Need help deciding!

T

Tiz68

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Aug 24, 2016
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Ok so I'm in the market for a new EDC knife and I'd like to get some expert opinions on my three top choices. If you could let me know the good and the bad of each and which would you chose and why I'd really appreciate it! Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

Zero Tolerance ZT0350TSST G10 Handle Folding Tiger Striped Partial Serrated Blade with SpeedSafe @$156

Benchmade 583SBK Barrage Assisted Opening Knife @$140.25

Kershaw Blur Tiger Stripe Tanto Speed Safe A/O Knife @$69.99
 
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Here is how I would rank them. I have owned all 3 in some variation. I still have a beater Blur and a 586 mini barrage with M390.

1. Blur. It is much more affordable than the others, has nice aluminum handles, and fits in the pocket very well. Fine carry knife.
2. Benchmade. Good size and blade length. Good action, Axis lock, good steel. Plastic handles at that cost put it at #2 for me.
3. ZT 350. Much too wide for me in the pocket. That's really my only knock against it. Steel is good, action is good, G10 is the best handle material of the 3 in my opinion. I just don't like the size.

This is usually opposite of how I would rank knives, with the cheaper one being my top choice. The Benchmade is actually my favorite of the 3, if you are fine with plastic handles. I feel it is a bit overpriced when the Griptilian is about $20-$30 cheaper for the same materials just not assisted.
 
Thanks so much for your insight! Those are some really great points! This is my first better quality knife. The one I carry now is a smith and wesson M&P. I never really thought I'd ever spend anywhere around these prices for a knife, but I want to give one a try and see if the extra money is really worth it.
 
If you think you're set on the Blur, take a look at the Kershaw Knockout and Kershaw Camber too. I actually prefer both to the Blur.
 
I have the 350 & mini barrage. Of those two I would recommend the Benchmade first. It feels lighter, easier to carry. It has a lock on it for safety. It deploys faster from the pocket and the pocket clip is easier to use than the ZT. Having said that the scales on the Benchmade are comfortable but not real grippy. The G10 on the ZT holds better than the Nilox.


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Any issues with the ZT opening in your pocket without the safety on it? I usually carry my knife in my pocket but do not use the pocket clip. That's one issue I am a little concerned about.
 
I'd favor the Benchmade, but prefer the Mini Barrage over the larger version. The plastic handles have never troubled me, and I prefer the Axis with or without assist, over any liner lock.
 
I don't have the benchmade, the ZT 0350 is a tank, that said, it's too beefy and takes up too much pocket space for edc. I have the kershaw blur in s30v and it's great. It's really lightweight thanks to aluminum handles, and can take whatever you throw at it. I Deassisted mine and it is so smooth. More so than my Spyderco southard. Also, the blur is a very comfortable knife in the hand.

I would definitely go with the blur. The reason I never owned a benchmade (well the more basic models) because everytime I hold one with those plastic handles, I instantly get turned off.
 
Blur + your saving money. Fairly decent quality just as long as your not using as a pry bar :-)

Looks like you like the tiger stripes!
 
Tiz68 said:
Any issues with the ZT opening in your pocket without the safety on it? I usually carry my knife in my pocket but do not use the pocket clip. That's one issue I am a little concerned about.
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Owned and carried both the 0350 and the 0360skd for combined about 5 yrs. I never have had any trouble with it opening in pocket. I even carried it in turn out gear and under it. FYI the blur is an assisted opener just Iike the 0350, never had a problem with it either and I own over 10!
 
I carried a blur for a long time! It is a very good knife, especially for the price point.
 
If it was me I would buy the stonewashed S30V blur. It is the best one that you can get right now. My father carries it and loves it
 
Owned all three at one point, except all were PE, I hate partial serrations.
1) Kershaw Blur- Just as capable as the other two with a much better price.
2) BM Barrage-Love this knife, but for the price the scales are not the best, the new G10 Barrage would be a different story (still over priced though).
3) ZT0350- Was not a fan of this knife at all, way too bulky for me (can't imagine the ZT301). If you were going into the woods with only this knife as your resource then it may be a different story.
 
I haven't owned the Benchmade but I have owned plenty of Blurs and 0300 series.

The 0300 series is clunky. They're like carrying a small brick in your pocket and I don't care for them whatsoever. They're, however, seriously overbuilt. If that's your thing then go for it.

I love the Blur series. They are the perfect size to handle anything you'd be throwing at a pocket knife and the assisted opening works great.

YMMV

Happy Trails.
 
Thanks for the advice! I decided to go with the ZT. Here is a picture of my old EDC, a Smith & Wesson M&P, next to its new replacement, my ZT 0350 Tiger Stripe. So far I'm loving this thing. It's built tough and looks damn gorgeous in person.
 
Yeah this is my first "real knife" haha. I've never had a higher quality piece like this. I have to say though my ole Smith performed beautifully for many years. I can't wait to see what this baby can do in its stead.
 
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