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Opinions on ZT (ZeroTolerence) Knives
- Thread starter rrg991981
- Start date
I got the ZT302 (Tan scales) a few months ago and have been carrying it as my EDC ever since. It's on the large side. There's a pic of one compared to a Spyderco Military floating around on the forum and there's a significant difference.
The lock up is tight, the Speed Safe system works well when using the flipper, but doesn't always deploy to full lock when using the thumb stud. I'm hoping it'll "break-in" in time, but I think because the blade is so substantial, the thumb stud method might not be most fail safe method. Don't let the, under 4" blade, make you think that you're not gettin' a lot of S30V because what it lacks in length it has in girth LOL!!!
Over all this knife is built like a tank and the fit and finish is just abt perfect. The blade is centered, the scales finished flush to the liner and spine, and the camo on the blade is well done and centered. The camo thing is growing on me. I generally don't like coated blades. My only minor gripe is the clip. With a knife this well thought out, the clip seems like it was an after thought. It works though ;-)
IMO the knife is an excellent combo of the Strider knives designs and Kershaw (Ken Onion).
Ji
The lock up is tight, the Speed Safe system works well when using the flipper, but doesn't always deploy to full lock when using the thumb stud. I'm hoping it'll "break-in" in time, but I think because the blade is so substantial, the thumb stud method might not be most fail safe method. Don't let the, under 4" blade, make you think that you're not gettin' a lot of S30V because what it lacks in length it has in girth LOL!!!
Over all this knife is built like a tank and the fit and finish is just abt perfect. The blade is centered, the scales finished flush to the liner and spine, and the camo on the blade is well done and centered. The camo thing is growing on me. I generally don't like coated blades. My only minor gripe is the clip. With a knife this well thought out, the clip seems like it was an after thought. It works though ;-)
IMO the knife is an excellent combo of the Strider knives designs and Kershaw (Ken Onion).
Ji
The ZT is very large with a thick blade and a stout grind. If you need/want a blade like that, it doesn't have a whole lot of competition.
Pros:
1. It is well made with a very nice texture on both the ti and g-10 slabs. Fit and finish are more consistent than the Strider products and it doesn't require the kind of break-in I associate with Strider stuff, understandable as Kershaw / Kai are making them.
2. If you like prying or chipping with your folder and don't want to pay the extra freight for a Strider folder and like speed safe - this may be your knife.
Cons:
1. You either like Speed Safe or you don't. While I find them fun to play with, in practice I have never been fond of the big "snap" that accompanies each opening (a real head turner), nor do I like the resistance when re-cocking the blade to a close. I just prefer the silence of a button lock or one of the Hawk's toggle locks. YMMV.
2. It is a big honkin' knife, so finding a place/way to carry it isn't always the easiest thing to do depending on how you are dressed. The clip placement is a little too high I think - I have just come to prefer low-ride clips. If you are comparing it to a straight knife, it is still easier to carry, which is why you would want a folder in the first place.
Pros:
1. It is well made with a very nice texture on both the ti and g-10 slabs. Fit and finish are more consistent than the Strider products and it doesn't require the kind of break-in I associate with Strider stuff, understandable as Kershaw / Kai are making them.
2. If you like prying or chipping with your folder and don't want to pay the extra freight for a Strider folder and like speed safe - this may be your knife.
Cons:
1. You either like Speed Safe or you don't. While I find them fun to play with, in practice I have never been fond of the big "snap" that accompanies each opening (a real head turner), nor do I like the resistance when re-cocking the blade to a close. I just prefer the silence of a button lock or one of the Hawk's toggle locks. YMMV.
2. It is a big honkin' knife, so finding a place/way to carry it isn't always the easiest thing to do depending on how you are dressed. The clip placement is a little too high I think - I have just come to prefer low-ride clips. If you are comparing it to a straight knife, it is still easier to carry, which is why you would want a folder in the first place.
nozh2002
BANNED
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2003
- Messages
- 5,736
I think ZT302 is best knife of this year. Result of Kershaw latest effort to win the market (succesful IMHO).
I have ZT302 and ZT200. Both are pretty good knives. ZT200 got less attention ZT302 just looks better, but it is very good knife - it is just in the shadow of its big brother ZT300. They both big bit not too big ZT302 - 3 3/4" and ZT200 - 4" (it was wrong info in TAD Gear about length).
I think ZT302 is best Strider as well as best Onion - in this case they compines and multiply all their strength together. It is my faivorit knife just because it is so gorgeus. With all its performance of course.
ZT200 is less bright but performs as well as ZT302. They just different.
Thanks, Vassili.
I have ZT302 and ZT200. Both are pretty good knives. ZT200 got less attention ZT302 just looks better, but it is very good knife - it is just in the shadow of its big brother ZT300. They both big bit not too big ZT302 - 3 3/4" and ZT200 - 4" (it was wrong info in TAD Gear about length).
I think ZT302 is best Strider as well as best Onion - in this case they compines and multiply all their strength together. It is my faivorit knife just because it is so gorgeus. With all its performance of course.
ZT200 is less bright but performs as well as ZT302. They just different.
Thanks, Vassili.
