Few ZT0350 Questions

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Lock1454

Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
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Howdy all, just a few 0350 questions :)

1) I have never handled nor used a larger folder (granted I know the 350 isn't as big as some, but it is certainly bigger than my Grip and RAM), is the broader/thicker blade still a good slicer and EDC user?

2) Can the Speedsafe be disabled? If so, is it rather simple and does the blade deploy nicely unassisted (none / very little wrist action require to get the blade out)?

3) The Knifeworks exclusive says it's a satin beadblast finish... Huh? I thought bead blast was one finish type and satin was another? :(

4) Does the knife carry well in the pocket? How this is the knife overall? O.o

Appreciate any help :D
 
1) If you like a Grip in your hand, you will like the 0350: The grips are somewhat similar in size. The blade slices really nicely, the wide grind allows a thin edge and a subtle transition to the full thickness. A Griptilian is .105" thick and a ZT0350 is .121", it's not that noticeable to me.
2) The speedsafe can only be disabled by removing a scale and taking out the torsion bar, this is not a difficult task at all if you have a torx wrench set. There is no switch like on a Cyclone. I think it will be as easy to deploy as any other kershaw with the AO off. I have a ZT0200 (no AO) as well, and it opens real easily with a wrist flick.
3)Satin finish means it is uncoated, beadblast means it has a very fine texture to the surface. BTW, the satin finish is a limited run and much better than the black finish IMO.
4)The knife carries good if you are used to carrying wide knives. I usually carry a Manix, ZT0200, etc. so the 0350 is no problem. The clip is placed well and allows you to choose between tip-up and tip-down. I really like the knife overall, seems to be a tough knife that is not too big compared to the rest of the ZT line. I like the G-10, and S30V very much, I think it's a great value compared to many other $100 knives out there. The whole ZT line seems to be a great value for what you get.
 
Lock1454 said:
Howdy all, just a few 0350 questions :)

1) I have never handled nor used a larger folder (granted I know the 350 isn't as big as some, but it is certainly bigger than my Grip and RAM), is the broader/thicker blade still a good slicer and EDC user?

2) Can the Speedsafe be disabled? If so, is it rather simple and does the blade deploy nicely unassisted (none / very little wrist action require to get the blade out)?

3) The Knifeworks exclusive says it's a satin beadblast finish... Huh? I thought bead blast was one finish type and satin was another? :(

4) Does the knife carry well in the pocket? How this is the knife overall? O.o

Appreciate any help :D
Click to expand...

1. The broader blade will still slice fine but it won't compare to a thin bladed full flat ground blade. That said I EDCed a 302 for a couple months and never had a problem.

2. Speedsafe can be disabled by removing the torsion, but the knife blade will then have no detent. Meaning there is nothing holding that blade in the closed position.

3. michaelmcgo has this one.

4. I have a ZT302 and it carrier pretty well for such a big knife. If you are looking for a really beefy folder at an affordable price the 350 is tough to beat.
 
Properly disabling the speedsafe is more complicated than simply removing the torsion bar. It's likely that it would never make a good manual flipper. Properly done, it would still be a good thumbstud-opener.
 
Thanks for the replies :cool:

2) No detent? I guess we can forget about disabling the AO then :p I figured removing the torsion bar would be the answer much like the other KO Speedsafes, but I wasn't positive if it were the same for the ZT knives, haven't seen anyone mention it yet so I figured I'd ask.

3) Ahh, I thought satin meant the blade was plain jane, nothing on it or extra done to it at all - coating, bead blasting or otherwise. Not a big fan of bead blasting, doesn't look quite as nice as a regular satin finish and also just encourages rust.
 
you don't want ao. you don't like bb finish. you don't like wide big blades.

sounds like you're looking at the wrong knife from the gitgo!
 
1kimo4u said:
you don't want ao.
Click to expand...
Don't hate AOs per say, but I just like having the option of slow opening the blade instead of having that big ol' fast snap deployment.

1kimo4u said:
you don't like bb finish.
Click to expand...
True for the most part :) But there's also the Tungsten black coated blade :D This question was more so for me to find out if it were a bead blast or satin blade finish on the blade (and as it turns out sorting a misunderstanding I had of satin)

1kimo4u said:
you don't like wide big blades.
Click to expand...
Not don't like, just haven't had the time/money to dabble in them yet :)
 
If the torsion bar holds the blade in the closed position, does that mean in the closed position, the torsion bar is under tension?
 
It's definitely under tension in the closed position. That's what keeps the blade closed.

You can prove it by putting the blade in the closed position and trying to install the torsion bar. I can't flex it enough with my fingers to get it to fit in place that way.

There's a position midway between open and closed that there is no tension on the spring.
 
firebert's right on this. Closed the torsion bar is under tension. That's why they fire when you start the thumb stud/flipper. But my only disagreement with his comment is that the bars are completely relaxed when the blade is fully open. This is the reason why Ken Onion stores his in the open position.
 
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