Considering a Zero Tolerance 300

Gon3r said:
Thanks everyone for the comments. I went ahead and purchased the ZT300 in Coyote. I also purchased a Kershaw Mojo 1800 and I'm looking at a Emerson CQC-8. Have my eye on the ZT350 when it is released as well.

I think I'm hooked!
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Great choice! You should be quite happy with that choice. And yes it's not hard to get hooked, it happens to all of us. :D
 
congrats on the purchase Gon3r! i have a small addiction to ZTs and a big addiction to kershaws:D. i own a 301 (ranger green) a 121 a 200 a 500 and a few other kershaws ;)

Definitely a tank of a knife. but interestingly, the wide handles are actually quite thin and it disappears in the pocket (light feeling as well). and it can take an amazing edge and hold it for quite a while! like my man SPXTrader said, come on over this way :D and check out the best damn value in the knife industry today :).

that goes for everyone who's ever looked at this thread or posted here too :)
 
I own a mudd, the 302 and a 200 and I would recommend any (ALL actually :)) with all my heart! The ZT series is really like affordable customs and with the quality as well!

However the ZT 300 series folders are a beast. The S30V steel has not let me down yet and the recurve is a delight to cut with. The overall sturdy feeling in your hands give me the confidence to rip apart the cardboard boxes I shred for recycling. However please note that the tip profile is a bit lacking for stabbing.

Go for the strider lines option! I have 2 scales (coyote and black) and the coyote grows on you really fast. Only gripe is about the small T6 torx screws.

Good luck.
 
Gon3r said:
Hey everyone,

I'm not an active knife collector, but need something to take with me on gun range days, tactical precision rifle competitions, and some in-the-waistband carry.

A few buddies have the Strider knives, but those are too expensive at $400. I recently came across the Zero Tolerance 300 and would like any comments. I watched a review on youtube and the main complaint is the weight. I also saw a 200 reviewed here in the review section.

I've looked at the Spyderco Para-Military, but just do not like the look for some reason.

Only other knives are a Rat 3 fixed and a Benchmade 550.

Is there any way to search this general section to do some homework on my own?

thanks for any help!
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Hey Gon3r,

That purchase, the Coyote 0300 will not be a disappointment. It's sharp as heck, built like a tank, and made in the USA from the finest materials for a production folder. If, in fact it does turn out to be a bit heavy for you, keep your eyes open for the upcoming ZT 0350, the newer, smaller version of the same knife. It should be a compact monster of a little brother. Stop by the Kershaw sub-forum to keep tabs on what's going on with Kershaw releases:thumbup:

And, of course, welcome to the forums,

Jon
 
Gon3r said:
Hey everyone,

I'm not an active knife collector, but need something to take with me on gun range days, tactical precision rifle competitions, and some in-the-waistband carry.

A few buddies have the Strider knives, but those are too expensive at $400. I recently came across the Zero Tolerance 300 and would like any comments. I watched a review on youtube and the main complaint is the weight. I also saw a 200 reviewed here in the review section.

I've looked at the Spyderco Para-Military, but just do not like the look for some reason.

Only other knives are a Rat 3 fixed and a Benchmade 550.

Is there any way to search this general section to do some homework on my own?

thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

Do not underestimate The Para. Para > all
 
I don't like the AO, but that is personal. I've had some issues with blade play, but it has been fixed by Kershaw's CS. Nice collector's item, but not an EDC to depend my life upon.
 
So-Lo said:
(click me)

Its worth every penny
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I posted this same comment in the thread this links to:

I hate to say this, but my opinion of the 0300 just went WAY down after seeing it taken apart. That big sturdy pivot bolt is just meaningless show once you see how paper thin the little 'tab' in the blade is that rotates around it. The cutout for the opening mechanism around the pivot point looks like it creates a potential weak spot in what would otherwise be a strong knife.

Can someone from Keshaw comment on any failure testing they have done on these blades? I wonder if they all fail around the pivot before the lock fails?
 
elkins45 said:
I posted this same comment in the thread this links to:

I hate to say this, but my opinion of the 0300 just went WAY down after seeing it taken apart. That big sturdy pivot bolt is just meaningless show once you see how paper thin the little 'tab' in the blade is that rotates around it. The cutout for the opening mechanism around the pivot point looks like it creates a potential weak spot in what would otherwise be a strong knife.

