Curious about the ZT 350

Kalsu · Mar 8, 2013

I have always been partial to the 560/550 style knives and blade shapes. I have and carry quite often a Benchmade 710. So I guess you could say I have always felt that the 350 has a "fat" blade and have never really given it much consideration.

With that being said I have recently found myself looking at the 350 more and more. I am not 100% sure I am going to like it though. So I am thinking about picking up a blem from Kershaw Guy.

There seems to be a large following for this knife here. So my question to you is what is it about the 350 that you like. What are its attributes and downfalls? I have read quite a bit about the 350 here but would like to hear some opinions.

JoeG30 · Mar 8, 2013

It is so well-liked because it is a good knife for the money. It's hard to beat one of Kershaw guys blEms. $85 for a quality knife from a good company with quality materials.

cEdge · Mar 8, 2013

The ZT 0350 is a great knife, not too big and not too small, fits my medium sized hands perfectly. Weight is around 5.8 oz or so, feels solid while not heavy. Not sure which task would be too much for its 3.25" blade but it has stood up well against the punishment I have thrown at it

mcrow · Mar 8, 2013

Well, I happen to find benchmade blades sort of skinny for my taste so I know how you feel.

However, I like my 0350 because it has a great grip with very good grippy texture and jimping. The blade is thick and strong and has a lot of cutting surface. The assist works great, very smooth and quick. I love the overall styling of the knife. The stone washed blade has the sort of blue tint to it that is really cool, IMO. Most of all the thing is built to last and take a beating. It may be heavy for some people but I think the feel in the pocket is lighter than the weight suggests.

Kalsu · Mar 8, 2013

ZT definitely does produce a quality product. i have had no issues with either my 551 or 560. I would expect the 350 to be the same. Like I said before the 350 is growing on me.

Kalsu · Mar 8, 2013

mcrow said:
Well, I happen to find benchmade blades sort of skinny for my taste so I know how you feel.

However, I like my 0350 because it has a great grip with very good grippy texture and jimping. The blade is thick and strong and has a lot of cutting surface. The assist works great, very smooth and quick. I love the overall styling of the knife. The stone washed blade has the sort of blue tint to it that is really cool, IMO. Most of all the thing is built to last and take a beating. It may be heavy for some people but I think the feel in the pocket is lighter than the weight suggests.

I think your thread about the 350 you just got was one that got me more interested in the 350. I am looking at the stone washed blade also.

mcrow · Mar 8, 2013

Kalsu said:
ZT definitely does produce a quality product. i have had no issues with either my 551 or 560. I would expect the 350 to be the same. Like I said before the 350 is growing on me.

I would think if you like those two you'd probably like the 350. The 0350 is a lot like those two with different steel and scales ans shrunk down some. The 0350 is a good option if you like a smaller viersion to use for EDC.

BrentD86 · Mar 8, 2013

It is a really solid knife. The recurve of the blade although a little more difficult to sharpen really grabs what you are cutting in the belly of the blade, this helps a lot. It is also thin compared to many ZT knives and carries very comfortably. I have been carrying one 6 days a week at work for the last 6 months and using it quite heavily and it holds up great. The s30v takes a great edge and holds it pretty well.

Kalsu · Mar 8, 2013

Thanks for all the replies guys. The 350 appears to be pretty close to the same size as the 550? Yes a smaller version would be perfect for me to carry. I have no issues at all carrying my 551. When I carry my 560 though it is usually in a sheath.

I do like the recurve in the blade. A little more difficult to sharpen but worth it IMHO.

BenLong1018 · Mar 8, 2013

Kalsu said:
Thanks for all the replies guys. The 350 appears to be pretty close to the same size as the 550? Yes a smaller version would be perfect for me to carry. I have no issues at all carrying my 551. When I carry my 560 though it is usually in a sheath.

I do like the recurve in the blade. A little more difficult to sharpen but worth it IMHO.

