First decent knife - ZT0300 vs ZT0550 3rd gen

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chr1z28

Joined
Feb 23, 2015
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What'd be you guys opinion on which knife to get between the Zero Tolerance ZT0300 and the ZT0550 3rd gen.
Both are discontinued but I've found pretty good deals on both in the sub $160 range but they're very close in price. I like both and am torn. Any pros/cons to one over the other?
I know the 0300 is S30V and the ZT0500 3rd gen is S35V steel. Like I said though the rest of my knives are the $20 el cheapo variety so either is a huge upgrade for me as an EDC knife.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, suggestions, opinions, etc. And BTW, I'm not brand loyal to ZT by any means... I just stumbled across them and like their knives and have seen some of the "hard use" videos and was impressed. I'm wide open to suggestions. I would like to stay close to a 4" blade size... between 3 and 4 inches ideally.
 
Both are great knives. The 0300 is very comfortable in hand and great if you find yourself doing a lot of cutting. The larger/wider handle definitely has some advantages there. The 0550 handles also fill the hand well, but not quite as well as the 0300. The 0550, on the other hand, carries surprisingly comfortably for a knife of its size. It tucks away nicely in the back of your pocket, and even though it isn't a compact knife by any stretch, it is pretty non-obstructive.

While I like the feel of the 0300 more, I do find myself carrying the 0550 more often just because of the size.

Here's a shot with a 0301 and 0550. The latest 3rd gen 0550 has a steel lockbar insert (my 2nd gen pictured here doesn't).

ZT0301_0550_0350_800x642.jpg
 
Awesome.. thanks for the pic... I really like the 0300 better visually but I haven't held either one. I think the size would make the 0550 more practical for me for EDC. I'll probably pickup a 0550 and most likely pickup the 0300 shortly after.. next time I get paid or so. The only other one I've really looked at is the 0561 and it's a flipper and I'm not sure what I think about that... for now I'm going to grab a 0550 while they're still available. The image helped tremendously as I didn't quite imagine that much size difference.
 
That's what I keep hearing...
That tiger stripe finish is something else.. have to add that one to my wish list. Really like that...
 
What knives do you have more experience with? If I have 'em too, I can get shots of them with the 0550 and 0301 to give you a better idea of size.
 
The 0300 is a rather large knife. Perhaps you may want to look at the 0350. You can get the Stonewash model on Amazon for $117.00.
 
0550 wins out for me. 300 is a little to chunky in the pocket and I don't dig assisted knives. As mentioned, 0550 carries well for its size, smooth, and comfortable. 0550 is one of my all time favorites. Can't deny the tiger striped DLC coating is badass though.
 
flarp said:
What knives do you have more experience with? If I have 'em too, I can get shots of them with the 0550 and 0301 to give you a better idea of size.
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I appreciate the offer, but none of any recognizable name sadly. I don't have anything more than a $10-20 knife at the moment. Most are plastic handled disposables I call them. When they get dull, I toss them and buy another. Just decided I may as well get something better and came across the ZT knives and really like them a lot from what I've seen so far.
 
chr1z28 said:
I appreciate the offer, but none of any recognizable name sadly. I don't have anything more than a $10-20 knife at the moment. Most are plastic handled disposables I call them. When they get dull, I toss them and buy another. Just decided I may as well get something better and came across the ZT knives and really like them a lot from what I've seen so far.
Click to expand...

Haha. Fair enough. As has been pointed out, ZT's have a tendency to multiply once you start getting ahold of them. ;)
 
I just placed my order for a ZT0550. I'm sure it will be the first of many. Thanks again everyone...greatly appreciate the help.
 
You made a great choice. The 0550 is truly outstanding in the hand. I've commented on it in other discussions, but it bears repeating: even if you don't do "hard use" tasks, the 0550 excels in *extended* use because the handle is nicely hand filling. Many knives are good cutters. Few are as good to the user over long periods of continual use.
 
The 0550 gen 3 is amazing! After a bit of breaking in it is smooth as butter. Just be sure to watch that lock bar when opening or itll seem difficult
 
Welcome to BFC and congrats on your first higher end blade! ZTs are amazing knives for the money and I think you'll end up loving yours.

Something I want to mention really quick, you may have to work on your technique for a day or two. Don't be discouraged or think the knife is defective if you have trouble opening it. You said yourself you mainly have experience with plastic-handled budget knives. This is a heavy duty Ti framelock so it's a bit different.

Here's a couple of tips:

1. Shoot the thumbstud up, not out. This is the easiest method in my experience.
2. Make sure your fingers aren't pressing down too hard on the lock side. This will add pressure to the detent ball and make it difficult to open.
 
nwmetalbug said:
I would get the 0550 first and save up for the 030x.
Click to expand...
What he said. I have both and I carry the 0300 more - but I prefer bigger knives. If you are like most people, the 0550 will do better for a bit more everyday tasks than the 0300 will.
 
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