In need of guidance

41milesout said:
its a mix of both. I have your normal edc tasks plus i go into the woods and have very light bushcraft tasks
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Based on this, I would suggest the Blur in a good steel and a 3" - 4" FB for the woods work. I have, or have had, all 3 of the knives on your list. I work in a warehouse, live in the country, and spend a lot of time (all I can manage) in the woods with my dogs. I've found that a smaller EDC type folder and a medium sized fixed blade work best for food prep, fires, general cutting, even some unexpected urgent situations. You can spend about the same as buying a 550 and cover both bases. Like others have said, the Blur should hold up very well to any EDC chores. It's a very sturdy knife with a reliable liner lock.
 
is the sandvik steel pretty good? I want a blade that can handle most of what i need. This is within reason of course. I have always seen the value in a fixed blade and even hatchet for some of this tougher tasks. I want something of a companion blade that will be with me all of the time unless i know i need a more specific tool. Thanks for all the input. If only money wasn't an object.
 
The sandvik steel is really good, the only thing is it is more prone to rust especially if you live in a more humid area. Nevertheless the sandvik steel holds an great edge and will not rust at long as you wipe it down after use!
 
I personally haven't ever had any issues with rust on a sandvik blade but I've seen on the forums people having rust problems. But yeah a coated blade would prevent that issue all together!
 
Get a 350. Good price point for a tough as nails ZT knife. It is assisted, and I like assisted but if you don't like it you can render it un-assisted by removing the torsion bar. It is also the perfect size for EDC. I carry a 350, (with the re-ground blade that I posted) but acquired a 560 recently which is non assisted but a flipper. Great knife but is just a little big for EDC. 350 is your knife.


Don't hesitate, get a 350.

Post pics of your final decision!
 
If you are carrying IWB and you get a Blur you will want to file down the thumb studs they are kinda sharp. 550 would be better for hard use Blur is a great slicer 350 does both but is going to be harder to sharpen unless you know what you are doing .
 
I am such a waffler when it comes to knives. One day im sure the 550 is perfect, but the next day the 350 is the one.
 
The Blur is an excellent knife in and of itself. The liner may look thinner than, say, the 0350, but it is plenty strong for things you should apply a folding knife to. That said, when SHTF, whatever tool you have on you is the one you'll use. Enter ZT. The 0350 really feels like a beefed up version of the Blur. Thicker and wider blade, handle, and liner, added flipper opening, and improved ergonomics. The 0550 is an even thicker blade and handle and replaces the steel liner lock with a good sized slab of titanium. The frame lock has an added benefit that a tight grip on the handle actually reinforces the lock (versus a liner lock, where a tight grip may actually release the lock, depending on how the knife is positioned in your hand).

For EDC, if you want something that will ride comfortably in your pocket and stay out of your way until you need it, the Blur is a good choice. Between the 0350 and 0550 (both are fairly bulky, and you'll really notice them in your pocket all the time), I'd lean more towards the 0550 mainly because of the titanium framelock. Anyway, you're choosing between three excellent knives, so there really isn't a "wrong" choice to be made here.
 
The blur is a great knife but in my opinion it isn't in the same league as the ZT knives. I have all three and the 550 is my favorite of them, that being said my 350 is a work knife so it has the most miles on it and I love it to death. Pick the one that has the design which appeals to you the most.
 
chester22 said:
I carry it in my right pocket..I don't find it to heavy or big.. I like the feeling of knowing the knife is there.. Not to heavy or light
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I also own the ZT-0550 and it is a true masterpiece. I do not find it to be "too" heavy at all. It is solid , beefy , very well-built and it let's you know it's there in your pocket just waiting to be unleashed.

Like Chester said , I like the feeling of knowing the knife is there too. For me , the weight is ideal.
 
I haven't seen any recommendation for a 0200. It is a big beast and gives you the 3d machined G10 grip. It also has the DLC which is very tough. It's technically a liner-lock, but the liners are really thick. I think that 0200's are cheaper than a 0550 on the average and will do plenty for EDC. I use mine from opening mail to cutting loose a shed with grass overgrown on its frame (digging into the dirt to cut the grass).

I strongly considered a 0550 for my second ZT. I am awaiting a 0560 instead, since I wanted the flipper. I may still get an old 0550 down the road, provided any are still around when I am ready.
 
41milesout said:
the price on the 350 is much better. Im just worried about such a broad blade for edc.
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The blades on the 0350 and 0550 are roughly the same size. Here are some pics with them stacked one on the other. (Having a coated and a plain actually comes in handy here to show the different sizes.)

ZT_0550_0350_stacked_800x273.jpg


ZT_0350_0550_stacked_800x290.jpg


ZT_0350_0550_800x450.jpg
 
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the 550 blade looks much more practical. Its good to see that someone is putting their limited run knife to use. That picture makes me want a 550blk so much more. Thank you for the pics.
 
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Stonewashed looks cool, and it does a great job of masking wear on the blade. It also provides a pretty even surface wear, so there are fewer dimples and crevasses that can rust. The DLC provides a very hard (I remember reading somewhere around 90 RC) coating around the blade, protects against rust/corrosion, and makes the blade non-reflective. I also recall reading somewhere that the tungsten DLC ZT uses also reduces surface friction when cutting (normally one of the knocks against painted coatings is the material sticks to it while cutting, so it makes it harder to cut stuff). As you can see, though, the DLC will show wear from cutting pretty much anything more substantial than paper (it does give the blade a bit more character though).

As for function, the large belly and recurve on the 0350 does give you more cutting edge, and the recurve really bites down when cutting with that section of the blade. It's a more elaborate cutting edge, but it's not just for show. Sharpening a recurve is more difficult though. The more traditional drop point shape of the 0550 is very functional as well and easier to maintain.
 
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