EDC Knife

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WJP7

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Mar 15, 2014
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Hi All :)

Totally new here. Looking into a good quality EDC knife, that can be used for the outdoors as well (overland journeys etc).

How do the following compare and which one would you recommend?

Thanks
WJP7

(( removed violations linking to non-paid dealer ))
(( better to post the name of the item or link to the manufacturer website ))
 
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It looks like you have found some hard working, heavy duty knives. I've had both of the ZT's, but only have the 0200 now. As far as I am concerned the ZT0200 is the way to go. You can pick one up at Knifeworks.com, a participating member here at BF with a bead blast finish that looks more satin to me, if you don't like the black blade finish. You can get it for an outstanding price!

I just went back to your 0200 link because I didn't pull it up since I saw the name in the link. But it pulls up another ZT03XX variant. If you are looking at the 0200 as a choice then what I have already written applies. If you are not looking at the 0200, you should:D It is a great piece at one helluva pricefor what you get. I could never warm up to the one side G-10, one side titanium handles. This style of construction has become very popular though and I have turned down knives that I really liked the looks of and had they been linerlocks I would have purchased. Anyway.......... Don't know how helpful this has been, but at least I can welcome you to the forums here at BF. Lots of good people, lots of good information!:thumbup::)
 
You've listed respectively:

1. Zero Tolerance 0301 Ranger Green ZT0301;
2. Zero Tolerance 0350 ZT0350;
3. Zero Tolerance 0300 ZT0300;
4. Leatherman Super Tool 300 EOD;
5. Zero Tolerance 0300 BlackWash ZT0300BW.

Now, you have to understand that 1, 3 and 5 are the exact same knives but just in a different color or with a different finish. In other words the ZT0300, the ZT0301 and the ZT0300BW are all the same knife with the same specs, being a G10 titanium frame-lock with a 3.75" CPM S30V blade.

The ZT0350 (no.2 in your list) is a G10 liner-lock with a 3.25" CPM S30V blade, the "10% smaller" version of the 0300 according to ZT.

See: http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives

(The Leatherman is not a folding knife but a multi-tool of course.)

Now I also suggest to take a look at the ZT0200. From the knives you've listed I would pick no.2, the 0350.

I've owned an 0300 and sold it because I found the 8 ounces too heavy and/or it could not kick my favorite production EDC, the 4.2 ounce 4" Spyderco Military, out of my pocket.
 
Hi; Thanks Jeru, for the well ordered reply.

Is the 0350 a spring release type blade and the 0200 a manual release type?

It seems you get two versions of the 0200 (serrated vs 'normal' blade) - which one would you recommend?

Also - what's the difference between a clip point, spear point and tanto? From what I can see the ZT knives have a spear point. Is this correct?

Thank you for all your advice and patience with this newbie :)
 
WJP7 said:
Also - what's the difference between a clip point, spear point and tanto?
Click to expand...

If you hop back onto Amazon and look up the Cold Steel Recon series of folders, you will see an example of each blade shape. I consider most ZTs to be sort of a spear/drop point hybrid, as they rarely fit the traditional descriptions of any one shape.
 
WJP7 said:
Is the 0350 a spring release type blade and the 0200 a manual release type?

It seems you get two versions of the 0200 (serrated vs 'normal' blade) - which one would you recommend?
Click to expand...

The 03XX series are spring assisted -- you start to open them and the spring takes over.
The 0200 is manual, but opens at a light touch on the flipper with extreme speed.

Serrated blades can be a solution in search of a problem. But the 0200 has a deep recurve, and serrations in a recurved area are exceptionally effective. If you have coarse material to cut, serrations may be the way to go. But a well sharpened knife of good steel will do as well.
 
Thank you Inazone & Esav

For the advice and feedback. Linking to Amazon was the best way I knew of to show which knives I was referring to.
 
Thanks again. :)

It seems with the manual operation there is less that can go wrong (if anything was to go wrong with the spring system).

Still need to save up, but for the moment stuck between the 0350 http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/zt0350bw (plain blade) and the 0200 http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/zt0200st (serrated blade) although for some reason this one also appeals to me :) 0301 http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/zt0301

there does not appear to be much between the above mentioned knives. Is it a case of 'Eeny, meeny, miny, moe' or is there some way to settle on THE one?
 
Ease of sharpening. Serrated edges are a nightmare to sharpen - usually done by a pro, and that costs $$$$$$. Hopefully that helps you make a decision....
 
WJP7 said:
Thanks again. :)

It seems with the manual operation there is less that can go wrong (if anything was to go wrong with the spring system).

