CS American Lawman or ZT 0200?

mlanghornes

mlanghornes

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
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Okay, I'm looking for a hell-for-stout folder, and I've narrowed it down to these two. This is going to be a camping/hiking/caught at work during the zombie apocalypse knife. Basically, when I might need a strong, sturdy knife and I can't carry a fixed blade. What do you recommend? I can afford either, but is the price premium for the ZT worth it? I know the steel is better, but would it be therefore harder to sharpen in a SHTF scenario? Also: you pick the AL, what would you do with the extra cash?
Edit: lets make it more interesting. Lets add the 0350 and the Millie in the mix.
 
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Definitely the ZT 0200. It has 3D CNC machined G-10 handles, which will both be more comfortable and give you better grip. 154 CM isn't hard to sharpen, either, it's just a better all around steel than AUS-8. The ergo's are great, the quality is high, it's overbuilt, and made in America. And in a SHTF scenario, you'll be glad you have ZT's no questions asked warranty rather than Cold Steel's worst-in-the-industry 1 year limited warranty. KAI's customer service really is a huge plus.
 
ZT 0200 all the way. It's just an overall better knife in every way than the lawman with the best warranty in the industry to back it up.
 
definitely 0200, without a doubt.

I've had virtually every ZT knife and the 0200 is the toughest of even that bunch.
 
I think the ZT 0200 is the better all-around knife, and I like it better, but I'd rather use an American Lawman for camping. My reasoning is that I'd be less worried about using it for the types of tasks I use my hunting and woods knives for. Also, I prefer the Tri-Ad lock for fixed blade type tasks.

I prefer the ZT 0200 for an EDC or an emergency defense knife, though, so I think you could go either way and be very happy with your purchase.

Also, for a folding woods knife, the new Cold Steel Voyagers are coming out soon. The clip point large Voyager is both cheaper than the AL, and appears to have a full flat grind, which I prefer for processing wood, etc.

In fact, if I were you, I'd probably get a ZT 0200 now, and a large Voyager when they come out, just to have my bases covered :-)
 
Wow, I was expecting at least one person to vote for the lawman as a value beater. Guess that makes it clear for me. I gotta say, the pure testasterone looks make me lean toward the zt. For some reason, I feel the need to field dress a Buick.
 
mlanghornes said:
Wow, I was expecting at least one person to vote for the lawman as a value beater. Guess that makes it clear for me. I gotta say, the pure testasterone looks make me lean toward the zt. For some reason, I feel the need to field dress a Buick.
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There's nothing wrong with the AL.
0200 has better steel and yea a far better warranty , but I do not forsee a need to ever warranty my AL. I have the lined large AL and unlined small AL , both of them are very , very sturdy. The large lined version is a tank I would put against any tank-like knife out there , aside from blade steel that is.

That said , Aus8 is not a junk steel by any means.

Tostig
 
I own both of these knives and I like the 200 much, much more than the AL. I think the AL is a great knife and would do "the job" every bit as well as the ZT, but the ZT is a true work of art in my opinion. I think the 200 surpasses the 300 series. The feel of the knife is exceptional. It just feels A LOT more solid than the AL, though I'm sure they would both stand up to the same abuse.
 
I'll also vote ZT0200. I picked up my first ZT an 0300, and as soon as they came in stock I immediately purchased a ZT0301.

I have had a few Cold Steels and while fairly good knives they are not even within miles of the quality of the ZT's.

kinda like comparing old mushy apples (cold steel) To a crisp fresh perfect Fuji (ZT).
 
The 0200 is a great knife for the $$.

kershaw.jpg


I loved my lawman.. but aus 8 leaves a lot to be desired. I use it as a beater in my truck now.
 
Thanks, I bead blasted it, tumbled/stone washed it then I removed a lot of the recurve/convexed it.
 
The 0200 is the toughest folder I've ever held in my life, and the bigass folders I've held could make a fairly extensive list of its own.

For me, it was TOO bigass and hardcore, so I traded it for a dainty, itsy bitsy 0301.
 
mlanghornes said:
Wow, I was expecting at least one person to vote for the lawman as a value beater. Guess that makes it clear for me. I gotta say, the pure testasterone looks make me lean toward the zt. For some reason, I feel the need to field dress a Buick.
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they are pretty different knives, and cold steel isnt the best loved brand around here. the AL is more of a smallish, way tougher then it looks knife, whereas the zt is bigger and looks more the tough tank it is. and of course, better steel, better build quality.

dont get me wrong, the AL is a great knife. it is a value beater, no question. but something like a spartan would be a better fit for something vs ZT. for the price of the spartan, you will not find a tougher knife. i own many tough knives, and would put my money on its tri ad lock over some seriously heavy duty, and way more expensive folders. heck, you could get an AL and a spartan for not much more then a zt 200, have your bases covered.
 
Artfully Martial said:
The 0200 is the toughest folder I've ever held in my life, and the bigass folders I've held could make a fairly extensive list of its own.

For me, it was TOO bigass and hardcore, so I traded it for a dainty, itsy bitsy 0301.
Click to expand...

I had a 0200 too and while I agree it's a tough one, it's not got it on the 0300 series, for tough. In fact I'd bet on the 0300's to win in a absolute head to head hard use test.
 
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