Help me choose: ZT350, Spyderco

Do you plan to use the knife to slice tape, cardboard etc., or do you plan to cut wood, particle board, hose and other tough stuff? It really depends on if you want a slicer or an unstoppable goes through anything blade. Personally, I would get the 0350.
 
I know this is a dead thread but would just like to add my impression of the Military. I was under the impression that Sal was asked to design a knife if he had a kid going into the Military,a folder. I believe that most are given standard issue Kabars which eliminates the need for a beefy folder as hard use would obviously go to that tool for opening ammo etc. He wanted something light and easy to carry but large enough it could be deployed as a weapon while still being handy for the vast majority of cutting tasks that folks in the military do which,believe it or not,isn't that much different than anyone else except opening MRI s. I don't recall it ever being marketed as anything other than that and not a hard use knife. I don't think it's wise to judge a knife by it's marketing let alone it's name. I judge a knife by it's materials,blade geometry etc if I cannot hold it. As far as what the OP wanted, it sounds like the ZT would be a better fit. My 2c.
 
damn this is an old thread! To the above, Ka Bar has not had a gvt contract since the end of WW2. Any military base PX always has a bunch of different modern USMCs to choose from stocked up though so they are still quite common with troops. The "Ka Bar" that gets issued to some Marines when they pick up their pistol is the Ontario USMC clone that hasnt changed a bit since around 1960 its pretty rough and basic comes with a shit edge. The civilian version is the Ontario 498 Ive got one the edge it came with looked like it was put on with a hacksaw. Have since had it pro wicked edged and now its a demon but it was the cost of the knife alone just to make it that way. Army gets Gerber LMF iis and various other Gerber fixed blades which is even worse because well Gerber makes toys not knives now.

Troops that are not issued a knife or just dont want to carry a big fixed blade are issued Gerber multi tools which sucks because even the US made Gerber multi tools are shitty leatherman rip offs that are badly designed etc. NOW that being said any troop that is going to be issued an M16 or M4 is also issued a bayonet for them as well. The bayonets are far better than the stupid cheap and basic Ontario which is ironic since the bayonet for an M16 is made by Ontario lol. Not sure who makes the M4 one but its very likely also Ontario.

As for the Sal statement yes that is correct he did say that BUT that was also pre overbuild phenomenon its a new world of knives now. Ive got a Military and its great. Vs a ZT 0350 the Military flat loses out in cutting power, build strength and reliability. Ive got 3 ZT 0350's for a reason and that reason is it until very lately was the smallest "overbuilt" ZT, the Ken Onion designed shape and ergos plus a thicker blade than the Military means one can thumb over onto the spine for more down pressure. It is just a much stouter stronger knife without being the useless overkill of the 0300's. Truly the real "super Blur". I have 18 ZT's and if I knew then what I know now I would only own my 3 0350's, any 0801 and the incredible 0550 and saved myself a ton of money. Even Vs the best all around EDC knife out, the PM 2, I would still strongly advise a 0350. The liners on the 0350 are twice as thick as the liners on the Military or PM 2.

Lastly if my kid were joining the Marines I would tell him 3 knives is what you will carry they are:for a folder any edition 0350, for a fixed blade the Ka Bar D2 Extreme Fighter and that 3rd if he gets issued the shitty yet strong Ontario 498 to send it out or have it done locally-be wicked edged sharpened along with the Ka Bar D2. The Ka Bar D2 is the baddest, strongest most indestructable fighting utility I have ever used or seen. Mine has done things that would break other knives apart with no problem and still kept an edge. Ka Bars D2 is in my opionion the best in the industry. I wish I knew how Ka Bar made it so damn tough and nearly stainless at the same time. I swam a Canadian lake with mine tied to my wrist with a lanyard and nope nothing no rust no stains nothing. Had to baton emergency firewood in the rain a couple of times and no rust there either. It is also basically a "Super" USMC Ka Bar which means the balance and ability of a true fighting knife yet with better ergos a half guard and extended pommel. The only damage to the hell I have put mine through is that the black coating is half gone now. Whichever Ill buy another. It also weighs nothing to the current fad of quarter inch thick BK2's etc yet is just as tough and much faster. Hell I know Ive got all these blades and the D2 just crushes all everytime. The sheath it comes with blows, any of them. It would be more than worth it to get a custom made sheath of whatever kind.

Light and easy in this case would be a 0350 my favorite of my 3 is my $160 M390 Knifeworks edition. No fancy carbon fiber just ZT guts and M390 glory. M390 is the toughest stainless I have ever seen it takes a psychotic edge and holds it like tool steel.

In the end there is always the issue 1950's era shitty Ontario to use but unless a pro edge gets put on it that Ontario is barely useful even as a chisel. Its heavy, would be better hitting an enemy over the head with it than trying to stab or cut them lol

To end my rant there are ALWAYS good choices in fighting utility knives at the base PX. Here on Ft. Belvoir they are kept on display in the back. The traditional Ka Bars sell as soon as they get them but the PX also is dirt Fing cheap. Ive seen the Ka Bar D2 Exteme Fighter I just ranted about at the PX for 80 bucks which is 40 below what civvies get. The have a few Ontarios(better ones)and believe it or not the Cold Steel Leatherneck sells as soon as they get them. Dont have one myself have to pick one up sometime. As for folders its a few Bucks a couple Kershaws a few SAKs and if one is really lucky a Leatherman or two.

end rant
 
As a service member and a knife addict who has both the 0350 and the military i would always take the military. The 0350 lock failed on me with hand pressure and got put in te out.

As for blade thickness, steel, weight ect it doesnt matter to me all that much as i just use a knife to cut things and i have a pocket prybar/multitool for the rest.

That is why i live the military. It is light, thin, and has an awesome grind. Plus it has yet to fail on me like the zt. Not saying i dont live zt, the 0560 is one of my most carried folders but out of the two (0350 and military) i will take the thinner and lighter one every time.
 
Okay, Jim Ankerson...got yourself out on a limb a little bit.
I value your opinion highly, but remember when you were quite happy using your s30v as your edc. And then later on, you were delighted with the AD-10. Ya can't have it both ways, friend. Oh, I guess you can if you want to.
:) just keep in mind that I use you as a reference library, so keep us informed as to the what and why.
Don
P.s.
I am not a fan-boy of Jim's, but I do admire his great effort which helps most of us. There are many well-informed folks on here, but Jim just happens to be most noticeable.
So, I wonder what happened to the AD-10... Is he just as persnickety as the rest of us?
Don
 
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