Cold Steel vs. Kershaw ZT?

[hardheart]

A weird course that only allows a folder. Does the course not allow sharpeners, or do you have some other reason for not bringing one for a 9 week event?

I second the sak/multitool recommendations. I also wouldn't bring a recurve or tanto no matter who makes them, but that's just me.

What is the supply list to take to the course?

 

[shqxk]

ZT0560 would be an option. Strong folder but light weight + ELMAX steel which has outstanding toughness and excellent edge retention.

 

[cramsey3006]

If it was me, I'd get a Leatherman Wave. The saw is way more useful in the wilderness than a 4" folder and you still get one hand deployment for the knife blade for the usual cutting tasks. Other than that I'd get something like a MULE and paint it yellow or orange because you sure as hell don't want to drop it in the leaves at night and loose sight of it. Avoid the tanto shaped blades. They suck for bushcraft stuff. Stash a piece of emory cloth somewhere on your person or in the bottom of your knife sheath for sharpening.

They've got it in their Zombie green color now. That would be a hard color to lose.

 

[Blade66]

I own both the Recon 1 w/tanto blade and a ZT 350. If I had to choose I would pay double the money for my ZT (and I nearly did). The Recon feels flimsy in comparison. The lock on the Recon has a tendency to stick and it's blade heavy. The ZT is much more balanced and feels a heck of a lot more durable and well built. The G-10 on the Recon is extremely grippy and it can be a pain to get out of a pocket. I guess if I wanted to mess with the clip or sand underneath it, it could be easier to deploy. My ZT had a tight clip but I gave it a lil pull and it slides in and out of my pocket w/o being too loose. The ZT feels better in my hand the G-10 has adequate grip. It's wider and has jimping on the top and bottom of the knife handle. I like the big belly on my ZT I tend to use that part of the blade more often than not. I've never batoned with it but I think it would be better for that. I'm not an outdoorsman tho so take this advice with a grain of salt. Hope it helps and good luck with your decision. I'm going to check out the BM Adamas looks like heckofa knife too. Love this forum a lot of great knife ppl with some really sound advice. Maybe too much at times.....

 

[Stainz]

Here is my ZT collection:

You betcha that recent 0561 is neat - as is the 0551 below it. But - my first ZT - that 301 - is a moose; a performer. And... it was the cheapest - several years ago. I broke the tip on an S30V Spydie Native - doing something I shouldn't have. Other than that, I've never had a problem with S30V. No, I am not a fan of AO, so another similar, but no AO, ZT might be better. As to the BM 275 Adamas, I've carried a bunch of AXIS lock BM's, most notably, a 710 in D2. My 275BK, below, would be a worthy carry, too - and my wife bought mine for $150 with s/t locally - so I know you could save a few denaro's mail order. Plus - they come with a decent belt carry sheath, so pocket grime in the AXIS lock shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, me... I'd rather have what resides in my B.O.B. - a Becker BK2! A bit stout, but what a US-made bargain - $62 shipped from a site better known for it's book sales.

Stainz

 

[timberweasel]

ZT is great too, but I like a steel that I can easily resharpen in the field. So do a lot of others who play in the outdoors. There's a reason that 1095, 5160, and O1 are so popular in the bushcraft genre of knives. They're not stainless, they're not a super steel, but you can touch them up with just about anything. I've got knives in several steels, but when it comes to spending extended periods outdoors, my choice is 1095.

I agree, sir! :thumbup:

I know the OP was looking for an opinion on either Cold Steel or ZT, but I think for use during a nine week survival course he'd be better served by something like a Svord Peasant or SAK (preferably with a saw blade like a Camper, Farmer, etc.) After using my Peasant in the garden, I'm sold on L6. Very tough steel and you can sharpen it with a rock if need be--not something I'd want to do with a more expensive knife...

 

[crom]

You're going to be beating on this primary knife why buy something that costs over $100? Get the CS, it is more than capable of lasting 9 mos in the outdoors. It is not flimsy, will not fall apart and it will be infinitely easier to sharpen in the outdoors. Good luck bringing the edge back on s30v & D2 without diamonds. Then when you get back, treat yourself to a "better" knife like the Kershaw or BM. Don't listen to the naysayers regarding the quality of CS's Triad lock folders, it's all BS and uninformed bandwagon repetition. The AUS8a they use has good heat treat and isn't prone to chipping, it's actually very tough steel, but it doesn't have the edge holding that other "super" steels have. But it is a decent steel and certainly not "bottom of the barrel".

