- Joined
- May 8, 2005
- Messages
- 412
Hi guys, I want to get one & need some real feedbacks from owners. Is the knife worth $300? What is it you like & dislike about the knife? Thanks
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Need real world feedbacks on ZT 301/302 folder
- Thread starter m10commander
- Start date
Things you should consider when buying are weight and size.
They are quite heavy and big in your pocket.
Remember they are overbuilt for military use.
For the rest i can only give these models top marks for design, build quality, overall feel in the hand (personal i know) and action.
A few weeks ago i thought that the finish rubbed off on my keys, but when asked on this forum Tim Galyan told me it was probably the other way around.
He was right.
The knives are more than worth your money.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 2,155
I just recently received a ZT0301. I haven't had the opportunity to actually use it for anything, but I have carried it the last few days.
Definitely a large knife. I normally carry a Spec Bump, the 0301 is about 1/3rd again wider than the Spec Bump. They are actually about the same thickness, the 0301's blade is thicker, the difference is made up by having one less liner.
The clip is very small for a knife this size, about 2 inches by a bit less than half an inch. The small size has the dual benefits of higher tension and being less conspicuous. If you only saw the clip hanging out, you'd never know how big this knife is. The knife is drilled and tapped for tip-up, tip-down left or right side mounting of the clip. The stock position of the clip is ideal for the way I carry, tip down, left front pocket, blade against the seam.
I really like the combo of 3D machined G10 on one side and matching titanium on the other. I think this would be a great solution for the smaller knives that everyone wants in a frame lock but want G10 scales. The framelock side wouldn't need to be titanium, to keep costs down it would be whatever the current material is. This build ought to be easy to do with any models that have had a framelock and liner lock version. Having said that though, the finish on the Titanium on the 0301 is so nice, I'd love to see some other knives completely handled in the same material and finish.
Out of the box everything on mine seems to have been adjusted perfectly. Blade is well centered, pivot tension is just right, framelock engages perfectly . Opening the knife normally, the framelock engages more than 2/3 of the locking surface of the blade with no visible gaps. When released the lock disengages smoothly. Even when squeezed in fairly hard (outside of lock bar flush with side of blade), I haven't had to resort to anything more than heavy thumb pressure to release it.
The blade measured about 0.156" thick. (vs. Spec Bump at 0.125").
I'm not sure if it's some sort of optical illusion caused by the stripes or the shape of the blade, but just staring at it I'd have sworn that it was hollow ground. If I lay a straight edge on it though, it is definitely flat ground. The grind leaves the knife with a robust tip that should be up to most penetrating tasks. The edge on this blade seems pretty much perfect. I know we are getting used to superlatives about Kershaw's out of the box sharpness, but this one is really, really sharp.
The thumbstuds are a little different than the ones illustrated on the web site. Mine are pretty much concentric stacked disks (ZT site shows diagonal grooves). The index flipper is a bit larger than that on most other SpeedSafe knives, closer to the size on a knife with a manual flipper. The thumbstuds and flipper seem to be sized appropriately for gloved use.
The SpeedSafe works as expected. There is a lot of blade to move so don't expect it to open like a Leek. On the other hand I think most complaints about the speed of large AO blades can be addressed by looking at how people are opening them. If you are just pressing on the flipper until the SpeedSafe engages, of course a big blade isn't going to be fast. If you use the flipper with a bit of authority the blades will definitely move.
As I said before, there is a lot of blade to move, so expect a kick.
I think that the fit and finish of this knife are indicative of that extra bit of care and attention to detail that you'd expect of a knife advertised for use by people whose lives may depend on it. I'll definitely be looking at the rest of the ZT line.
When I get the chance to shoot some close-ups of the knife I'll post a thread of them.
Definitely a large knife. I normally carry a Spec Bump, the 0301 is about 1/3rd again wider than the Spec Bump. They are actually about the same thickness, the 0301's blade is thicker, the difference is made up by having one less liner.
The clip is very small for a knife this size, about 2 inches by a bit less than half an inch. The small size has the dual benefits of higher tension and being less conspicuous. If you only saw the clip hanging out, you'd never know how big this knife is. The knife is drilled and tapped for tip-up, tip-down left or right side mounting of the clip. The stock position of the clip is ideal for the way I carry, tip down, left front pocket, blade against the seam.
I really like the combo of 3D machined G10 on one side and matching titanium on the other. I think this would be a great solution for the smaller knives that everyone wants in a frame lock but want G10 scales. The framelock side wouldn't need to be titanium, to keep costs down it would be whatever the current material is. This build ought to be easy to do with any models that have had a framelock and liner lock version. Having said that though, the finish on the Titanium on the 0301 is so nice, I'd love to see some other knives completely handled in the same material and finish.
Out of the box everything on mine seems to have been adjusted perfectly. Blade is well centered, pivot tension is just right, framelock engages perfectly . Opening the knife normally, the framelock engages more than 2/3 of the locking surface of the blade with no visible gaps. When released the lock disengages smoothly. Even when squeezed in fairly hard (outside of lock bar flush with side of blade), I haven't had to resort to anything more than heavy thumb pressure to release it.
The blade measured about 0.156" thick. (vs. Spec Bump at 0.125").