Can someone from Keshaw comment on any failure testing they have done on these blades? I wonder if they all fail around the pivot before the lock fails?
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You are actually seeing the liner cutout, that is not a cutout in the blade. There is one tiny hole in the blade for the torsion bar, that's it. I don't think anyone has had a failure on an 0300. Then again, maybe I don't fully understand your post, sorry.
 
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This is also a repost for the knife testing and review area concerning the post

An inside out review of the ZT0300 (tons of pics)


Elkins45 wrote "on the side where the arc is milled in it there is only a thin line of steel between the pivot hole and the cutout."

Oh I see what you mean you're picturing the pivot pin tilting at an angle during stress causing the thin part of the stainless inner liner to break. You do have to take the G10 reinforcement into consideration even though it is also milled it does add extra support but thats not the whole story.

The same solution that keeps the pivot pin from pulling through (the big wide nut) also keeps it from moving/tilting side to side.

The reason for this is the G10 is recessed to allow the wide portion of the nut to be seated flush. This also reinforces the pivot pin preventing any easy side to side movement of the pin that is threaded through it, thus it is not the stainless liner that provides the major support for holding the pin straight on that side, but it's the way the bolt (recessed into the G10 scale) and pivot pin are set up (design.)

Another thing to consider is the thick titanium on the other side that the thick pivot bolt slides through also provides support against any tilting of the pivot pin. When this whole sandwich is bolted together you still get hell for strong.

All these combined together compensates for the milling in the G10 and the stainless liner.

Overall the strength of the pivot area is still quite strong.

Does that make sense.
 
You can see the pics of a stripped down ZT0302 (the coyote tan tiger stripe version of the ZT0300) in the above mentioned post
 
elkins45 said:
I posted this same comment in the thread this links to:

I hate to say this, but my opinion of the 0300 just went WAY down after seeing it taken apart. That big sturdy pivot bolt is just meaningless show once you see how paper thin the little 'tab' in the blade is that rotates around it. The cutout for the opening mechanism around the pivot point looks like it creates a potential weak spot in what would otherwise be a strong knife.

Can someone from Keshaw comment on any failure testing they have done on these blades? I wonder if they all fail around the pivot before the lock fails?
Click to expand...

knivesandguns said:
You are actually seeing the liner cutout, that is not a cutout in the blade. There is one tiny hole in the blade for the torsion bar, that's it. I don't think anyone has had a failure on an 0300. Then again, maybe I don't fully understand your post, sorry.
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This is the most coherent (and correct) answer!
 
knivesandguns said:
You are actually seeing the liner cutout, that is not a cutout in the blade. There is one tiny hole in the blade for the torsion bar, that's it. I don't think anyone has had a failure on an 0300. Then again, maybe I don't fully understand your post, sorry.
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Jeez, you're right. My knife has a black blade, so when I glanced at the picture I didn't look to see that it was the liner I was seeing and not the shiny, uncoated blade.

Sorry for the trouble: I'll go put on my dumbass hat and sit in the corner for awhile.
 
Not twice as big but twice as heavy and twice as much. The Military
in fact is much longer than the 0300 series. It is delicious though..


walleyeguy7 said:
a superb knife. you will not feel inferior to a strider in any way...except maybe the pretty anodizing or whatever. another more practical option for a 4inch utility knife is the spyderco military. the military is a better knife in every right then a strider or 300 but its not flashy. the 300 is twice as big, twice as heavy, and twice the price as a military, but its twice as sweet too. your choice
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Go with the ZT301, you won't regret it for even a second!! My favorite knife by far!
 
elkins45 said:
Jeez, you're right. My knife has a black blade, so when I glanced at the picture I didn't look to see that it was the liner I was seeing and not the shiny, uncoated blade.

Sorry for the trouble: I'll go put on my dumbass hat and sit in the corner for awhile.
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LOL
It's fine, that's why I love these forums. I can ask the same type of questions without getting flamed. We've all asked similar questions once in a while ;)
 
I'm looking at getting the ZT 0350 model. I figure it's only 10% smaller and about a $100 bucks less. I can't really afford the 0300. I would love to find a 0301. I just love the OD green handle and tiger stripes. I'm a big fan of Kershaw knives. I love my Kershaw Blur with composite blade. I can't wait to get myself a ZT knife. The weight of the knife shouldn't bother me too much. I've carried some pretty big knives in my day.
 
How about a ZT with an orange G-10 slab?

This one was done by Phillip Dobson. He does killer work!

orangeg10.png
 
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