 

[timberweasel]

You're going to be beating on this primary knife why buy something that costs over $100? Get the CS, it is more than capable of lasting 9 mos in the outdoors. It is not flimsy, will not fall apart and it will be infinitely easier to sharpen in the outdoors. Good luck bringing the edge back on s30v & D2 without diamonds. Then when you get back, treat yourself to a "better" knife like the Kershaw or BM. Don't listen to the naysayers regarding the quality of CS's Triad lock folders, it's all BS and uninformed bandwagon repetition. The AUS8a they use has good heat treat and isn't prone to chipping, it's actually very tough steel, but it doesn't have the edge holding that other "super" steels have. But it is a decent steel and certainly not "bottom of the barrel".

:thumbup:

Nothing wrong with AUS8. I don't have any CS knives (yet) but my Ontario RAT-1 has been a good outdoorsy type knife...

 

[deathofallthings]

Never trust your life to a POS. Take the price out of the equation, which would you get? Buy that one.

 

[sh00ter01]

I'f you'r serious about having to use a folder for a 9 week survival course, you should check out this thread. You can save your blade a lot of stress and preserve the edge longer by using simple carved tools to do the brunt of the work.

As for which knife, I'd take my 0200, but I'd have some means of sharpening it too. If they insist you not bring a sharpener, then cold steels AUS8A would probably be easier to sharpen on natural stone to get back a working edge should it go dull (also no recurve).

Would you mind telling what survival course this is? Just curious, as it sounds like a different approach to thing then other main stream courses.

-sh00ter

 

[vwb563]

Don't listen to the naysayers regarding the quality of CS's Triad lock folders, it's all BS and uninformed bandwagon repetition. The AUS8a they use has good heat treat and isn't prone to chipping, it's actually very tough steel, but it doesn't have the edge holding that other "super" steels have. But it is a decent steel and certainly not "bottom of the barrel".

100% agreed. I have several Cold Steel Tri-ad folders and can't anything bad about them. They hold a good edge, fit and finish is perfect, blades are all centered, and last but not least they are STRONG as heck! I've beat the crap out of them and they take everything I've thrown at them, even chopping chores. Pay no attention to the CS haters. They are as good as they are advertised as being.

 

[n8swag]

The best survival knife is the one that you have on you. Although there may be knifeknuts that carry a a fixed EDC blade, it's safe to say that the majority of us carry folders.

Without detailed info about this survival training, I would assume that it consists of learning how to use a folder in a survival situation since the blade length limit is 4" and no fixed blades are allowed.

My recommendation would be going with the full sized ZT 0300 or BM Adamas.

Yes, I believe you hit the nail on the head. The training will be more search and rescue/ survival oriented than anything. I was looking at the full sized zt and I like it better... but I can't afford it, even for only that much more. I'm still in highschool so anything I buy I really have to save for.

 

[n8swag]

I'f you'r serious about having to use a folder for a 9 week survival course, you should check out this thread. You can save your blade a lot of stress and preserve the edge longer by using simple carved tools to do the brunt of the work.

As for which knife, I'd take my 0200, but I'd have some means of sharpening it too. If they insist you not bring a sharpener, then cold steels AUS8A would probably be easier to sharpen on natural stone to get back a working edge should it go dull (also no recurve).

Would you mind telling what survival course this is? Just curious, as it sounds like a different approach to thing then other main stream courses.

-sh00ter

Sure thing... it's a camp called alert academy... more search and rescue oriented than anything.

 

[n8swag]

A weird course that only allows a folder. Does the course not allow sharpeners, or do you have some other reason for not bringing one for a 9 week event?

I second the sak/multitool recommendations. I also wouldn't bring a recurve or tanto no matter who makes them, but that's just me.

What is the supply list to take to the course?

Haha, I'm probably gonna bring my SOG Powerlock multitool... nice multitool btw.

 

[n8swag]

The best survival knife is the one that you have on you. Although there may be knifeknuts that carry a a fixed EDC blade, it's safe to say that the majority of us carry folders.

Without detailed info about this survival training, I would assume that it consists of learning how to use a folder in a survival situation since the blade length limit is 4" and no fixed blades are allowed.

My recommendation would be going with the full sized ZT 0300 or BM Adamas.

Just to clarify, I'll be using it as an EDC, a rescue tool if needed that way, survival tool, and also a self defense knife. Maybe for skinning stuff too...

 

[Mountain Mike]

I would go with a multitool, sak, or the cold steel. Skip the high priced knives for your training exercise. Later, if you believe they didn't meet your criteria during your nine weeks, you can get a more expensive knife.