New ZT 0300

Subterfuge7

Subterfuge7

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
231
Just purchased my first ZT 0300 after months of research. Its everything its been advertised to be except I thought the Speedsafe would pop that blade out a little quicker but no worries. I don't like them too 'violent.' Also, I quickly learned to only use the flipper in deployment as the thumb studs will get your fingers pinched. Looking at the 0200 next.
 
The 0200 truly allows you two options of opening. I don't like flicking if its not assisted so I normally use the thumbstuds as there is plenty of room to use them.
 
I hate to admit it after carrying Emerson Commanders since 1998 and more recently a Super Commander as my primary folding knife but the ZT0300 that I purchased last summer has completely replaced my Emerson.

I just received the ZT0500 which is awesome in its own sense but I do not think that this is going to replace the ZT0300. I see the ZT0300 at this point pretty irreplaceable.

The ZT0500 with the ZT0300 blade would be perfect to me. I like a lot of belly and a re-curve.

I am considering the HEST because of the blade shape but that bottle opener/pot grabber on top is really throwing me off. Also the wire stripper notches are not that appealling as I am never without my Leatherman anyway.
 
Jeffa -

Ironically I just received an Emerson Commander (SFS, plain edge) today, and I have to admit that I'm a little bit 'underwhelmed.' Now I own over 60+ knives, including all the major brands and I just think the Emerson should have a little more 'heft' to it and feel a bit more fine-tuned. Also, the liner-lock sticks like hell when your trying to close it. I'm sure it will loosen up over time but I expected a knife of this caliber to be a little more fluid out of the box . . . like the ZT.

I'm not trying to make a direct comparison of the Commander to the ZT 0300, but after reading all of the positive posts on this board and many other places I guess I was expecting the Emerson to just really blow me away. It didn't. I guess I'll just stick with ZT for now as well.
 
Congratulations on the 0300.

I bought a 0300 about a month ago [after years of lust] and it's been in my pocket ever since. I actually don't find the size/weight to be too bad [in jeans or cargos] ... may be different with light shorts on. I freaking love it. It's a fine blade. It's approaching fixed blade tough. It's so satisfying to hear the "thwhack" when the lock engages.

Although everyone calls the "thumbstuds" ... "thumbstuds" ... I think they're actually just blade stops. If they were indeed thumbstuds, the ergos would be way better - I would hope.

The speed safe deployment is much slower on the 0300 than on the 0350 - my guess: the torsion bar is exactly the same design on both models. Therefore it has to move a lot more steel on the 0300 - hence why it's slower.

One question for you ZT 0300 owners: when closed, my blade hits/touches the backspacer and has now formed a groove in the G10 [same deal with my 0350]. Is this normal? Shouldn't be. I'd just sand it down, but taking it apart voids the ZT warranty - yes?
 
rub some pencil on the blade tang where the titanium lock makes contact, should keep it from sticking.

I would contact ZT first before any work to solve the edge hitting the backspacer, but they do claim they'll fix pretty much anything including the user breaking it.
 
The speed safe is slower because of the larger mass (blade) it must move. To my knowledge it is not the 0350 torsion bar, the 0300 torsion bar is the largest I've seen though.

Taking it apart doesn't void warranty and any problem you have is covered, contact kershaw and they will take care of you.
 
Try this out,I found bending the end of the torsion bar than fit the back spacer, a bit longer with a pair of lineman pliers made a vast improvement. It now opens easily and extremely smooth using either the thumbstud or flipper with a good loud snap.
 
My ZT 0301 is very fast! With a tiny wrist motion it's so fast that I'm scared of breaking something, cuz it slams open so hard. Maybe it'll loosen up for you, mine did from just out of the box to 2 months later (today).

I'd try to stay away from serious spring "mods" if possible, unless you really know what you're doing, IMO. :)
 
Subterfuge7 said:
Jeffa -

Ironically I just received an Emerson Commander (SFS, plain edge) today, and I have to admit that I'm a little bit 'underwhelmed.' Now I own over 60+ knives, including all the major brands and I just think the Emerson should have a little more 'heft' to it and feel a bit more fine-tuned. Also, the liner-lock sticks like hell when your trying to close it. I'm sure it will loosen up over time but I expected a knife of this caliber to be a little more fluid out of the box . . . like the ZT.

I'm not trying to make a direct comparison of the Commander to the ZT 0300, but after reading all of the positive posts on this board and many other places I guess I was expecting the Emerson to just really blow me away. It didn't. I guess I'll just stick with ZT for now as well.
Click to expand...

The Emerson is definately an older design (1998) and has never been improved upon other than size (I like bigger folders), but when it first came out it was pretty "hi tech" from the G-10 to the sticky titanium liners/liner lock and the 154 steel.

I am in love with a blade with big belly and recurve. I like other things also as can be seen by the variety of my collection but I don't change what I carry very often. I have had the same Benchmade Nimravus as a boot knife since sometime around 1997that I carry at work everyday, the same prybar CS Recon Tanto on my back pack since I think 1998, a Newt livesay Bow Hunting buddy neck knife since about 2000, and my Emerson Commander as stated earlier in my pocket since 1998 the only chnage there was the Super Commander swap out last year, and the Commander replace my old Buck 110 that I've had since around 1975 when I found it in the road near my grandfathers house.

I am a creature of habit and will probably have my ZT 0300 for many years to come as a primary folder. Other than my Case Sow belly for those PC occassions.

I know there are many great choices out there I just setteled on these and have never had a complaint or failure from any of them. I like something from all of the major manufacturers and either own or have owned many of the popular models from over the years.
 
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