I know longer own my large Ritter Grip, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if I thought it was the right knife for the job. And, I am certainly considering it as being such a knife--which is why I mentioned it. The blade design is almost perfect and it's oh so light for it's size. Now if only it were just a little more durable. Or, maybe it is and I just don't realize it.
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Folder suggestions for fixed blade situations? Strider SMF?
- Thread starter Brian6244
- Start date
I have no experience with ZT knives, but the replies to this thread have got me looking at them very closely.
SAKs are great knives, I have many times in the past paired a SAK farmer with a smallish fixed blade like an F1, but since I can't do that on these trips I think that the SAK has to stay at home. I feel ya on the Manix--I wish I still had my original Manix--even if not to take with me on these trips. A Chinook would be a consideration if the blade design lended itself to having a stronger tip. The ZT300 does seem like a solid choice for sure.
+1:thumbup:
The Rajah 2 is the CS Folding Khukuri, which would have been my first suggestion if a 6" folder were acceptable.
Holy moly, that PLX is a nice looking piece of cuttlery! The only Fallkniven folder I have owned was a U2, and I was pleasantly surprised with how durable it was for such a small knife with no liners. It had a solid lockup too. I'm a little weary of liner locks. If that PLX was a lockback or quality framelock I'd buy it, whether I took one on these trips or not! Seriously...
Ankerson is selling me quite well with that video too. I'm looking very seriously at the ZT line of knives. Lot's of folks seem to be MUDD fans. My only issue with the MUDD is that I feel like all those seals are just more stuff to have issues with down the road. I prefer a simpler design with less "bells and whistles." This is why as much as I am a fan of Sebenzas I never bought an Umnumzaan. I just don't like the idea of having to maintain and/or eventually replace rubber parts. But, the size of the pivot on that 500...WOW...that inspires confidence in its durability! Many of the ZT knives are speaking to me though. I think I may spend a little time today digging up some more ZT video reviews and looking closer at individual ZT knife specs.
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You guys are really helpful. Thanks. Not only am I getting lots of great suggestions that are helping a lot in making a well-informed decision, but I (and I am sure also other that read this thread) am learning a lot about many knives with which I have had no previous experience.
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2010
- Messages
- 80
I'm where you are for a new knife. I ruled out the lg Sebbie. I liked the SNG and SMF. Then thanks too the guys here. I found XM18. Since I can't but a new one yet. I looked at the ZT 301. But a long thread here. Talked about the ZT 0550. I'm now waiting on the 0551.
I really like that XM18. Too bad they are all but non-existent. I'm looking really hard at the ZT0300. I may pull the trigger on that one real soon if not given a good reason not too. So far it seems to fill this somewhat unique need of mine better than anything else.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2010
- Messages
- 243
+1 on the Rajah 2 :thumbup:
I'm not proud of this, but I batoned some decent sized boughs for a fire while camping a few months ago. The knife still locks like a bank vault, but while striking the blade with the baton, the grivory scales can give you some scary vibrations. Also if weight is an issue this might not be an option. May I ask why you can't take a fixed blade?
I'm not proud of this, but I batoned some decent sized boughs for a fire while camping a few months ago. The knife still locks like a bank vault, but while striking the blade with the baton, the grivory scales can give you some scary vibrations. Also if weight is an issue this might not be an option. May I ask why you can't take a fixed blade?
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Messages
- 282
I've got a ZT 0300 and an SMF and I'd be hard pressed to choose one over the other because while they're both about as stout as a reasonably sized folder can be, the blades are so much different.
The SMF blade is truly great for all manner of cutting, poking, light prying--it's just a flat-out useful shape.
The ZT blade seems better suited for larger tasks like batoning, carving, etc. It's a capable cutter but the wide blade offers a little less fine control compared to the SMF.
I find both comfortable in the hand, and prefer either depending on the task. The choil on the SMF really allows you to choke up on it. The scales on the ZT are handfilling, well contoured and feel very solid in the hand.
Lockup on either is as solid as can be--even after a lot of heavy use. The pivot on the ZT is sizable and the tension is adjusted with a nut rather than the special tool needed for the SMG. Since the SMF hasn't loosened up at all it's been of little consequence to me.
Beyond those differences, the main difference between them is weight and price. The ZT is about half the price of the SMF, but weighs over 8 oz. compared to the SMF's 6.
