Is the ZT 301-302 Too Heavy For EDC?

PG5768 said:
Don't own an 0300 yet (or an SMF), but do have a G-10 Tyrade, 0200 and 0350. For me its not so much the weight as it is the bulk. The Tyrade and 0350 carry better than my 0200.



I'm guessing that even you don't own as many knives as you've handled. ;)

Care to expand on your original comment and share any suggestions on what would be a good EDC alternative for that size range folder?
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By handled I mean owned duh! Now, if you guys want a detailed opinion of mine here it is.

I say the ZT is way too heavy for edc because there is better options that give you as much or even more knife for less weight. And I personally don't like how every time I have to run for some reason it shakes viloently in my pocket.

Here is a list of my personal edc choices:
Emerson CQC-10
Emerson Horseman
Benchmade 940
Kershaw Tyrade
 
it's too heavy for dress pants / slacks imo but maybe if you had cargo pants or jeans or pants with some thick material it wouldnt be so bad.

I agree that the size is actually a bigger issue than the weight.
 
Addicted2Knives said:
By handled I mean owned duh!
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We like to share info here, and since you are new, it would be nice to hear you discuss all the knives you have owned. I look forward to your thread on the subject, and please include a review on how they act when running.

What are you running from?
 
I have a 0302 that I bought for field carry with the Marines, not that I see much field time anymore. I saw it at the exchange for $199 and no tax so I picked it up.

It surprised me. In utilities or jeans, I hardly notice it. It doesn't drag my pants down my butt. It does fill up your front pocket though and the square corners of the spine and the jimping freak me out every now and again when I forget it's there and shove my hand in my pocket to grab my keys. I concur with the other posters in that it's not well suited for dress pants or shorts.

YMMV -
Jax
 
I agree that the size is actually a bigger issue than the weight.
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Agreed. I have pocket pistols that weigh 2x's that much but they're not a bother to carry, depending on what you're wearing and other issues like pocket size, whether they restrict you in normal activities......

By handled I mean owned duh!
Click to expand...

We like to share info here, and since you are new, it would be nice to hear you discuss all the knives you have owned. I look forward to your thread on the subject, and please include a review on how they act when running.
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I think you just got "owned" dude. Better take a deep breath Addicted2Knives, you might be playing out of your league?? :D
 
I like it but I would rather carry this in a sheath or in the pocket of a heavy duty pair of jeans. I can see this thing shaking from side to side when running if its not snugly secured.

Despite that I love this knife there is no substitute for it's feel in your hand and playing with it's assisted opening can become an addiction. Although I personally love playing with it this thing is no toy. It is well made, super strong, and can cut quite well. The blade is super sharp and the cutting geometry very capable and well thought out.

The size is no issue to me, heavy it is, but I do like heavy folders as well.
 
Weighed on my Digital scale today:

ZT 0301 = 8.4 oz (EDC with Jeans)

Strider SmF = 6.3 oz

Strider SmF CC = 5.6 oz (My EDC Dress knife)

CS 4" Voyager = 3.6 oz

Busse Boss Street = 8.7 oz (4.25" Fixed Blade OAL 9")
 
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I used to EDC a Buck 110 in my front pocket and it's about 8-oz. In jeans it wasn't a bother. But I'd guess it's an individual preference thing. I don't mind carrying a bunch of stuff in my pockets. Some folks don't like to do that. So YMMV.
 
I wouldn't say they're too heavy for EDC, but I find myself choosing other knives for my EDC rotation. I'll occasionally carry my ZT302, but it is quite a large knife and takes up a fair amount of pocket space.
 
The 0300 is bulkier than I usually carry, but it really isn't bad. I can forget about it easily enough. Lots of people have smart phones that are at least as annoying in the pocket. Considering the build quality of the 0300, the weight is justified.
 
Few things I noticed while EDC'ing my 0300.

Its big, heavy, and consumes your pocket.

IMO the pocket clip sucks and lets the knife ride a hair too low.

The milled scales tear up you pockets.