I wouldn't say the 350 is like the 550 it's similar in weight and size, but that's about it. Since you're used to the 550 and the 560 then the 350 is gonna feel small at first, but it's a very nice solid blade. It's also really nice to take the torsion bar out because it's a really smooth manual flipper.

JuJu- · Mar 8, 2013

In my opinion the 350 is awesome in the st configuration. Its easier to sharpen too. I like the fat blade its a nice departure sometimes. Its also nice and skinny like others have said. The only dislike is the fat tip. I wish it was more like the 360skd or I mean I wish the 360 was a regular production piece. Definetly worth getting!

ZTowner · Mar 9, 2013

I wanted a ZT folder that had a profile that was close to my ZT 0121 fixed blade and the ZT 0350 was the one to do this. The 350 replaced my German made Boker as an EDC that I had carried for over 25 years. I'm now looking for a ZT 0360.

Wolverine666 · Mar 9, 2013

mcrow said:
Well, I happen to find benchmade blades sort of skinny for my taste so I know how you feel.

However, I like my 0350 because it has a great grip with very good grippy texture and jimping. The blade is thick and strong and has a lot of cutting surface. The assist works great, very smooth and quick. I love the overall styling of the knife. The stone washed blade has the sort of blue tint to it that is really cool, IMO. Most of all the thing is built to last and take a beating. It may be heavy for some people but I think the feel in the pocket is lighter than the weight suggests.

Same with me. Most BM blades are much too thin and narrow for me. I like a somewhat beefy blade with a little heft. The 0350 is an excellent knife and is made extremely well. What you get for what you pay is awesome.

flarp · Mar 9, 2013

I really like the 0350. Great ergonomics (contours fit my hand well, grippy G10, flipper or thumbstud opening). The 0350 maintains a lot of the tank-like feel of its big brother (the 0300), but in a more compact and EDC-friendly package. It has a pretty beefy blade and thick liner lock to handle anything you might need of it.

About the only improvements I'd want to see on it would be a deep(er) carry clip. The 0350 does ride fairly high (~1" tip-down, ~1.5" tip-up)

olds442tyguy · Mar 10, 2013

I love this the 0350, but I hate it. It's beautiful and feels awesome in the hand. Yet the blade is too tall and the tip is too blunt to hang with most other knifes in anything but open chopping motion cuts. It's also practically impossible to sharpen with a stone, making it not very fieldable compared to others.

It's a great knife, but the maintenance and care the grind requires is too much for me. Yes, before I get trashed on, I'm a simple man. I love high quality knives, but I also don't like having to strop them every time I take them into the field which is why I'm demoting this one to the junk drawer.

buddy boy · Mar 10, 2013

I am mostly in between picking this or the jyd2.2 which you guys prefer? Also combo edge or serration?

Kalsu · Mar 10, 2013

So I went ahead and ordered a blem satin blade 350 from Kershawguy. While I was on his sight I noticed he had blem CF Blurs also. For now I am able to hold my self back from getting one of those also.
Kershaw guy ships really fast and it helps that we aren't that far away from each other. I should have the 350 on Monday.

tbow · Mar 10, 2013

You will not be dissapointed. The 0350 is a sweet knife I have a blem from Kershawguy and you can't beat the value at that price. :thumbup:

buddy boy · Mar 10, 2013

tbow said:
You will not be dissapointed. The 0350 is a sweet knife I have a blem from Kershawguy and you can't beat the value at that price. :thumbup:

by chance you tried out the blur cpm 154, the jyd 2.2, or the rake? wondering which you prefer

Kalsu · Mar 11, 2013

I got my ZT 0350SW blem in the mail today from Dave. The bag it came in said "bad laser". If you look at the model number that is etched on the blade it is a little bit lighter than the other etching. Other than that it looks good to go. The blade is centered and it open just as fast as the Blur that I own. It feels good in the hand and is well balanced. So far I don't mind the width of the blade and handle at all. I haven't used it much yet but it seems to be a well made and well thought out design. I will try and get some pictures later.