In the end, my vote would be for the SMF because of the blade shape, but I wouldn't feel at all short-changed if I had a ZT instead.
Best,
Heekma
The SMF blade is truly great for all manner of cutting, poking, light prying--it's just a flat-out useful shape.
The ZT blade seems better suited for larger tasks like batoning, carving, etc. It's a capable cutter but the wide blade offers a little less fine control compared to the SMF.
I find both comfortable in the hand, and prefer either depending on the task. The choil on the SMF really allows you to choke up on it. The scales on the ZT are handfilling, well contoured and feel very solid in the hand.
Lockup on either is as solid as can be--even after a lot of heavy use. The pivot on the ZT is sizable and the tension is adjusted with a nut rather than the special tool needed for the SMG. Since the SMF hasn't loosened up at all it's been of little consequence to me.
Beyond those differences, the main difference between them is weight and price. The ZT is about half the price of the SMF, but weighs over 8 oz. compared to the SMF's 6.
In the end, my vote would be for the SMF because of the blade shape, but I wouldn't feel at all short-changed if I had a ZT instead.
Best,
Heekma
It was a really tough choice. I ended up going with the ZT0300. The ZT0300 seems to fit the need nearly perfectly. I am hoping that it will not only serve to fill this specific need, but also be a knife that I enjoy and use a lot in general.
I appreciate all the help, and really enjoyed being exposed to some knives in a class ("hard-use" folder) with which I am not as familiar as others. I think that if I am impressed with the ZT0300's craftsmanship, in general, then I may have to purchase a ZT0500 at some point in the relatively near future, so I can get a close look at it. It appeared to be a good choice too, but my being put off by the polyurethane seals (as I mentioned earlier in this thread) and not fully understanding its locking mechanism (is it like a BM AXIS lock?) made me decide that it was not the best fit for filling my particular need right now. However, I also realize that a feature like polyurethane seals is something that I should experience first-hand before I can really form an opinion, and given a little more time I can find out how the lock really works. So, that's my official excuse for buying a ZT0500 in the near future.
I would also like to dream that one day I may actually get my hands on an XM18. What a seemingly impressive tool that is. I think I would jump on a black-scaled XM18 if a new one ever became available at a fair price. Then I could find out if it's as impressive as it seems. Maybe one day Rick will get caught up on production. 
The ZT0300 should be here today, and it's about time for my usual EDC (small CRK Sebenza) for go back to CRK for an annual checkup and makeover. So, I'll EDC (normal urban EDC plus a day hike that I'll squeeze in this weekend) the ZT0300 for a couple weeks until I get my usual EDC back from the shop. That should give me and my new ZT the quality alone time that we'll need in order to get properly acquainted. The first of the series of multi-day trips for which the knife is specifically needed is next weekend.
Now all that's left is to find a good belt sheath and I'm good to go.
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Brian,
The G&G Hawk designed ZTs use a lock up that's (vaguely) similar to the Benchmade Axis lock, only reversed. The locking pin is on the blade, and a machined piece of steel with a cutout slides backward, inside the handle, to allow the blade to rotate out, then slides forward, covering the pin and locking the blade when it's in the open position. There's a bit more going on, but this is the gist of it.
I have a ZT 0650 ST--an auto. It uses this locking mechanism and it's very solid and smooth, absolutely rock-solid with no movement in any direction, no matter how much you twist and torque on it. It's one of my all-time favorite knives of any kind, manual or auto.
You won't be disappointed in any way with the 0300. In fact it may ruin you when it comes to lock-up and solidity when buying production knives in the future.
Best,
Heekma
The G&G Hawk designed ZTs use a lock up that's (vaguely) similar to the Benchmade Axis lock, only reversed. The locking pin is on the blade, and a machined piece of steel with a cutout slides backward, inside the handle, to allow the blade to rotate out, then slides forward, covering the pin and locking the blade when it's in the open position. There's a bit more going on, but this is the gist of it.
I have a ZT 0650 ST--an auto. It uses this locking mechanism and it's very solid and smooth, absolutely rock-solid with no movement in any direction, no matter how much you twist and torque on it. It's one of my all-time favorite knives of any kind, manual or auto.
You won't be disappointed in any way with the 0300. In fact it may ruin you when it comes to lock-up and solidity when buying production knives in the future.
Best,
Heekma