I am a Spyderco Fanboy but should I try a ZT?

ZT's are nice to look at, but IMO they can't compare to the feel and ergos of a Spyderco. The Southard and Rubicon are my favorite filppers
 
I love me my Spydercos, but why limit yourself needlessly?

I picked up a ZT 0452cf today, and I really like it.

As far as possible ZT knives in the pricerange the OP stated, there is a plethora of ZT 2015 models that are appropriate
 
I suggest trying one out for sure! Ive got many spydies: pm2, domino, lionspy, valotton and a zt 801. my daily rotation is between the 801, pm2, and domino and sometimes the spy, valotton is my gentleman's knife. But I think my 801 is my favorite out of all of them. And I can attest for their elmax, my 801 is #0094 and there is nothing wrong with it, just as good as my lionspy and microtech elmax. Im resisting getting a 0450 on the way only because im just starting a new job, but it will be the first thing i get. the valotton and the lionspy are some of spydercos beefiest knives, I want to try a slim light ZT really bad.
 
"Titanium" is misleading, zts are heavy. Something that may take time to get used to. Zt0808 took the sage1 role. Twice the weight in hand is my guess, but not enough to notice in pocket.
 
I'm not a fan boy of any particular brand. Never had any interest in a ZT knife though. I just don't like the way their knives look.
 
I'm not interested in any Spyderco flippers. The idea really offends my OG ideology. Spydercos are clippets not flippers!

Anyways my first and fav ZT is of course a flipper. The 0801, love it first sight. Unfortunately that's the only one I have. I have a waved ZT0200, but it's unflipped. LOL :D So it's hard to call it a 0200 anymore. It's really a CM.

I am developing a disdain for ZT's limited runs.
 
I love Spyderco for their style of knives and handle/steel combinations, plus the "spyder" hole of course which goes back to design. I bought my ZT because I wanted a "hard use" folder, or at least something that was supposed to be incredibly solid. The weight doesn't bother me at all, I've even said I wished the paramilitary 2 was a bit heavier. In any case, the 0562 I have lived up to the hype I had in my head. It is indeed the most solidly put together folder I've used. The damn thing feels like a fixed blade when its locked open, there isn't any hint of micro blade play at all. As for the lock, I am not saying frame locks are the best, I haven't been convinced of that. Seems pretty strong though. My PM2 is very solid of course too, but the 0562 takes it one or two steps higher.
 
Had the southard. Just traded for this 😁
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I love my ZTs, I just love my Spydercos more. Definitely give ZT a try.
 
Well I couldn't find a Spyderco that excites me more than ones I have.
So ZT 0900 & 0450 are making their way to me.
 
As of lately, I cannot put another knife in my pocket other that Spyderco. It's the perfect EDC.
 
To the OP, you owe it to yourself to go out and try other brands, ZT is definitely one worth trying as they make a well priced quality product

However, my experience has been that they have steeper bevels than you may be used to having come from primarily Spydercos. With one or two notable exceptions, all my Spydercos are pretty thin behind the edge and I have been able to touch them up (88 of them) on a Sharpmaker without having to reset bevels - nice, quick and easy as you may have experienced. It may just be bad luck but all my ZTs to date (admittedly only 3) have needed a re-bevel to get them cutting the way I like and and to get them to a point that touch ups are easy. Sure, the ZTs are designed for "hard use" (whatever that is) and maybe the steeper bevels are part of the design logic, it just doesn't work so well for my uses. It's not just ZT, there are a few other well known brands that I have the same issue with.

As always, YMMV.
 
It will take something epic to unseat my new edc. 0452CF!

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This will remain my work edc which it has been for several years. Gen 1.5 0550.

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I'm a Spydie guy, and the only thing keeping me from buying a ZT next is price. I need a hard use knife, and ZT does hard use very, very well.

Finding an alternative was a challenge, to be sure.

If you have the dimes, and have the interest, buy one!
 
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