Couple of questions about zero tolerance.

H

Herr_Noobien

Joined
May 20, 2009
Messages
528
I was browsing through the kershaw website and decided to take a look at the ZT line. Normally they don't interest me because thy are so damn big, but this time...they looked awesome. Seriously, it's like they took a normal kershaw knife and said "make it bigger, meaner, tougher and heavier." I really like the look of the 0302, but I don't have $240 to spend on a knife right now. My questions to you are:
1) is the warranty unconditional like strider's? On the website it says it isn't, but I have been hearing that it is unconditional. Could someone Please clear this up?
2) there are quite a few models to choose fromand I can't choose between the 0200, 0121, 0350, 0400, 0500.

These are all supposed to be hard use knives (ie they swallow abuse and ask for more.) which one of these is the toughest? Edge retaination is also a big factor for me.
 
What do you mean when you state hard use?

I ask this because it seems to vary quite abit.

What is you budget?

Bare in mind you really do get what you pay for if you are going to really beat on a folding knife hard.

No folding knife made will take the abuse that a good quality fixed blade can take.
 
The warranty isn't "unconditional" but so long as you don't plan on pimping your knife with a blowtorch you should be fine. I have known Kershaw to cover knives that have been used to cut through live electrical wires, blades broken while doing things blades weren't supposed to do and such, so I suspect you should be covered. I'd say don't take it as gospel that you will be covered but feel secure that there is quite a high probability you will be.:thumbup:

Overall, I'd say go with the 0200. It has a really great flipper (just as fast as the Speedsafe), the best ergos in the line-up, and 154CM which holds and takes a great edge. The real bonus of the 0200 is that it actually carries pretty well for it's size and weight. It fits nicely into a jeans pocket (so long as there isn't too much else in the pocket ;)) and it carries great in the leg pocket on cargo pants/shorts. Most evenings and weekends I wear cargo shorts and almost always have a 200 with me. :thumbup:
 
I've had great experience with Kershaw's warranty. I'm not sure it's unconditional, but it does cover anything you'll do in "normal" use. They'll also send you any parts you need (except blades), quickly and without questions.

I'm impressed with the heat treat on the 154cm models (I don't own any in S30V). Wear resistance is good, and I've yet to had any significant chipping (both are at 30-degrees inclusive).

I own a 0500 and a 0650st. Both have held up without trouble. I really like the 0500 design due to the lock, (you can try it out on the cheaper RAM), and the sealed pivot. It's been dragged through mud and sand many times, and the pivot is still buttery-smooth. It's also been used to chop hardwood and it's been batoned through firewood.

I've also handled a 0200, 0350, and 0400. The 0200 has a very nice handle, and it flips well. I won't comment on the blade because the one I handled was reground by Tom Krein. The 0350 is smaller and lighter than the rest. The AO is smooth, and lockup is rock-solid. The biggest thing separating it from the 0200/0300 is the flat scale construction. It doesn't feel nearly as nice in hand as the 0200. (I'm working on a solution to this right now.) The 0400 is surprisingly light and slim. The blade is still super-thick though. It's not a slicer (none of the ZTs are), but it gets the job done. It's right-hand only, so I haven't given it much thought.
 
The ZT knives are quickly becoming favorite folders. I liked the 0200 so much that I picked up an extra one but this time with the satin blade. Like the others said before me, the 0200 feels great in the hand. I also have the 0350 and love it as well. It's a good option when I want to carry something a bit smaller as the 0200 is a beast of a folder. Edge retention should not be a problem with any of the ZT's.
 
Hooray for lack of research! I just realised that the 0121 is in fact a fixed blade :o

so it's really between the 0200, 0400 and the 0500. I like the fact that the 0350 uses s30v, but at 3 and a quarter inches, it's a bit too small for my liking. What's the hawk lock like? How strong is it compared to the framelocks of the 030X or the linerlock of the 0200? Can you flick it like an axis lock?

One last thing, could you guys post pictures showing how thick the lockS of the 0200, 0302 and the 0500 are?

Thanks
 
I would prefer the 30X to the 20X simply because I like the frame lock and steel upgrade. :)

Some seriously tough folders though.
 
