I am sold on ZT

I just don't find myself carrying my 200 - just too heavy. I like the slimmer Spec Bump - kinda a mini ZT

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Tsujigiri said:
I didn't mean that 154CM is a bad steel, I meant that many options in the 0200's price range are competitive mainly because of the steel, whereas the 0200 is competitive due to an overall solid knife. Take the Gayle Bradley, for instance. Fantastic steel, but the ergos have nothing on the 0200. Then there's the Stretch 2 in ZDP. Again, great steel, but the handle on the 0200 blows the Stretch 2's out of the water.

BTW, just got my 0551. Ordered it on Tuesday, came in today. Couldn't be happier!
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Eh, there's things that 154 CM does that ZDP/M4 couldn't really take, I would think. (Well, less for ZDP, M4 is more versatile than ZDP)
 
I recently picked up a 0200 as well, and have to say that it's probably second only to my Lionsteel SR-1 as my all-time favorite production folder, and the space separating the two is incredibly narrow. The 0200 is the most secure feeling handle I've ever had in a folder---love the guard wrapping back around my finger! Overall fit and finish is very high, and even some of my knife un-savvy friends have commented along the lines of, "that looks expensive." The expense isn't really what attracts me (and actually I find it rather wonderfully priced) but I took it as a compliment on the knife's behalf. :D

Now, to those who claim it's "too heavy" for daily carry, or too big...

I swear, I'm going to get the message out on this, no matter how many posts it takes--------try carrying your folders in your waistbands, guys! Weight of any folder is absolutely a zero issue when the knife is held close by your belt. Not only that, but with the belt covering the clip up, you're not advertising to the entire, idiotic, knife-fearing world that you're carrying one. I've carried a 95mm Spyderco Manix for years tucked behind my hip and was NEVER challenged on it, where my friends would constantly run into trouble at work, in museums, etc. with smaller knives because they were bouncing around at the top of their pockets with clips that are either mirror polished or flat black--which stands out against blue jeans from twenty yards away--and would be noticed immediately. The other wondrous thing about clipping your folding knife somewhere other than your pocket is that you can then actually get into your pocket, and use it to carry things that don't have clips and therefore have to ride in there, like keys, change, wallets, whatever. Also, you'll notice that when you sit down--especially in a car--the large knife handle is no longer stabbing you in the hip, because it's sitting up by a part of the body that doesn't bend and isn't making contact with the seat.

Obviously, YMMV but I will never go back to pocket carry of a large folder; I did it for exactly three weeks with my first clipped knife, a Cold Steel Voyager, before saying "this sucks" and moving it up to where I had formerly belt-carried my folding hunter, just IWB instead of OWB. In the five o'clock position IWB, a folder is held so securely that I know it's there and yet can hardly feel it, it's not visible from the front and is all but invisible from behind even with a tucked-in shirt (unless of course it's a deep-carry clip like the SR-1 in which case it's 100% invisible), and I can actually get my little Fisher space pen or a movie ticket out of my pocket without having to flatten my hand like a hieroglyphic.

It may feel strange at first, but give it more than ten minutes to grow on you; try it for a few days before dismissing it. My guess is that more people would comfortably carry the bigger folders if they didn't have to give up an entire pocket to them.
 
I don't mind the weight really, but it inhibits the movement of my leg. When I fold my legs it sticks in my side sitting down, and running it's uncomfortable. It would be difficult, nigh impossible, to throw a good roundhouse with it on me.

But those are my little complaints about big folders generally. The 0200 is unquestionably great. It'll be legendary post-cancellation.
 
I got nothing bad to say about ZT Knives, as everyone I have had has been outstanding.

I'm not much into the half titanium, half G-10 handle thing, so I don't currently own a 300 series ZT. But I did try one out and if I was going to go the half-n-half route, then the ZT would be the one I would pick.

I currently have the ZT0200, ZT0205KW, and the ZT0500 MUDD. These are definately my two favorite ZT folders, with the 0500 just inching ahead by the smallest of amounts.

I'm currently carrying my 0500 today, and have been for the past week or so. Kershaw sure has done a really good job with the 154CM they are using on their knives, and I have no problems with a knife that has a good heat treated 154CM blade. I also like the higher grind on my 0500.

