Need an honest, experienced comparison: Strider vs. ZT 0300

[nozh2002]

Strider has Interests in ZT. They own part of it. thats why the design is so similar. it's obvious. Scientifically they are similar. same frame lock and materials. Will probably do equal in a destruction test. I have both. Got rid of all ZTs except the Boot dagger. I want more of them. But thats OT. and I am a RABID FROTHING Strider Disciple. I love the way they carry and feel. so I put Science aside. It is really personal Preferance. I love SMFs so much that I would spend any spare money I had to have every type and color and finish. ZTs are some of the best of the best productions ever made. Strider are small batch semi custom. hands on production, no questions asked warranty. Thats where the Extra money goes. Plus every piece is manufactured in the USA. By American craftsman. ZT says Made In USA. but that can mean a lot of things. all I can really say is it's a personal choice. some people like Levi's Some Wrangler. Still the same Denim. If you really are having trouble deciding. email me and I will send you an SMF for one week to carry, Just don't mess it up/abuse it. Then you'll see why they are loved so much.

It is very interesting example...

All words twisted the way like ZT has no warranty and made in China or something. While truth is that it is made same way in US from same materials and has same warranty and reasonable price.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[batosai117]

Change you tone if you want to continue discussion. I am sorry if you feel you position weak and get personal for this reason, but this is suppose to be intellectual discussion so behave yourself.

The way those knives produced same in Kershaw and in Strider, I will not be surprised if Kershaw made less ZT300 knives then Strider, I remember having shortage for first year. There is not difference between those two knives, but hype and price. So do not feel bad if you overpay for overhyped knife, this should not be a reason to start this kind of aggression.

I see similar emouthion among all owners of overpriced knives - they are just too high IMHO when they desperately tries to convince themselfs at the first place that this really really super knife does actually worse that really really high price. Without actually any arguments based on real use.

Thanks, Vassili.

The same arguement goes for everything, not just knives. Why pay more for one thing and not the other, it's just life and it's up to each individual to put a price tag on something.

It's like generics on the wally world shelf, you either buy equate or tylenol. It's up to you, but I'm sticking with tylenol for my migranes.

As for me, I already said I do like my Sebenza a lot more than any other knife I've owned with titanium handles and an S30V blade. It's not all about materials though, it's craftsmanship, collectibility, credibility, warranty, anything else that makes a knife great and expensive. It's all personal preference and what you think is worth it.

I do admit to getting a little personal, but all too often we knife addicts have to defend why we buy expensive knives. Well, why do you have so many? It's all personal preference.

The OP already said his peace, let this thread die already, he's sticking with his ZT anyways which is a great decision on his part.

 

[beluga]

I vote for ZT. I own Strider AR and SNG, but they don't impress me as much as my ZT0301 and my newly-acquired ZT0200. Strider and ZT make tough folders, but for the price, I'll go with ZT.

 

[SPXTrader]

stolas, that is the new composite blade Shallot. 14C28N spine fused to a ZDP cutting edge. Very thin from the factory, compared to the other Shallot models.

As for the Strider/ZT connection, ZT is 100% owned by KAI, the parent company of Kershaw. The collaboration knife you are most likely thinking of is the Strider/ZT/Onion Tad Gear is offering. Another interesting point about that knife is that Tim Galyean ground the battle swedge top of the blade. So in essence, there are quite a few good cooks involved in that knife.

 

[Eric H]

If you really are having trouble deciding. email me and I will send you an SMF for one week to carry, Just don't mess it up/abuse it. Then you'll see why they are loved so much.

Thanks Stolas--that is a very generous offer. At this point, I'm just going to stick with the ZT, simply due to the fact that in order for me to justify picking up a Strider, I'd need to sell the ZT and my Super CQC-7 and BM Striker, and I really like them, as well as the different options open to me by have three very different knives.

Again--thanks to everyone fo rthe input--and I really wasn't trying to start something--just trying to make a decision!

