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Looking at the ZT350...
- Thread starter CTPATRIOT
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2008
- Messages
- 857
I'm a Spyderco fan and bought this knife just to try something new.
It is really well built, the fit and finish will be as good as you're used to. It does have some drawbacks for me, I'm not sure the assisted opening is for everybody, it works well when flipping it with the guard thats sticking out of the handle, but I can't open it with the thumbstuds, and the times I've tried got close to planting my finger on the edge when it opened.
Make sure you have a torx tool to adjust the pivot, I found mine needed to be loosened a bit.
I will try carrying it for longer, its definitely very well built and tough and feels great in the hand.
EDIT: Forgot to say, its very comparable to the Manix 2 in size and the feel of the materials.
It is really well built, the fit and finish will be as good as you're used to. It does have some drawbacks for me, I'm not sure the assisted opening is for everybody, it works well when flipping it with the guard thats sticking out of the handle, but I can't open it with the thumbstuds, and the times I've tried got close to planting my finger on the edge when it opened.
Make sure you have a torx tool to adjust the pivot, I found mine needed to be loosened a bit.
I will try carrying it for longer, its definitely very well built and tough and feels great in the hand.
EDIT: Forgot to say, its very comparable to the Manix 2 in size and the feel of the materials.
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- Joined
- Jul 17, 2010
- Messages
- 1,490
I have both the 350 and the Manix, and I think the 350 is a bit beefier. There's a thread over in the Kershaw/ZT sub-forum that show's the technique for opening the 350 using the thumb studs.
Personally I love the 350, it's been my EDC for the last 4 months.
Personally I love the 350, it's been my EDC for the last 4 months.
Billy516
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,359
I'm also a big Spyderco fan, especially the Military, but have two 350's as well - a satin KW version as well as the CB Elmax version. They are really well built, tough as nails folders with great fit and finish to boot. In fact, one of my favorite carry combos is one of my Millies in my RFP and one of my 350's in my RRP. I highly recommend the 350 for EDC.
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2011
- Messages
- 154
FlaMtnBkr if thou don't want that 0350 you can always give it to me 
I promiss I would take good care of it!
I promiss I would take good care of it!
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2008
- Messages
- 4,367
The 0350 was my intro to ZT knives. Love the AO and flipper. The liner lock is almost as thick as some smaller frame locks. Nice and flat and the options for tip-up/tip-down and left or right carry make it great for however you want to EDC it.
BTW: The thumbstuds aren't for opening, that's what the flipper is for. The thumbstuds are actually the blade stops.
My first, a 0350KW:
My 2nd, a 0350ST courtesy of 2BKC:
BTW: The thumbstuds aren't for opening, that's what the flipper is for. The thumbstuds are actually the blade stops.
My first, a 0350KW:
My 2nd, a 0350ST courtesy of 2BKC:
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2008
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- 857
Yes, the 0350 is thicker and heavier because of the liners, but blade length and thickness is pretty much identical on my two. If you only count the edge the 0350 has maybe 1/4 inch more.
But yes it definitely feels beefier.
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2008
- Messages
- 857
Hope you find it to your liking CTPATRIOT 
Its definitely a tank.
Its definitely a tank.
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2010
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- 733
These were the same reasons I sold mine to a work friend. AO is tolerable but the brick-like chunkiness of it in my pocket along with the high pocket-profile when in the tip-up position caused me to not carry it. I climb up ladders and squat a lot at work so the less I feel in my pocket, the better.
They are tank-like and feel very solid in the hand. The F&F is great too.
Resharpening the re-curve might also get tricky.
I find my 350CB very easy to EDC. The size is very compact. Also very fast opening with speedsafe but if you dont like it, removal of the torsion spring solves it. The only downside i can think off is the slower closing due to the torsion spring pressure. But this is not an issue unless you like sitting around flipping open and closing the knife all day long. The recurve is also very mild so slicing and cutting may not be as aggresive as the Emerson Commander.
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2010
- Messages
- 15,417
I recently picked up a Para 1 and a 0350. I can't decide which one I like more, so I carry them both.
I really like the ZT for its build. Very well constructed, heavy duty, and the AO is kinda fun. It did make me want a 0301 that much more.
My Para 1 is a cutter, and is used as such. I kinda consider it my "light" pocket carry. Love'em both though.
Moose
I really like the ZT for its build. Very well constructed, heavy duty, and the AO is kinda fun. It did make me want a 0301 that much more.
My Para 1 is a cutter, and is used as such. I kinda consider it my "light" pocket carry. Love'em both though.
Moose
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2011
- Messages
- 4,423
My ZT0350WW has been in my pocket for the last month accompanied by a dragonfly2 and an old antique market slippy...
The 350 is an amazing, heavy duty, compact folder that's for sure. :thumbup:
The only thing it needed was to have the edge thinned out a bit; it cuts much better now!
The 350 is an amazing, heavy duty, compact folder that's for sure. :thumbup:
The only thing it needed was to have the edge thinned out a bit; it cuts much better now!
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2011
- Messages
- 270
I have to agree with basically everything in the quote above. I picked up my 350 a few weeks ago, and I absolutely love it. Granted there are a few drawbacks. Like above the thumbstuds are hard to use... but really whatever, flipper works great. Also, its not the most ergonomic knife I've used, but other hands may find it more comfortable. Oh and this could be just my hands again, but I find where the lanyard hole is it makes it sort of uncomfortable to hold when there is a lanyard. But really, no big complaints, I'm glad I picked it up.
And here's a picture, because lates face it everyone loves pictures
- Joined
- May 24, 2006
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- 2,212
I bought my first ZT earlier this summer on the recommendation of a cop buddy. It was the 0300 but I found it too big for my needs so exchanged it at the original point of purchase a week later for the 0350 and have been much happier. It is a chunky knife but that's what I was looking for...a mid-sized heavy duty folder. I'm a Spyderco fan also (have about 20 Spydies) and also have a new Manix 2 I bought a couple years ago but never used because I just didn't like it. I prefer the ZT as a hard use folder over the Manix 2 as it seems the tip is more durable and I think overall that the liner lock will be more secure than the lock on the Manix.
The two things I didn't like about the ZT are 1) moving the pocket clip to tip up carry seems to create lateral blade play (this was also an issue with the 0300), and 2) the pocket clip is just way too stiff. I replaced it but am still not satisfied with it and have been looking for a low-rider option that will work with this knife. I'm all ears if anyone has any suggestions!
The two things I didn't like about the ZT are 1) moving the pocket clip to tip up carry seems to create lateral blade play (this was also an issue with the 0300), and 2) the pocket clip is just way too stiff. I replaced it but am still not satisfied with it and have been looking for a low-rider option that will work with this knife. I'm all ears if anyone has any suggestions!