I'm not sure if it's some sort of optical illusion caused by the stripes or the shape of the blade, but just staring at it I'd have sworn that it was hollow ground. If I lay a straight edge on it though, it is definitely flat ground. The grind leaves the knife with a robust tip that should be up to most penetrating tasks. The edge on this blade seems pretty much perfect. I know we are getting used to superlatives about Kershaw's out of the box sharpness, but this one is really, really sharp.
The thumbstuds are a little different than the ones illustrated on the web site. Mine are pretty much concentric stacked disks (ZT site shows diagonal grooves). The index flipper is a bit larger than that on most other SpeedSafe knives, closer to the size on a knife with a manual flipper. The thumbstuds and flipper seem to be sized appropriately for gloved use.
The SpeedSafe works as expected. There is a lot of blade to move so don't expect it to open like a Leek. On the other hand I think most complaints about the speed of large AO blades can be addressed by looking at how people are opening them. If you are just pressing on the flipper until the SpeedSafe engages, of course a big blade isn't going to be fast. If you use the flipper with a bit of authority the blades will definitely move.
As I said before, there is a lot of blade to move, so expect a kick.
I think that the fit and finish of this knife are indicative of that extra bit of care and attention to detail that you'd expect of a knife advertised for use by people whose lives may depend on it. I'll definitely be looking at the rest of the ZT line.
When I get the chance to shoot some close-ups of the knife I'll post a thread of them.
rumblebee
BANNED
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2007
- Messages
- 497
Hey Kneedeep. Great review. Had a quick question, as I've been trying to ask other ZT 0301\0302 owners the same question.
Seems your framelock engages 2/3rds the way on the locking part of the blade (when opened). Mine appears to only engage at about 1/4 of the locking part of the blade.
Do you (or does anyone) know of a way to adjust the framelock engagement??
M10....For the record....this is the most rock solid knife I have ever owned, hands down. You can pick these up for $220-235 (various sites)
Seems your framelock engages 2/3rds the way on the locking part of the blade (when opened). Mine appears to only engage at about 1/4 of the locking part of the blade.
Do you (or does anyone) know of a way to adjust the framelock engagement??
M10....For the record....this is the most rock solid knife I have ever owned, hands down. You can pick these up for $220-235 (various sites)
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 2,155
I don't know of any way to adjust that besides removing metal from one of the lock faces or possibly bending the lock bar a bit. The safest thing to do, would be to contact Kershaw (or sending it to someone like STR), after all putting metal back is kind of a pain. In any case I'm sure one of the Kershaw crew will be along with some advice if I'm wrong.
rumblebee
BANNED
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2007
- Messages
- 497
thank you, kneedeep. I rcv'd a reply from another member (robertmegar) with his input that a "newer" knife should only engage on the first 1/4 of the locking back.....May break in as time goes on and eventually work more to being 1/2 engaged.
Like I said, VERY solid engagement....But, maybe Thomas W will chime in with the "all knowing" answer(s)
Like I said, VERY solid engagement....But, maybe Thomas W will chime in with the "all knowing" answer(s)
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2007
- Messages
- 14
Excellent insights gentlemen, just what I've been looking for.
I am mere miliseconds away from buying either a 301 or 302 and really wanted to see some practical user feedback.
I've had a chance to handle a 302 at my local knife purveyor recently- it certainly is a pocketful.
EF
I am mere miliseconds away from buying either a 301 or 302 and really wanted to see some practical user feedback.
I've had a chance to handle a 302 at my local knife purveyor recently- it certainly is a pocketful.
EF
- Joined
- May 8, 2005
- Messages
- 412
Guy, Thanks for all your replies & feedbacks. Really appreciated! I will go ahead & order one!
Geoff
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2001
- Messages
- 776
I recently purchased a ZT302 on sale for $168 (local knife event/sale). I had never handled one and would not have initially put down the $210 (non sale). Now that I have had it for a couple of weeks it is DEFINATLY worth $200+. I also have a couple of SnG's the influence on the design is obvious.
Everything about this knife oozes quality and attention to detail. My example was perfect out of the box. Normally I would look over a few at the shop and pick the best one. The one I got was the last one.
What amazes me most is the material/quality for the price. Just a few years ago I bought one of the very first Strider SnG's one of the 1st 100 numbered examples. I paid $400 for a Ti Framelock/G10/S30V. Now you can get the same materials and near the same quality for half the price.
The ZT301/302 is still not a Strider but it can't be beat at that pricepoint
Everything about this knife oozes quality and attention to detail. My example was perfect out of the box. Normally I would look over a few at the shop and pick the best one. The one I got was the last one.
What amazes me most is the material/quality for the price. Just a few years ago I bought one of the very first Strider SnG's one of the 1st 100 numbered examples. I paid $400 for a Ti Framelock/G10/S30V. Now you can get the same materials and near the same quality for half the price.
The ZT301/302 is still not a Strider but it can't be beat at that pricepoint
- Joined
- May 11, 2007
- Messages
- 20
Pretty much want to endorse all opinion stated above. Considering it's size it has a relatively light foot print in the pocket, relatively cheap compared to other knives in it's class, comfortable and easy to handle, also one of the few heavy duty knives with a nice recurve in the blade.