NEED SOME HELP--Paramilitary 2 orZT 0350?

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BgOutdoorSurvival

Joined
Feb 17, 2012
Messages
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I am in the market for a good folder and I am trying to decide between the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, or the Zero Tolerance 0350. I know that they are very different knives made for different tasks. The ZT is good in my opinion because it is a strong, heavy duty, small knife. It also has some good ergonomics, and a very good blade steel. On the other hand I like the Para 2 because it is lighter (don't really care to much about the weight) and it also is a little less intimidating. Here are the things that I like and don't like about the knives. So please tell me your opinion on which one I should get.

Paramilitary 2:

-lighter
-good steel
-good ergo's
-good lock(I think?..)
-good slicing tip/cutting edge
-good EDC


ZT 0350:

-heavy duty for camping/backpacking/hiking
-speed safe
-liner lock (ok I guess?..)
-good steel
-good ergo's
-good EDC



So let me know what you think. I also want the knife to be able to stand up to hard use when I go camping/backpacking/hiking. So please let me know.

Thanks!
 
I personally prefer my zt over my pm2 for daily edc. I generally use my pm2 for lighter cutting tasks but the zt is just a beast of a knife and will conquer anything you throw at it. Hope this helps
 
my quick answer woud be the para2.

the 0350 is a good knife but it feels a little clunky, it's not that the 0350 has bad ergos, it holds really well its just that the speedsafe operation feels a little mechancial vs the smoothness of the para2. my advice is play with them in a knife store and get the one that feels right.

my other advice would be to get yourself a fixed blade for camping.
 
You'll probably get both eventually. But I'd go with the para 2.. More comfy in my hands.
 
I really like the ergos of the pm2 but it LOVE the ergos of the 350. It just fits so well in my hand! Also the ao on the zt might make it more appealing
 
The PM2 has a GREAT lock! My choice would be the PM2 and a fixed blade for backpacking\camping.
 
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If you have fixed blades, you shouldn't need a folder for hard use. If you have both, you carry a folder for convenience and discretion. Carry the folder at work or just whenever you're out. But the fixed blade should be the heavy lifter at camp.

The Para 2 should be fine even if you're cutting a chunk out of a 2x4, but the taper at the tip would make it unsuitable for prying or hard core stabbing(works fine for piercing). The ZT is better for light prying and stabbing, but you'll lose some cutting ability at least as far as thick material goes.
 
I've never cared for the shape of the ZT blades so I'd go paramilitary. "Hard use" is a tricky thing for folders. I personally think that if you need something more robust then a SAK you're doing something wrong. YMMV
 
It is just an email attachment. I just made an account today so I don't really understand how the fully use the site yet. Thank you everyone for all the input. It seems that the majority of people are saying the paramilitary 2 is the way to go.
 
BgOutdoorSurvival said:
It is just an email attachment. I just made an account today so I don't really understand how the fully use the site yet. Thank you everyone for all the input. It seems that the majority of people are saying the paramilitary 2 is the way to go.
Click to expand...

No worries, just trying to help out. Welcome to the forum. :D
 
Because I do want that comfort feeling that if I need to use my knife while camping/bacpacking in some sort of medium to hard use that it will not fail or break. The only problem with the Para2 is the tip is pretty pointed. On the other hand the ZT has a tougher tip but not as good of a flat cutting edge. ugghhh there both really cool looking also.
 
I have both. I prefer the PM2 for EDC. It has a finer tip which works better for opening letters and piercing packaging. It's also a much better slicer. Ergo's are a toss up.

I carry both, but the lighter weight and better slicing/piercing ability of the PM2 wins out between these two.
 
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