hard question Lum or ZT?!

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Oct 23, 2006
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If you really could afford neither, but could scrape together enough change to obtain a Kershaw ZT0200 or a Spyderco Lum Chinese folder (or some other folding knife in the $100-150 range) what would you get?

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they're apples and oranges. The Lum Chinese is a gent's knife...full flat grind leaf shape blade in ZDP steel will open all the packages, envelopes, slice and dice apples etc.

The Kershaw is all black, thick and heavy/sturdy. It'll be a pry bar whereas the Lum Chinese won't.

What are you planning to use the knife for? There are plenty of options in the $100-150 range.
 
ZT without any question or doubt. 4 way carry, more usable blade shape (for me), thumbstud/flipper opening, extremely comfortable ergos, something I can USE.

ZT MUDD also fits in that category. And the new ZT 0350.
 
those are two totally different knives. it shouldnt be too hard to choose between them

the zt is huge and way too heavy for carrying every day...its really more of a folding prybar than a practical blade

the chinese folder by lum is pretty hard to find and therefore overpriced, so its also probably not a good choice. but its a nice medium sized gents folder suited for edc if thats ideal

my advice would be...dont spend 80+ bucks on one of your first knives...experiment with different brands, blade lengths, blade shapes, flippers/holes/studs, handle materials, assisted opening, everything. its very unlikely that you know what you really want now, so lurk the boards, read reviews and watch videos on youtube. just dont spend too much on your first few knives
 
those are two totally different knives. it shouldnt be too hard to choose between them

the zt is huge and way too heavy for carrying every day...its really more of a folding prybar than a practical blade

the chinese folder by lum is pretty hard to find and therefore overpriced, so its also probably not a good choice. but its a nice medium sized gents folder suited for edc if thats ideal

my advice would be...dont spend 80+ bucks on one of your first knives...experiment with different brands, blade lengths, blade shapes, flippers/holes/studs, handle materials, assisted opening, everything. its very unlikely that you know what you really want now, so lurk the boards, read reviews and watch videos on youtube. just dont spend too much on your first few knives

the guy has over 300 posts doubt this is his first knife.
lum is a wicked slicer Zt is a tank. i dont buy that BS people put up about a ZT being 2 heavy i own the 300 and its heavier carries just fine takes up some space but i dedicate my pocket to just my knife wether its a delica or a RAT 3. if u want a folding razor get the lum if u want a thick hunk of sharp steel get the ZT u really cant go wrong. :D
 
I vote for Lum Chinese everytime it is against anything else.

There is nothing like it. It looks great open, closed. Feels great in the hand, like it just wants to go slice something. It sounds weird but the knife even cuts with style.

I am in the use the right tool for the job camp. Knives are made for cutting and slicing. If you have to pry with your knife, get a swiss army alox model with a nice big flathead.

I have had MANY knives in my relatively short collecting career, I have gone through many preference shifts. one hand opener, super tough one hand opener, slipjoint, fixed,

I find that I like the highest performance cutting, in the lightest and smallest package, per length of blade.

In other words 3 inches of cutting in a couple ounces and a slim handle. Over 3 inches and 5-8 ounces and a big fat handle.

I just love my Lum Chineses! Sorry for the long post.
 
You would have to get very lucky to buy a Lum for 150.
They are bringing 170 and the cheapest i've seen on the exchange here was 160 and that was once.
A new ZT0200 you can find for about 128. It's a lot of knife for the money and like others have noted way different than a Lum.
 
I hve not used either knife, but I have a few kershaws and I do know that you can not go wrong with Anything from Kai USA.
 
C'mon....you know the answer to every "which knife should I get: (a) or (b)" question on these forums is always "BOTH"! :)

Having said that, I'd say the Lum based ONLY on the fact that it's hard to find. And if you can get one now, do it.
 
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