Is the ZT 301-302 Too Heavy For EDC?

clockman said:
I usually carry Zaan or SMF as an edc.Im thinking about getting a ZT 301.

Is the weight difference between the SMF and the ZT 301(2 oz.+)

going to be a Big difference for edc? Does the 301 fill up most of the front

pocket? How do you like yours ? Do you carry it most of the time or only

occasionally? :D

Thanks
Click to expand...

I carry a ZT 0300 as part of a rotation, and I don't care about the weight. It's just fine.
 
I handled a ZT and a very large Strider frame lock at a local store. I just wanted to see a ZDP Delica and a D2 Paramilitary before they closed up, but the salesman was a big fan and said "check out this one" a couple of times. They were too mongo for me. Both were nice, but way too big for my taste. I'd prefer a fixed blade when you get to that size.


Spyderco Military and a Busse Combat SAR4
 
Last edited:
I have a ZT 302, maybe 301, whatever the brown handled one is. I have found it to be not too bad for a EDC carry knife but I don't like the way it cuts for most of my simple EDC needs.
I would not be afraid to dig with that knife, or hack at something with it, but overall it doesn't get hardly any carry time for me. But right now I just can't seem to sell/trade it off......keep feeling I will love it someday but has not happened yet.
 
clockman said:
I usually carry Zaan or SMF as an edc.Im thinking about getting a ZT 301.

Is the weight difference between the SMF and the ZT 301(2 oz.+)

going to be a Big difference for edc? Does the 301 fill up most of the front

pocket? How do you like yours ? Do you carry it most of the time or only

occasionally? :D

Thanks
Click to expand...

Once they come out with a 1lb folder, that might be too heavy.
 
It's a beast...no gettin' around it. But it's an awesome knife.:thumbup:

I have a Lifter sheath coming for mine as I think it will carry better for me on the belt. I purposely bought mine to replace a fixed blade for light field duty around the summer camps I attend. A pouched folding knife(even a big one) is allowed where sadly, a fixed blade isnt.

The ZT 030x series is perfect for my needs and with a Krein re-profile(for a pointier tip) and a Dobson custom scale(coming soon) it will be one of my treasured pieces.
:D
 
clockman said:
I usually carry Zaan or SMF as an edc.Im thinking about getting a ZT 301.

Is the weight difference between the SMF and the ZT 301(2 oz.+)

going to be a Big difference for edc? Does the 301 fill up most of the front

pocket? How do you like yours ? Do you carry it most of the time or only

occasionally? :D

Thanks
Click to expand...

Had a 302 and used to carry it a lot. At first the weight didn't bother me at all, over time it started to get to me. Then it got to the point I couldn't stand having that brick in my pocket any more.

It's a beast of a knife, no doubt, but I just couldn't justify dragging it around anymore. It didn't do anything that some of my other knives couldn't.
 
The weight wasn't an issue as much as the footprint from my experience. I've carried all the 030x series knives and 0200. I just lost the use of my pocket with them in it. The other element about the 030x series and EDC is the belly of the blade is so wide it's difficult to open an envelope with it.
 
Last edited:
Phillip Dobson said:
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.
Click to expand...

I agree with the highlighted statement very much.... I'd rather carry (2) 0300s than (1) iPhone in an OtterBox Defender. ;)

I have been carrying a 301 for quite a while.
I recently sent it to Phillip for a smooth orange G10 scale. The weight was never an issue, and, now that it has been given the CC treatment by Phillip the sharp edges are not either :thumbup:

My only real advice is to move essential items (keys, lighter, et.) to your weak side pocket if you want to carry an 0300. I carry a Bill's Custom Cases Urban Wallet and an 0300 strong side FP with no issues, but, I would hate to have to brush past that beast evertime I needed my keys or lighter.
 
I carry my 0301 when I am wearing jeans. I don't mind the weight, but I usually carry it with a Spyderco Ladybug. The Ladybug sees most of my EDC action. The 0301 isn't sheeple friendly and the Ladybug can handle most of the cutting I do on a daily basis. I just really like the 0301.
 
As many have said the 03xx series carries great in jeans, I regulairly EDC a 0301 as well as a 0200. The weight has'nt been an issue after about the first 5 minutes, it just dissappeared. Funny thing though, the 0200 almost feels larger in the pocket.

The lightest knife I have in my EDC rotation is a CQC 7B, followed by a Spec Bump. These are my "dress knives", or shorts knives. In all honesty, I feel them about as much as the ZT's that I EDC.
 
I regret selling my 0300, yes it is very heavy compared to most EDC knives but it's a tank of a knife.
I carry a Extrema Ratio MF0 at the moment, smaller, lighter and still strong but not as good as the titanium framelock.
 
Read a couple of those posts and thought it I was in whine and cheese! Not familiar with the particular knife but, obviously, it depends on the person; I notice the difference when I carry heavier knives but if it was a problem I wouldn't carry them.
 
As you can see clockman, there are those who say it is too heavy to EDC and those who say it is not. Only you can decide for yourself but his means actually buying one or at the least, borrowing one.

By the way, it's not too heavy. ;) :D
 
UpChUcK said:
As you can see clockman, there are those who say it is too heavy to EDC and those who say it is not. Only you can decide for yourself but his means actually buying one or at the least, borrowing one.

By the way, it's not too heavy. ;) :D
Click to expand...

Being to big/small also depends on if the user is a frail little guy at 5'1" or a big burly bastid at 6'4".
Personal choice.
 
Just got a ZT0301 this week (thanks Thomas). I've been carrying it the last 2 days in my cargo shorts yesterday and blue jeans today. The weight isn't an issue. It carries smaller than my 0200 and isn't much more noticeable than my 0350 or Military. The main thing I notice when I stick my hand in my pocket is the flipper. I've been thinking about using a rubber wheel on my Dremel to gently smooth the edges, but haven't decided if that's really needed or not.
 
I wear 5.11 pants most of the time. The back right pocket is where I keep my 0300. I hardly feel the size or weight. The clip design and over all ergonomics of this knife for me is almost perfect. I guess just try it out and see how you like it. Most dealers I use will let me put a knife in my pocket to see how it feels.
 
PG5768 said:
Just got a ZT0301 this week (thanks Thomas). I've been carrying it the last 2 days in my cargo shorts yesterday and blue jeans today. The weight isn't an issue. It carries smaller than my 0200 and isn't much more noticeable than my 0350 or Military. The main thing I notice when I stick my hand in my pocket is the flipper. I've been thinking about using a rubber wheel on my Dremel to gently smooth the edges, but haven't decided if that's really needed or not.
Click to expand...

What annoys me most about your post is the part about the cargo shorts. Its 33 degrees here in NJ this morning, but they say it will hit the 50's today....:D
 
They don't look too big for spring, fall, winter carry in my jacket pockets. Summer I'd want something a bit smaller, even though I'm big enough to handle the weight, I'd rather not for summer time. :)

I've been looking at the 0300 compared to the 0301/2 and can't see much difference. There seems to be a little more belly on the 0301/2 and it's weight .6 oz more (due to what appears to be a thicker blade).

The 0301/2 also have the stripes on the blade and non-black scale colors. Is that the only differences? How does the A/O behave on these big boys?
 
I've had no complaints with my 301 as EDC, and the A/O is plenty quick. As a big, burly bastid at a strapping 5'7", it carries just fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top