My local knife dealer is dumping ZT for Benchmade.

Benchmade takes a lot of heat but they are a good brand and well known. ZT focuses on pocket jewelry which is fine but personally I choose Reate over ZT in that category. I do own a ZT 0630. Nice knife. I own 3 Benchmades.
 
Knives&More said:
I definitely agree. Just about everyone knows Buck and Benchmade. Spyderco and ZT are still big in the knife community but not as recognizable as a name when compared to Benchmade and Buck
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Around here, just about everyone has heard of Buck, Spyderco isn’t as common but it can be found in Wal-Mart as well as sporting goods stores. This is a very effective way for Spyderco to get their name out there. Benchmade isn’t quite as common but they are coming around.
 
AF said:
Benchmade takes a lot of heat but they are a good brand and well known. ZT focuses on pocket jewelry which is fine but personally I choose Reate over ZT in that category. I do own a ZT 0630. Nice knife. I own 3 Benchmades.
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I definitely agree. It is to be expected for QC to decline when they put out the quantity of knives they do. However, I think BM QC is improving. I have only every had problems from one knife (Doug Ritter Griptilian S30V).
 
I know Spyderco gets rave reviews regarding their QC. I have owned 3 Spydercos and all had solid lockup, perfect centering, but the edges weren't that great (assymetical)
 
TravisL said:
I’m a fan of Benchmade also and if their QC continues to improve it will make the price increases an easier pill to swallow. QC is expensive. Sal Glesser had a post on the Spyderco page about how expensive QC is.
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Sal knows how expensive it is because if Spyderco sees something wrong with a knife they mark it as a second . Benchmade doesn't sell seconds . they sell everything coming out of their production line that's why their knives have more issues than other company so in my opinion Benchmade should be cheaper since they don't have any quality control .
 
SoCalEDC said:
I own 2 BM and 2 ZT..both are quality knives and I really have nothing bad to say about them.
My 2 BM:
Mini Grip, Mini Infidel.
(Two entirely different knives obviously but both built to last).
My 2 ZT:
0095BLKS90V
0450CF

I have never had better flippers..ever..especially the 0450 which feels almost assisted but its on bearings.

I have never had to deal with Kai CS but have dealt with BM CS. Needed 1 screw for my Mini Grip. Rep got back to me almost immediately via my email and within a week, free of charge, had every screw that my Mini grip takes. I was blown away.
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Glad to hear that. The 0450cf is on the short list for my next purchase.
 
Travis, you will not be disapointed I can assure you. Awesome knife! I first tried it at a local B&M then this sold me completely as well :)
 
midnight flyer said:
I have encouraged my dealer buddy to take a look at the new ZT designs as they seem to be following the "knife jewelry" trend that is so popular. Bright colors, contrasting inserts, "peep eye" pivots, jewelry design pivots, more "slicey" looking blades, heavily machined 3d titanium handles that are on deck now are a far cry from their old work knives from years ago. It could be that in a few more release seasons that the old 350 will be their only artifact from their heritage. But, if it wasn't what people wanted and if these designs didn't sell, then they wouldn't be there.

If I was a retailer and could only sell one knife, I would probably sell Benchmade as well.

Robert
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Agree, I had one of every ZT model up to about 2-3 years ago and then they went pocket jewelry which really turned me off. The last ZT that I bought was the 0909, a too heavy old timey flipper that will last forever with no CF or other bells and whistles. Their ability to make outrageous production knives is amazing but I really wish they would either go back to making the overly built knives they were known for or let Kershaw make them at a slightly reduced price than the ZT brand.
 
i kinda think of it like this sometimes .. zt is an internet brand and benchmade is a store brand. benchmade cater to outdoors activities as well as many others... while zt caters to enthusiasts and firearms primarily.
 
AF said:
Benchmade takes a lot of heat but they are a good brand and well known. ZT focuses on pocket jewelry which is fine but personally I choose Reate over ZT in that category. I do own a ZT 0630. Nice knife. I own 3 Benchmades.
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Basically my opinion. I like a few ZTs, but most of the ones you see are the super wide, strange looking blades. And good luck finding any of them for under 130, while BM has at least a few decent knives under that point. Plus they do get a lot more flack nowadays than they probably deserve. I own and have had zero issues with any of them.

Though i can agree on materials. Its like BM has an aversion to S35VN or something.
 
coinbuysell said:
Agree, I had one of every ZT model up to about 2-3 years ago and then they went pocket jewelry which really turned me off. The last ZT that I bought was the 0909, a too heavy old timey flipper that will last forever with no CF or other bells and whistles. Their ability to make outrageous production knives is amazing but I really wish they would either go back to making the overly built knives they were known for or let Kershaw make them at a slightly reduced price than the ZT brand.
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The 0909 is my last ZT purchase as well. A true work knife with G10 on both sides (instead of a frame lock that tears up sweaty hands on a job site) and a great steel, love it. In fact, so much so that I took a long look at the new offerings (stylish, colorful, but shapes not so useful) that are a majority of frame locks, and I bought another 0909 and stashed it. Even on the construction site I think the 0909 will outlast me.

And I am right with the opinion of letting Kershaw in on some of the work knife action. They still make some remarkably useful working man's designs with some very usable steels. If you remember it, I am thinking along the lines of the old "Tyrade" that was dubbed "the poor man's ZT". Saw one, handled it, liked it as well as any ZT I had seen. It was about 20% less than the ZT offerings at the time, and every bit as good. LOVE to see them crank out some knives like that old horse.

Robert
 
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