Generalized ZT Knives Opinion

Szilard

Szilard

Joined
Mar 5, 2012
Messages
363
I'm considering getting a ZT 0550 or a ZT 0780. I prefer the 0550 due to size, the fact that it has no coating, blade profile/shape, and the superior steel. That being said the price point is a little high for me. Even the 0780 is pretty much the top limit that I'd want to spend on folders. On the other hand, I like the jimping, the slightly lower weight, and the handle of the 0780 a bit more. I can currently find the knife for approximately 130-140 dollars.

Now that you know my general feelings - I have a few questions. How safe do people feel with ZT's liner locks? I know a lot of people are hesitant about liner locks - but I also know that a lot of people on this forum EDC ZT blades and generally seem to review them positively. Any 0780 owners who have comments on the blade or ZT owners in general who can give me an assessment to swing me one way or the other? I really just want to generally solicit people's opinions on these knives. I enjoy collecting and I like quality production, but I use all of the knives that I buy. Functionality is more important to me in the end.

You will directly influence whether my next purchase is the 0780 or a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I tend to feel a little bit better theoretically about the para's locking system but having never handled a ZT (and being unable to find a dealer around here) I don't want to just go with my no-evidence gut feeling.
 
I'm sure at least one person will flame me for this but if your knife lock "fails" it's highly likely you were doing something you were not supposed to be doing. All locks are a safety feature. Slipjoints do not have that feature, but how many people use them now and used them in the past with no problems? Don't stab things, don't cut in a way that puts all the force on the lock. Cut as if you were using a slipjoint and the lock really shouldn't fail.

That being said, the 0350 I just got yesterday has a really thick liner lock. It locks up solid, has no blade play, and doesn't look like I could force it to fail even if I bashed it hard against a table or something. It has the thickest liner lock of the folders I currently own. I'm sure it could stand up to "hard use", whatever that means.

Bottom line: You cannot go wrong with either a ZT or PM2. ZT and Spyderco both make great knives and offer lifetime warranties. I say save up and get both!
 
I'm extremely confident in ZT's liner lock. I can only base this off the 350, but I can't imagine it being any less solid with their other knives.
 
neither locking system is gonna "fail".

why not keep it simple, go with what you know for sure...get the paramil 2
 
Szilard, welcome to the forum. I will try to answer your questions but I'm a bit confused. ZT makes top quality knives but I've never seen a 0780 yet, where can you get one? And then you switch to a 0780 versus PM2 question. The PM2 is a nice compact Spyderco slicer a good knife to have. The ZT 0550 is one hell of a fine ZT titanium frame lock and a must have for ZT fans. Please let us know where you can find an 0780. Thanks.
 
I appreciate the answers already. I think you have sound concerns Fang - and in general my knives do not get the "hard use" that many people routinely talk about. Due to my profession, part of why I carry is as a secondary emergency weapon system. Considering that - it's unreasonable to say don't stab things or cut as if it were a slipjoint. Since it is a tool that I may use to save my life, I want to trust it to accomplish that. I *will* end up getting both eventually because I'm becoming an addict... This post was merely me attempting self control.

I am still interested in others opinions as well.

EDIT : I didn't see some of the posts that people posted while I posted this. Thank you for the welcome! I've been lurking for a long while but never registered. I appreciate the quality of this community. As far as where I saw the ZT for sale :

http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?usrsearch=zt+0780

That's the only place thus far. It is pre-order but I believe that they are becoming available this month.
 
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Ditto on solid liner lock comments. I have a 0200ST.
I don't think it will ever fail unless you use both hands and bash the spine against a wall, maybe not even then

IMO for SD the 0560, 03xx, 0200 and 780 feal the most comfortable and confident in my hand
 
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A lot of the bad rep for liner locks is b/c some many cheaper knives use them. And by cheap I mean crap not just inexpensive. A well designed liner lock shouldn't be anything to worry about IMO. I've had a number of them from $30 knives to $200 plus and had confidence in all of them.
 
Bought my first zt a couple of months ago, a 550. I can honestly say that with everything I own that has a linerlock the zt feels like the strongest one I have ever felt. The quality of the knife in general makes me feel like I should have paid more.
 
I've had a 0350 for a year now and used it as my main EDC. I was never really too keen on liner locks to begin with but I was more than impressed with the lockup on my ZT. So much so that ZT has changed my opinion on liner locks for the better.

The liners are thick -- the thickest i've seen on any knife I personally own, including emersons. Out of the box the lockup was on the later side, engaging 85% of the liner surface with the tang. I'm not talking about late lockup in a bad light either, like you can see in cheap knives where the thin liners engage only on the last available section of the tang, i'm talking about rock solid positive engagement that inspires confidence. After a year of daily use and the aforementioned thousands of flicks and locks the liner has not moved at all and the lockup is still absolutely rock solid. I still treat my ZT as a folder and don't bang on the spine, torque or put excess stress on the knife (as one should not do with any folder IMO) but I have never had a malfunction of the lock, or disengage.

I have heard that the 0200 models had some issues with disengagement, but speaking from my 0350, i have had zero problems. tl;dr Its the best liner lock i have come across.

[edit] added picture.

Been there since day 1.
Picture14-2.png
 
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Just an fyi, there is a thread in the kershaw/zt section about the 780. They have not even begun production yet, most likely due to the insane demand of the back ordered 056X. The general consensus is that production will begin some time after they catch up on the 056X series. I believe the best guess for availability was June.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Especially the picture CLE - that inspires confidence. Kershaw will definitely get some of my money.
 
CLE said:
I've had a 0350 for a year now

The liners are thick -- the thickest i've seen on any knife I personally own, including emersons.
Click to expand...

Please tell me how thick the liners are.

My BM 755 MPR with M390 steel is a great knife, but the width, measuring 0.610", is right at the verge of being too thick to carry, IMO. For reference, the BM 710 is 0.480" and the Spydie PM2 is 0.450".

Sonny
 
I am carrying my Para2 in 20CP. Very thin and easy to carry. Extremely capable. Stays sharp darned near forever.
Sonny
 
Sonnydaze said:
Please tell me how thick the liners are.

My BM 755 MPR with M390 steel is a great knife, but the width, measuring 0.610", is right at the verge of being too thick to carry, IMO. For reference, the BM 710 is 0.480" and the Spydie PM2 is 0.450".

Sonny
Click to expand...

Hi Sonny, I don't have a micrometer but going from a crappy ruler, the locking liner appears to be a little over 1/16". Sorry I can't give you a more accurate number, but the picture should provide some reference. While the liners on the 0350 are thick, the knife itself remains relatively thin -- i'm sure you can find accurate specs somewhere online. Its thinner than my emerson cqc7, sits deeper and the overall shape is less blocky. It is on the heavier side, which doesn't bother me personally because it sits so well I forget its there (until I take off my pants and they hit the floor with a resounding *thud* :thumbup:)
 
While the Para 2 is a great knife, my 0550 bumped that Spyder out of my pocket. IMO, and through my experience, you have nothing to worry about with any ZT linerlock....they are the most stout and thickest linerlocks I've ever owned and used. I've never had any issues with the locks on my 0350 and 0200.

However, the Ti framelock on the 0550 has the thickest lockbar on any of my folders...even more so than on my Sebenza. I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed if you picked one up until the 0780 is available, not knocking the Para 2 since that is one awesome knife too. ;)

1327024828942.jpg
 
CLE, thank you for that info regarding overall thickness. I've tried online to some extent, but will have another go at it. If I come across that info, I'll holler back at you.
best,
Sonny
 
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