What do you guys think of the new upcoming ZT 0180 fixed blade? It's based off of Rick Hinderer's Fieldtac which I am not too familiar with but apparently it is an excellent hard use knife. From what I have read, it's considered an all purpose knife but with a stronger emphasis on "tactical" applications. I'm no newbie when it comes to knives but to be honest, I've never quite fully understood what "tactical" means. I've always just assumed military and law enforcement use. But the new ZT 0180 is a smaller version with some minor tweaks and changes to appeal to wider range of customers. It uses Vanadis 4 Extra for the blade steel and the general consensus seems to suggest its good stuff. It comes with a really nice sheath too. I find the ZT 0180 very intriguing and I'm wondering if it would make a suitable camp knife? My usage would include cutting rope, cutting down small branches, prepping kindling, making marshmallow roasters for my wife and daughter, and other typical camp shores. I'm just looking at all my options. Like I said, I strongly value the opinions and suggestions of the members here and any input is always helpful to me.
I've had great success with ZT's in Elmax. However, I've been around the block enough times to know that you never really know how a given piece of equipment will perform until you go out and use it.
I'll also add that I've seen all sorts of super duper new rifles, pistols, optics and knives hit the market that look like a whole new level of performance, only to find that they suck in reality. My policy now is to pretty much wait when something new is in the pipeline until enough
other people spend their money on it to determine if it's worth spending
my money on trying one out. Once it has enough good reviews to suit me, then I'll spend my cash on one and then wring it out really, really well before deciding to keep it. I've done that with the Bravo 1, TOPS BOB and TOPS Dragonfly 4.5 and have had excellent results with them all, but the Bravo is clearly "on top"
.
Also, keep in mind that we knife geeks tend to get really wrapped up in the minutia. I live way out in the boonies of East Tennessee and there are folks here who use something like a Case Sodbuster to do everything from whittling down at the old country store with the other geezers, to dressing out deer and hogs. These guys live in the woods, and would not know the difference between a "survival" knife, a "tactical" knife, a "Bushcrafter" or a drop point skinner. They would, however, be able to go out in the woods and live as long as they wanted to and/or bring home a deer or turkey at will.
As someone previously stated, our ancestors used sharp rocks for full time "camping and survival"......Pick a decent knife that you like and then go out in the woods and use it - skills are way more important than toys. I am not saying this to be in any way disrespectful at all, but to just keep things in focus. I know that sometimes I spend so much time and effort on some minute point, that I drive myself (and those around me) to a point of frustration.
In other words, just buy a decent knife and go have some fun!
