything that I am worried about, so not a deciding factor. I want to know what all of you think about both, or either knife. Your experience with both (or either) would be highly appreciated. Also, weight is not really something I worry about. I carry a Beretta 92 and a spare mag, leatherman charge, handcuffs, radio, and PR-24 on a regular basis (army MP):cool:. So the extra ounce or so between the two doesn't really matter. I am a huge fan of 154-CM, but I have never used s30v much, so I don't know if it stands up to the same abuse as 154. I use my knifes for everything, because they are tools, and to be used as such. Anyway, any help I could get would be awesome! Thanks in advance!

Steve
 
Both are great "knifes". I wouldn't think it wouldn't be a hard decision for you as they are very much different.

Rift
154cm
Axis Lock
Manual
Satin or Black coated blades
100% Ambidextrous
Tip up only, Left or right carry

0350
S30v
Liner Lock
Black coated blades only (save for the KW exclusive) That I know of
Assisted
Tip Up or down, Left and right carry

If it had to be just 1, I would go with the BM Rift
 
Rift. It's my favorite design of any manufacturer and has what I consider the best knife lock. The 0350 feels like a brick to me and is a liner lock which won't take nearly as much abuse. It's also an AO which I'm not a big fan of.
 
Im gonna throw my vote in for the 0350, especially if you are wearing gloves. I don't like operating the axis lock with gloves on but others may disagree. I like the recurve for cutting a lot of rope too. I guess it all depends on what you are going to be using it for, as SOCOM said, they are pretty different knives. The 0350 just feels like a beast in hand, never got that feeling with the rift. I think you will be more willing to beat on the ZT as it looks like a knife that is meant to be used hard.
Also something to consider, (although im def not an expert) depending on where you are located, sand and debris may play a part in your decision. If you are stateside it may not be an issue, but if you are deployed to a desert setting I am not sure how the axis would react. Someone can correct me who has more experience with it in that setting, could be just fine.
Either way you can't really go wrong, two great knives.
Let us know what you choose and good luck!
 
I don't think you have to worry about sand in the AXIS lock. It's not in English but should speak for itself:

[Youtube] IgRTTz-lt6c [/youtube]
 
I owned a Rift, and sold it. For me, the ergonomics are horrible, the scalloped G10 are also not very necessary and create hotspots. It took about 1 hour to get the blade centered, it was hitting the liner when I received it. The bladeshape is very nice, but the handle doesn't do it any favors.

I currently own 3 - 0350 knives (ZDP CB, Elmax CB, and the regular S30V). Much better ergonomics than the Rift. The steel being better is subjective. Most people that cannot sharpen a knife dislike S30V in any platform. Weight is not an issue to me, unless it's a fixed blade. If a folder weighs 5-10 ounces, it's no big deal to me.

Both companies have great offerings, but between these 2, the 0350 gets my vote.
 
i dont know the rift, but i like the ZT 350 very much.
if you want something a bit defferent you can look for the 350 with ZDP, composite blade with elmax or ZDP.
 
I own a rift and its a badass knife. I do agree with RevDevil though about the handle. It can be a little uncomfortable at times but I still really love the knife. I don't have an 0350 but held one breifly and its much thinner than I figured it would be. This one is a toss up for me, I think you'd be happy with either one.
 
I do not own a 350, but do own a Rift and I vote Rift. I don't see a lot of value in the extra beef of the ZT0350 unless you use your blade a lot for heavy duty tasks.

If you are looking for a utility EDC and backup SD blade, the Rift is beautifully shaped, and you get a big blade for the handle size. The handle is a bit small...but definitely usable. The thin + tallish blade allows for a very thing cutting edge that slices all day long. In 154CM, it touches up easily and to a nice, fine edge.

Plus if you get the gray/black handles, that's money:thumbup:

That's my $0.02 :)
 
I've been looking all over for the Elmax combo blade. Not interested in zdp-189. From what I have read, it's very brittle. I owned the zt 0551 for a while and loved the Elmax. I'm thinking that if I can find a 0350 CB, I'll grab that. But since the pickings look thin, I might just go with the rift. Can anyone suggest maybe another medium to large, heavy user? Looking for something close to the same lines as the rift or zt.
 
- The Emerson CQC-8 series has a Rift-like blade (or is that vice-versa) and is in 154CM.
- Manix 2 is fairly beefy and comes with a variety of different steel options
- Combative Edge M1 is one of my favorite blades and it might fit your need.
- Strider SMF is super beefy, but not sheeple friendly
- BM Bone Collector has a blade similar to the Rift in D2

Good luck with your search, this is the fun part...along with waiting for you package in the mail!
 
My vote goes for both! However, I'm currently carrying a M4 Rift IWB. If push comes to shove, my vote goes for the Rift, but some complaints are it's weight and the horn on the handle. I wear an XL glove, so it doesn't really bother me, but if you have smaller hands it may affect you. Also, considering it has full length unskeletonized liners, it carrys extremely well.

I'm currently eyeballing one of the CB ZDP 0350s, I've always been meaning to pick one up and the CB editions are grabbing my eye right now.
 
Hard choice. Both are excellent. Nice thing is whichever you pick you probably won't be dissappointed.

I carry a 350KW daily and have for a couple of years.

Have 2 Rifts. 1 in 2-tone G10, the other Carbon Fiber. Always have liked the design. Don't carry either often, but they would be near the bottom of my list if I was getting rid of things.
 
McCleaven said:
I've been looking all over for the Elmax combo blade. Not interested in zdp-189. From what I have read, it's very brittle. I owned the zt 0551 for a while and loved the Elmax. I'm thinking that if I can find a 0350 CB, I'll grab that. But since the pickings look thin, I might just go with the rift. Can anyone suggest maybe another medium to large, heavy user? Looking for something close to the same lines as the rift or zt.
Click to expand...
Check your sources on that.
 
I prefer the ergos of the rift much MUCH more than those of the ZTs (note: I've only held the larger zt301, not the 350)

I think the blade is much more useable for general day to day stuff, and I'm a big fan of the axis lock as well. Honestly if you're looking for a "harduse" pocket knife and the ZT is on your list, barring money issues, you should look at an actual strider, like the SnG.

I won't claim it to be any "tougher," but it has a dramatic and distinctive look, and has a very nice weight and feel to it.

Good luck hunting :)
 
As others have said, the knives are so different it's hard to make much sense out of the question... it's sort of like someone asking whether they should go with a 4x4 pickup truck or an exotic sports car- neither is "better", but it's hard to envision a real-world need that wouldn't make the choice obvious.

For me, I own the Rift. I don't own the 0350, but I own two other ZT's, the 0301 and the 0551, and even though I don't really like black blades or recurves I'd trade the Rift for a 0350, and I'd throw in extra for one of the CB models.
 
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