Still need to save up, but for the moment stuck between the 0350 http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/zt0350bw (plain blade) and the 0200 http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/zt0200st (serrated blade) although for some reason this one also appeals to me :) 0301 http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/zt0301

there does not appear to be much between the above mentioned knives. Is it a case of 'Eeny, meeny, miny, moe' or is there some way to settle on THE one?
Click to expand...


Well now, that is easy as I know the answer. THE one is the ZT0200!:thumbup::thumbup::) Check with Knifeworks, a BF dealer, as they have an exclusive ZT0200 with a beadblast blade instead of the black DLC coating. Prices for the bb model are a good bit lower than for the standard model. I have this model and I think I like it better than the black one.
 
Any other votes on serrated vs plain blade? :)

Ok, so what exactly is the difference between a beadblast finish and the DLC coating? I'm favouring the black finish :)

Advantages of spring assisted opening vs manual or other way around?

Thanks.
 
I like to always have a serrated blade of some kind at my disposal, but since my Leatherman has a serrated blade, it's not necessary that my EDC knife have one. Most of the knives in my EDC rotation are serrated, but all of those were bought before I started carrying a multi-tool.

Beadblast finish will hide scratches better, but offers no additional protection. DLC can scratch off, but adds corrosion resistance and some scratch resistance depending on the quality of the finish.

The advantages of assisted vs. manual are pretty obvious, no? However, some knives (including some ZTs) open quickly and effortlessly even without an assist mechanism, but assuming everything is working correctly, an assisted blade is going to fully deploy consistently every time, regardless of wrist motion. I have no preference myself, but for a defensive EDC, I generally carry an assisted blade.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Easy way to sharpen serrations is to use a leather shoelace, charged with white or green compound.
If the serrations are only cut into the front of the blade, strop the back with charged leather (like a belt) or use a fine ceramic rod.

Check out the Maintenance forum for sharpening advice in detail.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/794-Maintenance-Tinkering-amp-Embellishment
Click to expand...

That's great advice :thumbup:

Just to muddy the waters a little how about trying a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Manix 2. Much lighter knives with very strong lock designs, ideal for EDC and outdoors :p
 
Those knives are great and any out of the 300/350 series will be a good choice. The Leatherman Super Tool comes in very handy, but is not too realistic for me as an edc, I would go with more of a Leatherman Juice. As mentioned above the 0200 is also another great option. 0560 would be a good option too since you are looking at overbuilt folders and many from ZT.
 
Thanks guys.

Is Elmax steel (ZT 0560) better than 154CM steel (ZT 0200)?
Is there not a ZT knife or other good folder with a good steel that is also corrosive resistant?

the 0200 has a liner lock and the 0300 series a frame lock - strongest? Is there a better locking system out there?

Will check out alternative Leathermans as well. Spyderco? mmm... think I'll stick with the present list :)

So far the 0200 is my first choice (can't make up my mind yet of serrated vs plain) :)
 
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WJP7 said:
Thanks guys.

Is Elmax steel (ZT 0560) better than 154CM steel (ZT 0200)?
Is there not a ZT knife or other good folder with a good steel that is also corrosive resistant?

the 0200 has a liner lock and the 0300 series a frame lock - strongest? Is there a better locking system out there?

Will check out alternative Leathermans as well. Spyderco? mmm... think I'll stick with the present list :)

So far the 0200 is my first choice (can't make up my mind yet of serrated vs plain) :)
Click to expand...

According to most people, Elmax is better in general than 154CM. As to the types of locks, I think for pure strength (while some may disagree) Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock is considered one of if not the strongest lock out there, but most of their folding knives are AUS8 and Taiwan made. Between the frame lock and liner lock for those 2, I think they'd both do fine. Only gripe is that the 03xx being titanium (unless you wait for one of the new ones with the steel insert), it will wear quicker than the zt 0200, being steel. Best of luck on your search.
 
Thanks.
Is the zt 0200 considered "old" since it's debut in +- 2007? Should I try to hold out for its successor?

In the end I think I'll follow Inazone's lead and get both a Leatherman (OHT, Wave or Juice) for the serrated option & a ZT :)

Any other words of wisdom?
 
So sorry for the ridiculously late response (busy due to school). Honestly, there aren't many knives for a similar price as the 0200 and as robust. If you like the way it feels in hand (if possible to handle anywhere) and can bear the weight (which IMO isn't THAT much), you should get one while they're still available and prices go up due to being discontinued/"phased out" when its successor does come out.
 
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