In the end, ZT does = great knives!:thumbup::)
 
You have me pining away for the 0200 I gave my Bro-n-law for Christmas last year. Maybe I'll break out the Kershaw JYD II Combo blade, It is about the same size as the 0200 but with 0350 style G10.
 
singularity35 said:
You ZT fans are all the same. You can't stop saying good words about your dang ZT's. It's all your fault that I have 2 301's and a 200 on the way. You made me do it.
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I hear that. Picked up my first ZT, 0200, about a week ago. I have carried it almost everyday since and I love it. It is a beast. Definitely would be my go to folder if the SHTF.

That and my Benchmade Bedlam.... that one just looks nasty.
 
i have had my ZT 0350 in my pocket since i got it about a month and a half ago. :thumbup:

ZT0350CB2blade.jpg
 
I never liked the shape of the ZTs before but for some reason I finally got it! I picked up my 0200 two weekends ago and really like it.
My only two issues with it are that mine has minor blade play and I tried to change it to right hand, tip-up carry and I couldn't get the one of the clip screws to go all the way in. I think the G10 scale may be slightly mis-aligned with the metal liner beneath because when I backed out the screw it was showing major wear at the tip like it was getting rounded off.

Anyone have any suggestions for these two issues?
 
Yes, Natural Mystic,in fact I do.


Call ZT/Kershaw/KAI (503) 682-1966 and ask for Cheryl Kalleck in Customer Service.
Or email her at: warrantyinfo@kai-usa.com.
Or fill out this online form: http://www.kershawknives.com/contactus.php?brand=zt

Describe the problems you've found,and explain you'd like to send it in for her & the folks in the shop to check out,please.

Insure it for replacement cost,and mail it in:
KAI USA Ltd.
18600 SW Teton Avenue
Tualatin, Oregon 97062
Phone: (503) 682-1966
Fax: (503) 682-7168

Two things will happen:
Either: (1.) They fix it & return it--free, OR: (2.) You'll get a new ZT without those issues.
Depending on the problem,I've seen it work both ways.

My Prediction:
You're about to become a ZT fan for Life!

~Gnarly
 
Hi Gnarly, thanks a bunch man. This being my first ZT I wasn't sure if it was normal to expect blade play or not. I forgot to mention that I had tried tightening down the pivot screw but that just tightened up the blade. It seems that the only way to minimize any play is to forcefully open the knife so the blade really whacks open and engages the lock. In other words, to get the lock bar to be forced as tightly as possible against the pivot of the blade when opened.

I'll contact Cheryl and see what see says.

Cheers!

Gnarly said:
Yes, Natural Mystic,in fact I do.


Call ZT/Kershaw/KAI (503) 682-1966 and ask for Cheryl Kalleck in Customer Service.
Or email her at: warrantyinfo@kai-usa.com.
Or fill out this online form: http://www.kershawknives.com/contactus.php?brand=zt

Describe the problems you've found,and explain you'd like to send it in for her & the folks in the shop to check out,please.

Insure it for replacement cost,and mail it in:
KAI USA Ltd.
18600 SW Teton Avenue
Tualatin, Oregon 97062
Phone: (503) 682-1966
Fax: (503) 682-7168

Two things will happen:
Either: (1.) They fix it & return it--free, OR: (2.) You'll get a new ZT without those issues.
Depending on the problem,I've seen it work both ways.

My Prediction:
You're about to become a ZT fan for Life!

~Gnarly
Click to expand...
 
Just got my ZT 0551 in the mail, and I must say, its the most solid folder I have ever handled. I can't wait for the flipper they are putting out!
 
NaturalMystic said:
Hi Gnarly, thanks a bunch man. This being my first ZT I wasn't sure if it was normal to expect blade play or not. I forgot to mention that I had tried tightening down the pivot screw but that just tightened up the blade. It seems that the only way to minimize any play is to forcefully open the knife so the blade really whacks open and engages the lock. In other words, to get the lock bar to be forced as tightly as possible against the pivot of the blade when opened.

I'll contact Cheryl and see what see says.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Depends on how much play and if it's side-side / up-down. Usually lubing it and then gradually micro-tightening it will fix your issue.
 
I'll have too post now that I own two ZTs. My first is the ZT/H 0551. The I sent Dave an email on blems. I ordered a ZT 0100. Love those ZTs.
 
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