Knife comparison (zt 0550 and para 2)

Black samurai

Black samurai

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The zt 0550 and para 2 are two knives I been juggling around lately, and would like to know your thoughts on comparing the two. In my opinion it's a hard toss up, both are great knives, but which one would you choose if u had to choose one. To me the para 2 is a great slicer and percision blade, I can cut just about anything accuratly with its unique blade shape. As for the zt0550, in my opinion it slices well maybe not as well as the para but it will cut pretty well through just about any task, atleast from my experience. The zt also feels stronger in my hands and deploys a bit quicker, I think do to the heavier blade. Both are fun knives the zt is more appealing in the looks area, a very cool looking knife and the para is probably more fun with its compression lock. Both are great knives that exceed in their own, but what are your thoughts, which would you choose and why?
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I really have no interest in the ZT stuff.

I feel they are over built and too much in my pocket for a folder IMHO.

If I thought I needed a knife for such tasks I would carry a fixed blade, which I legally can so........
 
I can manipulate the para MUCH easier, not as heavy or chunky, cuts much better IMO. Carries better. I can open and close it easier/faster/safer. Nothing I dont like about it when it comes to cutting.

The ZT as nice and heavy duty as it is, is just a completely different monster that doesnt much do it for me in the edc dept. Very nice knife though.
 
I've got a Para 1 and a ZT0550. I love them both. I carry them pretty much equally. When I want something a bit lighter, I go with the Para. When I want something that I think I may need to beat the hell out of it (camping or hiking) I carry the ZT. They are both excellent knives, no reservations about either of them.
 
So far good opinions, and the zt is a bit overbuilt but that's why I like it. But for some reason I can't keep my para out my hand it is one mean cutting machine, and even though this is a comparison of the zt and the para 2, what knife really competes or compares with the para 2.
 
Very VERY different knives on the spectrum of hard use versus dedicated cutter.

Try prying something with a Para 2... no chance. I know, I know, that's not what knives are meant for, but sometimes "crap" happens and you gotta do what you gotta do. I have multiples of both knives, and both get carry time every once in awhile. But as far as straight cutting goes, which is 99.9% of what you will probably be doing with a knife, I'd say the Para 2 has a tremendous advantage: cutting ability (grind), weight, carryability, etc.

Great topic for discussion, by the way. :)

ETA: Sorry, missed the part about choosing. I'd choose the ZT if I had to pick one, just because I like stuff that's tough, overbuilt, and will stand up to the task when I need it to go above and beyond.
 
Fixed blades are legal around here for EDC too. The P2 is a great folding knife design with the lock design, FFG, and ergos. Not really a contest for me. I wouldn't mind having all the Kershaw's but there's too many good knives out there to buy them all.
 
can't help yah. never held a zt but through pictures and testimonies alone, the zt knife that really calls out to me is the 200: 4-inch cpm 154 blade, recurved, symmetrical handles owing to a liner lock, overall the best looking handle among the zt's.
 
hank_rearden said:
can't help yah. never held a zt but through pictures and testimonies alone, the zt knife that really calls out to me is the 200: 4-inch cpm 154 blade, recurved, symmetrical handles owing to a liner lock, overall the best looking handle among the zt's.
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I have a lot of the ZT's and the 0200 is the hardest to carry for me. It's literally like a brick in your pocket... YMMV but that's just coming from a guy that has a few.
 
7.5 ounces is a brick compared to other moderns but buck 110 guys should adapt easily. i can't for the life of me understand why people complain about the added weight of a titanium military. :D
 
I'm beginning to wonder or these the top two knives to end the year out, especially the para 2. It's been in the high ranks of EDC for a while. With all the knives available too choose from, weather it's a strider , hinderer , crk , zt, etc. They're all nice to have and collect, even use as should. I can have a hinderer with me and show it off use it etc, that being my grail knife. But I'll still have a para 2 on me somewhere. I chose this comparison because both are my fav in the edc area. The zt I had first, but now that I've tried the para, it's a real pocket war.
 
Black samurai said:
So far good opinions, and the zt is a bit overbuilt but that's why I like it. But for some reason I can't keep my para out my hand it is one mean cutting machine, and even though this is a comparison of the zt and the para 2, what knife really competes or compares with the para 2.
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Zdp stretch
 
Like another poster, I also have both and have carried both. The ZT is a fine knife; very solid and very effective, and very well made. My preference is for the Para 2 because of its lighter weight, G10 scales on both sides, and better feel in my hand. I don't have any use for a folder as overbuilt as the ZT. I use FBs when I get into that territory.
 
I prefer the size of the P2. I would like to have the 560 also, I think it would suit me better than the 550.
 
I have both and love then both but my orange PM2 gets more pocket time.

I didn't see what the big deal was with the PM2 until I bought one. To me it's not aesthetically pleasing when open but what a user-friendly knife! Easy to open and close one-handed and a wonderful slicer! It makes great feathersticks if you're into that sort of thing.

The 0550 is a pleasure to look at. It also flips open effortlessly and slices pretty good but it's heavy-duty and pretty thick in the pocket. I definitely like carrying it over a 0560 though.

Both are awesome knives in their own right.
 
I have both and carry them off and on. The 550 seems to get more pocket time though. I was however very surprised by how much I liked the Para 2. The one thing I think that I personally do not like, is the extra length on the Para 2. It is like having a 0550 blade on a 0560 handle. Thats my only real gripe with it. Both are great knives worth owning in my book.
 
So glad this topic was put up. Im looking at getting a new folder soon and these are the two im trying to pick between.
 
Got a new 0550 and gave my para to my son. To me it is a better made, more durable knife.
 
I have both. I prefer carrying and cutting with the Para2.

They are very different knives designed for different types a tasks.
 
I would say P2 in situations where you know what your day will be like that would warrant use of a better slicer and because it has the spydie hole which I feel is a more positive deployment method than the stud. I had a decision to make last yr over the P2 and the 350. I chose the ZT350 due to knowing I would need a beefy knife that might be required to do some serious business. I do like the spydies though as they were my first knives yrs ago.
 
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