Heavy Duty Folders - ZT, SMF, CRK, ER, etc.

vjb.knife

vjb.knife

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Feb 2, 2002
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I just got a ZT302 and it prompted me to get a few others out to compare, so I decided to take a picture or two and post them. So far I am very impressed with the Zero Tolerance knife. It is not as thick of a blade as the Strider SMF or the Extrema Ratio but seems every bit as tough and solid as the SMF anyway. I think the extra Ti liner plate they put under the G-10 handle slab makes the ZT302 that much stiffer. The ZT302 is very strong in the lock up and seems as stable as any of them.

Here are the ones I pulled to compare. From Left ot Right they are 1. Combat Elite Rapid Respose Folder, 2. MaxxQ Knives MQ1B, 3. MOD Dieter Mark 1, 4. Microtech Amphibian, 5. Microtech LCC, 6. Greg Lightfoot custom, 7. CRK Sebenza, 8. Zero Tolerance ZT302, 9. Strider SMF, and Extrema Ratio faida / Nemesis.
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The three most popular lately would probably be these. The ZT302, SMF and the Sebenza. They are all great knives and I like them each. The Sebenza is my usual EDC because the others are just too big for it. I have been using the SMF for camping / backpacking for a while and it has performed very well. It is a beast of a knife and I have no worries about hurting it, it holds an edge very well and is very solid. The ZT302 is brand new but seems to be a qualified contender although it is very big, however it does not carry badly due to the contour of the handles, wher the large squarish SMF is not too good in the pocket.
IMG_0025.jpg

The Extrema Ratio Nemesis is (believe it or not) heavier duty than the SMF, but I think due to it's design very limited in use, therefore it has never really been used but mostly bought as a curiousity. Another heavy duty favorite is the Microtech Amphibian which I also have not gotten around to using, mostly because there are too many other in the rotation.
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That's all for now folks!
 
What?... no Emersons?! :) Actually, very knice knife collection you have there. I gotta admit I'm just a little jealous.
 
I agree on the ZT vs SMF. They compare very well, but considering the price I certainly prefer the ZT. The 0200 is also a great knife and half again the price of the 0302.

ZT is hard to top for a "hard use" knife... and maybe unbeatable for the price!
 
I see you like your heavy duty folders. I have three of those knives, the Sebenza, the SMF, and the LCC. As much as I like the SMF, I don't carry it much due to its size. I'll never get rid of it though, it's too good a knife. Most days you'll usually find me with the Sebenza or the LCC. Everyone knows about the Seb, but I think people have largely forgotten about the LCC. It's too bad Microtech discontinued it, the LCC is IMHO the best factory folder collaboration ever made.
 
My most used ones are Spyderco Tenacious & Lone Wolf t2. Opposit ends of the cost spectrum but both still good hard working knives that will probably last a lifetime. Throw in a CRKT M4 too. It is moderately priced though not quite as nice as the ones in your really nice collection. I like your Stryder. I hope to get a Sebenza one day but WOW are they pricey.
 
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I'd really like to hear how the Amphibian compares in use. Oh man, and that Lightfoot - but it's too gorgeous, I wouldn't be able to use it on anything other than mail!
 
Nice collection and good write up. :thumbup:

The liner on the 302 is actually just coated stainless steel tho, not titanium.
 
tjsulli790 said:
Nice collection and good write up. :thumbup:

The liner on the 302 is actually just coated stainless steel tho, not titanium.
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Thanks for the thumbs up, but the liner is not stainless it is Titanium. I just verified that with KAI / ZT customer service. They said on some of the lower end models they used SS but the 300 series knives have Ti under the G-10.
 
fishface5 said:
I'd really like to hear how the Amphibian compares in use. Oh man, and that Lightfoot - but it's too gorgeous, I wouldn't be able to use it on anything other than mail!
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I have not taken the Amphibian out to use but I did carry the MT LCC for a few years and it is a very nice knife for all around use.
 
vjb.knife said:
Thanks for the thumbs up, but the liner is not stainless it is Titanium. I just verified that with KAI / ZT customer service. They said on some of the lower end models they used SS but the 300 series knives have Ti under the G-10.
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I can verify it with a magnet, it is SS. They most likely misunderstood you, the 300 series uses a titanium framelock their other models use a SS liner lock.
 
vjb. knife,
i just got th 0350 in today and love it. some people say the handle is too small this and that but i think it's overall a great knife. now i want to order a larger knife ( yes i got knife fevor now). 350 is making me lean toward teh 300

i'm stuck inbetween the 0300 (i like it in all black), 200 and the mudd.

in the picks the 300's blade looks like a great width but i have been told the pics are deciving.. how is the width of the blade? anything u dont like about it?.. i'm goign to order my second knife tomorrow so trying to make a last min decision now. right now after seening those pics i'm leaning toward the 300.(i dont plan on getting anymore knives after this so i want a really good one)


as for how tough the knife is look at these videos of it. some1 put them to the test since u havn't yet. all 3 performed very well

rope test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hsRbuYiGQQ

wood/ brick test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnGbQbsW_d0&feature=related

stabing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x69yZKIz0-s&feature=related

bolt test (the 300 would of cut the larger bolt it was more then 1/2 through it. it kept hitting it wrong though)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuyb_vXut1M&feature=related

and hell build a brick walkway with it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnGbQbsW_d0&feature=related

beat them with a large wood object
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTwK4els09g&feature=related
 
ar0maticdecay said:
in the picks the 300's blade looks like a great width but i have been told the pics are deciving.. how is the width of the blade? anything u dont like about it?..
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Thanks for the links I haven't seen those before. As far as the width on the 300 series it is more broad than most knives. I went and grabbed a random assortment of knives I had laying around to maybe help give a better idea of the ZT size. (From top - Case large trapper, Spyderco pacific salt, ZT 302, Boker Trance, Kershaw Shallot, BM 610)

If you can get past the weight of the 300s there really isn't anything to not like. But they are bricks there is no getting around that, I've just gotten used to it.

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i have a 0350 and i love it for carry. i now want a larger tactical/heavy duty knife. 8 oz isn't anything to me so the weight i have no prob with. the s30v on the 300 is better then the 154cm why im leaning toward it more. (if 154 is better for some reason let me know though im a knife noob)


the only real reason i keep asking about the blade width is because of it's thrust capibilities. can u do me a favor? go for a walk with the knife and go stab some1 for me.. i want to see how well it would work for thrusting/self defense (J/K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!). How do u think it would thrust though.. the video i posted he wasn't very clear when it came to the thrusting with the 300.

some pics the 300 looks like a nice thruster in others it looks really wide. some1 open a knife shop near philadelphia plz and carry them

also how much did u pay for it? if it's lower then 235 can u plz tell me where u got it from.
 
Heavy duty folders? I think Spyder Mini Manix, SS Poliwog, Kershaw Packrat, JYD2 CB, ZT205, and my Zsolt Ideal G fits the bill... :thumbup:

SpyMiniManix2.jpg


Spy_PoliwT11.jpg


KershawJYD2_CP2.jpg


IdealG_c3.jpg
 
VJB.Knife,

Nice collection.

You really can't go wrong with any of those folders.

I know what you mean about Emersons, I try to like them. In fact, I just ordered a SERE and a ParaMilitary to add to my heavy folder cache.
I had my finger on the button for an Emerson as well, but I bought a ZT 0200 instead. I'll probably try an Emerson someday.
 
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