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I am a Spyderco Fanboy but should I try a ZT?
- Thread starter vg10blade
- Start date
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.
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2015
- Messages
- 13
"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.
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2008
- Messages
- 3,396
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.
@LeathermanGX
BANNED
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2014
- Messages
- 2,419
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
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.
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
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.
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2014
- Messages
- 718
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.
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.
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.