You don't realize how much you use the tip of a blade until you get this knife, not much of a tip to be useful.

Recurve- harder to sharpen but cuts really well.

The 300's are nice but just too heavy for me ( to use to carrying a millie) and takes up too much pocket space. They are also very tough but border that old saying........"you should be using a fixed blade"

I like tough folders but I think folders are high performance cutters and not prybars. If I need to use a knife as hard as the ZT is built for I'd much rather have a fixed blade. just my 2 pennies.


They would probably carry nice in a belt sheath though.
 
Too heavy, nah! I carry it on weekends among other large-ish folders like the BM 710-D2, Kershaw Junkyard Dog II CB, Spyderco Endura 4 G10. I only carry smaller folders at work because I work in an office environment and often "dress up" so a light ~3" folder works best there. As others have said already, it is a bit heavy for dress pants but jeans and cargo pants are fine with the ZT0300. It really depends on your requirements and your situation. I find when I do carry it, it isn't as bad as it first seems and isn't distracting at all. Try it out for yourself. If it doesn't fit your requirements, you can always keep it for those hard-use moments or sell it for close to what you paid for it.
 
dinozzo said:
i had a 0200 which is around 7oz and it was just way chunky heavy for edc imo...i liked the design but not enough to keep it for long...also i hated the pocket clip...
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+1

I think the Kershaw Tyrade might be a better choice for ease of carry. It is about the same blade size (maybe exactly) but the flatter handles fit pockets a bit better.
 
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dinozzo said:
i had a 0200 which is around 7oz and it was just way chunky heavy for EDC IMO...i liked the design but not enough to keep it for long...also i hated the pocket clip...
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lava_lamp said:
+1

I think the Kershaw Tyrade might be a better choice for ease of carry. It is about the same blade size (maybe exactly) but the flatter handles fit pockets a bit better.
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After reading this thread I decided to carry my 0200 tonite. Its in my jean pocket right now and unless I reach in to my pocket or touch my 0200 to make sure its there, I don't even notice it. And yes, the G-10 Tyrade does carry a little smaller due to the flatter handles but not enough to be noticeably different for me.
 
I hate to be the outcast here but I think it is a bit too big for EDC. That said I have absolutely no problem with this knife and I really really wish I could use it. I've had it now for about 3 months and honestly its sat on my shelf just about every one of those days. Its not the weight that bothers me its just the sheer mass. It takes up a ton of space in my pocket because it's so wide. It's a love hate relationship I have going my 301 but I think I'm going to sell it soon. As far as quality goes though this thing is absolutely top of its class. It is one hell of a folder and everything combines just about perfect. That said, its just too big to be practical for ME. If I'm going to carry a knife that big it's going to be a fixed blade. It's funny though because I have not sold it, it's still chillin on my shelf.
 
nevermind35 said:
I hate to be the outcast here but I think it is a bit too big for EDC. That said I have absolutely no problem with this knife and I really really wish I could use it. I've had it now for about 3 months and honestly its sat on my shelf just about every one of those days. Its not the weight that bothers me its just the sheer mass. It takes up a ton of space in my pocket because it's so wide. It's a love hate relationship I have going my 301 but I think I'm going to sell it soon. As far as quality goes though this thing is absolutely top of its class. It is one hell of a folder and everything combines just about perfect. That said, its just too big to be practical for ME. If I'm going to carry a knife that big it's going to be a fixed blade. It's funny though because I have not sold it, it's still chillin on my shelf.
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I wouldn't worry about being an "outcast" just because you don't like your 0301. As far as I can tell, your honest opinion based on your experience is more valuable than whether or not you like a particular knife.
 
I have one. I normally love large folders so the size didn't concern me. Then I got the darn thing and geez.....it's really big. It's a great knife, and it can be carried, but it's size is less than ideal in my opinion. 1st time I carried it ( and nearly the last), I remember thinking that it filled the pocket more like a small 380 than a knife.
 
I had one as my heavy-duty knife--wore it with sturdy jeans/pants/shorts and it didn't bother me a bit.
 
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