 

[Thomas W]

Strider has Interests in ZT. They own part of it...it's obvious.

This is a very untrue statement. Strider does not own part of ZT.

ZT says Made In USA. but that can mean a lot of things.

In this case it means every part of a ZT is produced in our facility in Oregon.

 

[shotgunner11]

Both are great knives. With the ZT you can get Strider design and quality at a lower price.

While with Strider, you get a more handmade blade and a more collectable peice.

Keep in mind, a used Strider will still sell for more than a new ZT.

 

[Halfneck]

Change you tone if you want to continue discussion. I am sorry if you feel you position weak and get personal for this reason, but this is suppose to be intellectual discussion so behave yourself.

So do not feel bad if you overpay for overhyped knife, this should not be a reason to start this kind of aggression.
I see similar emouthion among all owners of overpriced knives - they are just too high IMHO when they desperately tries to convince themselfs at the first place that this really really super knife does actually worse that really really high price. Without actually any arguments based on real use.

Thanks, Vassili.

Edited out some of your post & highlighted the part where you are causing the kind of aggressive reaction you are admonishing him for. Not sure if it's lost in your translation, but you are coming off as putting someone down because they want to spend the money on a Strider knife. I would think any knife aficionado would know better than to try & justify why we spend the money we do on nice knives when most of us could get by using a Case Sodbuster for our cutting chores.

I think the ZT Framelocks are outstanding knives & I love the fact that a portion of every sale goes to Paralyzed Veterans. Somewhere down the road I would not be surprised if I don't get one.

That said, I'm not a big fan of recurve blades & assisted openers. If/When I do get one, I will most likely send it to Tom Krein or Dan Koster to have the blade profile changed.

As of tomorrow (hopefully) I will be getting a Strider GB with Ranger Green scales. The Overhyped (your words) knife is costing me $400 - about $120 more than the ZT framelocks. I'm not paying for the S30V steel, Ranger Green G10 scales, or thick liners. Those are just the materials that make up the knife - like several other knives costing both more & less. What I am paying for is a large, tough, well-made folder that has the design features I want and is backed by a very good warranty should I goof it up.

 

[SPXTrader]

What I am paying for is a large, tough, well-made folder that has the design features I want and is backed by a very good warranty should I goof it up.

Exactly. Whether the knife costs $ 300 or $ 400, they are basically the same thing...a large, tough, well-made folder that has the designs you want and is backed by a very good warranty should you goof it up.

ZT and Strider both fit this description. The only difference is the price, and what appeals to you.

 

[nozh2002]

What I am paying for is a large, tough, well-made folder that has the design features I want and is backed by a very good warranty should I goof it up.

May be you then explain what is this design features? Can you just focus on this (which is what was asked initially - experienced comparison).

Both ZT and Strider are same large, same tough and same well made folders backed by same very good warranty. So what is then differ ZT from Strider for you (BTW price difference betwee Strider frame lock and ZT frame lock is $165).

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[flipe8]

For me, the design of the Striders I've owned(PT, SnG, RCC) all felt much better in-hand than the one time I got to handle a ZT framelock. Just felt like such a block. The Strider finger choil provided great purchase and control. I'm another guy who cannot stand AO and I really, really dislike the blade profile of the ZTs. I'd much rather have a 4oz knife in my pocket that's bullet proof over a half-pounder that is simply too large with too many features I find un-appealing. For me, I'll pay more for what I want than less for somwthing that would end up being sold off.
And nozh2002, eventhough it doesn't bother me what you think,I can see how your tone is also somewhat offensive to some, as you have a knack for putting down what you don't like without full-on insulting those whom don't see things your way.
Now I've given you reasons why I prefer a Strider over a ZT and I work in the fire service where I've used my Strider to cut fire hose, pried up floor boards, cut through heavy rubber sheathing to make a purchase for a Haligan tool for prying, chipped ice off a set of double steel doors to get into a fire pump room that flooded and cut all sorts of webbing and other materials other than paper. I don't know if any of those things would be considered "hard use" to you( probabaly not, but oh well), but I'm very pleased with the Striders I've owned, even if you fell I paid too much

 

[nozh2002]

I know that I may sounds offensive - sorry.