Josh K said:
I would prefer the 30X to the 20X simply because I like the frame lock and steel upgrade. :)

Some seriously tough folders though.
Click to expand...
I would love to get a 0302, but it's about $90 more than a 0200 :| it's probably worth the extra $90, but I don't have that much to spend right now :(
 
Herr_Noobien said:
I would love to get a 0302, but it's about $90 more than a 0200 :| it's probably worth the extra $90, but I don't have that much to spend right now :(
Click to expand...

Then get a 200, what are you waiting for? :)

The 350 isn't a bad choice either. Nice big knife.
 
Here are some photos:

3177762225_db27a4a4be_o.jpg


3295304197_0dd2cbc046_o.jpg


The first one is the 0650st. It uses a variation of the Hawk Lock. The geometry is a little different than on the 0500, and there's a safety mechanism, (this is because it's an auto). The concept uses a hardened steel slider to engage hardened steel pins in the blade. Two coil springs on rails push the slider into the pins. Either spring could fail with no loss in functionality. The reason this lock design was developed was to provide a lock that could be completely sealed against the elements. I has the added benefit of providing very little opening resistance after the initial detent. It can easily be flicked open and closed with a little practice.

The second photo shows the liner lock on the 0200. In short, it's thick. The liner on the 0400 is just as thick, but it does not extend to the full dimensions of the handle. This makes this knife feel lighter than expected, (still solid, though).
 
I have the ZT0300 and I highly recommend it for any hard-use application.

That said, assuming your budget in the $120 range, the ZT0350 would make an excellent hard-use/EDC type knife. But if you are looking for beef, then the ZT0200 series is a monster. The blade is even longer than the ZT0300's. The 300 does have a bit wider blade profile and S30V but the 1545CM of the 200 is more than adequate for any task. You'll just loose a bit of edge holding capability.
 
Phillip: thanks for the pictures. I think it's really a choice between the MUDD and the 0200. Is the liner lock on the 0200 stronger than the hawk lock?
Also, that liner lock looks strange. I haven't seen that black "extension" in any other picture...is your 0200 modded?
 
Herr_Noobien said:
Phillip: thanks for the pictures. I think it's really a choice between the MUDD and the 0200. Is the liner lock on the 0200 stronger than the hawk lock?
Also, that liner lock looks strange. I haven't seen that black "extension" in any other picture...is your 0200 modded?
Click to expand...

The notch on the blade is for the stop pin when it's closed.
 
Herr_Noobien said:
Phillip: thanks for the pictures. I think it's really a choice between the MUDD and the 0200. Is the liner lock on the 0200 stronger than the hawk lock?
Also, that liner lock looks strange. I haven't seen that black "extension" in any other picture...is your 0200 modded?
Click to expand...

It's just a funny angle. But yes, that knife's been modded. Tom Krein regrind, and pink ivory scales.

Neither lock is going to fail you, even in hard use. I've chopped up dry plum branches (up to 6" thick), with my MUDD; swinging it as hard as I could. There's still not a hint of blade play. It comes down to the style you prefer. I chose the MUDD partly because I'm a lefty. The lock is very left-handed friendly. I also like the fact that my fingers are never in the blade path, allowing me to flick the blade closed in one quick motion.
 
I sent my 300 in for a couple issues, and it was returned just like I sent it in. I was real disspointed, and will be kinda skeptic about buying any more ZT's. I thought they had a good warranty? My 300 had never been used, or cut anything.
 
Razor said:
I sent my 300 in for a couple issues, and it was returned just like I sent it in. I was real disspointed, and will be kinda skeptic about buying any more ZT's. I thought they had a good warranty? My 300 had never been used, or cut anything.
Click to expand...

What were the issues that weren't corrected?
 
Razor said:
I sent my 300 in for a couple issues, and it was returned just like I sent it in. I was real disspointed, and will be kinda skeptic about buying any more ZT's. I thought they had a good warranty? My 300 had never been used, or cut anything.
Click to expand...

They do have a good warranty.
What kind of issues did you have?

J.W.
 
The AO was real slow to open the blade. Also, you could unlock the blade, with just the lightest touch of your tumb. Maybe, it was Ok, but it sure did not compare to the 301 and 302's, that I have owned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top