But this is only what I was asking for, thank you!

Now I've given you reasons why I prefer a Strider over a ZT and I work in the fire service where I've used my Strider to cut fire hose, pried up floor boards, cut through heavy rubber sheathing to make a purchase for a Haligan tool for prying, chipped ice off a set of double steel doors to get into a fire pump room that flooded and cut all sorts of webbing and other materials other than paper. I don't know if any of those things would be considered "hard use" to you( probabaly not, but oh well), but I'm very pleased with the Striders I've owned, even if you fell I paid too much

Sorry again, but this "really, really loved by Spec Ops and Battlefild tested" etc, kind of annoying this kind of thing you may hear from "sales managres" from street level up to top executive - and in most cases they do not really know what they are talking about.

But so far you and also BOBO provided some real experienced comparison. Otherwise it is all marketing and even attempts to say that ZT is not made in US, that it has poor warranty and other thisngs which simple is not true.

To me difference between ZT and SnG similar to difference between let say AR and SnG - different design (and price). And if for someone price is important issue - then they need to know truth about same quality and warranty and production origin and consider it together with design and other features etc.

I am not fighting against knifes here, just like to hear real story not "really really ...".

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Joshua J.]

Man, all this talk of the 0300 being too big makes me want one.

If the Hossom Retribution had a pocket clip I'd use it...

 

[Reeek]

Man, all this talk of the 0300 being too big makes me want one.

If the Hossom Retribution had a pocket clip I'd use it...

It's a REALLY good knife if you can deal with the weight and AO. The size is not really an issue to me. I own three 030x's and a couple of 020x's

 

[Thomas W]

kind of annoying this kind of thing you may hear from "sales managres" from street level up to top executive - and in most cases they do not really know what they are talking about.

Wha...Hey...Wait just a minute...

 

[wutitiz]

Aren't Striders made in California, which is damn near commie-controlled and has damn near banned guns and knives? And Kershaw is by far the more tecnically innovative.

Finally, you don't see Strider execs tough enough to come on and engage in the ruff&tumble of a forum debate.

Go with the ZT.

 

[batosai117]

Wha...Hey...Wait just a minute...

LMAO.....sorry Thomas, I had to laugh at that one

As soon as I read it I thought, "uh oh"

 

[nozh2002]

Wha...Hey...Wait just a minute...

Well, sorry, you are different and I think you are more like managing distribution channels, not really sale it on personal level like street salesman does. I am talking about salesmen who well trained how to talk to customer and can sell anything. Like once on TV shows etc... All those "loved by Spec Ops" kind of thing.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Halfneck]

Aren't Striders made in California, which is damn near commie-controlled and has damn near banned guns and knives? And Kershaw is by far the more tecnically innovative.

Finally, you don't see Strider execs tough enough to come on and engage in the ruff&tumble of a forum debate.

Go with the ZT.

Strider no longer participates on Blade Forums, but are active over on their own (Badlands) and the USN. Long story that does not need to be re-hashed for the purposes of this post.

nozh2002 - Might not of been too clear, but I did point out why I went with the Strider GB over the ZT Framelock. Re: The ZT framelock has a Recurve Blade and is a Auto Assist, neither of which I prefer. Never could sharpen a recurve as well as I could a standard blade shape or a tanto. A bad experience with a auto in my pocket has left me nervous about carrying an auto assist in my pocket. Thus I went with the Strider GB over the ZT Framelock.

 

[So-Lo]

Sorry to fan the flames

And teh bonus pic, because every GOOD "hard use" flame thread needs a XM thrown in.... or two.